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ResearchTechnologyPakistan+7

AI Could Reshape 61% of Pakistan’s Service Jobs. But “Exposed” Doesn’t Mean “Doomed”

Muhammad Umer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

A World Bank report finds 61% of Pakistan’s service-sector workers hold jobs with above-median AI exposure, far higher than manufacturing (7%) or agriculture (under 1%). But high exposure does not mean job loss. The report distinguishes AI that assists workers from AI that replaces them: around 18% could be helped by AI, while only about 8% face genuine replacement risk.

2,410   1,646 Read Article

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TechnologyPakistanCP+5

AI Just Started Solving Problems Humans Couldn't. What It Means for Pakistan

Muhammad Umer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

In August 2026, AI crossed a threshold from completing tasks to contributing original, verifiable research, an AI system reportedly solved 10 long-unsolved math and computer-science problems with checkable proofs. Combined with AI assistants crossing a billion users each and collapsing costs, it signals AI becoming a genuine tool for discovery, with real opportunities and challenges for Pakistan.

3,492   1,078 Read Article

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EducationBusinessTechnology+4

Alibaba BNPL in Pakistan: Opportunity or Hidden Risk?

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Alibaba’s entry into Pakistan’s BNPL market through KOKO Tech introduces new financial access opportunities but also raises concerns about debt risks, low financial literacy, and limited consumer protection frameworks in the country.

5,603   2,214 Read Article

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ResearchTechnologyCP+3

Apple vs OpenAI Lawsuit: The AI Hardware War Explained

Syed Asfer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

On July 10, 2026, Apple sued OpenAI in California federal court, alleging OpenAI stole trade secrets to develop its own AI hardware. Apple claims OpenAI recruited Apple employees and encouraged them to share confidential product information. OpenAI denies interest in others' trade secrets. The case marks a dramatic breakdown of the 2024 Apple-OpenAI partnership.

2,961   2,386 Read Article

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BusinessTechnologyCP+3

Apple's $30 Billion Chip Deal: What It Means Globally

Muhammad Umer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

On July 8, 2026, Apple announced a multiyear agreement with Broadcom exceeding $30 billion to produce over 15 billion US-made chips through at least 2031. It is Apple's largest commitment under its American Manufacturing Program, includes a $1.5 billion expansion of Broadcom's Fort Collins, Colorado facility, and is part of Apple's $600 billion US investment.

3,270   1,206 Read Article

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TechnologyCPKX+2

BISP Digital Wallets: How Pakistan Is Banking 10 Million Poor Women

Syed Asfer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistan's Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) is shifting payments for over 10 million poor women to CNIC-linked digital wallets in 2026, aiming for 100% digital payments. With 8 million+ free SIMs distributed and an interoperable system allowing withdrawals at any partner agent, it ends long queues and middlemen deductions, a major financial-inclusion and women's-empowerment step.

2,720   1,706 Read Article

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BusinessTechnologyPakistan+6

Connected 360 Karachi: An Exclusive Evening for the City's Top Leaders

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Connected 360 Karachi is an exclusive evening bringing together a select community of CEOs, founders, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders for high-value networking, business conversations, and relationship building. Part of Connected Pakistan's Connected 360 series, it's designed for professionals who value meaningful connections — a space to exchange ideas, explore collaborations, and grow. Registration is via Connected Pakistan's official channels.

1,388   1,264 Read Article

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TechnologyPakistanGovernment+6

FIA and Meta Deal Could Cut Cybercrime Cases to Days

Muhammad Umer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency has established a direct official channel with Meta Asia Pacific to speed up investigations into organised cybercrime, online fraud, and hate speech. Meta formally recognised the FIA's Single Point of Contact at the National Command and Control Centre (NC3). Response times for lawful requests are expected to fall from months to days.

