Pakistan Telecom, IT, Tech updates

[ghazi52]

Centre to provide valuable infrastructure, IT minister says​

Speaking at the inauguration, Minister for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja termed the data centre “a step in the right direction”, saying that it provided Pakistan with the foundation of an infrastructure “capable of producing the most important economic unit today: token intelligence”.


She stated that every opportunity in the future would be reliant on access to high performance computing — including in healthcare, agriculture, economy, financial services, education, public administration and national security.

The minister noted that according to McKinsey, the global demand for data centres would triple by 2030, while according to Goldman Sachs, power requirements would also rise by 160 per cent by the same year.

“This is where Pakistan’s opportunity is extraordinary,” she said.

“We’re a young nation, we’re a large nation, and we’re a nation of stunning human capability.”

She highlighted that the country’s engineers, developers, researchers and entrepreneurs did not lack intelligence or ambition, but rather infrastructure — which the new data centre would provide.

 

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[hydrabadi_arab]

Govt unveils National AI Initiative with seven innovation hubs​

• Initiative is part of Pakistan National AI Policy

The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) has unveiled an ambitious nationwide plan to establish seven Artificial Intelligence (AI) Hubs across Pakistan under the newly launched National Artificial Intelligence Advancement Initiative (NAAI), aiming to incubate 560 AI startups, distribute non-dilutive seed grants to 150 startups, and position the country as a regional hub for AI-driven innovation.

The initiative, launched as part of the implementation of Pakistan’s National AI Policy, marks one of the government’s most comprehensive interventions to build an institutional AI ecosystem by bringing together academia, industry, startups, researchers, investors and the public sector under a single national framework.

According to official documents of the ministry, MoITT will select a single bidder—either an individual company or a joint venture/consortium—to design, establish, operate and sustain AI Hubs in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Muzaffarabad and Gilgit.

The selected entity will be responsible for developing fully operational AI innovation centers equipped with modern office infrastructure, high-speed internet, collaboration spaces, multimedia facilities, mentorship rooms, hybrid meeting infrastructure and dedicated workspaces for AI startups.

The AI Hubs are intended to become regional innovation centers focusing on practical AI applications across priority sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, education, fintech, public-sector governance, smart and sustainable cities and other emerging technology domains.

Under the two-year programme, each hub will induct 20 AI startups per cohort, with two cohorts every year, resulting in 40 startups annually at each hub and 280 startups every year across all seven centers. Over the project’s two-year duration, a total of 560 startups will pass through the incubation programme.

Beyond physical infrastructure, the successful bidder will be required to design and deliver a comprehensive innovation ecosystem featuring AI boot camps, accelerator programmes, incubation support, thematic AI challenges, hackathons and startup mentoring.

The RFP also places significant emphasis on commercialization, requiring the operator to connect startups with venture capital firms, incubators, accelerators, research institutions and technology companies to improve investment readiness and market access.

One of the programme’s most significant components is the administration of 150 non-dilutive seed grants for AI startups. While the grant funding will be provided separately by MoITT and will not form part of the contractor’s financial proposal, the selected bidder will design and implement a transparent nationwide mechanism for outreach, application processing, technical evaluation, selection, grant disbursement, monitoring and post-award support.

The ministry has directed that the funding programme be merit-based and supported by clearly defined key performance indicators, milestone-based disbursements and robust monitoring mechanisms to ensure accountability and measurable outcomes.

To stimulate innovation nationwide, the operator will also organize two national AI Hackathons and four AI Awareness Sessions, bringing together students, entrepreneurs, researchers, policymakers and international experts to accelerate AI adoption and build technical capacity.

The awareness campaigns will be complemented by structured capacity-building programmes designed to improve AI skills among startups, professionals, university students and public-sector officials.

The ministry also expects the AI Hub operator to develop long-term financial sustainability models through industry partnerships, membership programmes, sponsored initiatives, commercial training services and grants, reducing reliance on government funding over time.

In addition, the selected bidder will establish governance frameworks, operational compliance systems, monitoring tools, impact assessment mechanisms and periodic reporting structures aligned with MoITT’s oversight requirements.

