Latest news with #Shahzaib
Express Tribune
17-06-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
Born unwelcome
The writer is a Lecturer in English at the Higher Education Department, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Email him at namdar057@ Many claim daughters are a blessing. They gush about how much they love their sisters. They insist women deserve respect. But the truth hits the moment — day zero — a girl is born. No fireworks, no mithai, no praise, no photos, no phone calls — just silence, sometimes laced with regret and disappointment. And in rural districts like Torghar (K-P) or Kech (Balochistan), she might not even be registered. It's like she didn't arrive at all. The air turns heavy when it's 'just a girl'. The in-laws' mood curdles. The same people who cheered your wedding now weigh your worth. The mother-in-law rattles off how many grandsons her other daughters-in-law have brought into the family. Expect taunts, quiet snubs or worse if you fail to deliver sons. Boys get new clothes, toys and gold; girls often get hand-me-downs or knockoffs. Aqeeqahs and other traditional feasts for baby girls are often modest or skipped altogether while boys get lavish celebrations. Boys are called Shahzaib or Zarrar — names echoing honour, legacy and strength — while girls' names are chosen perfunctorily, almost like ticking off a task. The chromosome that determines a baby's sex comes from the father, not the mother — right? But she bears the consequences of his ignorance, ego and entitlement. Some men remarry after two or three daughters, convinced a new wife will deliver the prize; some erupt in rage; some walk away; others push their wives time and again until a son arrives. One man I know kept trying until the ninth child. When he finally had a son — born with a disability — the unease behind the congratulations was hard to miss. Disturbingly, some still opt for illegal sex-selective abortions. Thanks to pressure, most gynecologists now refuse to reveal gender — a tiny and hard-fought victory. But even if a girl survives the womb, what awaits her next? She tastes it in nutrition. She feels it in healthcare. If there's only enough for one child's food or treatment, the boy gets it; girls get leftovers and their coughs can wait. It's worse in poor households where every rupee must be defended. Even the same parents who lovingly feed and treat their sons think twice about wasting (as they see it) a doctor's visit on a feverish daughter. Before school even begins, her training starts: not in books, but in chores. She helps her mother sweep, cook and care for siblings. She's taught silence and endurance while the boy beside her is told to lead, speak and aim higher (much like training one to crawl while urging the other to fly). No one sees how it chips away at her mind and confidence. In some tribal areas, her fate is sealed before she can even open her eyes. Newborn girls are informally engaged to cousins or tribal allies, tiny futures locked in without consent. It's not fate; it's a choice we keep making as a society. Let's stop pretending these injustices are confined to rural pockets. Urban hypocrisy just wears better clothes. Let's not pretend only the uneducated enable this or that the gender gap in child survival is natural, cultural or economic. We engineer it by preference and prejudice. Change doesn't need another national campaign or billboard with smiling girls. It needs shame! Shame in the hearts of families who treat their sons like heirs and their daughters like consolation prizes. Shame in the voices of husbands who blame women for the biology they themselves pass on. Shame in a society that keeps girls alive, but never lets them thrive. Until we begin to see the birth of a daughter as a cause for celebration -— not restraint, not regret — we'll remain a nation guilty of waging a quiet war on half our future.
Express Tribune
02-06-2025
- Express Tribune
Youth shot dead 'by Customs men' during snap checking
A youth was killed in a shooting near Boat Basin traffic light. The heirs alleged that the deceased was shot dead by customs officials who with the help of the police, abducted the eyewitness of the incident from Jinnah Hospital and took him with them. The heirs of the deceased protested with the body at the Native Jetty Bridge and demanded the arrest of customs officials involved in the murder, registration of a case against them and release of the eyewitness. According to details, a person riding a Toyota Corolla Altis car number AGB-636 was shot dead on the night between Sunday and Monday near Boat Basin signal within the limits of Boat Basin police station. The body of the deceased, identified as 28-year-old Ehsan Noorullah, was shifted to Jinnah Hospital. According to the police, the incident took place near Boat Basin signal, where customs officials in a government Vigo and a private car signalled to stop a car loaded with Iranian powdered milk. When the driver did not stop the car and tried to escape, the officials opened fire. As a result, Ehsan died on the spot, while the other young man in the car, Shahzaib remained unhurt. The victim's family alleged that customs official Adil Bhatti was also involved in the shooting. They said they informed the police about the incident and cooperated with them. Eyewitness Shahzaib also gave his statement to the police, however, after some time, the customs officials came to the hospital along with the Boat Basin police and took Shahzaib with them in a car from the emergency ward, the relatives claimed. Police officials reached the Native Jetty Bridge and negotiated with the protestors. Initially they refused saying they will not end their protest unless the customs officials are arrested and Shahzeb is released. Later, on the assurance of the police they ended their protest. A case of the incident will be registered on the complaint of the heirs of the deceased. Robbers injure three Robbers injured three citizens, including a 12-year-old boy, when they resisted during a robbery in Steel Town. The citizens caught the bandits, roughed them up and then handed them over to the police. The injured citizens were identified as 12-year-old Saifullah and Junaid Khan. Meanwhile, armed suspects, during a robbery at a clothing shop in Mahmoodabad, opened fire on the shopkeeper on his resistance, injuring him seriously. The injured shopkeeper was identified as 20-year-old Zain.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Shahzaib Shah: The Pakistani Ethical Hacker Catching Global Vulnerabilities
