Faraz Saeed

LAHORE: Pakistan&rsquo;s digital economy could contribute between 5%-7% of gross domestic product by 2030, provided structural constraints are addressed and reforms accelerate, according to a new report by the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI).&nbsp;Titled &ldquo;Recommendations for Pakistan&rsquo;s Digital Future,&rdquo; the OICCI Digital Report 2025 presents a detailed assessment of the country&rsquo;s digital landscape, highlighting both measurable gains and persistent bottlenecks shaping future growth.&nbsp;The report frames Pakistan&rsquo;s digital sector as a rapidly expanding but uneven ecosystem, where strong growth in connectivity, exports and digital finance is being tempered by infrastructure gaps and slow policy execution, raising the stakes for reforms needed to unlock its full economic potential.&nbsp;The report identifies the digital sector as an emerging driver of productivity, exports and financial inclusion, supported by a growing user base and rising adoption of digital services.&nbsp;Pakistan&rsquo;s IT and IT-enabled services (ITeS) exports have reached $3.8 billion, while the freelance economy contributes $779 million in earnings.&nbsp;Digital access continues to expand, with more than 150 million broadband subscriptions and over 200 million telecom connections. The broader mobile ecosystem contributes an estimated $17 billion to the national economy.&nbsp;The report also underscores rapid growth in digital finance.&nbsp;&ldquo;Pakistan has made notable strides in digital payments and financial inclusion. The Raast instant payment system processed Rs18 trillion in peer-to-peer transactions in FY26, demonstrating the rapid adoption of digital financial services,&rdquo; said OICCI President Yousaf Hussain.&nbsp;However, infrastructure limitations remain a key constraint.&nbsp;Only 18% of cellular towers are connected through fiber, well below the global benchmark of around 40%, limiting network capacity and readiness for next-generation technologies.&nbsp;Policy execution is another concern.&nbsp;While engagement on digital policy has improved, implementation remains slow. The report notes that only about one-quarter of recommendations from OICCI&rsquo;s 2022 Digital Report have been carried out.&nbsp;&ldquo;Only about one-quarter of OICCI&rsquo;s digital policy recommendations issued in OICCI&rsquo;s Digital Report 2022 have been implemented so far. Faster execution, improved fiber penetration and a more investment-friendly regulatory environment will be essential to unlock Pakistan&rsquo;s digital potential,&rdquo; said M. Abdul Aleem, Secretary General of OICCI.&nbsp;To address these gaps, the report recommends reducing taxes on broadband services and digital devices, accelerating fiber deployment, ensuring regulatory clarity in data protection and cybersecurity, and strengthening public-private collaboration.&nbsp;The government has set a target of $5 billion in IT exports for FY26, while analysts project exports could reach around $4.5 billion, implying annual growth of 18% to 20% from the $3.8 billion recorded in FY25.&nbsp;Under the broader Uraan Pakistan framework, policymakers are targeting $10 billion in IT exports by FY29, requiring a compound annual growth rate of approximately 27%.&nbsp;The report concludes that while Pakistan&rsquo;s digital economy is expanding and foundational elements are in place, closing infrastructure gaps, accelerating policy implementation, and investing in advanced skills such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity will determine whether current momentum translates into sustained economic impact

Economy

Pakistan’s digital economy is growing fast and could reach 5–7% of GDP by 2030, driven by rising IT exports, digital payments, and increasing internet and mobile use.

Pakistan digital economy seen reaching 7% GDP by 2030: Report

Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Kashf Foundation has won UNDP Pakistan&rsquo;s Insurance Innovation Challenge, paving the way for the launch of a Shariah-compliant micro-pension product for low-income women entrepreneurs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, UNDP Pakistan said on Tuesday.&nbsp; The product, called Khushal Mustaqbil Takaful (KMT), is designed to address a major social protection gap in Pakistan&rsquo;s informal economy, where only around 10-12% of the labor force has pension coverage.&nbsp; According to UNDP, the scheme will offer flexible contribution options, emergency access to funds, and incidental insurance coverage for participants&rsquo; families.&nbsp; &ldquo;KMT will help low-income, women-led businesses in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by strengthening their ability to withstand economic and climate shocks,&rdquo; said Resident Representative, UNDP Pakistan, Samuel Rizk.&nbsp; The initiative will be implemented in partnership with Jubilee Life Insurance and will be launched across 10 districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In 2026, the program plans to reach 39,000 women through financial awareness sessions and enroll 15,000 women in the insurance policy.&nbsp; It will focus on long-term savings, family risk protection, and financial awareness for underserved women working in informal livelihoods.&nbsp; Lessons from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa rollout will be used to assess the model&rsquo;s scalability and possible expansion to other regions. UNDP said the program is being supported through its Insurance and Risk Finance Facility, which backs innovation challenges in 23 countries.&nbsp; This is the first time the agency has convened an innovation challenge in disaster risk finance and insurance in Pakistan.