The RFP further requires the operator to cultivate strategic partnerships with universities, research centers, government institutions, domestic and international technology companies and global AI research networks to facilitate collaborative research, pilot deployments and commercialization of AI products.

Recognizing the importance of inclusive innovation, the ministry has directed bidders to ensure meaningful participation of women and individuals from rural and underserved communities throughout programme implementation, aligning the initiative with Pakistan’s commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Initially, the contract will be awarded for one year, with the possibility of extension for another year based on performance. However, bidders are required to submit financial proposals covering the entire two-year implementation period.

The launch of NAAI signals the government’s intention to move beyond policy formulation toward building institutional infrastructure capable of supporting AI entrepreneurship, talent development and commercialization at scale. If implemented effectively, the initiative could significantly strengthen Pakistan’s emerging AI ecosystem by creating a coordinated national platform connecting startups, investors, academia and industry while accelerating the country’s transition toward a knowledge-based digital economy.

 

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[hydrabadi_arab]

Punjab approves unified student data system​

Nearly 15m students to receive unique IDs; govt schools to roll out system first

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RAWALPINDI:
The Punjab School Education Department has approved the introduction of a modern digital identification and unified data management system for nearly 15 million pupils enrolled in government schools, marking a major step towards modernising the province's education sector.

The initiative, which will initially be implemented in government schools before being extended to private educational institutions, aims to create a comprehensive digital record for every pupil, improve transparency and strengthen monitoring across the education system.


Under the new system, each pupil will be assigned a permanent Unique ID that will serve as a lifelong educational identifier. The ID will provide authorised access to the pupil's academic history, examination results and other essential information through a single integrated digital platform.

According to the School Education Department, the unified database will maintain records including academic performance, pass or fail status, current class, age, basic health information, city of residence and other relevant details.

A key feature of the initiative is that a pupil's Unique ID will remain unchanged even if they transfer from one government school to another. This will ensure that their complete educational record is preserved and can be accessed immediately by the receiving institution, eliminating the need to recreate student records.

School Education Secretary Mudassir Riaz informed district education officers during a meeting that the primary objective of the project is to enhance transparency, improve oversight and support more effective educational planning across the province.

 

[hydrabadi_arab]

Apple pay is coming to Pakistan with iOS 27 update next month. This is game changer as it will support PayPak, not just visa/mastercard. Now Paypak just need to be on google wallet to take off.

QR codes/RAAST are good and all but these are 3rd world payment system. People who use tap to pay will never go back to QR codes. Paypak fee/cost is half that of visa/master card.

Why PayPak Specifically Matters​

Because PayPak is Pakistan's domestic payment system (created by 1LINK under the State Bank of Pakistan), it handles local, everyday transactions. Integrating PayPak directly into iOS means Apple isn't just looking to support international Visa or Mastercards issued in Pakistan; they are integrating with the local financial infrastructure.

 

[hydrabadi_arab]

The implications for Pakistan’s digital payments ecosystem are enormous and extend far beyond a single app update arriving on iPhone screens. PayPak, owned and operated by 1LINK under the aegis of the State Bank of Pakistan, currently operates across more than 220,000 POS terminals and 21,500 ATMs nationwide. The network supports both contact and NFC contactless transactions through its EMV chip cards, meaning the physical infrastructure for Apple Pay tap-to-pay already exists at tens of thousands of retail locations across the country. Pakistani iPhone users would not need to wait for merchants to adopt new hardware because the terminals are already there.

 

[ghazi52]

Cheap data, rising costs put Pakistan’s telecom economics in focus​

August 13, 2026
Tahir Amin

Telecom industry assessments suggest that Pakistanis are consuming more mobile data than ever at some of the world’s lowest prices, but the economics behind that affordability are coming under pressure just as the country enters a new cycle of spectrum payments, network upgrades and 5G investment.

This was the consensus among different stakeholders and industry experts during a background discussion with Business Recorder.

A customer currently pays approximately Rs29 per GB for mobile data, while average revenue per user (ARPU) remains around US$1 a month, placing Pakistan among the world’s lowest-revenue telecom markets. That equation is becoming harder to sustain as traffic rises and networks require more capacity to keep pace.

