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TechnologyCPKX+1

How to Get an eSIM in Pakistan 2026: Complete Guide

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

To get an eSIM in Pakistan, visit a Jazz, Zong, or Ufone service center with your CNIC, complete biometric verification, and receive a QR code. Then go to your phone's settings, add a cellular plan, and scan the code. Charges range from free (Jazz) to around Rs. 2,000, and an eSIM-compatible phone is required.

4,584   1,453 Read Article

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BusinessTechnologyPakistan+4

How to Get Into a Startup Incubator in Pakistan (and Whether You Should)

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Startup incubators like Pakistan's National Incubation Center (NIC) offer early-stage founders mentorship, a structured curriculum, free coworking space, investor connections, and networking, usually without taking equity. With NICs in seven cities and applications opening periodically (including current cohorts), founders apply online, get screened, and pitch to a panel. They're valuable for the right early-stage founder.

2,339   1,553 Read Article

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BusinessTechnologyCP+2

How to Land a Remote Job With a Foreign Company From Pakistan

Syed Asfer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

To land a remote job with a foreign company from Pakistan, build a strong portfolio, target remote-first companies (GitLab, Automattic, Zapier) and vetted platforms (Toptal, Turing, Deel), apply as a contractor, prepare for time-zone overlap, and get paid via Payoneer, Wise, or Deel. A degree is rarely required, skills and portfolio matter most.

2,236   1,380 Read Article

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CPKXHow-To / Tutorials+2

How to Monetize Facebook in Pakistan 2026: Full Guide

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Yes, Facebook monetization is available in Pakistan. Creators can earn through the Facebook Content Monetization Program (in-stream ads, Reels), Facebook Stars, fan subscriptions, and branded content. In-stream ads typically require 5,000-10,000 followers and 60,000-600,000 watch minutes in 60 days. Payouts reach Pakistani creators via Payoneer or bank transfer.

8,820   1,866 Read Article

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TechnologyCPKX+3

How to Register as a Freelancer With PSEB (2026 Guide)

Syed - Connected Pakistan

To register as a freelancer with PSEB, visit the official PSEB portal, select freelancer registration, create an account, and submit your CNIC, NTN, and proof of foreign income. Pay the registration fee (around PKR 500 per year for freelancers). Once verified, you receive a PSEB certificate, and your IT export tax drops from 1% to 0.25%.

2,688   1,005 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.

3,862   942 Read Article

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BusinessTechnologyCP+2

How to Start Selling Online in Pakistan 2026: A Beginner's Guide

Syed Asfer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

To start selling online in Pakistan, choose a platform (Daraz for instant reach, Shopify/WooCommerce for your own brand, or Facebook/Instagram/WhatsApp for social selling), pick a product with real demand, set up payments via JazzCash, easypaisa, or cash-on-delivery, arrange delivery through a courier, and list with quality photos. Pakistan's e-commerce market exceeds PKR 1.2 trillion in 2026.

2,059   948 Read Article

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BusinessCPKX+1

How to Start Selling Online in Pakistan in 2026

Syed Asfer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

To start selling online in Pakistan, choose a channel: Daraz for instant reach and traffic, your own Shopify or WooCommerce store for control and branding, or social selling (Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp) for the lowest-cost start. Pakistan's e-commerce market exceeds PKR 1.2 trillion, most orders come from mobile, and cash on delivery still dominates.

2,392   1,274 Read Article

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EducationResearchCP+3

How to Turn Freelancing into a Scalable Agency - Complete Transition Guide

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Transitioning from freelancing to an agency requires building a team, creating systems, and shifting from task-based work to business thinking. By delegating work, focusing on niche services, and improving client acquisition, freelancers can scale into successful agencies and increase their income sustainably.

3,621   1,025 Read Article

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TechnologyCPKX+2

How Your Small Business in Pakistan Can Actually Use AI (Without a Tech Team)

Syed Asfer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Small businesses in Pakistan can use AI without a tech team or big budget. Practical applications include automating WhatsApp customer replies, scanning invoices and receipts to cut data entry, analyzing sales to spot trends, generating marketing content, and drafting communications. The best approach: start with your single biggest time-waster, use one simple tool, then expand gradually.

