Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Pakistan’s Digital Nation 2025 vision aims to build a fully digital state by modernising governance, expanding financial inclusion, and embedding digital infrastructure across government. With e-office adoption, 120 million bank account targets, crypto integration, and youth-focused reforms, the strategy positions digitalisation as the backbone of national transformation.
Pakistan’s Data Vault has partnered with US-based Rafay Systems to strengthen the country’s first sovereign AI cloud. The platform enables enterprises, startups, and universities to deploy AI using GPU and Kubernetes infrastructure entirely within Pakistan, delivering hyperscale-style self-service while keeping sensitive data onshore.
Zong has partnered with ZTE to introduce affordable 5G smartphones in Pakistan ahead of the February spectrum auction. The initiative includes entry-level and gaming devices, bundled plans, and BNPL schemes, aiming to boost readiness for 5G adoption as operators prepare for heavy investment and rollout obligations.
The PTA has launched a new facility allowing overseas Pakistanis to protect their SIM cards during long stays abroad. By coordinating with operators and meeting basic usage or payment requirements, subscribers can retain their numbers. The authority also warned against scams and urged responsible SIM ownership.
Pakistan’s education ministry and Tech Valley have partnered to roll out Canva for Education nationwide, giving K–12 institutions free access to premium creative tools. The initiative combines secure digital access with a “Canva Champion” training model to build long-term teaching capacity and accelerate digital, innovative learning across public schools.
Pakistan is steadily moving toward a technology-driven economy, with 32 Special Technology Zones, a forthcoming Digital Nation System, and large-scale youth skills programs, as ICTN Asia Expo highlights the country’s growing global tech presence and ambitions.
Pakistan will use ITCN Asia 2026 to showcase BYD, Samsung, and Google assembly initiatives, highlighting a strategic shift from tech services to localized manufacturing. Led by STZA and backed by SIFC, the pavilion positions Pakistan as a destination for electric vehicles, electronics, data centers, and technology-driven industrial growth.
Pakistan’s upcoming spectrum auction could release 600 MHz of new capacity, addressing structural limits that hinder internet quality. Jazz CEO Aamir Ibrahim calls it a once-in-a-decade opportunity to deliver faster, affordable connectivity, bridge the digital divide, and enable a digitally driven economy across education, healthcare, and enterprise.
Pakistan’s telecom regulator has warned multiple broadband providers, including PTCL and Net Cloud Telecom, after a Q4 2025 survey revealed widespread issues with latency, jitter, and network reliability. While minimum speeds are met, weak routing, core failures, and peak-hour congestion continue to disrupt video calls, gaming, and international access.
The February spectrum auction will release 600 MHz of capacity, giving Pakistan a chance to fix chronic network constraints. Aamir Ibrahim says success depends on prioritizing affordable, reliable internet over 5G hype, strengthening 4G nationwide, enabling handset financing, and treating connectivity as national infrastructure powering education, health, and economic inclusion.