Author: Faiza Liaquat
At the 17th Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Summit in Khankendi, Azerbaijan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif put forward Pakistan’s regional vision focused on trade expansion, climate resilience, and connectivity through cross-border infrastructure. He stressed the urgency of joint efforts for sustainable development, calling on ECO nations to collaborate on low-emission transport corridors and a regional carbon market to unlock climate financing. During his address, the Prime Minister reminded attendees that Pakistan remains among the top ten countries most vulnerable to climate change, recalling the devastating 2022 floods that displaced over 33 million people. He emphasized that regional unity and financial cooperation…
In a groundbreaking move to improve transparency and infrastructure, the Punjab government has begun digitizing all fruit and vegetable markets across the province. Spearheaded under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the initiative seeks to modernize operations, curb price manipulation, and ensure real-time price updates for consumers. The Kacha Market in Lahore has been selected as the pilot site for this transformation, with a clear deadline to turn it into a model facility by November. As part of this overhaul, Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) will now manage sanitation, while market fee collections have been outsourced, significantly increasing revenue…
The Government of Pakistan has greenlit a major AI development initiative with an approved budget of Rs 534.6 million, marking a significant step under the Digital Pakistan vision. Spearheaded by the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication, the project focuses on expanding AI infrastructure, skills, and innovation across the country. The initiative will train 20,000 students in artificial intelligence, offer advanced training to 500 professionals, and support 150 AI startups through grants and incubation. Additionally, two AI hubs will be established, alongside 3,000 workshops and national awareness sessions to increase public engagement and understanding of AI technologies. Seven National Incubation Centers…
In a powerful show of compassion and innovation, Pakistani health-tech startup Bioniks has extended a lifeline of hope to Gaza by delivering 3D-printed prosthetic arms to two young girls who lost their limbs in airstrikes. Eight-year-old Sidra Al Bordeeni and three-year-old Habebat Allah are now able to smile, play, and even hug their families again — thanks to 3D-modeled prosthetics created in Karachi and delivered to a Jordan refugee camp by Bioniks CEO Anas Niaz. What makes this mission extraordinary is Bioniks’ remote-fitting technology, which enables precise, affordable prosthetics to be custom-designed through a smartphone app, without requiring in-person scans.…
Pakistan is making waves on the regional sports stage as two young karate prodigies brought home gold medals from the South Asian Karate Championship 2025, held in Colombo, Sri Lanka. 🌟 In a thrilling display of strength and skill, Aina Noel clinched gold in the Under-12 +40 kg Kumite category, proudly representing Pakistan. Earlier, Huzaifa Arshad also made the nation proud by winning gold in the Under-10 category. These back-to-back victories are a testament to the rising talent in Pakistan’s martial arts scene. As the country invests more in youth sports, performances like these offer a glimpse into a bright,…
In a remarkable legal victory, PIA Investment Ltd has finally received $11 million in settlement after a decades-long arbitration process. The announcement came from Federal Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, who shared that the funds were transferred last night following a favorable arbitration ruling originally issued 13 years ago. This payout concludes a 28-year-long legal journey, reflecting persistence in international legal procedures and arbitration enforcement. Though specific details of the case remain undisclosed, the successful outcome highlights PIA Investment Ltd’s ability to safeguard national assets and pursue long-standing claims to fruition. This development also marks a rare positive injection of…
Something exciting is on the horizon in the heart of Pakistan’s capital. This July, tech lovers, creators, and developers from across the country are gearing up for Google I/O Extended Islamabad 2025, hosted by the inspiring community of Google Developer Groups (GDG) Islamabad. It’s set to be one of the most dynamic and inclusive tech events of the year, filled with learning, innovation, and real human connection. The journey begins on 12 July at Pearl Continental Hotel Rawalpindi, with Day 2 unfolding on 13 July at Innovista Rawal, DHA Phase 1 Islamabad. From 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM, attendees will…
During the 33rd General Assembly at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, Pakistan was re-elected to the Executive Council of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO for the 2025–2027 term. This prestigious platform promotes international collaboration in marine science, supports sustainable ocean economies, and plays a vital role in tsunami early warning systems and ocean hazard preparedness. As a member, Pakistan will help steer the strategic direction of global ocean science, including projects under the UN Ocean Decade (2021–2030). The Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted this re-election as recognition of Pakistan’s growing role in scientific diplomacy and commitment to sustainable marine…
Pakistan is stepping confidently into the future with a national strategy to unlock the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence. Led by Federal Planning Minister Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, a new roadmap has been laid out focusing on twelve high-impact sectors — from education and health to agriculture, governance, and business. This visionary framework not only outlines integration goals but also calls for coordinated collaboration across government, academia, and private industry. Working groups are being formed to tailor AI solutions to sector-specific challenges, guided by clear objectives and measurable outcomes. To support innovation and emerging talent, a National AI Fund will fuel…
In a powerful push to transform early education, the Punjab government has allocated Rs 250 million to build 1,139 new classrooms in public schools across the province. Each school will receive Rs 250,000 for furniture, books, and ECE kits part of an initiative to improve early childhood education infrastructure. Funds will be directly transferred to school heads to fast-track development and ensure better learning spaces for young students. Officials expect this move to raise education quality, reduce overcrowding, and provide more child-friendly environments in public schools. This comes as part of Punjab’s broader education reform strategy after earlier identifying 1.8…