3,627   1,252 Read Article

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TechnologyPakistanGovernment Initiatives+1

FIA's AI Airport Profiling: Security vs Privacy Explained

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) is using AI-assisted profiling and a Risk Analysis Unit to identify high-risk passengers and curb human smuggling, analyzing travel history, destination, and visa type. In "high-risk" cases it may examine mobile phones. Legal experts argue phone searches without a formal criminal inquiry may exceed FIA authority and infringe constitutional privacy rights.

2,208   1,288 Read Article

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TechnologyPakistanCP+5

Forget the Flashy AI. The Kind That Will Actually Transform Pakistan Is "Boring"

Muhammad Umer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistan's flashy AI ambitions keep underdelivering due to barriers like talent shortages, poor connectivity, siloed data, and scarce local-language data. Experts (including the World Bank) argue the real opportunity is "small," applied AI, purpose-built, low-cost tools solving real problems in agriculture, health, and finance, including Urdu-language models, that run on basic phones. The government is now funding exactly this.

1,636   2,461 Read Article

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EducationTechnologyPakistan+6

Free Google AI for Pakistani Students: Inside the New Google-Pakistan Deal

Muhammad Umer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistan and Google signed an agreement to expand tech cooperation, giving Pakistani students free one-year access to Google AI tools including Gemini and AI Plus. The deal also establishes an AI Center of Excellence in Islamabad, expands Google Career Certificates, and applies AI to agriculture and small businesses, aiming to boost digital skills and IT exports.

3,390   1,118 Read Article

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TechnologyPakistanCP+7

Get Hired as a Full Employee by a Foreign Company, From Pakistan. Here's How EOR Works

Muhammad Umer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

An Employer of Record (EOR) lets a foreign company hire a Pakistani as a full-time employee, with salary, benefits, and a proper contract, without setting up a local office. A third-party EOR provider (like Deel or Remote) legally employs you on the company's behalf, handling payroll and compliance. It's a fast-growing alternative to freelancing.

3,304   1,225 Read Article

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ResearchCPKX+2

Google Personal Intelligence: Is Your Photo Data Safe?

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Google's Personal Intelligence is an opt-in feature launched in January 2026 that lets Gemini access your Google Photos, Gmail, YouTube history, and Search to give personalized AI responses. It is off by default, you choose which apps to connect, and Google says your data stays on its servers and is not used for ads.

2,588   2,166 Read Article

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EducationBusinessResearch+4

How Pakistani Startups Are Growing Through eCommerce

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistani startups are growing rapidly through eCommerce by leveraging online marketplaces, digital marketing, and mobile commerce. Increasing internet access, smartphone adoption, and digital payment systems have enabled startups to reach nationwide and global customers while scaling faster than traditional retail businesses.

4,024   2,855 Read Article

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EducationBusinessCP+4

How to Start an Amazon Business From Pakistan in 2026

Syed Asfer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Yes, Pakistanis can sell on Amazon. Pakistan is on Amazon's approved seller list, so you can register using Pakistani documents. You receive payments through Payoneer, then withdraw to a local bank in rupees. Realistic startup budgets for private label range from $3,000 to $8,000, and beginners should treat it as a real business, not a shortcut.

4,696   942 Read Article

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HealthBusinessTechnology+7

Innoventure Club '26: A Wilderness Reset in Utror Valley for Pakistan's Tech Community

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Innoventure Club '26 is a 4-day wilderness and tech experience by Connected Pakistan and TechTrip, held 18–21 September 2026 in Utror Valley's Izmis Meadows, Swat. Designed for developers, freelancers, founders, and creators, it blends trekking to Izmis Lake and Waterfall, bonfires, mentorship, and workshops — an off-the-grid reset from screen fatigue.

2,881   901 Read Article

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EducationPakistanCP+2

Is Crypto Haram? What Mufti Taqi Usmani's Fatwa Says

Muhammad Umer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani, a leading Islamic scholar and president of Darul Uloom Karachi, issued a fatwa in June 2026 declaring cryptocurrency trading impermissible under Shariah. The ruling argues that crypto, tokens, and stablecoins like USDT do not qualify as "maal" (wealth) in Islamic law. It is a religious opinion, not a state law.

