Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: India will effectively block the sale of many Chinese internet-connected closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras starting April 1, as a new government certification system is fully implemented and manufacturers without approval are excluded from the market, according to Indian media. The move is expected to hit major Chinese brands such as Hikvision, Dahua and TP-Link, and marks one of New Delhi&rsquo;s sharpest technology-security steps against imported surveillance equipment, the Economic Times reported on Tuesday. The mechanism behind the clampdown is India&rsquo;s Standardization Testing and Quality Certification (STQC) framework for CCTV cameras, introduced under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology&rsquo;s March 6, 2024, security notification.&nbsp; STQC&rsquo;s published rules say CCTV cameras submitted for certification must be tested and certified against the government&rsquo;s &ldquo;Essential Requirement(s) for Security of CCTV.&rdquo;&nbsp; Media reports said approval is being denied to several Chinese vendors and to products built around Chinese-origin chipsets or firmware, making their continued sale in India impossible once the deadline takes effect. The policy is framed in the official rules as a cybersecurity and supply-chain security measure rather than a nationality-based ban. But its commercial effect is unmistakable: companies that cannot secure certification will be excluded from one of the world&rsquo;s largest surveillance markets. According to India Today, the new rules make STQC approval mandatory for internet-connected CCTV products from April 1, effectively blocking Chinese camera giants from selling such devices in India. The Economic Times said Indian brands now control more than 80% of the domestic CCTV market as of February, with local manufacturers and non-Chinese supply chains gaining ground as Chinese firms lose access.

India

The move is expected to hit major Chinese brands and marks one of New Delhi’s sharpest steps in technology-security against imported surveillance equipment.

India’s new security rules shut Chinese CCTV brands out of market

Artificial Intelligence

Sam Altman said OpenAI hired OpenClaw creator Peter Steinberger, plans multi-agent “personal agents” as core products, will keep OpenClaw open-source, amid hype, security concerns, and pressure to monetize ChatGPT via ads.

OpenAI hires creator of 'OpenClaw' AI agent tool

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, said on Friday that the country is being transformed into a AI, technology-driven, globally competitive nation under the Uraan Pakistan vision, reports the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP). Speaking at the AI Rise Expo-2025 in Islamabad, the minister positioned digital innovation and artificial intelligence as central pillars of future economic growth.<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=2004474187679936518&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=37a0b8654d0fc2d83ea355efde9db7eb46c07543&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 672px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>&quot;Artificial intelligence is the new engine of Pakistan&#39;s economic power, and nations that lead in technology will ultimately lead the global economy,&quot; Iqbal stated, stressing that sustained investment in digital infrastructure and emerging technologies has become essential rather than optional. The minister outlined the E-Pakistan framework, which focuses on exports, the expansion of the digital economy, and technological innovation as interconnected drivers of sustainable development.&nbsp; The government aims to build a knowledge-based economy where technology empowers industries, creates high-value jobs, and enhances Pakistan&#39;s competitive position in international markets. Addressing industrial modernization, Iqbal highlighted the critical importance of robotics and automation for upgrading Pakistan&#39;s manufacturing sector. He warned that without embracing advanced manufacturing technologies, Pakistani industries would struggle to compete effectively in global supply chains and export markets. The planning minister also discussed the growing role of satellite technology in strengthening multiple economic sectors. He noted that satellite applications are improving food security, enhancing trade logistics, and expanding communication networks, enabling more informed decision-making across the economy. A key component of the vision involves bridging the gap between academic research and practical industry applications. Iqbal stressed the government&#39;s commitment to connecting university innovation with real-world business needs, ensuring that research translates into commercial products, export opportunities, and meaningful employment for Pakistan&#39;s youth. The minister concluded by reaffirming that Pakistan&#39;s economic future depends on embracing technology-led growth strategies. Through Uraan Pakistan and its E-Pakistan pillar, the government is establishing foundations for a resilient, digitally empowered economy capable of competing with leading nations worldwide, APP reported.

 Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal inaugurated AI Rise Expo 2025 on Friday, Dec 26, 2025. (X/@PlanComPakistan)

Economy

Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, says the country is being transformed into an AI, technology-driven, globally competitive nation under the Uraan Pakistan vision.

Pakistan to build AI, tech-driven economy: Planning minister

ISLAMABAD: Ambassadors from seven ASEAN member states have agreed to strengthen trade and economic ties with Pakistan, reaffirming commitment to deeper cooperation across technology, infrastructure, and skills development, the commerce ministry said Tuesday.&nbsp;Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan hosted the envoys of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, and Myanmar at the ministry in Islamabad, where both sides discussed boosting investment and expanding bilateral and regional trade.&nbsp;&ldquo;There is immense potential to go further,&rdquo; Khan said, citing opportunities in value-added agriculture, technology transfer, and skilled labor. He also highlighted Pakistan&rsquo;s strategic location as a gateway to Central Asia, with enhanced port connectivity under new transit trade agreements.&nbsp;The minister briefed diplomats on Islamabad&rsquo;s revised trade and tariff policies, vehicle import reforms, and progress on a Free Trade Agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). He invited ASEAN businesses to invest in Special Economic Zones under CPEC, citing improved macroeconomic indicators and a more investment-friendly climate.&nbsp;Pakistan&rsquo;s new Trade Dispute Resolution Commission, the first of its kind, was also introduced to help international companies resolve issues more efficiently.&nbsp;The Malaysian envoy offered opportunities for Pakistani firms in Malaysia&rsquo;s chip-making sector, while other ambassadors noted ongoing ASEAN investments in Pakistan&rsquo;s construction and energy sectors.&nbsp;All envoys welcomed Pakistan&rsquo;s outreach and agreed on the need to accelerate cooperation through trade, tourism, skills exchanges, and supply-chain integration.&nbsp;Pakistan, a Sectoral Dialogue Partner of ASEAN since 1993, is actively seeking Full Dialogue Partner status, despite a current moratorium.

Foreign Affairs

Pakistan and ASEAN countries agreed to expand trade, investment, and cooperation in key sectors during a high-level meeting in Islamabad, the commerce ministry said Tuesday. Both sides pledged to chart a roadmap for deeper ties.

Articles tagged with "Technology"

India’s new security rules shut Chinese CCTV brands out of market

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Pakistan to build AI, tech-driven economy: Planning minister

Pakistan, ASEAN countries agree to deepen trade and investment ties