The scheme will offer flexible contribution options, emergency access to funds, and incidental insurance coverage for participants’ families. 


Kashf Foundation wins UNDP Pakistan’s insurance innovation challenge

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s leadership on Monday reviewed the country&rsquo;s energy supplies and economic situation, emphasizing the need to protect the public from rising prices amid global market volatility and regional uncertainty, according to official statements. President Asif Ali Zardari chaired an expanded consultative meeting in Islamabad with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, provincial leaders, and senior cabinet members, directing authorities to take &ldquo;all possible measures&rdquo; to ease the burden of rising costs on the public, particularly for essential goods and services, according to the President&#39;s Media Wing. The meeting was told that despite global pressures, timely decisions had ensured no disruption in fuel supply, with adequate stocks available and future arrangements underway. Officials also reviewed the broader regional situation and its potential impact on Pakistan&rsquo;s security environment, economic outlook and food security. Sufficient petrol availabilitySeparately, a cabinet committee overseeing petroleum prices said the country&rsquo;s fuel supply remained stable, with diesel stocks covering around 23-24 days and petrol availability sufficient. Crude oil stocks were reported to cover about 11 days, with additional shipments in transit expected to sustain refinery operations through April, according to the Finance Division statement. The committee noted that international oil markets remained volatile, with rising benchmark prices and higher cargo premiums linked to regional developments. It said import plans for April were being actively managed, with volumes secured through commercial and government-to-government arrangements. Officials said refinery operations were being maintained at optimal levels to meet domestic demand, while procurement strategies were being adjusted to secure favourable supply terms under existing contracts, as per the statement. Authorities also reviewed fuel demand trends, noting increased consumption in recent weeks, and directed provincial administrations to strengthen oversight to prevent hoarding and ensure smooth distribution. The government said efforts were underway to maintain an uninterrupted fuel supply while minimising the impact of global price fluctuations on consumers.

Pakistan’s leadership reviews the country’s energy supplies and economic situation, stressing the need to shield the public from rising prices amid global market volatility and regional uncertainty.

Pakistan reviews fuel supplies, vows public relief amid global volatility

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&#39;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that proposals to raise oil prices had been rejected and that government savings would be redirected to citizens. According to an official statement from the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office, PM Sharif chaired a high-level review meeting Monday on the effects of the Gulf crisis on petroleum supplies, current fuel reserves, and public relief measures. The prime minister said the government has cut its own expenditures, reduced the developmental budget, and immediately suspended 60% of government vehicles.&nbsp; Funds generated through these austerity measures have been allocated for public relief. Relief measures Relief measures will be delivered through the country&#39;s digital systems, the prime minister stated. He said that Pakistan&#39;s economically weaker segments would not be left without support during the current difficulty. According to the statement, further relief for lower- and middle-class citizens is being planned. Coordination with provincial governments is underway to fast-track ownership registration for motorcycle and rickshaw owners. This will enable them to benefit from potential relief programs, the PM was informed during the meeting. Officials told the PM that adequate fuel reserves are available to meet national needs and that procurement arrangements for the future are in place. A levy increase on high-octane fuel used in large luxury vehicles has not affected jet fuel prices, officials said. An audit report from the Intelligence Bureau on the progress of the prime minister&#39;s fuel savings measures and austerity campaign was presented to the meeting. Officials confirmed that&nbsp;implementation of the campaign is being actively enforced. The prime minister stated that despite the global crisis, no disruption in fuel supply has occurred. He said Pakistan is also pursuing diplomatic efforts toward regional peace. A separate briefing covered current medicine stocks, with officials confirming an ample supply is available to meet national needs. Suggestions on future courses of action were also presented to the meeting. The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Attaullah Tarar, Dr Musadiq Malik, Ahad Khan Cheema, Syed Mustafa Kamal, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Ali Pervez Malik, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Rana Mubashar Iqbal, and Sardar Awais Khan Leghari. Adviser to the Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kiani, Special Assistants Tariq Fatemi and Talha Barky, National Assembly members Engineer Qamar ul Islam, Riaz Hussain, and Hafiz Muhammad Numan and other senior officials also attended the meeting.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chairs a meeting to review implementation of fuel conservation and austerity measures in Islamabad on Monday, March 30, 2026. (PMO)

PM Sharif chairs emergency review as Islamabad draws on austerity savings to shield lower-income citizens from mounting fuel pressures.