5,495   2,460 Read Article

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BusinessTechnologyPakistan+6

KonnectX Summit Lahore Returns: A Night at the Lahore Fort for Pakistan's Builders

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

KonnectX Summit Lahore Season III is Connected Pakistan's premium summit for business, technology, and leadership, held October 31, 2026, at the Royal Swiss Hotel, Lahore. It brings together CEOs, founders, investors, top freelancers, and changemakers for high-value networking, plus an exclusive "History by Night" Lahore Fort tour and a premium dinner at Bastion Cafe.

1,560   2,294 Read Article

Latest

ResearchTechnologyCP+4

Meta Pulls Its AI Photo Tool After Privacy Backlash

Syed Asfer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Meta pulled its Muse Image AI feature from Instagram on July 10, 2026, days after launch, following backlash over privacy and consent. The feature let anyone generate AI images from public Instagram accounts by tagging them, and was on by default. Meta admitted it "missed the mark." Muse Image remains available in WhatsApp and the Meta AI app.

2,605   1,100 Read Article

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TechnologyCPKX+3

Muse Spark 1.1: Meta's New AI at a Quarter of the Price

Muhammad Umer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Muse Spark 1.1 is a multimodal reasoning AI model released by Meta Superintelligence Labs on July 9, 2026. Built for agentic tasks like coding and computer use, it features a 1 million-token context window and launched via the new Meta Model API at around $4.25 per million output tokens, roughly a quarter of rival prices.

2,483   1,428 Read Article

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ResearchTechnologyPakistan+6

No, Pakistan Isn’t Showing Caller Names on Your Screen From November 1. Here’s the Truth

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

No, there is no confirmed order requiring Pakistani mobile phones to display unknown callers’ registered names from November 1. The viral claim stems from a misread of an Indian development: India’s telecom department reportedly ordered “Calling Name Presentation” (CNAP) for Indian operators. Viral Urdu posts dropped the “India” context, and Pakistan’s PTA has issued no comparable nationwide order.

1,773   1,465 Read Article

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EducationTechnologyCP+4

Only 8.7% of Pakistanis Own a Computer: The Real Gap

Syed Asfer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Only 8.7% of Pakistani households own a desktop or laptop, according to Gallup Pakistan Digital Analytics (July 2026). This places Pakistan near the bottom globally, alongside India and Bangladesh at around 9%, and far behind South Korea at 99%. Smartphones alone cannot build the knowledge economy Pakistan aims for.

3,201   2,416 Read Article

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EducationTechnologyPakistan+7

OpenAI Is Giving Some Pakistanis Free ChatGPT Plus. Here's How to Claim It

Muhammad Umer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

OpenAI is offering select Pakistani users a free one-month trial of ChatGPT Plus (normally ~$20/Rs 5,800/month). Eligible users see a "Claim free offer" button on the ChatGPT subscription page. Important catches: it requires payment details upfront and auto-renews at full price unless you cancel before the month ends. It's selective, not everyone qualifies.

3,296   1,345 Read Article

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TechnologyCPKX+2

OpenAI's GPT-Live: The AI You Can Talk to Naturally

Syed Asfer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

GPT-Live is OpenAI's new generation of ChatGPT voice models, launched July 8, 2026. It uses a full-duplex design, meaning it can listen and speak at the same time, so you can interrupt naturally, and it responds with cues like "mhmm." It rolls out globally on iOS, Android, and web, replacing Advanced Voice Mode.

2,714   2,117 Read Article

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BusinessResearchTechnology+8

Pakistan and Japan Join Forces on AI and Tech Talent

Muhammad Umer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistan and Japan agreed to deepen cooperation in AI, Web3, and digital technologies at a July 2026 startup event in Tokyo, organized by Pakistan's Embassy and the Asia Web3 Alliance Japan (AWAJ). A key driver: Japan faces a shortage of hundreds of thousands of IT engineers by 2030, making Pakistan's engineering talent a strategic asset.

