Author: Faiza Liaquat

Islamabad, Pakistan – July 12th – 13th, 2025:The capital region witnessed a major tech milestone as Google I/O Extended 2025 arrived in Islamabad, hosted by Google Developer Groups (GDG) Islamabad. The two-day event, held at Pearl Continental Rawalpindi and Innovista Rawal, drew hundreds of developers, tech professionals, and students, with over 88% of attendees under the age of 30. The event highlighted emerging trends in AI, cloud technologies, mobile development, and developer tools, reinforcing Pakistan’s growing presence in the global digital ecosystem. Keynote Insights & Featured ToolsThe event opened with a keynote by Saad Hamid, a Singapore-based tech leader, who…

At only 6 years old, Sufiyan Mehsood is already a name to remember. Hailing from South Waziristan, this young martial artist has achieved his fourth Guinness World Record completing 45 step-ups in 30 seconds, shattering the previous record of 30. Sufyan’s previous accomplishments include breaking two world records that were previously held by Indian athletes. This latest achievement cements his place as Pakistan’s youngest-ever record holder, and an emerging icon in global youth sports. But beyond the numbers, Sufyan’s journey is a powerful message of resilience and representation. Coming from a region often overlooked, he now stands on the global…

In a landmark move, National CERT Pakistan and UNICEF have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly advance Child Online Protection (COP) efforts across the country. The agreement, formalized in Islamabad, sets the stage for a strategic collaboration that will embed cybersecurity, digital literacy, and safety protocols into Pakistan’s child protection and cybersecurity policies. Key elements of the partnership include: By aligning cybersecurity and child rights, this partnership reflects a unified national approach to digital safety. With cyber risks increasingly targeting children, such cross-sector efforts are critical in building a secure, inclusive, and ethical digital future. Representatives from both…

On World Youth Skills Day, the Punjab government has delivered a transformative announcement: Rs. 26 billion will be invested in skills training and entrepreneurship programs for FY 2025–26 under the CM Skilled Punjab initiative. To ensure strategic delivery, all major skills-related bodies including PSDF, TEVTA, PVTC, PSDA, and PBTE have been merged into the newly formed Skills Development & Entrepreneurship Department (SDED). This one-window structure enhances speed, accountability, and alignment with global and local employment demands. Key Flagship Programs by PSDF: Adnan Afzal Chattha, Chairperson of the Punjab CM Task Force for Skills, emphasized, “This is not just about training…

In a progressive move to make tax systems more user-centric, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered the nationwide rollout of digital tax services in Urdu. This includes the launch of Urdu-language invoicing and return forms, simplified interfaces, and digital support tools. The announcement came during a weekly review meeting in Islamabad, where the Prime Minister reviewed FBR’s ongoing digitization efforts. These include: Urdu-based return forms will be launched for salaried individuals by end of July, followed by wider rollout for other taxpayer categories. PM Shehbaz also instructed third-party audits for all reforms to ensure transparency and credibility. The campaign to…

Pakistan’s U16 volleyball team is turning heads in the Asian U16 Volleyball Championship 2025, held in Thailand, by delivering one commanding performance after another. With a 3-0 victory over Chinese Taipei, the team wrapped up the group stage without dropping a single set. Their campaign began with a statement win over South Korea, followed by a clinical match against Saudi Arabia, before finishing strong against Chinese Taipei. These wins secured the top spot in Pool D, paving the way for the next round against top teams from Pool B. This tournament is more than regional bragging rights—it’s also a gateway…

Pakistan Railways is set to upgrade its services with the launch of onboard dining experiences, aiming to make long-distance and intercity travel more comfortable and convenient. The initiative includes: Dining coaches for Pakistan Express, Karachi Express, and Millat ExpressA fully operational kitchen facility onboard Jaffar ExpressFree services on fast railcars between Lahore and Rawalpindi including Subak Raftar and Islamabad Express To support this initiative, Pakistan Railways has floated a tender for catering services, encouraging professional firms to submit their technical and financial proposals by August 5, 2025. These enhancements are part of a larger transformation project, signaling a shift toward…

In a landmark moment for Pakistan’s financial landscape, the KSE-100 Index at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) surged past 136,000 points, setting a new all-time high. This bullish momentum is underpinned by robust investor confidence, strong corporate earnings, and improving macroeconomic indicators. The index gained 1,711 points during Monday’s session, driven by gains in sectors such as auto assembly, commercial banking, oil & gas exploration, and cement. Major index movers included MARI, OGDC, PPL, PSO, UBL, and MEBL. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hailed the development as a positive reflection of economic stability and business confidence in government-led reforms. Analysts attribute…

In a forward-looking development, Pakistan and China have kicked off a series of joint training programs under the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). These programs span high-impact areas such as artificial intelligence, agriculture, construction, and hospitality, aligning workforce development with industry demand. The agreement took shape during NAVTTC Chairperson Gulmina Bilal Ahmad’s official visit to China from July 6–12, under the China-Pakistan TVET-Industrial Centre of Excellence (CPTICE). Meetings with CPTICE officials and the Pakistani Embassy in Beijing paved the way for swift implementation. A standout feature of this initiative is the growing push for international vocational recognition,…

In a major step toward digital inclusion, the Punjab government has officially launched free Wi-Fi access in Rahim Yar Khan, offering residents internet connectivity across important public spaces such as Adda Khanpur, City Pull, School Bazaar, Jail Chowk, and the railway station. The initiative covers the stretch from Dari Sangi to Chak No. 72-PN, making connectivity available to students, small businesses, and the general public. This rollout is part of a larger digital infrastructure strategy, led by the Punjab Safe Cities Authority, with more than 270 active hotspots now serving citizens in 11 districts. Lahore alone houses over 200 of…