Tech

Aftab Maken ISLAMABAD:  Pakistan is charting an ambitious course towards a digitally transformed future, with recent legislative milestones like the Digital Nation Pakistan Act 2025 hailed as a cornerstone for economic growth and societal advancement. While the government’s vision paints a picture of bypassing traditional development stages through digital prowess, …

Aftab Maken ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication has come down hard on Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), recommending disciplinary action due to serious concerns about mismanagement, lack of transparency, and failure to cooperate with parliamentary oversight. The committee also sharply criticized the broader telecom …

Aftab Maken ISLAMABAD:  Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) recently trumpeted a “profit” of Rs 13.1 billion for the first half of FY2025, a claim that, on the surface, might suggest a miraculous turnaround for the beleaguered national carrier. However, a deeper dive into the government’s own State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) report reveals …

Losses mount despite top-line growth; Telenor deal adds to debt woe Aftab Maken ISLAMABAD: PTCL Group has posted a growth in consolidated revenues for FY2024, touching Rs 219.78 billion – up from Rs 188.66 billion last year – but the numbers tell only half the story. Beneath the surface, the …

Aftab Maken ISLAMABAD: The President of Pakistan has issued the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority Ordinance 2025, which comes into immediate effect across the country. This ordinance introduces a comprehensive legal framework for overseeing virtual assets and their service providers in the country. Under the ordinance, the Authority will function as …

Aftab Maken ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s car market is facing a big shock following the Federal Budget 2025-26. Major car makers like Pak Suzuki Motor Company and Lucky Motor Corporation (LMC) have announced sharp price increases on their vehicles, effective July 1, 2025.  These hikes come after the government raised the sales …

Aftab Maken ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has officially endorsed the establishment of a high-level search committee. This committee is tasked with identifying and recommending the Chairman and Members for the newly formed Pakistan Digital Authority (PDA). This significant development operates under the purview of the Digital Nation Pakistan Act …

Aftab Maken ISLAMABAD: Pakistani consumers are demonstrating a dramatic shift towards digital commerce, collectively spending over $1 billion annually on online shopping, according to recent revelations. This burgeoning trend highlights the significant growth of the country’s digital economy, prompting the government to introduce a 5% tax on foreign vendors in …

Aftab Maken ISLAMABAD:  Pakistan is set to see a significant shift in its automotive market and public finance management, following key approvals from the Ministry of Commerce and the Senate Standing Committee on Finance. Starting September 2025, the commercial import of used cars will officially be permitted, marking a new …

Aftab Maken ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Finance has rejected key proposals in the finance bill 2025-26 which include a Rs 2.50 per liter carbon levy on petroleum products, the removal of the 10% debt servicing surcharge cap on electricity users, and the imposition of a levy on small …