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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.

5,351   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.

2,736   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.

3,037   1,206 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.

3,264   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.

1,849   1,288 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.

2,303   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.

3,636   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.

2,844   942 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.

4,598   2,460 Read Article

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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.

2,311   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.

1,792   1,428 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.

2,798   2,416 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.

2,422   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.

2,332   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.

1,819   2,120 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.

2,795   1,232 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.

2,311   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.

4,401   1,862 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.

2,940   882 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.

2,709   2,390 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.

3,760   2,248 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.

3,316   2,326 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.

1,313   2,377 Read Article

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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.

4,146   1,129 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.

3,271   1,759 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.

1,440   1,069 Read Article

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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.

1,640   2,614 Read Article

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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.

2,562   1,170 Read Article

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BusinessCPKX+3

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.

2,960   1,118 Read Article

TechnologyTechnologyNews+1

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.

1,326   2,667 Read Article

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ResearchTechnologyCP+3

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.

3,956   1,578 Read Article

TechnologyInformation TechnologyNews

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.

2,363   2,081 Read Article

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ResearchTechnologyCP+4

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.

2,654   2,309 Read Article