Author: Zuha Malik
ISLAMABAD — Pakistan has officially launched Indus AI Week 2026, a flagship national initiative aimed at accelerating artificial intelligence adoption and innovation across the country. Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja announced the week-long program, scheduled to run from February 9 to 15, 2026, positioning Pakistan as a serious contender in the global AI landscape. National Platform for AI Advancement Organized by the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication through a public-private partnership, Indus AI Week has been conceived as an open and inclusive platform for AI exploration. The initiative is designed to bring together government officials,…
ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved a comprehensive National Policy Framework aimed at revolutionizing Pakistan’s gemstone sector, targeting the country’s estimated $450 billion in untapped gemstone reserves to drive economic growth and create thousands of jobs. During a high-level meeting focused on the country’s gemstone reserves, sectoral reforms, and export enhancement, the Prime Minister outlined an ambitious plan to transform Pakistan’s largely underdeveloped gemstone industry into a major economic driver. Currently, Pakistan’s annual gemstone exports stand at a mere $5.8 million despite holding vast reserves of precious stones including emeralds, rubies, peridot, topaz, and aquamarine. Ambitious Export Targets…
LAHORE – Pakistan has officially unveiled its 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, presenting a well-balanced lineup that emphasizes batting depth and a robust spin bowling attack. The announcement, made on January 25, 2026, comes as the tournament prepares to begin on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka. Salman Ali Agha to Lead Pakistan’s Campaign The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has entrusted all-rounder Salman Ali Agha with the captaincy as the 2009 champions aim for their second T20 World Cup title. The squad features the return of several key players, including batting icon Babar Azam,…
PRESS RELEASE 28th Jan, 2026 – Lahore The launch of Muhammad Saeed Mehdi’s much-anticipated memoir, The Eyewitness: Standing in the Shadows of Pakistan’s History, was held at a well-attended event in Lahore. Hosted by Lightstone Publishers, the launch brought together an audience of over 500, including diplomats, senior journalists, legal experts, academics, and literary figures, marking the unveiling of a work that contributes significantly to Pakistan’s political and journalistic record. Opening the ceremony, Ameena Saiyid, Managing Director of Lightstone Publishers, highlighted the historical importance of the memoir, stating, “This book is not merely a collection of memoirs; it is an…
In a landmark achievement for Pakistan’s digital creator community, Hamza Bhatti has become the first Pakistani content creator to collaborate with English Premier League club Manchester City, marking a major milestone for the country’s presence in global sports media. Bhatti’s collaboration with the reigning Premier League champions has been widely reported across social platforms and media outlets, highlighting the significance of the partnership for both the creator and Pakistan’s burgeoning content ecosystem. Hamza Bhatti, a well-known digital creator from Pakistan, has steadily grown his influence over the past several years through a mix of engaging travel, food, and lifestyle videos,…
After nearly two decades of absence, Lahore’s iconic Basant festival is set to return from February 6 to 8, 2026, marking a historic moment for Pakistan’s cultural capital. The Punjab government has lifted the ban that was imposed in 2007, bringing back the vibrant spring celebration under comprehensive safety regulations designed to prevent the tragedies that led to its initial prohibition. Historic Revival of Lahore’s Traditional Spring Festival Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has approved the revival of the heritage Basant festival, which will be celebrated across Lahore after 25 years of restricted or banned activity. Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari…
Students from TABS College of Science Girls Section in Hyderabad, Pakistan, have won the ninth cycle of Enterprise Challenge Pakistan with their revolutionary innovation that transforms fog into clean electricity. The winning project, Nebulavolt, represents a significant breakthrough in sustainable energy technology designed specifically for fog-prone regions. How the Nebulavolt Device Works The Nebulavolt system employs a hydrophilic mesh to capture fog and converts the kinetic energy of water droplets into clean electricity through triboelectric nanogenerators. This low-cost solution harnesses natural atmospheric moisture, converting it into usable power without emissions or environmental impact. Triboelectric nanogenerators operate on the principle of…
Pakistan has achieved remarkable progress in bridging the digital divide and improving educational access, according to recent data showing transformative changes in literacy rates, internet penetration, and school enrollment across the country. The nation’s literacy rate has reached 63 percent, marking a substantial improvement in educational outcomes for millions of Pakistanis. This advancement reflects sustained efforts to expand access to quality education and reduce educational disparities across urban and rural regions. Perhaps most striking is the dramatic expansion in digital connectivity throughout Pakistan. Household internet access has nearly doubled, surging from 34 percent to an impressive 70 percent. This exponential…
Pakistani independent cinema has achieved a groundbreaking milestone on the international stage with the nature documentary “Moklani” becoming the first Pakistani feature film to win at the prestigious 2025 Jackson Wild Media Awards. Often referred to as the “Nature Oscars,” this recognition marks a significant moment for Pakistan’s film industry and its emergence in the global environmental storytelling landscape. The Jackson Wild Media Awards represent one of the most respected honors in nature and wildlife filmmaking, bringing together the world’s leading conservation storytellers, filmmakers, and broadcasters. For “Moklani” to claim this distinction underscores both the quality of Pakistani independent cinema…
Pakistani television drama “Sanwal Yaar Piya” has achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the first drama series of 2026 to cross the coveted 1 billion views mark on YouTube. This achievement represents a significant moment for the Pakistani entertainment industry and underscores the growing global appetite for Pakistani content on digital platforms. The drama’s unprecedented success on YouTube demonstrates the changing landscape of how audiences consume Pakistani television content. With streaming platforms and digital media becoming the primary source of entertainment for millions worldwide, “Sanwal Yaar Piya” has managed to capture the attention of viewers across different demographics and geographical…