 

[ghazi52]

The pressure is set to intensify following the recent spectrum auction. Operators are collectively expected to pay at least US$510 million for newly acquired spectrum, with half due next year, while industry estimates suggest each operator may need to upgrade more than 1,000 mobile sites annually to expand capacity and prepare for 5G.

This comes on top of a sharp increase in the cost of running networks. Energy, imported equipment, freight and insurance have all become more expensive amid inflation, currency volatility and geopolitical tensions. Brent crude alone has climbed from around US$60 per barrel in December to nearly US$84.

Telecom companies say they already invest an estimated 15–20% of their annual revenues in network expansion and modernization. The challenge now is that data traffic and the investment needed to carry it are growing faster than the revenue generated by each subscriber.

It is a significant shift for a market where affordability has been one of the biggest drivers of digital adoption. Pakistan now has more than 208 million cellular subscribers and around 160 million mobile broadband users, with mobile networks supporting everything from digital payments and e-commerce to entertainment, education and public services.

 

[ghazi52]

The pressure is set to intensify following the recent spectrum auction. Operators are collectively expected to pay at least US$510 million for newly acquired spectrum, with half due next year, while industry estimates suggest each operator may need to upgrade more than 1,000 mobile sites annually to expand capacity and prepare for 5G.

This comes on top of a sharp increase in the cost of running networks. Energy, imported equipment, freight and insurance have all become more expensive amid inflation, currency volatility and geopolitical tensions. Brent crude alone has climbed from around US$60 per barrel in December to nearly US$84.

Telecom companies say they already invest an estimated 15–20% of their annual revenues in network expansion and modernization. The challenge now is that data traffic and the investment needed to carry it are growing faster than the revenue generated by each subscriber.

It is a significant shift for a market where affordability has been one of the biggest drivers of digital adoption. Pakistan now has more than 208 million cellular subscribers and around 160 million mobile broadband users, with mobile networks supporting everything from digital payments and e-commerce to entertainment, education and public services.

 

[ghazi52]

PM Shehbaz meets Google delegation, inaugurates company's Pakistan office​

Google VP announces to make Google Gemini subscriptions free for one year for all Pakistani students

Web Desk
August 18, 2026

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in a meeting with the Google delegation, during the inauguration of the company's local office in Pakistan. — PHOTO VIA X

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday met with a Google delegation as part of the tech giant's inauguration ceremony for its local office in Pakistan.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony held at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad, the premier noted that there was great scope to enhance the partnership with Google "in many ways", adding that it was interesting and a "sheer coincidence" that Google was here at a time when Pakistan was going through a "major digital transformation" in many areas of governance.

"We have a youth bulge, and we can really turn around Pakistan’s fortunes, and we are doing a lot, but a lot more is required to be done," he added.

PM Shehbaz noted that today was a "great day for our partnership" and a "stepping stone to a long journey" of contributing to a field which was the call of the day. "We will empower our youth through modern tools and technology, and I am thankful to you for visiting Pakistan," he added.

 

[hydrabadi_arab]

Sunrate Officially Launches in Pakistan to Power the Country’s Growing Digital Export Economy​

By Publishing Partner | Published Aug 18, 2026 | 6:30 pm

Sunrate, the global payment and treasury management platform, officially announced the launch of its operations in Pakistan, strengthening its commitment to one of the world’s fastest-growing digital economies. The announcement was made at On the Front Foot, Pakistan, a launch event held at The Nishat Hotel in Lahore, bringing together senior banking leaders, technology founders, e-commerce operators and digital business owners.

​

The launch marks the next phase of Sunrate’s presence in Pakistan, where it has already been supporting businesses that earn and operate across borders. With a local team and dedicated on-the-ground support, Sunrate is bringing its global payment and treasury infrastructure closer to Pakistan’s growing community of digital exporters — helping businesses receive international payments, manage foreign exchange and operate across multiple currencies as they expand globally.