Pakistan cuts government spending, rejects oil price hikes amid Gulf oil crisis

ISLAMABAD: Karachi Port Trust (KPT) Chairman Rear Admiral Shahid Ahmed&nbsp;(retd)&nbsp;visited key port facilities&nbsp;on Sunday&nbsp;to review cargo operations and security arrangements amid increased shipping activity, the authority said. The visit comes as port authorities seek to capitalize on increased cargo movement and optimize available infrastructure. The chairman, along with the KPT team, reviewed facilities at oil piers and the East Wharf to identify areas that could be adjusted to accommodate additional cargo, containers, and vehicles, with a focus on boosting transshipment, especially vehicle handling. Rear Admiral Shahid Ahmed&nbsp;inspected multiple port areas and was briefed on ongoing operations. He was told that 18 ships were currently berthed, with seven more expected to arrive within the next 24 hours. He also visited the Port Operations Centre, described as &quot;the nerve center of all safety and security operations,&quot; where officials briefed him on monitoring systems and readiness. The commandant of the Port Security Force gave an overview of security arrangements during the visit. According to the statement, the chairman appreciated the role of female Port Security Force personnel, noting their &ldquo;valuable contribution in critical security operations.&rdquo; Separately, the chairman visited the KPT Sports Complex at West Wharf and directed officials to maximize the use of existing facilities, to enhance benefits for both the organization and the wider community, the statement added.

Senior officials visited various port areas to oversee ongoing cargo operations on 29 March 2026 in Karachi, Pakistan. (Photo credits: Karachi Port Trust)

Karachi Port Trust Chairman Rear Admiral Shahid Ahmed (retd) visits port to review activities, focusing on cargo flow, safety arrangements, and infrastructure use, as growing traffic prompts efforts to streamline operations and maximize efficiency.

Karachi Port eyes transshipment boost as activity surges

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the government allocated Rs125 billion through budget cuts and savings to absorb rising petroleum prices and shield the public from global economic pressures. An online review meeting was held on Sunday under the prime minister&#39;s chairmanship to discuss the implementation of ongoing measures for fuel conservation and austerity in view of the regional situation, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office Media Wing. Prime Minister Sharif, while declaring public relief the top priority, said that over the past three weeks, the government has absorbed as much of the increase in petroleum product prices as possible to provide relief to the public. Sufficient quantity of petroleum products availableThe prime minister said that due to government decisions, sufficient quantities of petroleum products are available to meet domestic needs.&nbsp;Participants were informed that arrangements for petrol imports for April have been completed. The PM emphasized that, in the current situation, public relief has been the top priority and that, over the past three weeks, the government has provided the maximum possible relief. Unlike in other countries, Pakistan has neither long queues nor fuel supply mismanagement, reflecting the government&rsquo;s effective management. The PM urged the public to support the government&rsquo;s conservation campaign, avoid unnecessary travel, and prioritize teleconferencing at offices and workplaces. Austerity and conservation measuresThe meeting was briefed on the progress of implementing austerity and conservation measures. It was informed that the demand and supply of petroleum products, along with the entire supply chain, are being regularly monitored, and a digital dashboard has been developed for this purpose. He directed provincial governments to provide all necessary facilities for motorcycle and rickshaw owners to register their vehicles in their names to digitalize vehicle data, and&nbsp;enable owners to benefit from future government relief measures. The meeting was briefed on a prepared app for the proposed fuel support program for motorcycle riders and rickshaw drivers. The prime minister instructed the relevant authorities to expedite coordination with the chief secretaries of all four provinces, as well as Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, on this matter. The meeting, held via video link, was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, federal ministers Ahad Khan Cheema, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Ali Pervaiz Malik, Attaullah Tarar, Dr Musadik Malik, Ahsan Iqbal, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Owais Khan Leghari, Special Assistant Tariq Bajwa, State Bank Governor Jameel Ahmad, and other senior officials.

Prime Minister Sharif says public relief top priority; review meeting informed arrangements for petrol imports for April have been completed. 