2,777   2,215 Read Article

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PakistanGovernmentCP+4

Pakistan Builds a Shariah Framework for Crypto: What to Know

Muhammad Umer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistan's crypto regulator, PVARA, is developing a dual framework that assesses digital assets from both regulatory and Shariah perspectives. After a June 2026 fatwa declared crypto purchases impermissible, PVARA chairman Bilal bin Saqib met scholar Mufti Taqi Usmani, arguing that different digital assets need separate technical and religious evaluation rather than one blanket ruling.

2,167   2,120 Read Article

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BusinessTechnologyPakistan+7

Pakistan Is About to Get Its First Fintech IPO. Why That's a Bigger Deal Than It Sounds

Muhammad Umer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

ABHI, a Pakistani fintech founded in 2021 (known for earned-wage access), is set to list its ABHI Microfinance Bank on the Pakistan Stock Exchange, a landmark first fintech IPO. It's offering about 14% of shares to raise roughly Rs 2-3 billion. Beyond the money, it matters as a rare public-market "exit" for a home-grown Pakistani startup.

2,110   1,160 Read Article

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BusinessResearchTechnology+9

Pakistan Is Betting on China for Its AI Future. Smart Move, or Risky Dependence?

Muhammad Umer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistan is deepening AI and technology cooperation with China, linking its AI infrastructure and skills ambitions with China's advanced capabilities. It offers genuine opportunity: access to compute, hardware, expertise, and investment Pakistan lacks. But experts caution that importing hardware alone won't build a sustainable AI ecosystem, Pakistan must pair cooperation with genuine local capability-building to avoid mere dependence.

2,978   1,136 Read Article

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BusinessTechnologyPakistan+6

Pakistan Is Courting Alibaba. Huge Opportunity, or Handing Over the Keys?

Muhammad Umer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistan is deepening cooperation with Alibaba (which already owns Daraz, Pakistan's largest marketplace) on e-commerce, digital payments, tax reform, the Pakistan Single Window, and exporting Pakistani agricultural goods to China via Alibaba's network. It's a major opportunity, access to the world's largest e-commerce ecosystem and export markets, but raises honest questions about dependence on a single foreign giant.

1,446   1,406 Read Article

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TechnologyPakistanGovernment+8

Pakistan Just Launched a Group to Protect Crypto Users. Here’s What It Can (and Can’t) Do

Muhammad Umer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

The Virtual Assets Alliance of Pakistan (VAAP), launched November 2026 after crypto-theft incidents, aims to protect crypto users, raise investor awareness, promote cybersecurity education, and encourage responsible practices. Importantly, VAAP is a private industry alliance, not a regulator: it has no regulatory authority or government endorsement (Pakistan’s crypto regulator is PVARA). It complements, but doesn’t replace, caution.

2,695   1,186 Read Article

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TechnologyPakistanCP+5

Pakistan Just Warned: AI Is Making Banking Fraud Smarter. Here’s How to Protect Yourself

Muhammad Umer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistan’s National CERT has warned that cybercriminals are increasingly using AI (bots, deepfake voice/video, and AI-accelerated phishing) to attack banks, payment systems, and steal from customers, even potentially faking displayed account balances. Financial fraud is already nearly half of reported cybercrimes. Protect yourself with app-based two-factor authentication, skepticism of urgent calls, updated apps, and verifying everything through official channels.

1,185   1,052 Read Article

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TechnologyPakistanGovernment+7

Pakistan Now Has AI Rules. If You're Building AI Here, You Need to Know Them

Muhammad Umer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistan has established a formal AI governance framework, the National AI Policy (2025) and the Islamabad AI Declaration (2026), a nine-principle commitment to sovereign, responsible, capability-driven AI. For founders and builders, it introduces AI risk classification, governance expectations, sovereign-cloud preferences, and oversight via the Pakistan Digital Authority and a new AI Directorate. It's a maturing, still-developing framework worth understanding early.