Pakistan’s digital economy is becoming increasingly connected to international markets, with IT and technology businesses, freelancers, software companies, e-commerce sellers and digital agencies serving customers around the world. As more businesses generate revenue across borders, access to reliable, efficient and competitive financial infrastructure is becoming increasingly important to their ability to scale.




Through its global infrastructure and local presence, Sunrate aims to give Pakistan’s digital businesses greater choice in how they manage international payments and foreign exchange, while providing the local support needed to navigate an increasingly global operating environment.

A long-term commitment to Pakistan​

Sunrate Co-founder Joshua Bao said Pakistan represents an important market in the company’s global strategy, given the scale of its digital talent and the growing international reach of its businesses. “Pakistan is home to an extraordinary pool of technology talent and a rapidly expanding community of businesses serving customers around the world. As these businesses become increasingly global, they need financial infrastructure that can keep pace with the way they operate. At Sunrate, we have always strived to remove friction from global payments and help businesses move and manage money more efficiently across borders. Our launch in Pakistan is a long-term commitment to supporting the country’s digital economy, and we are excited to build alongside the businesses, partners and financial institutions that are shaping its next chapter.”

Sunrate’s Pakistan operations are focused on businesses with international revenue and cross-border financial needs, including IT and software companies, freelancers and digital agencies, e-commerce and marketplace sellers, gaming and technology businesses, and other digital-first companies.

Through Sunrate’s platform, these businesses can access capabilities designed to simplify international payment and treasury operations, including multi-currency payment solutions and foreign exchange services. The company’s global network is designed to help businesses manage their international financial flows more efficiently as they expand into new markets and work with customers and partners overseas.

On the Front Foot: stepping into global opportunity​

The launch event, On the Front Foot, Pakistan, took its inspiration from cricket — a defining part of Pakistan’s culture and identity — and the idea of stepping forward to meet opportunity.

The theme, “Pakistan on the front foot and Sunrate enabling every stride,” reflects the changing ambitions of Pakistan’s digital economy. From winning international technology contracts and serving overseas clients to selling through global marketplaces and building products for international users, Pakistan’s digital businesses are increasingly competing on a global stage.

The event brought together leaders from across Pakistan’s technology, financial and business communities to discuss how the country can build the infrastructure needed to support this next phase of digital growth.


A founder panel, “Technology First: How AI Is Rewriting the Rules for Pakistani Businesses Going Global,” explored how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are changing the way Pakistani businesses compete internationally. The discussion featured Furqan Aziz, CEO and Founder of InvoZone; Nadia Saad Rana, CEO and Creative Director of Typespace; Umer Hiyat, Co-Founder and CEO of Nano Technology Solutions; and Nimra Sardar, Board Member of the International Game Developers Association (IGDA).



A parallel banking discussion, “Beyond Traditional Banking: Building Financial Infrastructure for Pakistan’s Digital Export Economy,” moderated by Mohsin Muzaffer, examined the evolving role of financial institutions in supporting businesses that increasingly operate across borders. The discussion also brought together representatives from Sunrate’s banking partners and other stakeholders in Pakistan’s financial ecosystem.

Building the infrastructure for Pakistan’s next phase of growth​

Speaking at the event, Mohsin Muzaffer, Head of Middle East & South Asia at Sunrate, said: “Pakistan’s digital economy is creating significant opportunities for businesses to serve customers and generate revenue globally. With IT exports reaching US$4.6 billion, there is considerable potential for the ecosystem to grow further. At Sunrate, we want to play a practical role in that growth by giving technology companies, SMEs, freelancers and other digital businesses access to efficient cross-border payment and foreign exchange solutions, backed by dedicated local support. We look forward to working closely with our banking partners, business communities and other stakeholders to build the financial infrastructure needed to support Pakistan’s growing digital economy.”

The launch also featured a partner recognition ceremony, recognising Sunrate’s channel partners in Pakistan and highlighting the importance of collaboration across the country’s financial and technology ecosystem. Product experience areas and dedicated networking sessions provided businesses and partners with an opportunity to engage directly with the Sunrate team and explore the platform’s capabilities.


Following the launch, Sunrate will continue expanding its local presence across Pakistan and strengthening its support for the businesses and sectors contributing to the country’s international services economy.

