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Pakistan's IT Ministry Plans a 10-Year Digital Roadmap

Syed Asfer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistan's Ministry of IT and Telecommunication (MoITT) is developing a 10-year digital transformation roadmap to modernize digital governance and strengthen the digital economy. Announced in July 2026, it will be implemented in three phases, short term (0-2 years), medium term (3-5 years), and long term (6-10 years), as part of a broader ministry restructuring.

3,159   1,551 Read Article

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CPKXFeatured

Pakistan's New Data Policy Gives You the Right to Know Who Accessed Your Data

Abdullah Awan - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistan's draft National Data Governance Policy 2026 establishes the country's first unified framework for government data, declaring it a national asset held in trust for citizens. It grants Pakistanis new digital rights, including knowing who accessed their personal data, correcting errors, requesting erasure, and demanding human review of AI-driven decisions, alongside stronger privacy and breach-notification rules.

2,914   872 Read Article

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Pakistan's PM Cloud Program: Up to $13,500 for Startups

Abdullah Awan - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

The Prime Minister's Cloud Program for Startups, run by Ignite under Pakistan's Ministry of IT, reimburses eligible startups for cloud costs, up to $13,500 across two tiers, with up to 60% of spending covered. It supports startups using providers like AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure to scale affordably, plus expert guidance.

2,399   2,468 Read Article

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TechnologyPakistanGovernment+5

Pakistan's PM Launches AI System to Track Every Order

Muhammad Umer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

PMOS (Prime Minister's Office System) is Pakistan's first AI-powered government platform, launched on July 21, 2026. It records, communicates, monitors, and tracks every directive issued by the Prime Minister, from issuance through implementation, verified completion, and post-completion review, replacing paper-based workflows with digital processes across ministries.

2,859   2,390 Read Article

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BusinessResearchTechnology+3

Pakistani AI Startups Are Winning a16z and YC Backing

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistani AI startups are attracting top global investors in 2026. Metal, founded by former Airlift CEO Usman Gul and backed by a16z and Y Combinator, builds an AI operating system for fundraising. Other rising names include Newton (healthcare AI), Metric (SME finance), and TaxGPT (tax automation), signaling Pakistan's shift from outsourcing to product-building.

2,413   1,478 Read Article

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TechnologyPakistanCP+4

Pakistani Freelancers Hit $1 Billion in IT Exports 2026

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistani freelancers earned over $1 billion in IT export income during the first 11 months of FY2026, a historic first. According to the State Bank of Pakistan, freelancers now contribute 25% of total IT exports, up from 20.3% a year earlier, reflecting nearly 50% year-on-year growth.

4,177   2,248 Read Article

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CPKXInformation Technology

Pakistani Freelancers Just Earned $175M in a Month. Here's How to Keep More of Yours

Syed Asfer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistani freelancers earned a record $175 million in July 2026, up 45.5% year-on-year. To keep more of their earnings, freelancers can register with PSEB to pay just 0.25% tax on foreign income (versus 1% unregistered, or up to 45% otherwise), provided they receive payments through formal banking channels and meet remittance conditions.

1,700   1,510 Read Article

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EducationBusinessResearch+4

Pakistan’s Biggest Startup Opportunities in the Next Decade

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistan offers one of the largest untapped startup markets with 230 million people, a young population, and growing digital access. Entrepreneurs who solve local challenges in agriculture, healthcare, education, and finance can build high-impact, scalable companies with global relevance.

4,846   2,531 Read Article

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EducationResearchTechnology+4

Pakistan’s Digital Banking Revolution and Fintech Innovation

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Digital banking transformation in Pakistan is reshaping the financial sector through mobile banking apps, fintech platforms, and digital payment systems. These innovations are helping expand financial inclusion, improve convenience, and modernize banking services, allowing millions of Pakistanis to access financial tools through smartphones and online platforms.

3,379   2,326 Read Article

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ResearchTechnologyCP+3

Pakistan’s Growing Creator Economy and Its Impact on Youth

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

The creator economy in Pakistan is rapidly expanding as thousands of digital creators earn income through platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. With millions of social media users and growing brand partnerships, content creation is emerging as a powerful new digital career and economic opportunity for Pakistani youth.