Empowering a new generation, Shahzaib Shah of SSSn is not only securing global systems but inspiring Pakistani youth to embrace ethical hacking and digital responsibility. BALAKOT, Pakistan, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In an era where cybersecurity threats dominate headlines, a young researcher from Balakot, Mansehra is gaining international attention for helping organizations detect and fix critical security vulnerabilities. Syed Shahzaib Shah, a 24-year-old self-taught ethical hacker, has quietly become a global name in responsible vulnerability disclosure — all from the hills of northern Pakistan. Shahzaib's work has been instrumental in uncovering previously unknown vulnerabilities affecting major web platforms, APIs, and enterprise systems. His reports, submitted through bug bounty programs and coordinated disclosure channels, have contributed to enhanced digital security for millions of users worldwide. "Cybersecurity is about trust, not power. It's about protecting people's data, businesses, and national systems before someone with bad intentions gets there first," says Shahzaib Shah. Despite limited access to formal education and technology in his hometown, Shahzaib taught himself cybersecurity through online forums, open-source materials, and years of hands-on research. His rise to prominence demonstrates that talent in the tech world is no longer confined to major urban centers or elite universities. Shahzaib's ethical hacking work has been featured internationally in publications including AP News, Cybersecurity Dive, Benzinga, News Channel Nebraska, Beamstart, and Street Insider. These features highlight the growing relevance of Pakistan's ethical hacking community and the emerging role of independent cybersecurity researchers from South Asia in protecting global digital assets. While confidentiality agreements prevent him from naming all the companies he's worked with, his public acknowledgments and growing presence on international bug bounty platforms speak to the consistency and impact of his research. A Voice for Digital Education and Youth Empowerment In addition to technical contributions, Shahzaib is a strong advocate for cybersecurity education among youth in Pakistan. He frequently speaks about the importance of ethical hacking, responsible digital behavior, and online protection through interviews, forums, and mentorship. "We need to change the narrative. Hacking doesn't always mean harm. In the right hands, it's protection," he says. His message is particularly resonant in rural and underserved areas of Pakistan, where access to tech training is scarce. Through his outreach efforts, Shahzaib is encouraging young Pakistanis to explore ethical hacking as a career — one that promotes integrity, knowledge-sharing, and community protection. Why This Matters With cyberattacks on the rise globally, stories like Shahzaib Shah's are not only inspiring but also critical. They highlight how grassroots cybersecurity talent can make a global difference when given the right platform. His rise also speaks to the growing need for governments, educational institutions, and tech companies to support local talent in digital security fields. Pakistan, which has seen a growing number of cyber incidents in both public and private sectors, stands to benefit greatly from cultivating more researchers like Shahzaib. His success proves that with the right tools and ethical grounding, even the most remote regions can produce global cybersecurity defenders. About Syed Shahzaib Shah Syed Shahzaib Shah is an independent cybersecurity researcher and ethical hacker from Balakot, Mansehra, Pakistan. Specializing in web application security, vulnerability assessments, and responsible disclosure, Shahzaib has become one of the country's most recognized voices in global digital protection. He is also the founder of awareness initiatives aimed at educating young Pakistanis about cybersecurity and digital ethics. View original content: SOURCE SSSn Sign in to access your portfolio
Associated Press
16-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Shahzaib Shah Rises from Balakot to Bug Bounty Fame After Securing Global Tech Giants
Balakot, Pakistan April 16, 2025 --( )-- Syed Shahzaib Shah, a self-taught cybersecurity researcher and ethical hacker from the mountainous region of Balakot, Pakistan, is gaining international recognition for uncovering critical security flaws in Global Tech Giants , and government websites. In an era where digital threats continue to evolve, Shahzaib's journey stands out not just for his achievements, but for where it began. Raised in Balakot, a small town with limited access to advanced technology, Shahzaib defied the odds by teaching himself cybersecurity through online communities, open-source platforms, and late-night trial and error. With no formal computer science background, he built his own path — fueled by determination, curiosity, and a mission to make the web safer. 'I didn't have resources or a mentor. I had purpose,' Shahzaib says. 'When systems break, I step in and break them the right way — before the wrong people do.' Now in his mid-twenties, Shahzaib leads two tech-driven companies: SS Support Network. Under his leadership, the companies have become known for supporting clients in the United States with dispatching, customer service, medical billing, and — increasingly — advanced cybersecurity and digital risk management. Through bug bounty programs, Shahzaib has responsibly disclosed security vulnerabilities in major platforms, helping prevent data breaches, identity theft, and financial exploitation. His work has earned him a spot among the top bug bounty hunters representing Pakistan on the global stage. His portfolio includes: Reporting high-risk vulnerabilities in Top Tech Giants Detecting injection flaws Uncovering access control issues in government portals Helping private clients patch and secure systems before public exposure In addition to cybersecurity, Shahzaib Shah is known for creating virtual teams that support healthcare, NEMT, and dispatch operations across America and Global. His companies employ remote talent from across the world — proving that innovation can come from anywhere, even small towns like Balakot. With his hacker-themed branding, dedication to ethical practices, and passion for youth empowerment, Shahzaib has become a beacon of possibility for underrepresented tech talent across South Asia. He continues to mentor young professionals in Pakistan, advocating for cybersecurity awareness, responsible technology use, and digital privacy rights. About Syed Shahzaib Shah: Syed Shahzaib Shah is a cybersecurity expert, bug bounty hunter, and CEO of SS Support Network. He is best known for discovering vulnerabilities in systems owned by Top Tech Companies, and government institutions. Based in Balakot, Pakistan, Shahzaib has built an international reputation for ethical hacking, remote tech innovation, and digital transformation leadership. Contact Information: SS Support Isabella Masters +15646664555 Contact via Email Read the full story here: Shahzaib Shah Rises from Balakot to Bug Bounty Fame After Securing Global Tech Giants Press Release Distributed by