The company’s roadmap for the remainder of 2026 includes deepening relationships with local banking and business partners, expanding its on-the-ground team and supporting more Pakistani businesses as they enter international markets and manage increasingly complex cross-border financial operations.

As Pakistan’s digital economy continues to connect with customers, platforms and businesses around the world, Sunrate aims to provide the payment and treasury infrastructure that enables those businesses to move forward with greater confidence.


To learn more about how Sunrate supports businesses operating across borders from Pakistan, visit https://pk-pages.sunrate.com/launch-registration

About Sunrate

Sunrate is a leading global payment and treasury management platform for businesses worldwide. Founded in 2016, Sunrate has enabled companies to operate and scale both locally and globally in 190+ countries and regions with its cutting-edge infrastructure, global network, and unified solutions.

Sunrate operates through offices across key markets, including Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and London. The company partners with the top global financial institutions, such as Citibank, Standard Chartered, Barclays, J.P. Morgan. Sunrate is also the principal member of Mastercard and Visa. To learn more about Sunrate, visit https://www.sunrate.com/.

 

[hydrabadi_arab]

Sunrate Officially Launches in Pakistan to Power the Country’s Growing Digital Export Economy​

By Publishing Partner | Published Aug 18, 2026 | 6:30 pm

• 
  

Sunrate, the global payment and treasury management platform, officially announced the launch of its operations in Pakistan, strengthening its commitment to one of the world’s fastest-growing digital economies. The announcement was made at On the Front Foot, Pakistan, a launch event held at The Nishat Hotel in Lahore, bringing together senior banking leaders, technology founders, e-commerce operators and digital business owners.

​

The launch marks the next phase of Sunrate’s presence in Pakistan, where it has already been supporting businesses that earn and operate across borders. With a local team and dedicated on-the-ground support, Sunrate is bringing its global payment and treasury infrastructure closer to Pakistan’s growing community of digital exporters — helping businesses receive international payments, manage foreign exchange and operate across multiple currencies as they expand globally.

Pakistan’s digital economy is becoming increasingly connected to international markets, with IT and technology businesses, freelancers, software companies, e-commerce sellers and digital agencies serving customers around the world. As more businesses generate revenue across borders, access to reliable, efficient and competitive financial infrastructure is becoming increasingly important to their ability to scale.




Through its global infrastructure and local presence, Sunrate aims to give Pakistan’s digital businesses greater choice in how they manage international payments and foreign exchange, while providing the local support needed to navigate an increasingly global operating environment.

A long-term commitment to Pakistan​

Sunrate’s Pakistan operations are focused on businesses with international revenue and cross-border financial needs, including IT and software companies, freelancers and digital agencies, e-commerce and marketplace sellers, gaming and technology businesses, and other digital-first companies.

Through Sunrate’s platform, these businesses can access capabilities designed to simplify international payment and treasury operations, including multi-currency payment solutions and foreign exchange services. The company’s global network is designed to help businesses manage their international financial flows more efficiently as they expand into new markets and work with customers and partners overseas.

On the Front Foot: stepping into global opportunity​

The launch event, On the Front Foot, Pakistan, took its inspiration from cricket — a defining part of Pakistan’s culture and identity — and the idea of stepping forward to meet opportunity.

The theme, “Pakistan on the front foot and Sunrate enabling every stride,” reflects the changing ambitions of Pakistan’s digital economy. From winning international technology contracts and serving overseas clients to selling through global marketplaces and building products for international users, Pakistan’s digital businesses are increasingly competing on a global stage.

The event brought together leaders from across Pakistan’s technology, financial and business communities to discuss how the country can build the infrastructure needed to support this next phase of digital growth.


A founder panel, “Technology First: How AI Is Rewriting the Rules for Pakistani Businesses Going Global,” explored how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are changing the way Pakistani businesses compete internationally. The discussion featured Furqan Aziz, CEO and Founder of InvoZone; Nadia Saad Rana, CEO and Creative Director of Typespace; Umer Hiyat, Co-Founder and CEO of Nano Technology Solutions; and Nimra Sardar, Board Member of the International Game Developers Association (IGDA).