 Pakistan government allocates Rs125B to curb fuel price hike

ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reached a staff-level agreement with Pakistan on Thursday, unlocking roughly $1.2 billion in financing pending board approval, the international financial institute said Friday. According to a statement released by IMF Communications Department, the agreement concludes the third review of a 37-month Extended Fund Facility and the second review of a 28-month Resilience and Sustainability Facility arrangement. Pakistan would draw approximately $1 billion from the EFF and $210 million from the RSF once the board signs off. Cumulative payouts across both programs would then stand at around $4.5 billion. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: absolute; visibility: hidden; width: 0px; height: 0px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2037723932879716834&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F4953%2F&sessionId=e1b7b50440a792e14968d3461c374ec3c99eddd9&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">IMF Reaches Staff-Level Agreement on the Third Review for the 37-month Extended Arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and the Second Review for 28-month Arrangement Under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) &ndash; Pakistan <a href="https://t.co/hYPsALIpbn" style="color: rgb(0, 115, 230);">https://t.co/hYPsALIpbn</a>&mdash; Ministry of Finance, Government of Pakistan (@Financegovpk) <a href="https://twitter.com/Financegovpk/status/2037723932879716834?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" style="color: rgb(0, 115, 230);">March 28, 2026</a></blockquote></div> The deal remains subject to approval by the Fund&#39;s Executive Board. Iva Petrova led the IMF delegation during in-person talks with Pakistani officials in Karachi and Islamabad from Feb. 25 to March 2. Discussions continued remotely in the weeks that followed. The Fund described Pakistan&#39;s near-term economic outlook as improving. Output picked up pace in the first part of the current fiscal year, following a broader rebound in FY25. Price pressures and the trade balance have stayed manageable, and the country&#39;s foreign reserve position has continued to recover, the IMF noted. The Fund warned that ongoing conflict in the Middle East poses the most immediate threat to that trajectory. Swings in global energy costs and tightening international financing conditions could reignite inflation and drag on output. According to the IMF, Pakistan&#39;s fiscal targets call for a primary surplus of 1.6% of GDP in FY26, rising to an underlying primary balance of 2% of GDP in FY27. Hitting those marks will require widening the revenue base and tightening control over public spending. The Fund said health, education, and social assistance allocations are also set to increase. The country&rsquo;s Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has launched an internal overhaul to improve tax collection and enforcement. Changes underway include tougher audit procedures, a broader rollout of electronic invoicing, and closer monitoring of production activity. A newly created Tax Policy Office has been tasked with drafting a longer-term reform roadmap aimed at keeping the policy environment stable without sacrificing revenue. Similarly, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has signaled it will hold policy rates at elevated levels for as long as needed to keep inflation within its official band. The IMF said the local currency should be allowed to move freely in response to external pressures. A market-determined exchange rate, the Fund said, remains the country&#39;s first line of defense against balance of payments stress,&nbsp;particularly given potential fallout from the Middle East conflict. Pakistan&#39;s power sector remains a central focus of the program. Authorities have committed to closing the gap between the actual cost of electricity and what consumers are charged. The IMF said this structural imbalance is the root cause of the country&#39;s persistent circular debt problem. The Fund reported that Pakistan authorities are also working to strengthen the Benazir Income Support Program, the country&rsquo;s flagship federal social safety net. Measures include inflation-adjusted cash transfers, expanded coverage, and improved payment systems. Under the RSF, Pakistan has moved ahead on reducing transport-related emissions and building regulatory infrastructure to track and manage climate-related financial risks. Upcoming commitments include reinforcing water infrastructure, improving accounting for climate-relevant public expenditure, and establishing a formal framework for financing disaster response.

A view of the International Monetary Fund headquarters building in Washington, DC on October 20, 2024 ahead of the 2024 IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings. (AFP)

The deal remains subject to approval by the Fund's Executive Board.

IMF clears $1.2 billion for Pakistan in dual program review

LAHORE: As Eid ul Fitr festivities concluded, markets across Pakistan witnessed peak commercial activity, capping weeks of heightened economic momentum driven by festive spending. Eid ul Fitr, one of the most significant occasions in the Islamic calendar, marked the conclusion of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, prayer and reflection. The festival began with special congregational prayers, followed by family gatherings, exchange of gifts, charitable giving and shared meals, as Muslims celebrated both spiritual renewal and community. On the eve of Eid, commercial centers across the country, especially in the eastern city of Lahore, remained crowded late into the night as last-minute shoppers finalized purchases ranging from clothing and footwear to jewelry and mehndi. At Liberty Market, the rush intensified as families completed their Eid preparations. &ldquo;I was shopping for jewelry and clothes, and I also planned to get mehndi done,&rdquo; said Sidra, a shopper speaking to Pakistan TV Digital. &ldquo;My total budget was around Rs30,000 [$107] to Rs40,000 [$143].&rdquo; Retailers reported an exceptional season, with strong consumer turnout translating into significant gains. Muhammad Tayyab, a shopkeeper, described the surge in business as unprecedented in recent years. &ldquo;Sales increased by around 70% to 80% compared to previous years,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;In the past seven years, business had not been this strong. This Eid season brought a very positive change for retailers.&rdquo; The spike in commercial activity reflected broader seasonal financial trends. The State Bank of Pakistan reported that currency in circulation rose by approximately Rs1.5 trillion ($5.38 billion) in FY25, with a marked increase during Ramadan and Eid due to heightened consumer spending. In addition, around Rs27 billion ($96.8 million) in fresh currency notes were issued ahead of Eid last year, helping facilitate transactions during the peak shopping period. Fresh notes are preferred for the tradition of Eidi, where elders give cash gifts to children and younger family members. Crisp currency symbolizes festivity and generosity, making it ideal for gifting during Eid. Economic experts pointed to further inflows boosting purchasing power. &ldquo;Zakat and Fitrana, estimated at Rs50 billion [$179.2 million] to Rs70 billion [$251 million] this year, circulated among lower-income groups,&rdquo; said Waqas Ghani, Head of Research at JS Global. &ldquo;Remittances also typically increased by 15% to 30% during this period, further fueling spending across markets.&rdquo; As the country marked Eid, the convergence of spiritual celebration and economic activity highlighted the festival&rsquo;s dual significance, strengthening both social bonds and commercial vitality nationwide.