4,425   1,578 Read Article

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CPKXConnected Pakistan Icons+3

Perween Rahman: The Hero Who Gave Karachi's Poor Power

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Perween Rahman (1957-2013) was a Pakistani architect and social activist who led the Orangi Pilot Project, helping millions in Karachi's informal settlements build their own sanitation, schools, and housing. An outspoken critic of Karachi's land mafias, she was assassinated on 13 March 2013. Google honored her with a Doodle in 2022.

2,043   2,074 Read Article

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TechnologyPakistanCP+3

PM Launches Robotics Program and $20 Million Venture Fund

Syed Asfer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

At the Indus RAS Expo on July 23, 2026, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif launched the Spark and Elevate Program to promote robotics and autonomous systems, and announced a $20 million Pakistan Venture Fund to support innovation, research, and technology startups. The goal is turning research into commercial technologies and creating high-quality jobs.

2,352   894 Read Article

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CPKXFreelancing

PSEB Launches Pakistan's First Top Freelancer Award: Why It Matters

Abdullah Awan - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

The Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) has introduced a dedicated Top Freelancer Award as part of its IT Export Awards 2026, the first time individual freelancers, not just registered companies, are formally recognized. Tied to the August 2026 cycle, it rewards freelancers with strong, verifiable export earnings, signaling growing official recognition of Pakistan's freelance economy.

2,939   1,079 Read Article

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CPKXGovernment Initiatives+1

PTA and Meta Sign Deal on Youth Online Safety in Pakistan

Abdullah Awan - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and Meta signed a Letter of Intent in July 2026 to promote youth online safety, digital literacy, and digital well-being. The framework covers capacity building, policy dialogue, awareness campaigns, and sharing global best practices, plus engagement on online content governance and regulatory compliance across Pakistan.

2,089   1,244 Read Article

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PakistanCPKX+2

PTA Tax in Pakistan 2026: How It Works and How to Avoid Overpaying

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

PTA tax is a fee to register an imported phone with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority so it works on local networks. It's based on the phone's C&F value plus 18% sales tax, and is usually lower on a passport than a CNIC. You can check exact tax via SMS to 8484 or the DIRBS system before buying.

2,684   2,231 Read Article

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BusinessTechnologyPakistan+6

Raast Will Process More Money Than Pakistan's Entire Economy in 2026

Muhammad Umer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Raast is Pakistan's instant payment system by the State Bank, enabling free, real-time money transfers between people, businesses, and government. In 2026 it's projected to process over $500 billion, exceeding Pakistan's estimated $452 billion GDP. It has grown roughly 162 times since 2022, and a new consent-based "pull payment" feature is launching soon.

1,540   2,377 Read Article

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EducationTechnologyCP+3

RedHook Malware: How to Protect Your Android and Bank

Muhammad Umer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

RedHook is an upgraded Android banking malware identified by Group-IB that can steal banking credentials and take deep control of infected phones. It spreads through fake apps downloaded from links sent by scammers posing as banks or officials. The best protection is to only install apps from Google Play and never side-load APKs from unknown links.

1,677   1,655 Read Article

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EducationResearchTechnology+3

Scaling Amazon FBA Stores to £10M: Proven Growth Strategies

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Scaling an Amazon FBA store to £10M requires strategic product selection, strong branding, optimized PPC advertising, efficient supply chains, and expansion into multiple marketplaces. Successful sellers focus on data-driven decisions, customer experience, and continuous product innovation to grow revenue sustainably on Amazon.

2,315   2,129 Read Article

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BusinessTechnologyPakistan+4

SECP Approves Alibaba-Linked BNPL in Pakistan: Full Analysis

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Alibaba has entered Pakistan’s fintech market through Cocotech Pakistan after receiving an NBFC license from SECP. The move introduces Buy Now Pay Later services, signaling global confidence in Pakistan’s digital economy while increasing competition for local fintech companies and expanding access to credit for underserved users.

4,228   1,129 Read Article

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TechnologyPakistanCP+1

Silicon Valley's Plug and Play Is Coming to Pakistan

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Plug and Play Tech Center, a leading Silicon Valley startup accelerator, signed a Letter of Intent in July 2026 to establish operations in Islamabad and Karachi. It aims to accelerate up to 300 startups from Pakistani universities and connect them with over 600 global corporate partners, helping them raise investment and expand internationally while staying based in Pakistan.