A parallel banking discussion, “Beyond Traditional Banking: Building Financial Infrastructure for Pakistan’s Digital Export Economy,” moderated by Mohsin Muzaffer, examined the evolving role of financial institutions in supporting businesses that increasingly operate across borders. The discussion also brought together representatives from Sunrate’s banking partners and other stakeholders in Pakistan’s financial ecosystem.

Building the infrastructure for Pakistan’s next phase of growth​

The launch also featured a partner recognition ceremony, recognising Sunrate’s channel partners in Pakistan and highlighting the importance of collaboration across the country’s financial and technology ecosystem. Product experience areas and dedicated networking sessions provided businesses and partners with an opportunity to engage directly with the Sunrate team and explore the platform’s capabilities.


Following the launch, Sunrate will continue expanding its local presence across Pakistan and strengthening its support for the businesses and sectors contributing to the country’s international services economy.

The company’s roadmap for the remainder of 2026 includes deepening relationships with local banking and business partners, expanding its on-the-ground team and supporting more Pakistani businesses as they enter international markets and manage increasingly complex cross-border financial operations.

As Pakistan’s digital economy continues to connect with customers, platforms and businesses around the world, Sunrate aims to provide the payment and treasury infrastructure that enables those businesses to move forward with greater confidence.


To learn more about how Sunrate supports businesses operating across borders from Pakistan, visit https://pk-pages.sunrate.com/launch-registration

About Sunrate

Sunrate is a leading global payment and treasury management platform for businesses worldwide. Founded in 2016, Sunrate has enabled companies to operate and scale both locally and globally in 190+ countries and regions with its cutting-edge infrastructure, global network, and unified solutions.

Sunrate operates through offices across key markets, including Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and London. The company partners with the top global financial institutions, such as Citibank, Standard Chartered, Barclays, J.P. Morgan. Sunrate is also the principal member of Mastercard and Visa. To learn more about Sunrate, visit https://www.sunrate.com/.

Why is this a big deal?​

Historically, Pakistani freelancers and IT companies have faced immense friction when receiving international payments. Pakistan’s primary foreign exchange regulations were designed in 1947 for physical currency and traditional banking, not the fast-paced digital economy.

This friction creates real-world problems: high fees from intermediary banks, slow settlement times, and unfavorable currency conversion rates. Sunrate’s entry addresses these pain points directly:

• Bypassing Traditional Bottlenecks: Sunrate provides modern B2B fintech infrastructure, allowing businesses to accept and manage payments in over 130 currencies. This reduces reliance on slow correspondent banking networks.
• Multi-Currency Control: Instead of being forced to instantly convert US Dollars or Euros into Pakistani Rupees at poor rates, platforms like Sunrate give businesses more control over their foreign exchange management, reducing exposure to currency volatility.
• Global Confidence: A major global treasury platform setting up local, on-the-ground operations signals to international clients that paying a Pakistani firm is safe, standard, and frictionless.

How many "extra" dollars will Pakistan earn?​

While it is impossible to predict the exact dollar amount Sunrate alone will generate—as tech exports depend on the companies doing the work—we can measure the impact through the size of the market and the mechanism of savings.

As noted in the article, Pakistan's IT exports have reached $4.6 billion. Furthermore, Pakistan boasts one of the world's top five freelance economies, with over 2.3 million active freelancers who generated roughly $856 million in just the first three quarters of the 2025-2026 financial year.

The "extra" dollars for Pakistan's economy will materialize through two primary channels:

1. Retaining Lost Revenue: Traditional wire transfers and legacy payment gateways often eat anywhere from 3% to 7% of a transaction in hidden fees and poor conversion rates. By cutting out intermediary banks and lowering transaction costs, Pakistani exporters retain a larger net percentage of every dollar they earn.
2. Formalizing the Grey Market: Because traditional banking channels are often cumbersome or expensive, a significant portion of IT and freelance earnings currently flow into Pakistan through informal, unregulated channels (like hawala/hundi). Accessible platforms like Sunrate incentivize workers to bring their money through formal digital channels, which directly boosts the country's official foreign exchange reserves.