2,820   1,039 Read Article

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BusinessTechnologyPakistan+4

Indus RAS Expo 2026: Pakistan's First National Robotics Show

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Indus RAS Expo 2026 is Pakistan's first national exhibition dedicated to Robotics and Autonomous Systems, held July 22-23, 2026 at the Pak-China Friendship Centre, Islamabad. Hosted by Ignite (National Technology Fund) under the Ministry of IT, with NCRA and NUST E&ME, it features RoboWars, drone demos, startup showcases, and free public registration.

2,892   2,119 Read Article

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HealthBusinessTechnology+7

Innoventure Club '26: A Wilderness Reset in Swat for Pakistan's Tech Community

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Innoventure Club '26 is a 4-day wilderness and tech experience in Swat Valley by Connected Pakistan and TechTrip, held 18–21 September 2026 at Taip Banda. Designed for developers, freelancers, founders, and creators, it combines hiking, waterfalls, bonfires, and Basant festivities with mentorship and workshops — an off-the-grid reset from screen fatigue, starting from Rs 60,000.

2,597   901 Read Article

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CPKXOur People

Irfan Malik: From Remote Roots to Global Tech Leader

Zarish - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Irfan Malik is a Pakistani technology entrepreneur and CEO of Xeven Solutions. He built a global company specializing in AI, data science, and emerging technologies, while actively promoting freelancing, entrepreneurship, and youth empowerment.

3,333   2,288 Read Article

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TechnologyCPKX+2

Is AI Killing Freelancing in Pakistan? The Honest Truth

Syed - Connected Pakistan

AI is disrupting freelancing in Pakistan as platforms like Fiverr and Upwork decline. Fiverr lost over 60% of its stock value in a year, and businesses increasingly use AI instead of hiring for basic tasks. But freelancers who learn AI tools, specialize in high-value work, and build their own products can still thrive.

3,021   1,979 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.

5,003   2,460 Read Article

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TechnologyPakistanCP+4

KonnectX Karachi 2026: Why Premium Networking Matters

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

KonnectX Karachi 2026 is a premium networking conference by Connected Pakistan, held Saturday, August 1, 2026 at Innovista Indus, DHA Karachi. It brings together 200+ founders, CEOs, entrepreneurs, and investors for keynotes, panels, AI and business insights, awards, and an exclusive networking dinner aboard the Ocean Dream II Cruise.

1,757   2,089 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.

2,422   1,100 Read Article

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BusinessCPKX+1

Muhammad Bilal Aftab: Global AI Leader and Venture Builder

Hujjat - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Muhammad Bilal Aftab is a global technology leader, AI strategist, and venture builder with over 20 years of experience. He has worked with major organizations like IBM and HP, advised high-growth startups, and played key roles in accelerators like Techstars and Seedcamp.

3,059   2,546 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.

1,952   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.

2,931   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.

2,525   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.

2,511   2,215 Read Article

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BusinessResearchTechnology+5

Pakistan at 79: An Honest Look at Where We Really Stand in Tech

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

At 79, Pakistan's tech story is genuinely mixed: real progress (record $4.6B IT exports, a $1B+ freelance economy, new AI hubs and data centers) sits alongside hard gaps (no unicorn, massive skilled emigration, a falling human development ranking, and a widening AI divide with peers). The honest verdict: real momentum, but not yet matching the challenge.

3,138   2,491 Read Article

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CPKXFeatured

Pakistan Beats the UK, Germany, and China in Tech Talent. One Thing Holds It Back

Abdullah Awan - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistan ranks 16th of 193 countries in the 2026 Global Outsourcing Talent Index, ahead of the UK, Germany, France, China, and Vietnam, driven by top scores in cost (97/100) and talent (8th globally). But its digital infrastructure scores just 30/100. Fixing this single weakness could lift Pakistan to 11th globally.

2,974   1,971 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.

1,917   2,120 Read Article

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CPKXFeatured

Pakistan Builds Startups but Can't Scale Them: The Series B Problem

Abdullah Awan - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistan's startup ecosystem has a "scale-up gap": startups can raise early seed and pre-Series A funding, but growth-stage (Series B and beyond) capital barely exists, 2024 saw zero Series B rounds. This forces promising companies to sell early or move abroad, which is why Pakistan, despite 1,000+ startups, still has no unicorn.