3,154   2,452 Read Article

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EducationTechnologyCP+3

Skills You Should Learn Before AI Replaces Them

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

The most valuable skills to learn before AI replaces jobs include critical thinking, creativity, emotional intelligence, leadership, complex problem-solving, and communication. These human abilities require judgment, empathy, and innovation, making them significantly harder for artificial intelligence systems to replicate in real-world situations.

3,429   1,121 Read Article

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TechnologyCPKX+2

Social Media Automation: What's Safe vs What Gets You Banned

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Safe social media automation uses official tools like Meta Business Suite, Buffer, or Hootsuite for scheduling and analytics. Risky automation, mass-posting to groups, bulk auto-commenting, fake engagement, scraping, and detection-evasion tools, violates platform rules and can get your account permanently banned. The rule of thumb: automate your own workflow, never fake human activity.

2,358   1,501 Read Article

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ResearchTechnologyCP+2

Social Media Marketing Strategies: How Brands Grow in Pakistan

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Successful social media marketing in Pakistan focuses on short-form video, influencer collaborations, and platform-specific strategy. With 85 million+ social media users, brands use TikTok and Instagram Reels for reach, Facebook for affordable ads (CPC around PKR 10-400), WhatsApp for conversions, and LinkedIn for B2B. Consistency, Urdu content, and engagement drive growth.

3,395   2,396 Read Article

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TechnologyCPKX+4

State Bank Removes Form R: Big Win for Freelancers

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

On April 6, 2026, the State Bank of Pakistan (via circulars FECL6 and FECL7) removed the per-transaction Form R requirement for freelancers and IT exporters, replacing it with a one-time declaration at account opening. Reforms also mandate one-working-day payment processing, raise the Form R threshold to above $25,000, and allow ESFCA debit cards for direct USD spending.

3,375   1,759 Read Article

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TechnologyPakistanCP+3

Sualeh Asif The Pakistani Behind SpaceX's Cursor Deal

Syed - Connected Pakistan

Sualeh Asif is a Karachi-born co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Cursor, the AI coding tool built by Anysphere. In 2026, SpaceX agreed to acquire Anysphere in a $60 billion all-stock deal, expected to close in Q3 2026. Asif's stake is reportedly worth around $2.7 billion, making him a Pakistani-origin billionaire.

2,302   1,782 Read Article

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TechnologyCPKX+2

Tasawar Akram: Empowering Pakistan’s Digital Economy Through Entrepreneurship - From Pattoki to Global Digital Ventures

Zarish - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Tasawar Akram is a Pakistani digital entrepreneur, Director and Strategic Growth Partner at Brandliant, and founder of international digital ventures. He specializes in Facebook monetization, SEO, and digital marketing while helping aspiring freelancers, creators, and entrepreneurs develop skills and explore opportunities in the digital economy.

1,769   1,300 Read Article

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BusinessTechnologyCP+2

Telenor Pakistan Merges Into Ufone 5G: What It Means

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

On July 1, 2026, Telenor Pakistan formally merged into Pak Telecom Mobile Limited (PTML), operating as Ufone 5G, after Islamabad High Court approval. Telenor ceased to exist as a separate company. The combined operator now holds about 35.9% of Pakistan's mobile market, becoming the country's second-largest, with services continuing for existing customers.

3,940   1,367 Read Article

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CPKXTechnology+1

Temu's Prices Exploded in Pakistan. Was Taxing It Smart or a Mistake?

Syed Asfer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistan's 2025-26 budget introduced a 5% digital presence tax and higher customs on foreign e-commerce platforms like Temu and AliExpress, ending their duty-free advantage. Temu prices then surged up to 300%, partly from the tax and partly its own "price buffering." The move aims to protect local sellers and capture revenue, but raises costs for consumers.

3,069   2,024 Read Article

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CPKXFeatured

The $700 Billion AI Arms Race: What It Means for Pakistan

Abdullah Awan - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

In 2026, the global AI infrastructure race reached staggering scale: hyperscalers are spending nearly $700 billion on data centers, Anthropic committed roughly $71 billion to compute, and TSMC raised US investment to $265 billion. Driven by a persistent chip shortage, compute has become AI's defining battleground, widening the gap between a few nations and everyone else.