3,456   1,034 Read Article

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BusinessTechnologyGovernment+7

Pakistan Now Makes Almost All Its Own Phones. So Why Is 5G Stalling?

Muhammad Umer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistan now assembles almost all its own phones, 18.66 million locally in the first 8 months of 2026 versus just 2.74 million imported, a genuine manufacturing success driven by its Mobile Device Manufacturing Policy. But 5G-phone production is slipping and 5G adoption lags, largely because high taxes and duties keep smartphone prices (especially 5G models) out of reach for many.

1,513   2,164 Read Article

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TechnologyPakistanGovernment+7

Pakistan Orders Government Data to Be Hosted Locally

Muhammad Umer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistan's National Data Governance Policy 2026 declares government data a strategic national asset and requires sensitive government and personal data to be hosted and processed within Pakistan. Offshore processing needs prior approval and safeguards. The Pakistan Digital Authority will oversee implementation, aiming to strengthen data sovereignty, privacy, and citizens' digital rights.

3,156   1,232 Read Article

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TechnologyPakistanGovernment+7

Pakistan Wants to Put Its Government Debt on a Blockchain. Here’s What That Actually Means

Muhammad Umer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistan is reviewing a plan to “tokenize” its existing Eurobond debt, creating digital representations of the bonds on a blockchain. Enabled by the Virtual Assets Act 2026 and regulator PVARA, it could modernize how the debt is recorded, settled, and accessed by investors. It’s early-stage and exploratory, pending Cabinet approval before any request for proposals.

2,736   1,517 Read Article

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BusinessTechnologyPakistan+5

Pakistan's Call Centre Exports Cross $300 Million on AI

Muhammad Umer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistan's call centre and BPO export earnings crossed $300 million in FY2025-26, reaching $322 million from July to May, a 19% year-on-year rise. According to the State Bank of Pakistan, growth is largely driven by AI-powered customer support tools that improve efficiency, cut costs, and enable round-the-clock multilingual service for global clients.

2,774   2,021 Read Article

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PakistanGovernmentCP+3

Pakistan's Digital E-Passport: Apply Online, Get It Home

Muhammad Umer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistan is gradually replacing machine-readable passports with a fully digital e-passport system. Citizens will be able to apply online through the NADRA Pak ID app, upload documents, pay fees digitally, and receive passports at home. Pakistan first launched e-passports in 2022 and upgraded them in 2025 with laser engraving and digital security certificates.

5,193   1,863 Read Article

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TechnologyPakistanCP+6

Pakistan's First 5G Home Internet Is Here. Should You Actually Get It?

Muhammad Umer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Zong's Z HomeFi is Pakistan's first 5G home broadband (fixed wireless access), launched in October 2026. Plans start at Rs 4,500/month for 10 Mbps and 100GB, with speeds capped at 50 Mbps and a Rs 22,000 device. It's genuinely useful where fibre isn't available, but pricey per GB, so whether it's worth it depends on your situation.

1,382   1,699 Read Article

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BusinessTechnologyPakistan+6

Pakistan's IT Exports Hit Record $4.5 Billion in 2026

Muhammad Umer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistan's IT exports reached a record $4.5 billion in FY2025-26, up about 29% from $3.475 billion the previous year. The growth was driven by software development, business process outsourcing (BPO), SaaS, and gaming, with Pakistani firms notably expanding into Asia-Pacific markets like Japan and Singapore beyond traditional US and European clients.

3,552   882 Read Article

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TechnologyCPKX+3

Pakistan's Payment Paradox: Everyone's Going Digital, So Why Does Cash on Delivery Still Rule?

Syed Asfer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistan's e-commerce "payment paradox": official data shows ~93% of online transactions are wallet/account-based, yet Cash on Delivery (COD) still dominates actual online shopping, driven by buyer trust issues and habit. COD carries real costs for sellers, including high return rates (25-35%) and cash-flow delays. Shifting buyers to prepaid through incentives and trust-building benefits sellers significantly.