1,990   2,459 Read Article

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TechnologyCPKX+1

Pakistan Freelancing Industry Growth Driving Digital Economy

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistan’s freelancing industry has grown rapidly due to digital skills, global remote work demand, and a young tech-savvy workforce. With millions of freelancers offering services worldwide, the sector generates hundreds of millions of dollars in foreign exchange and plays a key role in Pakistan’s expanding digital economy.

4,002   1,191 Read Article

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BusinessTechnologyPakistan+4

Pakistan Gets Its First NVIDIA H200 AI Chips: Why It's a Big Deal

Muhammad Umer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Indus Cloud (Master Group), with Cisco, launched Pakistan's first AI GPU cluster powered by NVIDIA H200 chips in August 2026, bringing brand-new H200 GPUs onto Pakistani soil for the first time. These high-end chips power AI training and large language models, giving local businesses, startups, and universities in-country access to world-class AI computing.

2,709   1,136 Read Article

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PakistanCPKX+3

Pakistan Govt Launches ChatGPT-Style AI to Track Ministries

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistan's government is launching a ChatGPT-style AI system, developed by the Pakistan Digital Authority, to monitor ministry performance and improve coordination. The Prime Minister's Office System (PMOS) lets the PM's office send directives instantly and track progress on one dashboard, while a sovereign GPT research tool helps officials search past records and decisions quickly.

2,909   2,121 Read Article

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TechnologyCPKX+1

Pakistan Has a Dozen Free Tech Training Programs. Which One Should You Actually Do

Syed Asfer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistan offers many free tech training programs in 2026, including DigiSkills 3.0, the PMYP Digital Skills Program, HEC's AI training (which recently graduated 6,000 students), and free Google and Meta courses. The best choice depends on your goals and level. But completing a course isn't enough, turning training into income requires practice, projects, and persistence.

2,349   2,369 Read Article

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CPKXTechnology

Pakistan IT Exports Hit $4.6B as Freelancers Cross $1 Billion

Abdullah Awan - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistan's IT exports reached a record $4.6 billion in fiscal year 2025-26, a 21% increase from $3.814 billion, according to State Bank data. Freelancers crossed $1 billion for the first time, up 50% year-on-year and contributing about 25% of total IT exports. The result met the lower target but missed the $5 billion goal.

1,500   1,699 Read Article

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BusinessTechnologyPakistan+4

Pakistan Joins WAICO: What the New AI Alliance Means

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistan became a founding member of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO) on July 16, 2026, when Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar signed the agreement in Shanghai. The China-proposed body, joined by around 29-31 countries, aims to promote international AI cooperation and bridge the global AI divide, particularly for developing nations.

2,326   2,255 Read Article

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EducationTechnologyCP+4

Pakistan Launches 7 AI Hubs to Incubate 560 Startups

Syed Asfer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

The National Artificial Intelligence Advancement Initiative (NAAI) is Pakistan's plan, launched July 2026 by MoITT under the National AI Policy, to establish seven AI Hubs in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Muzaffarabad, and Gilgit. It aims to incubate 560 AI startups over two years and provide 150 non-dilutive seed grants.

2,263   2,112 Read Article

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BusinessTechnologyPakistan+3

Pakistan Launches Its Largest AI Data Centre: What It Means

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Sky47 Karakoram-01 is Pakistan's largest AI-ready data centre, inaugurated on July 24, 2026 in Islamabad. Built by Mari Technologies with China's ZTE, the 8.5-megawatt, Tier III/IV facility provides high-performance computing for AI, cloud, and secure data hosting. Its sovereign cloud keeps critical data within Pakistan, with similar centres planned for Karachi and Lahore.

4,176   1,699 Read Article

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TechnologyPakistanGovernment+6

Pakistan Launches NAAI: 7 AI Hubs and 560 Startups

Muhammad Umer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

The National Artificial Intelligence Advancement Initiative (NAAI) is Pakistan's plan to establish seven AI Hubs, in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Muzaffarabad, and Gilgit, to incubate 560 startups over two years and give non-dilutive seed grants to 150. Launched under the National AI Policy, it focuses on healthcare, agriculture, fintech, and more.

2,951   2,306 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.