Pakistan’s Eid economy surges as spending peaks, with Rs1.5 trillion in circulation, Rs27 billion in fresh notes issued, and Rs50–70 billion redistributed through Zakat, Fitrana and rising remittances.

Eid spending surge fuels retail boom across Pakistan markets

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has increased taxes on high-end fuel used by luxury vehicles while keeping prices for ordinary consumers unchanged, as the government moves to cushion economic pressure from the ongoing Middle East conflict.&nbsp;Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved a Rs200 ($0.72) per liter increase in the levy on high-octane fuel, raising it from Rs100, with an even higher Rs300 ($1.08) per liter levy applied to the most expensive vehicles, according to a statement from the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office (PMO) on Sunday.&nbsp;A fuel levy is a government-imposed charge added to the base price of petroleum products, often used to generate revenue or manage consumption. In Pakistan&rsquo;s case, raising the levy on high-octane fuel targets wealthier consumers while helping offset rising import costs and fiscal pressures without increasing prices for the broader population.&nbsp;&ldquo;This decision will save the government Rs9 billion per month and, as per the Prime Minister&rsquo;s instructions, the people will be given relief from this saving,&rdquo; the PMO said.&nbsp;Officials emphasized that the move will not impact fuel prices for ordinary vehicles, public transport or air travel.&nbsp;&ldquo;Fuel prices for ordinary vehicles remain unchanged,&rdquo; the statement said, adding that &ldquo;the richest class of the country will bear the burden.&rdquo;&nbsp;The decision comes as Pakistan navigates rising economic pressures linked to disruptions in global energy markets following the US-Israeli war on Iran, which has affected key oil supply routes and driven volatility in international prices.&nbsp;Islamabad has already urged conservation measures to reduce consumption amid concerns that prolonged instability in the Gulf could affect fuel availability and import costs.&nbsp;Sharif also rejected proposals for broader fuel price hikes, signaling the government&rsquo;s intent to shield the wider population from inflationary shocks while maintaining fiscal balance.&nbsp;&ldquo;The Prime Minister had taken notice of the high-octane prices and directed the relevant ministry to prepare a plan of action,&rdquo; the PMO said.&nbsp;The policy reflects a targeted approach aimed at redistributing the burden of rising energy costs toward higher-income groups, while protecting vulnerable segments of society during a period of heightened global uncertainty.&nbsp;The meeting was attended by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, and senior officials.

Islamabad shifts energy burden toward high-end consumers, introducing targeted measures to manage rising global oil costs while maintaining price stability for the broader population as authorities respond to ongoing supply disruptions and economic uncertainty.

Pakistan raises luxury fuel levy to shield economy amid Iran war

ISLAMABAD: Jazz has launched 5G services in Pakistan after obtaining a Next Generation Mobile Services license from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, according to a press release issued on Thursday. A ceremony was held in Islamabad, where the license awarding agreement was signed by DG Licensing, PTA, Brig (retired) Aamir Shahzad, and the CEO of JazzWorld, Aamir Ibrahim. The ceremony was attended by Pakistan&#39;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, and PTA Chairman Maj Gen (retired) Hafeezur Rehman. In the initial phase, 5G services are live at approximately 180 sites across major cities, including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Multan, and Faisalabad, according to the press release. Jazz has acquired spectrum in the 700 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2600 MHz, and 3500 MHz bands during the recent auction. The company has announced a $1 billion investment commitment related to its network and digital services, in addition to more than $11 billion invested in Pakistan over the past three decades. Through its platform JazzWorld, the company reports serving over 100 million users across services including telecommunications, financial services, and digital applications.

The launch follows the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority's award of a license to mobile operator Jazz.

Pakistan launches 5G services 

ISLAMABAD: The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Thursday issued its first-ever presidential statement on closer cooperation with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)&nbsp;to address regional challenges, including maritime security, terrorism, and food and water security.&nbsp; The statement, submitted by Bahrain&#39;s UN representative in his capacity as Council President for April, recognizes the GCC&rsquo;s &quot;position and expertise&quot; in promoting regional peace and security, and acknowledges its &quot;contributions to regional and international stability through mediation, preventive diplomacy, technical and financial support, and humanitarian engagement.&quot; The Council requested that the UN Secretary-General, Ant&oacute;nio Guterres, include recommendations on strengthening institutional ties with the GCC in his next report, and encouraged regular briefings by the GCC Secretary-General. &quot;The ongoing escalation underlines the urgent need for coordinated multilateral action,&quot; said Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General, stressing the importance of &ldquo;strengthened&rdquo; UN-GCC cooperation. He highlighted the GCC&#39;s role in de-escalating regional tensions, supporting mediation in Gaza, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen, and its cooperation with the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism. &#39;Cornerstone of the global economy&#39;GCC Secretary-General Jassim Albudaiwi told the Council the bloc is a &quot;cornerstone of the global economy&quot;, noting its combined output exceeded $2.3 trillion in 2024 and its members&rsquo; major contribution to global oil and gas supplies. He warned that instability in the Gulf carries global consequences. &quot;Stability in the Arabian Gulf is not merely a regional concern, but is rather a global necessity,&quot; he said. Bahrain&#39;s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid al Zayani announced that his country had submitted a separate draft resolution to the Council addressing what he described as Iran&#39;s &quot;unlawful and unjustified&quot; attempts to control navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, with a vote expected Friday. Delegates from the United Kingdom and France backed GCC states&#39; right to defend their sovereignty, with France stating Iran &quot;bears the primary responsibility for the current escalation.&quot;&nbsp; Russia countered that the conflict was &quot;the direct result of an unprovoked act of aggression by the United States and Israel against Iran&#39;s territory.&quot; China and Pakistan jointly called for an immediate ceasefire and the launch of peace talks. The GCC, founded in 1981, comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