1,708   1,577 Read Article

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TechnologyPakistanGovernment+5

Pakistan's PM Launches AI System to Track Every Order

Muhammad Umer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

PMOS (Prime Minister's Office System) is Pakistan's first AI-powered government platform, launched on July 21, 2026. It records, communicates, monitors, and tracks every directive issued by the Prime Minister, from issuance through implementation, verified completion, and post-completion review, replacing paper-based workflows with digital processes across ministries.

3,066   2,390 Read Article

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BusinessTechnologyPakistan+7

Pakistan's Tax Return Deadline Is September 30. Here's How to File Yours

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistan's income tax return filing deadline for Tax Year 2026 is September 30, 2026. Anyone whose income exceeds the taxable threshold, including many freelancers, salaried people, and business owners, should file via FBR's IRIS portal. Filing keeps you on the Active Taxpayer List (lower tax rates); missing it brings penalties and higher withholding taxes. Verify current dates with FBR.

3,257   1,765 Read Article

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TechnologyPakistanCP+4

Pakistani Freelancers Hit $1 Billion in IT Exports 2026

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistani freelancers earned over $1 billion in IT export income during the first 11 months of FY2026, a historic first. According to the State Bank of Pakistan, freelancers now contribute 25% of total IT exports, up from 20.3% a year earlier, reflecting nearly 50% year-on-year growth.

4,891   2,248 Read Article

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BusinessTechnologyPakistan+8

Pakistani Startups Are Finally Going Public. The IPO Door Is Opening

Muhammad Umer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistani startups are increasingly going public. Lahore fintech AdalFi plans a roughly Rs 652 million PSX IPO, following ABHI’s planned listing, amid a record IPO year (13 offerings raising about Rs 23.1 billion, the busiest ever). It signals that the long-missing “IPO exit” is opening for Pakistani startups, a genuinely important development for the ecosystem, though still early.

2,096   2,358 Read Article

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BusinessResearchTechnology+7

Pakistan’s Call Centres Are Booming Thanks to AI. The Same AI Could Also Replace Them

Muhammad Umer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistan’s call-centre and BPO exports crossed $300 million (reaching $322 million in 11 months of FY2025-26), driven significantly by AI-powered customer support that boosts agent productivity. But the same AI (voice agents, automation) could eventually replace many call-centre jobs and reduce the incentive to outsource. AI is both fueling and threatening Pakistan’s 500,000-strong BPO sector.

1,712   1,535 Read Article

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EducationResearchTechnology+4

Pakistan’s Digital Banking Revolution and Fintech Innovation

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Digital banking transformation in Pakistan is reshaping the financial sector through mobile banking apps, fintech platforms, and digital payment systems. These innovations are helping expand financial inclusion, improve convenience, and modernize banking services, allowing millions of Pakistanis to access financial tools through smartphones and online platforms.

3,527   2,326 Read Article

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BusinessTechnologyPakistan+8

Pakistan’s Next Tech Opportunity Isn’t More Software. It’s AI on the Factory Floor

Muhammad Umer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

As AI reshapes the job market, experts say Pakistan has a chance to move beyond traditional software services into “industrial AI” / “Edge AI”, using AI and sensors to monitor and maintain physical machines and factories (predictive maintenance). Applied to Pakistan’s textile, rice, and manufacturing industries, it could raise competitiveness and create new, higher-value technical jobs.

1,519   2,406 Read Article

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BusinessTechnologyPakistan+6

Raast Will Process More Money Than Pakistan's Entire Economy in 2026

Muhammad Umer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Raast is Pakistan's instant payment system by the State Bank, enabling free, real-time money transfers between people, businesses, and government. In 2026 it's projected to process over $500 billion, exceeding Pakistan's estimated $452 billion GDP. It has grown roughly 162 times since 2022, and a new consent-based "pull payment" feature is launching soon.