1,963   2,453 Read Article

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TechnologyPakistanCP+2

The Ball at the World Cup Was Made in Pakistan. Here's the Business Story Behind Sialkot

Syed Asfer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Sialkot, Pakistan produces around 70% of the world's hand-stitched footballs, exporting roughly 40 million a year to brands like Adidas, Nike, and Puma. Local firm Forward Sports has made the official FIFA World Cup match ball for four consecutive tournaments (2014-2026). The industry earns Pakistan hundreds of millions in exports annually.

1,411   975 Read Article

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The Brain Drain Debate: Should Pakistani Engineers Stay or Leave?

Abdullah Awan - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

The brain drain debate weighs individual opportunity against national loss. Around 11,000 engineers left Pakistan in 2024–25 seeking stability and higher pay, while critics warn of massive productivity losses. Supporters cite record remittances as "brain gain." The honest answer isn't stay or leave, but building a Pakistan where staying is a real choice, not a sacrifice.

1,573   1,069 Read Article

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ResearchTechnologyCP+4

The Dark Side of Pakistan’s Gig Economy Explained

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Pakistan’s gig economy has created new income opportunities, but it also presents serious challenges. Many gig workers operate without legal protections, minimum wage guarantees, or social security benefits. Payment barriers, platform dependence, and unstable income make gig work uncertain for thousands of digital workers across the country.

2,733   2,309 Read Article

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BusinessCPKX+1

The Highest-Opportunity Tech Skills for Pakistanis in 2026

Syed Asfer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

The highest-opportunity tech skills for Pakistanis in 2026 combine high global demand with low local supply, meaning better pay and faster hiring. These include AI engineering, AI automation, data engineering, and cybersecurity, often paying $2,000–12,000/month remotely. Crowded skills like basic web development pay less; specializing where competition is low is the smarter strategy.

1,927   1,149 Read Article

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EducationBusinessResearch+3

The Power of Networking for Career Success and Opportunities

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Networking can change your career by connecting you with new opportunities, mentors, clients, and partnerships. Strong professional relationships help individuals grow faster, find better jobs, and succeed in freelancing, business, and leadership roles.

2,721   1,257 Read Article

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TechnologyCPKX+2

The Remote Hiring Game Just Changed: What Pakistani Workers Need in 2026

Syed Asfer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Global remote hiring shifted decisively to skills-based hiring in 2026: employers now prioritize validated, job-ready skills over degrees and resumes, while AI roles surged 283% (Deel). For Pakistani workers, this is opportunity and challenge, real skills can win global jobs without elite credentials, but competition is surging and hiring standards are tightening.

1,304   1,311 Read Article

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EducationResearchTechnology+4

The Rise of Blockchain Innovation in Pakistan’s Digital Economy

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Blockchain technology adoption in Pakistan is expanding across sectors such as finance, remittances, digital identity, and startups. With millions of users involved in digital assets and growing government initiatives to regulate blockchain and cryptocurrency, Pakistan is emerging as a significant player in the global Web3 and fintech ecosystem.

1,699   2,614 Read Article

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CPKXTechnology+1

The Rising Importance of Soft Skills in the AI Era

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Soft skills are becoming more valuable than tech skills because technology can be learned or automated, but human abilities like communication, adaptability, and emotional intelligence are harder to replace. In the future of work, professionals who combine technical knowledge with strong soft skills will have a major competitive advantage.

3,271   2,468 Read Article

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CPKXTechnology

The Skills Pakistani Coders Need to Survive the AI Coding Era

Abdullah Awan - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

To survive the AI coding era, Pakistani developers must shift from writing code to directing and verifying it. Key skills include system design, critically reviewing AI-generated code, effective prompting, debugging, cloud and deployment knowledge, strong fundamentals, and communication. AI now writes nearly 50% of code, but only 29% of developers trust its accuracy, human judgment is the differentiator.