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The statement, submitted by Bahrain's UN representative, recognizes the GCC’s 'position and expertise' in promoting regional peace and security, and calls for deeper UN-GCC coordination on terrorism, maritime security, water and food security.

UNSC backs stronger cooperation with Gulf bloc in first-ever presidential statement

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday extended Good Friday greetings to the Christian community at home and abroad, emphasizing the values of compassion, tolerance and peaceful coexistence. Prime Minister Sharif in a post on X on Friday stated: &quot;On the occasion of Good Friday, I extend sincere greetings to our brothers and sisters of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pm-sharif-extends-heartfelt-greetings-on-joyous-blessed-christmas" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Christian community</a>&nbsp;in Pakistan and members of the Christian faith across the world.&rdquo;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2039943098672025844&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=cf1149a8b3beaafec088d9fab9bb7e3150ffa371&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 369px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe></div></div>&ldquo;May this sacred day, marked by sacrifice and reflection, strengthen our shared commitment to compassion, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence,&quot; the prime minister added.

Culture

Says, ​'May this sacred day, marked by sacrifice and reflection, strengthen our shared commitment to compassion, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence'. 

Pakistan's PM Sharif extends Good Friday greetings, urges compassion and tolerance

PARIS:&nbsp;Iran should make a deal with the United States to end the war by offering to curb its nuclear program and reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for sanctions relief, a former Iranian foreign minister said. Mohammad Javad Zarif, who served as foreign minister from 2013-2021, claimed in an op-ed for American journal Foreign Affairs that Tehran had the &quot;upper hand&quot; in the conflict against the US and Israel, but argued Iran needed to stop the war to prevent the loss of more civilian lives and damage to infrastructure. &quot;Iran should use its upper hand not to keep fighting but to declare victory and make a deal that both ends this conflict and prevents the next one,&quot; Zarif said in the piece published late Thursday. &quot;It should offer to place limits on its nuclear program and to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for an end to all sanctions a deal Washington wouldn&#39;t take before but might accept now,&quot; he added. &#39;Nonaggression pact&#39;&nbsp; Iran should also be prepared to accept a mutual &quot;nonaggression pact&quot; with the United States, as well as economic relations, he said. Tehran and Washington have had no diplomatic ties since shortly after the 1979 Islamic revolution. Zarif, one of the architects of the now moribund 2015 deal over the Iranian nuclear program, is seen as a relative moderate within the Islamic republic elite, but has no official post in the current government. However this is one of the first times during this conflict that a high profile figure in Iran has called for a deal and an end to the war, with top military and political officials urging daily for fighting to continue until the US is defeated. &#39;Back to the stone ages&#39;US President Donald Trump has evoked ongoing talks with Tehran without giving details but also threatened to send the country &quot;back to the stone ages&quot; if it fails to agree terms. &quot;As an Iranian, outraged by Donald Trump&#39;s reckless aggression and crude insults, yet proud of our armed forces and resilient people, I am torn about publishing this peace-plan in Foreign Affairs,&quot; Zarif wrote in English on X Friday. &quot;Yet I&#39;m convinced that war must end on terms consistent with Iran&#39;s national interests,&quot; he added. Zarif in the Foreign Affairs piece warned that &quot;although continuing to fight the United States and Israel might be psychologically satisfying, it will lead only to the further destruction of civilian lives and infrastructure&quot;.

Mohammad Javad Zarif (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Mohammad Javad Zarif urges Iran to end the conflict with the US by negotiating a deal to limit its nuclear program and reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for sanctions relief.