2,032   2,377 Read Article

Latest

BusinessTechnologyPakistan+4

SECP Approves Alibaba-Linked BNPL in Pakistan: Full Analysis

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Alibaba has entered Pakistan’s fintech market through Cocotech Pakistan after receiving an NBFC license from SECP. The move introduces Buy Now Pay Later services, signaling global confidence in Pakistan’s digital economy while increasing competition for local fintech companies and expanding access to credit for underserved users.

4,394   1,129 Read Article

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PakistanGovernmentCP+4

SIM-Swap Fraud Is Surging in Pakistan, Even Hitting Lawmakers. Here's How to Protect Yourself

Muhammad Umer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

SIM-swap fraud, where criminals get a duplicate of your SIM to intercept your OTPs and drain your bank accounts, is surging in Pakistan (reportedly up ~137% recently, with billions lost). Protect yourself by regularly checking SIMs registered on your CNIC (dial *668#), using app-based (not SMS) two-factor authentication, enabling a WhatsApp PIN, and acting instantly if your SIM suddenly stops working.

1,863   2,171 Read Article

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BusinessTechnologyPakistan+7

Starlink Still Isn't Live in Pakistan. Here's What's Holding It Back, and What It Could Change

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Starlink isn't live in Pakistan yet. It has registered with the SECP and holds provisional PSARB registration, but its full registration with the Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board remains incomplete, so it can't yet get a PTA license. Delays also involve data-security and national-security reviews. Satellite internet could help connect remote areas once approved.

3,921   1,274 Read Article

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TechnologyCPKX+4

State Bank Removes Form R: Big Win for Freelancers

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

On April 6, 2026, the State Bank of Pakistan (via circulars FECL6 and FECL7) removed the per-transaction Form R requirement for freelancers and IT exporters, replacing it with a one-time declaration at account opening. Reforms also mandate one-working-day payment processing, raise the Form R threshold to above $25,000, and allow ESFCA debit cards for direct USD spending.

3,560   1,759 Read Article

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CPKXTechnology+1

Temu's Prices Exploded in Pakistan. Was Taxing It Smart or a Mistake?

Syed Asfer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistan's 2025-26 budget introduced a 5% digital presence tax and higher customs on foreign e-commerce platforms like Temu and AliExpress, ending their duty-free advantage. Temu prices then surged up to 300%, partly from the tax and partly its own "price buffering." The move aims to protect local sellers and capture revenue, but raises costs for consumers.

3,522   2,024 Read Article

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CPKXNews

The Brain Drain Debate: Should Pakistani Engineers Stay or Leave?

Abdullah Awan - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

The brain drain debate weighs individual opportunity against national loss. Around 11,000 engineers left Pakistan in 2024–25 seeking stability and higher pay, while critics warn of massive productivity losses. Supporters cite record remittances as "brain gain." The honest answer isn't stay or leave, but building a Pakistan where staying is a real choice, not a sacrifice.

1,823   1,069 Read Article

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TechnologyPakistanCP+5

The Personal Details You Should Never Share Online in Pakistan (and Why)

Muhammad Umer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistan’s National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) warns citizens to keep four personal details private: CNIC numbers, bank and account details, passwords, and OTPs. Sharing these with strangers or on suspicious links fuels fraud and identity theft. More broadly, avoid oversharing personal information (routines, documents, location) online, and only share sensitive data with trusted, verified sources.

2,641   1,420 Read Article

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TechnologyCPKX+2

The Remote Hiring Game Just Changed: What Pakistani Workers Need in 2026

Syed Asfer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Global remote hiring shifted decisively to skills-based hiring in 2026: employers now prioritize validated, job-ready skills over degrees and resumes, while AI roles surged 283% (Deel). For Pakistani workers, this is opportunity and challenge, real skills can win global jobs without elite credentials, but competition is surging and hiring standards are tightening.