2,332   1,984 Read Article

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PakistanGovernmentCP+5

The World Is Going Back to the Office. Why That's Good News for Pakistan

Muhammad Umer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Global return-to-office mandates are surging, fully in-office roles rose from 65% to 87% in early 2026. But this can benefit Pakistani remote workers: when Western firms force local staff back to offices, some quit, and companies increasingly fill roles with international remote talent. For cost-effective, skilled Pakistani workers, this shift may expand global opportunities.

2,271   2,458 Read Article

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ResearchTechnologyCP+4

Top 10 AI & Tech Tools Freelancers Need in 2026

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

The top AI and tech tools freelancers need in 2026 include ChatGPT and Claude (AI assistants), Perplexity (research), Notion and ClickUp (project management), Canva and Figma (design), Grammarly (writing), Zapier (automation), and Adobe Creative Cloud. Around 77% of freelancers now use AI, reporting 20-40% productivity gains. Most offer capable free tiers.

2,955   2,752 Read Article

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EducationResearchTechnology+2

Top Digital Marketing Trends in Pakistan Businesses Must Know

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Digital marketing in Pakistan is rapidly evolving due to growing internet penetration, social media usage, and mobile connectivity. Key trends include short-form video marketing, influencer collaborations, AI-powered advertising tools, social commerce, and localized content strategies that help brands reach Pakistan’s expanding online audience.

3,538   2,402 Read Article

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CPKXTechnology

Ufone and Telenor Just Became One. What It Means for Your SIM, Bill, and Signal

Abdullah Awan - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Telenor Pakistan merged into Ufone's parent company PTML on July 1, 2026, ceasing to exist as a separate entity. The combined operator (~72 million subscribers) becomes Pakistan's second-largest, reshaping the market from four major players to three. For now, existing Telenor and Ufone SIMs keep working normally, with regulators imposing conditions to protect consumers and competition.

2,352   840 Read Article

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Usman Zafar Khawaja: Purpose-Driven Entrepreneur and Education Innovator

Zarish - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Usman Zafar Khawaja is a purpose-driven entrepreneur and digital education innovator from Pakistan. He founded The Educational Network and Creator Circle, empowering women and digital professionals with mentorship, skill-building, and global work opportunities.

3,016   1,124 Read Article

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CPKXTechnology+1

Vibe Coding: Is AI Really Replacing Programmers in 2026?

Abdullah Awan - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Vibe coding is a development method where you describe what you want in plain language and AI writes the code. In 2026, about 41% of code is AI-generated. But it is not fully replacing programmers, instead, the developer's role is shifting from writing code to directing, reviewing, and architecting it, making judgment and problem-solving more valuable than ever.

1,625   1,523 Read Article

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TechnologyCPKX+4

Wajahat Shah: The Self-Made Marketer Who Built Pakistan's Leading TikTok Agency

Zarish - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Wajahat Shah is a Pakistani entrepreneur who built Adreach, a leading TikTok marketing agency, after transitioning from Chartered Accountancy. By learning digital advertising skills and identifying early opportunities in TikTok marketing, he scaled over $20 million in ad spend and established himself as a key figure in Pakistan’s digital marketing ecosystem.

2,249   1,325 Read Article

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EducationResearchCP+2

Ways to Become a Valuable and Respected Person in Networking

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

To become the most valuable person in any network, focus on helping others, sharing knowledge, staying consistent, and building trust. People who provide value, support, and reliability naturally gain influence, respect, and more career opportunities in professional communities.

2,106   2,873 Read Article

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TechnologyCPKX+3

WhatsApp's New Features in August 2026: What's Rolling Out

Syed - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

WhatsApp's 2026 updates include a new username system for more privacy, @all mentions and upgraded polls for group chats, dual accounts on iPhone, cross-platform chat transfer between Android and iPhone, AI photo editing and writing tools, voice chats in groups, and sharing music to Status. Most roll out gradually worldwide.

3,873   1,170 Read Article

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TechnologyCPKX+2

Why AI Companies Are Now Renting Power From Rivals

Syed Asfer - Connected Pakistan · CP News Desk

Meta is reportedly in early-stage talks to lease AI computing power to Anthropic in a deal potentially worth up to $10 billion over two years. Anthropic proposed it in June 2026. The talks reflect a severe industry-wide compute shortage, and would mark Meta's entry into cloud computing. No agreement has been reached.

2,662   1,536 Read Article