Iran's former top diplomat urges deal with US to end war

ISLAMABAD: Congress&rsquo; National spokesperson Dr Shama Mohamed renewed scrutiny of alleged RSS backing for propaganda-style films in an X post, on Thursday.&nbsp;Dr. Shama said producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah had &ldquo;openly admitted&rdquo; that the RSS supported &ldquo;Kerala Story 2&rdquo; and arguing that this showed the organisation had backed a film meant to defame Kerala. Her post brought fresh attention to a wider debate over how the BJP and the RSS ecosystem support politically aligned cinema through ideological links, endorsements, tax breaks and promotion.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2039579655645348127&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Flogin%2F&sessionId=c92d3faf5176e582d37f5cad3e26fa7ac3e0dbe2&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 672px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe></div></div>At least ten films have been produced or directed by individuals linked to the BJP, the RSS, or affiliated Hindutva organisations, an Indian news outlet, The Quint, reported on Friday. The films named in the report include The Kerala Story, The Kerala Story 2 Goes Beyond, Bastar: The Naxal Story, Razakar, Swatantra Veer Savarkar, PM Narendra Modi, Accident or Conspiracy: Godhra, Bengal 1947, The Accidental Prime Minister, and Jahangir National University.&nbsp;One of the most striking claims in that report concerns producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah. The Quint said Shah acknowledged at the 2023 World Hindu Congress that The Kerala Story could not have been made without RSS &ldquo;guidance and support.&rdquo; The report said he described the RSS as the film&rsquo;s &ldquo;guardian angels.&rdquo;&nbsp;Political endorsement has also come from the top. Reuters reported that Indian PM Narendra Modi publicly praised The Kashmir Files in 2022. BJP-ruled states then moved to make the film tax-free, helping widen its reach.&nbsp;A similar pattern was seen with The Kerala Story and Article 370. NDTV reported that BJP governments in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh made The Kerala Story tax-free. NDTV also reported that the BJP government in Chhattisgarh made Article 370 tax-free.&nbsp; Taken together, the reporting suggests these films are not just cultural products. They are increasingly part of a political ecosystem where cinema, ideology, and state patronage intersect.

India

The BJP and the wider RSS ecosystem are backing a string of ultra-nationalist and propaganda-style films in India; the support is not always visible as direct funding but through political links, public endorsements, tax breaks, and coordinated promotion by party leaders and allied networks. 

Scrutiny grows over BJP-RSS backing of propaganda films

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the suicide attack on a police station in the Domel area of District Bannu, said a press release issued by Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office on Friday. The prime minister expressed grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives in the incident that took place in the northwest of the country. Sharif prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured, the press release said. &ldquo;We are determined to completely eradicate all forms of terrorism from the country&rdquo;, the prime minister said.

Security

‘We are determined to completely eradicate all forms of terrorism from the country,’ the prime minister said, according to a press release.

PM Sharif strongly condemns suicide attack in northwest Pakistan  

JINJA: Giggles and songs ripple across a field in rural eastern Uganda where elderly women swing cricket bats as a way to reshape what ageing, health and sports can look like in later life. The so-called &quot;cricket grannies&quot; are bound together by a growing love of a game they initially knew nothing about but is now helping them manage age-related health conditions, stress and loneliness. Clad in floor-length dresses and mostly barefoot, the women, aged 50 to 90, gather weekly at a playground in Jinja district, about 80 kilometres (50 miles) from the capital, Kampala. Each swing draws cheers from teammates as the women turn Saturday morning practice into a lively spectacle. &quot;With the exercises I&#39;ve been doing, my legs used to hurt, but they no longer do,&quot; Jennifer Waibi Nanyonga, 72, told AFP. &quot;I spent the whole of last year without seeing a doctor for my back, yet it had previously been paining me,&quot; added the grandmother of 29. The initiative began in 2025 with just 10 grandmothers in the remote village of Kivubuka and has since grown more than tenfold. The programme was initially aimed at children, but when cricket coach Aaron Kusasira realised their caregivers had little knowledge of the game and often kept them from joining, he decided to involve the elderly women, too. &quot;We come here, we jog, we move around, we do some stretches,&quot; Kusasira, 26, said. They &quot;unknowingly have to run because they have to compete,&quot; he added. Physical inactivity is a leading risk factor for deaths from noncommunicable diseases and, according to the World Health Organization, it is more common among women globally. International health data estimates that sedentary lifestyles are costing public health systems roughly US$27 billion per year and will continue to rise if activity levels are not improved. Fresh start&nbsp; Beyond physical activity, cricket has also fostered a sense of community among the Ugandan grannies. &quot;When at home, you have no company and spend your time buried in your thoughts,&quot; said an elderly woman who only gave her first name, Patriciah. For others, the weekly meetings have proved cathartic. &quot;When I arrive here and see my friends, we get together and talk about our problems, we counsel each other,&quot; said Jennifer Waibi Nanyonga. &quot;By the time we return home, everyone is lighter and with a fresh start,&quot; she added. For coach Kusasira, training the women has been a win-win, giving him the opportunity to coach children in the area without opposition. &quot;From the kids to the elders, provided I see the smiles it&#39;s enough. I know that is a day well spent,&quot; he said.

In eastern Uganda’s Jinja district, groups of older women have embraced cricket as a way to stay physically active and socially connected later in life. Often referred to locally as “cricket grannies”, they take part in informal games and training that co

Africa

The so-called "cricket grannies" are bound together by a growing love of a game they initially knew nothing about but is now helping them manage age-related health conditions, stress and loneliness.

