Author: Faiza Liaquat

Pakistan’s push for digital independence is paying off. According to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, over 12 million mobile phones were assembled domestically in the first five months of 2025. This includes 6.53 million 2G phones and 5.52 million smartphones, with imports staying well below a million units, a clear sign of reduced reliance on international supply chains. Even more promising, smartphone penetration has reached 67%, showing the country’s growing digital adoption. Meanwhile, PTA’s consumer protection record remains strong, having resolved nearly 98% of telecom and internet complaints last month. With these combined efforts in manufacturing, customer service, and regulatory support,…

In an extraordinary show of strength and skill, Pakistan’s Youth Girls Netball Team claimed the Asian Youth Girls Netball Championship 2025 (Plate Title) in South Korea after a dominant 60-35 final victory over Maldives. The team’s flawless 7-match unbeaten streak featured big wins against top sides like Japan, Chinese Taipei, and hosts South Korea. Their final performance was a masterclass in control and confidence, with standout plays from Leya Raza Shah, Alisha Naveed, Sumayya Kouser, Jasmine Farooq, and others. From a powerful opening quarter to a clinical finish, the girls never let go of their lead. The result is more…

In a historic step for Pakistan’s diplomacy, the country has assumed the presidency of the UN Security Council for the month of July. This marks Pakistan’s 8th time leading the Council and comes with a powerful agenda for global peacebuilding. Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan’s representative to the UN, outlined a month guided by transparency, inclusivity, and commitment to the UN Charter. Key priorities include: This presidency reinforces Pakistan’s continued leadership in shaping multilateral diplomacy particularly in promoting peaceful conflict resolution and humanitarian protection.

Pakistan is making waves on the global scientific stage as five young researchers take part in the 74th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Chemistry, held in Lindau, Germany from June 29 to July 4, 2025. The event is one of the world’s most exclusive scientific gatherings, where over 600 promising scientists interact with Nobel Prize winners through discussions, mentorship sessions, and collaborative dialogues. Representing diverse institutions across Pakistan, this year’s delegates include: The initiative is coordinated by the Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS) under the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) in partnership with HEC, showcasing a strong…

In a decisive move toward equitable employment, the Supreme Court of Pakistan has ruled that married women in government jobs can legally adopt their spouse’s domicile—without compromising their promotion eligibility or placement within provincial quotas. The judgment was passed in response to a case filed by Dr. Shumaila Naeem, a medical officer who had switched her domicile to her husband’s province, Balochistan. After objections from the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC), she took her case to the apex court, which upheld her rights and ordered reconsideration for her promotion. This verdict sets a vital precedent for gender equity in public…

In a year where many sectors struggled with internal slowdowns, Pakistan’s cement industry stood tall on the global stage. According to industry reports, cement exports jumped 29.5% year-on-year, reaching over 9.2 million tonnes and helping the sector surpass the 46 million tonne mark for total shipments. The southern region’s performance was especially remarkable, posting a 33% surge in exports. Meanwhile, June 2025 exports alone grew by a staggering 81.7%, signaling increasing global interest in Pakistani materials. This marks a pivotal shift toward export-led resilience. By leaning into global markets, the industry not only sustained output but also brought valuable foreign…

In a potentially game-changing shift, the United States has signaled its intention to invest between $500 million to $1 billion in Pakistan’s mineral sector. The move is part of a broader economic dialogue aimed at deepening bilateral trade, strengthening industrial links, and reducing trade barriers. Pakistan’s delegation, led by Secretary of Commerce Jawad Paul, is currently in Washington fine-tuning a long-term agreement that may also include U.S. imports of Pakistani textiles and a reciprocal plan to buy American oil. The urgency is growing as both sides seek to: Officials are hopeful that by next week, negotiations will culminate in a…

Pakistan’s young netball sensations are making history in South Korea. With a flawless performance against Japan, winning 64-39 in the semifinal, the girls in green have secured their place in the final of the Asian Youth Girls Netball Championship 2025. From the opening whistle, the team showed poise, power, and precision. A 21-7 lead in the first quarter set the tone for the match, and despite Japan’s efforts to fight back, Pakistan maintained complete control. With standout performances from players like Leya Raza Shah, Alisha Naveed, and Haleema, the squad showcased impressive chemistry and tactical depth. This latest win follows…

In May 2025, Zong 4G launched Z SAIS Cloud — Pakistan’s first AI-powered, locally hosted cloud platform. Backed by advanced data centers in Islamabad and Lahore, it’s designed for government, startups, SMEs, and large enterprises, offering fast, secure, and sovereign cloud services. Z SAIS tackles the common challenges of foreign cloud providers—like currency volatility and compliance issues—by keeping data within Pakistan and billing in PKR. The platform includes AI-ready tools, GPU-powered VMs, data backups, secure firewalls, and easy-to-use dashboards, all with under 50 ms latency. Built with local needs in mind, it comes with Urdu/English support, flexible pricing, and prebuilt sector templates—making adoption…

Pakistan’s headline inflation slowed to 3.2% year-on-year in June 2025, down from 3.5% in May — marking the lowest level in nearly four years, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. On a monthly basis, inflation rose slightly by 0.2%, compared to a 0.5% gain in May. The average Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Fiscal Year 2024–25 settled at 4.49%, a dramatic decline from the 23.41% average recorded in FY24. This also marks the lowest annual inflation average since FY2016, when it stood at 2.9%. Urban inflation was reported at 3.0% in June, while rural inflation registered at 3.6% —…