2,972   1,232 Read Article

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CPKXGovernment Initiatives+2

Pakistan's $1 Billion AI Plan: What It Means for You by 2030

Abdullah Awan - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistan has pledged $1 billion in public investment in artificial intelligence by 2030. The plan funds sovereign compute infrastructure, an AI curriculum in schools, 1,000 fully funded AI PhD scholarships, and training for one million non-IT professionals. Announced at Indus AI Week 2026, it aims to turn Pakistan from an IT-services provider into a regional AI hub.

2,496   2,339 Read Article

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BusinessTechnologyCP+3

Pakistan's 5G Fix: New Spectrum and the Fiber Problem

Syed Asfer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistan has assigned E-Band spectrum to mobile operators to provide high-capacity wireless backhaul for 5G. The move addresses a key bottleneck: only about 17.9% of Pakistan's mobile towers are connected by fiber. Operators must reach 20% fiber-to-the-site by 2028, rising to 35% by 2035, under their 5G licence conditions.

2,472   1,214 Read Article

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BusinessTechnologyCP+3

Pakistan's 5G in 2026: Live in 22 Cities, But Is It Working?

Syed Asfer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistan's 5G is live in 22 cities with 449 active tower sites as of mid-2026, and 3.81 million 5G-ready phones are registered. However, 5G currently runs on existing 4G towers with no new infrastructure yet, so users still face slow speeds and dropped calls. New 5G infrastructure is expected over the next six to eight months.

2,042   1,200 Read Article

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TechnologyGovernmentCP+3

Pakistan's AI Readiness Ranking: Behind Its Neighbors

Syed Asfer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistan ranks 8th out of 17 countries in South and Central Asia on the Oxford Insights Government AI Readiness Index, placing it below India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. The index measures government vision, digital infrastructure, and data systems. Pakistan has made progress but lags due to gaps in infrastructure, data systems, and implementation.

2,951   2,385 Read Article

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PakistanCPKX+2

Pakistan's Biggest AI Centre Is Coming to Karachi in 2026

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Karachi is being positioned as Pakistan's primary AI hub in 2026. The Sindh government announced the country's largest AI centre, the upcoming Sindh IT Tower, the Quantum Global Data Centre, and Karachi Technopolis. Together, these projects aim to anchor AI infrastructure, attract investment, and create tech jobs across the city.

3,172   1,295 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.

2,456   2,021 Read Article

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CPKXGovernment Initiatives+1

Pakistan's Cashless Surge: 88% of Payments Now Digital

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistan's digital payments are surging: per the State Bank's FY2024-25 review, retail payments reached 9.1 billion transactions worth PKR 612 trillion, with digital channels now 88% of the total. Raast, the free instant payment system, more than doubled and serves 48 million users. Yet cash still dominates due to a persistent "sticky cash culture."

2,440   1,918 Read Article

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TechnologyCPKX+1

Pakistan's Crypto Rules Just Went Live: What the September 5 Deadline Means for You

Syed Asfer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistan's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) opened its crypto licensing regime in August 2026, setting a September 5 deadline for existing crypto firms to apply for a No Objection Certificate or cease operations. It's a regulation framework, not a ban, aiming to bring crypto under formal oversight with rules on compliance, banking access, and consumer protection.

1,703   1,980 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.

4,666   1,863 Read Article

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TechnologyPakistanCP+6

Pakistan's Freelance Dream Is Changing: The Next 5 Years

Muhammad Umer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistan's freelance economy is entering a K-shaped split: as AI automates commodity work like basic writing and data entry, low-skill freelancers face collapsing demand, while specialized freelancers who use AI and offer human judgment earn more than ever. The era of selling cheap execution is ending; the future rewards those who build and specialize.

3,113   1,133 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.

3,300   882 Read Article

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CPKXFeatured

Pakistan's IT Industry Just Had Its Best Year Ever, While Cutting Jobs. What's Going On?

Abdullah Awan - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistan's IT industry posted record exports of $4.6 billion in FY2025-26 (up ~21%), yet is simultaneously shedding jobs faster than in recent history. The paradox is driven largely by AI, which boosts productivity and revenue while automating routine, entry-level work. It signals a shift toward "jobless growth", more output from fewer, higher-skilled workers.

1,875   2,054 Read Article