1,725   1,311 Read Article

Latest

EducationResearchTechnology+4

The Rise of Blockchain Innovation in Pakistan’s Digital Economy

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Blockchain technology adoption in Pakistan is expanding across sectors such as finance, remittances, digital identity, and startups. With millions of users involved in digital assets and growing government initiatives to regulate blockchain and cryptocurrency, Pakistan is emerging as a significant player in the global Web3 and fintech ecosystem.

1,840   2,614 Read Article

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PakistanGovernmentCP+5

The World Is Going Back to the Office. Why That's Good News for Pakistan

Muhammad Umer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Global return-to-office mandates are surging, fully in-office roles rose from 65% to 87% in early 2026. But this can benefit Pakistani remote workers: when Western firms force local staff back to offices, some quit, and companies increasingly fill roles with international remote talent. For cost-effective, skilled Pakistani workers, this shift may expand global opportunities.

2,485   2,458 Read Article

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EducationBusinessTechnology+8

Vibe Coding Just Trained 50,000 Pakistanis. Can You Really Build Software Without Coding?

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

"Vibe coding" means building software, apps, websites, games, by describing what you want in natural language and letting AI generate the code, instead of writing it manually. Pakistan's AI Seekho 2026 program (by MoITT, Google, Telenor, and Innovista) taught it nationwide, engaging 50,000+ developers and producing 1,500+ AI solutions. It lowers the barrier to building software dramatically.

2,744   1,838 Read Article

Latest

TechnologyCPKX+3

WhatsApp's New Features in August 2026: What's Rolling Out

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

WhatsApp's 2026 updates include a new username system for more privacy, @all mentions and upgraded polls for group chats, dual accounts on iPhone, cross-platform chat transfer between Android and iPhone, AI photo editing and writing tools, voice chats in groups, and sharing music to Status. Most roll out gradually worldwide.

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Why Forbes Calls Pakistan a Fintech Rising Star in 2026

Abdullah Awan - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistan has emerged as a fintech rising star, per Forbes. Its roughly 450 fintech firms have raised around $391 million in venture capital, digital banks like Easypaisa are launching, and the country ranks third globally in crypto adoption. The goal is to lift adult financial inclusion from 64% in 2023 to 75% by 2028.

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“The Uber of X” Is a Trap. Why Pakistani Fintechs Keep Making the Same Mistake

Muhammad Umer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

A recurring trap for Pakistani startups is “growth at any cost”: spending heavily to subsidize users (free credits, costly ad-driven sign-ups) to inflate vanity metrics, without sound unit economics. This burned well-funded startups before. Sustainable success comes not from buying growth, but from a business where each customer genuinely makes economic sense.

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How Deployers.pk is Transforming Local E-commerce in Pakistan

Zarish - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Deployers.pk is a Pakistani initiative founded by entrepreneurs Omer Mubeen, Haider Ahmed Qazi, and Zakria Fawad to promote local ecommerce in Pakistan. Through training sessions, workshops, and events, the platform educates aspiring entrepreneurs on building ecommerce businesses using local platforms and marketplaces.

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Pakistan’s Growing Creator Economy and Its Impact on Youth

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

The creator economy in Pakistan is rapidly expanding as thousands of digital creators earn income through platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. With millions of social media users and growing brand partnerships, content creation is emerging as a powerful new digital career and economic opportunity for Pakistani youth.

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Pakistan’s Leading IT Association P@SHA and Pathfinder CITADEL Sign MoU at ITCN Asia Karachi to Empower National Innovation through Davos Startup Challenge 2026

Zarish - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) and Pathfinder CITADEL signed a Memorandum of Understanding at ITCN Asia Karachi to collaborate on the Davos Startup Challenge 2026. The initiative aims to identify promising Pakistani startups and provide them opportunities to present at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

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The Dark Side of Pakistan’s Gig Economy Explained

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistan’s gig economy has created new income opportunities, but it also presents serious challenges. Many gig workers operate without legal protections, minimum wage guarantees, or social security benefits. Payment barriers, platform dependence, and unstable income make gig work uncertain for thousands of digital workers across the country.

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