State Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja highlighted the importance of equipping Pakistan’s youth with advanced technological skills for development. Speaking at a report launch, she emphasized digitalization initiatives, including the introduction of digital identities and the adoption of digital payments, to enhance societal interactions and foster economic growth.
Telenor Velocity and Google have partnered to nurture tech startups in Pakistan through the Google Cloud Startup Competition 2024. This initiative aims to drive innovation in AI, fintech, and other sectors, offering winners a cash prize and networking opportunities, thereby enhancing Pakistan’s tech ecosystem and entrepreneurial landscape.
Google for Education and Tech Valley Pakistan met with Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja to discuss enhancing education for out-of-school children in Pakistan. They explored deploying educational tools and Chromebooks to bridge learning gaps, emphasizing public-private partnerships to transform Pakistan into a knowledge export hub and improve educational outcomes.
European software company Ice Warp has announced a multimillion-dollar investment to develop a state-of-the-art data warehouse in Karachi, Pakistan, in partnership with HexaLys. This initiative marks Ice Warp’s entry into Pakistan, aiming to provide advanced data services and enhance digital sovereignty and privacy for local businesses.
A highlight of the meeting was the presentation of PTA’s Digital Gender Inclusion Strategy and the Parental Guidebook on Child Online Protection.
Zong 4G collaborates with Knowledge Platform to launch the Digital Scholars program, aiming to revolutionize Pakistan’s educational landscape. This initiative targets about 3000 students across 60 schools, focusing on marginalized areas along the CPEC belt. By providing digital learning modules in core subjects, the partnership seeks to bridge the rural-urban education gap, empowering Pakistani youth with equal learning opportunities.
PTCL has acquired Telenor Pakistan for Rs108 billion, marking a significant consolidation in Pakistan’s telecom sector. This strategic move aims to enhance service quality and coverage, supporting Pakistan’s economic growth and digital transformation. The acquisition will strengthen PTCL’s market position and create a robust telecom infrastructure.
Jazz, in partnership with UNDP, launched the WISE program to empower 413 women entrepreneurs in Pakistan. This initiative provides business training and fosters sustainable social enterprises, reflecting a commitment to women’s economic empowerment and social innovation.
The Punjab Information Technology Board’s BizLinks initiative, launched in May 2023, aims to enhance Pakistan’s digital footprint and IT exports. It focuses on public-private partnerships, attracting Foreign Direct Investment, and leveraging PITB’s flagship products like e-Pay Punjab and e-Stamping.
Jazz, Pakistan’s leading digital operator, in partnership with AT&T, has launched Pakistan’s first VoLTE roaming services in the US. This service ensures superior voice quality and faster call setup for Jazz customers traveling to the US, especially since AT&T has discontinued its 2G and 3G services.