From bats to bonds: Uganda's 'cricket grannies'

DHAKA: The Bangladesh government has introduced a series of measures aimed at addressing the impact of global disruptions and ensuring stability in fuel oil supply, following a high-level cabinet meeting held at night at the Cabinet Room in the Parliament Secretariat.&nbsp; Under the new directives, all government and private offices will operate from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Banking hours for public transactions will run from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, while banks will officially close at 4:00 pm, Bangladeshi state media Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) reported.&nbsp; In an effort to conserve energy, shopping malls and markets nationwide must shut down by 6:00 pm. However, essential services including kitchen markets, food outlets, and pharmacies will remain exempt from this restriction. The decisions were taken by the Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday night. Later, Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani briefed the journalists at the media centre of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, saying that the government took measures considering fuel supply disruptions caused by the Middle East war.&nbsp;&nbsp;Prime Minister&rsquo;s Press Secretary Saleh Shibly was present at the briefing. Noting that several steps have been taken for the next three months to reduce government expenditure, the cabinet secretary said, &ldquo;No new vehicles, watercraft or aircraft will be purchased during this period&rdquo;.&nbsp;&nbsp;Procurement of new equipment, including computers, will also remain suspended, he said, adding, internal training has been reduced by 50 percent, while all foreign training under government funding will remain suspended until further notice.&nbsp;&nbsp;Expenditure on meetings and seminars has also been cut by 50 percent, Ghani said.&nbsp;&nbsp;Besides, he said, government spending in the power, energy and gas sectors will be reduced by 30 percent. The meeting issued a directive to reduce unnecessary travel expenses by 30 percent, the cabinet secretary added.&nbsp;&nbsp;He said new directives will be issued for the education sector.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Ministry of Education will start issuing instructions in phases from Sunday, considering the needs of different levels, so that the measures do not have a negative impact on the education system, Ghani said.&nbsp;&nbsp;In a bid to reduce traffic congestion in the capital city during the school hour, he said, the government has decided to introduce electric buses for school students instead of private cars.&nbsp;&nbsp;Educational institutions joining the initiative will be able to import buses duty-free, the cabinet secretary said, adding, the private sector will also get this facility, but a 20 percent duty will apply for commercial purposes.&nbsp;&nbsp;However, only new buses will be allowed for import, he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;Noting that imports from alternative sources are also being increased to maintain normal fuel supply, Ghani said initiatives have already been taken to import fuel from Malaysia, Indonesia, and Kazakhstan.

Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani briefed the journalists at the media centre of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban (Photo : BSS)

Bangladesh

The Bangladesh government has introduced reduced working hours, spending cuts, and energy-saving measures to manage fuel shortages caused by global disruptions.

Bangladesh cuts expenditure, reduces office hours, orders markets shut after 6pm

WASHINGTON:&nbsp;US President Donald Trump fired Attorney General Pam Bondi on Thursday and named his former personal lawyer to serve as the acting chief of the Justice Department. The US president announced the move in a social media post. &quot;Pam Bondi is a Great American Patriot and a loyal friend, who faithfully served as my Attorney General over the past year,&quot; Trump said on Truth Social. &quot;Pam did a tremendous job overseeing a massive crackdown in Crime across our Country.&quot; Bondi &quot;will be transitioning to a much needed and important new job in the private sector,&quot; the president said, and will be replaced on an interim basis by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who Trump described as &quot;a very talented and respected Legal Mind.&quot; According to The New York Times, Trump may name former Republican congressman Lee Zeldin, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, to be the next attorney general.In the meantime, the post will be filled by Blanche. &#39;Honor of a lifetime&#39;Bondi, in a post on X, said serving as attorney general had been &quot;the honor of a lifetime&quot; and said she will &quot;continue fighting for President Trump&quot; in her unspecified new private sector job. &quot;Over the next month I will be working tirelessly to transition the office of Attorney General to the amazing Todd Blanche,&quot; she said. &quot;I remain eternally grateful for the trust that President Trump placed in me to Make America Safe Again.&quot; Bondi&#39;s ouster comes nearly a month after Trump fired Kristi Noem as the head of the Department of Homeland Security.&nbsp;Democratic lawmakers welcomed Bondi&#39;s firing. Bondi served as a prosecutor for 18 years before being elected Florida&#39;s attorney general in 2010, the first woman to hold the post.&nbsp;She was reelected to a second term in 2014.

Bondi 'will be transitioning to a much needed and important new job in the private sector,' the president said, and will be replaced on an interim basis by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who Trump described as 'a very talented and respected Legal Mind.'

Trump sacks attorney general Pam Bondi, replaces with lawyer Todd Blanche

Web Desk/AFP

'Multiple attacks on health have been reported in the Iranian capital, Tehran, in recent days amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East,' WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wrote on X.