ConnectHear, Pakistan’s leading social enterprise for disability inclusion, has partnered with Ufone 4G (a PTCL Group company) to launch SUNO — the world’s first AI-based Early Warning System designed to deliver emergency alerts in sign language for Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals.
The initiative, supported and funded by the GSMA Mobile for Humanitarian Innovation Fund, bridges a vital communication gap during disasters such as floods and earthquakes by ensuring timely, accessible information for the Deaf community.
Through SUNO, AI-generated sign language video alerts are distributed instantly via Ufone’s WhatsApp bot, reaching at-risk users nationwide free of cost. ConnectHear develops the AI sign content, while Ufone provides its extensive mobile infrastructure for reliable dissemination.
Hatem Bamatraf, President and Group CEO of PTCL & Ufone 4G, emphasized the social mission behind the initiative:
“Our collaboration with ConnectHear reflects our belief that true digital inclusion leaves no one behind. Through our partner ConnectHear, we are using technology with purpose to create impact that truly matters.”
Azima Dhanjee, Co-founder of ConnectHear, shared her personal and emotional connection to the cause:
“In an emergency, communication isn’t just important, it’s a matter of life and death. Deaf individuals, including my parents, have long been excluded from urgent alerts. With SUNO, we’re changing that — accessibility is not a privilege, it’s a necessity.”
Kimberly Brown, Head of Mobile for Humanitarian Innovation at GSMA, highlighted the global significance of the project:
“Through the GSMA Innovation Fund for Humanitarian Challenges, supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, we are proud to back ConnectHear’s AI-powered platform. This initiative shows how mobile technology can break barriers in disaster preparedness and ensure no one is left behind.”
The launch event in Islamabad showcased how technology, accessibility, and humanitarian innovation can come together to create inclusive solutions. SUNO sets a new benchmark for inclusive tech in Pakistan, ensuring that Deaf citizens receive life-saving information on time — every time.
