Author: Faiza Liaquat
In a bold move toward profitability and scale, Bazaar Technologies has acquired Keenu, the digital payments platform used by merchants in 150+ cities across Pakistan. With this acquisition, Bazaar now positions itself as Pakistan’s premier e-commerce and fintech provider. Launched to support small retailers, Bazaar has evolved into a direct-to-consumer platform, backed by $100 million in funding from top investors like Tiger Global and Dragoneer. Keenu brings mobile wallet capabilities, POS systems, and a strong nationwide merchant network. With no further funding needed, Bazaar is focusing on aggressive expansion and user engagement — targeting Pakistan’s youth-heavy digital population, over 60%…
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Takes Digital Lead with QR-Based Identity System ‘Khyber Pass’ In a move that marks a new era for citizen services in Pakistan, the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has launched Khyber Pass, the country’s first QR-based digital identity platform. The system will give users a single digital account and scannable ID for real-time access to multiple government services including healthcare, education, property, and licensing. Inaugurated by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, the initiative is designed to eliminate repetitive paperwork and long queues by linking citizen data through a secure NADRA integration. The system already includes three live services and…
In a major global endorsement, Northern Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan region has been featured in the Financial Times’ “50 Holidays to Take in 2025” list marking a proud moment for Pakistan’s tourism industry. The recognition celebrates the region’s towering mountain beauty, revived tourism infrastructure, and growing international accessibility, including free online visas for over 120 countries and increasing flight operations to Skardu and Gilgit. Adventure travel operator Wild Frontiers, a UK-based company that began offering tours in Pakistan in 1998, is now offering a 14-day immersive trip through the valleys and peaks of Hunza and Baltistan complete with six days of trekking…
In a major fiscal move, Pakistan has announced the early retirement of PKR 500 billion in sovereign debt owed to the State Bank of Pakistan, originally set to mature in 2029. This comes just months after a historic PKR 1 trillion market debt buyback in December 2024 bringing total early repayments in FY25 to PKR 1.5 trillion. Officials report significant economic gains: Pakistan’s debt-to-GDP ratio has declined to 69%, the average maturity of public debt has increased to 3.75 years, and interest cost savings are estimated at PKR 830 billion this fiscal year. Economic advisor Khurram Schehzad called it “a decisive and disciplined strategy”…
The Pakistan Cricket Board has made a landmark decision to commit Rs 6 billion toward stadium upgrades across its top three venues Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, National Stadium in Karachi, and Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium within its overall Rs 18 billion annual budget. According to senior journalist Saleem Khaliq, this investment is aimed at delivering modern seating, enhanced amenities, and up-to-date infrastructure to meet both ICC requirements and rising expectations among matchgoers. Beyond temporary fixes, this marks a shift toward long-term facility resilience, placing Pakistan’s stadiums on par with global standards. As the PCB prepares for a packed schedule involving domestic tournaments, PSL 2025, and…
Pakistan’s national Tekken team will face Saudi Arabia in a 7v7 offline nation battle in Riyadh. With Arslan Ash expected to lead, the match showcases Pakistan’s growing global presence in competitive Esports and fighting games. Pakistan’s national Tekken team is set to face Saudi Arabia in a 7v7 offline nation battle a prestigious event highlighting the country’s growth in global Esports and fighting game dominance. Leading the squad is expected to be Arslan Ash, a multiple-time EVO champion and a global icon in the Tekken scene. Saudi Arabia, now a recognized Esports powerhouse, boasts world-class talent and state-supported infrastructure. This…
The KSE-100 Index posted a 60.15% return in FY25, outpacing gold, T-Bills, and all other asset classes. Experts cite improved liquidity, rate cuts, and sectoral growth as key drivers behind Pakistan’s top-performing investment avenue. Pakistan’s KSE-100 Index closed the fiscal year 2025 as the best-performing asset class, boasting an impressive return of 60.15%. The rally surpassed gold (45%) and other traditional investment avenues such as treasury bills (21.4%) and bank deposits (12.6%). According to Arif Habib Limited, the market’s stellar performance was driven by aggressive monetary easing, improved liquidity, and revaluation of undervalued sectors. These trends renewed investor interest and…
The Punjab government has launched a real-time GPS-based inspection system to bring transparency to school monitoring practices across the province. The Punjab GPS School Inspections initiative is designed to combat fake or desk-based inspection reports and ensure that all Monitoring and Evaluation Assistants (MEAs) are physically present during school visits. To enable this system, the Program Monitoring and Implementation Unit (PMIU) signed an agreement with a private telecom provider to supply MEAs with free internet-enabled SIM cards. These allow the system to capture live GPS data, ensuring that each visit is tracked and verifiable. Authorities have warned of strict disciplinary…
Pakistan is making a landmark move in the world of digital finance with the launch of the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) a newly approved body designed to regulate the country’s fast-expanding crypto economy. Home to over 40 million users and an estimated $300 billion in annual informal crypto transactions, Pakistan is finally putting formal structures in place to manage this digital gold rush. PVARA will serve as an autonomous regulator, tasked with licensing crypto exchanges, monitoring activity, setting technical standards, and aligning with global compliance norms such as FATF, IMF, and World Bank guidelines. The government believes this…
In a positive diplomatic development, Sweden has resumed visa services in Islamabad, allowing Pakistani citizens to apply for short-term Schengen visas for travel up to 90 days. The move follows successful bilateral talks between officials from both countries, held in Stockholm on July 2. Starting July 7, Pakistanis can once again apply directly for Swedish visas without having to travel abroad for processing. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the decision as a sign of stronger mutual ties and enhanced cooperation. This restoration is expected to facilitate easier travel, bolster cultural exchange, and pave the way for more robust connections…