NA Panel Demands Urgent Action Against Delays in 5G Launch:
The meeting of the National Assembly’s Subcommittee on Information Technology was held under the convenership of Sher Ali Arbab. Members Umair Khan Niazi, Mahesh Kumar, and Zulfiqar Ali Bhatti attended the session. The committee was briefed on the ongoing issues related to Long Distance International (LDI) cases. Following the discussion, the committee directed authorities to present a detailed report in the upcoming session. The convener emphasized the need for comprehensive stakeholder input in the matter.
KP Government Rolls Out Rs20 Billion Solar Plan to Power 130,000 Households:
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has launched a Rs20 billion solar project aimed at reducing the province’s reliance on fossil fuels and easing the burden of chronic load-shedding. Under the first phase, 32,500 households have been selected via electronic balloting to receive free solar systems, including panels, batteries, fans, and lights. The initiative—officially inaugurated by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur—received an overwhelming 2.5 million online applications, highlighting the urgent public demand for reliable and affordable energy solutions.
This $79 Smartwatch Has ChatGPT, AI Calling, and a 13-Day Battery Life:
Nothing has officially launched the CMF Watch 3 Pro, the successor to last year’s Watch Pro 2. The new model features a precision-milled metal frame paired with a soft-touch silicone strap. It has a larger 1.43-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 466 x 466 pixels and a brightness rating of 650 nits. The screen supports a 60Hz refresh rate and over 120 customizable watch faces, including animated and interactive options. Navigation is handled via a rotating crown. The Watch 3 Pro houses a 350 mAh battery, offering up to 13 days of typical use or 3.5 days with Always-On Display enabled. Charging to full capacity takes 99 minutes. Compared to the previous model, which had a 305 mAh battery and lasted 11 days, this is a notable upgrade. The body now measures 47mm in diameter, and its depth and weight vary slightly across the three-color variants: Dark Grey, Light Grey, and Orange.
PTA Issues Enforcement Orders to Recover Rs. 80 Billion From Defaulter LDI Firms:
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has begun issuing determination and enforcement orders against Long Distance and International (LDI) operators for non-payment of Access Promotion Contribution (APC) charges owed to the Universal Service Fund (USF). These actions, taken under Section 23 of the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-Organization) Act, 1996, currently target six operators, with three more expected to follow. While PTA has not yet barred these companies from operating, it has instructed them to clear their dues within thirty (30) days of receiving the orders. Failure to comply may result in additional penalties and legal proceedings.
Govt Warns Against ‘Honey Trap’ Freelancing Scams Targeting Youth in Punjab:
The National Cyber Emergency Response Team (National CERT) of Pakistan has issued a critical advisory highlighting an alarming increase in social engineering attacks disguised as freelancing job opportunities. The scams, spreading mainly through messaging apps like WhatsApp, involve fraudsters luring individuals, particularly youth, students, and freelancers, into groups where they are subjected to explicit content, coercion, and ultimately, blackmail.
vivo X200 FE Hits Stores Nationwide – Buy Now for Rs. 219,999:
The vivo X200 FE is here after creating buzz during its reveal and pre-orders, it’s now available at stores across Pakistan. Priced at Rs. 219,999, the X200 FE is a compact flagship that breaks the norm, offering top-tier performance and ZEISS-level imaging in a sleek design. It proves that small phones no longer need to compromise on power, functionality, or creative potential. At the heart of the vivo X200 FE is its professional-grade camera system featuring a 100x ZEISS Telephoto Zoom bringing long-range clarity into a device that fits comfortably in your pocket. Whether you’re snapping intricate architectural details or capturing foliage from afar, the AI-enhanced imaging and Sony IMX882 Sensor deliver striking detail and vibrancy.
Brand Spectrum Becomes APNS and PBA Accredited Media Buying House:
Brand Spectrum, an award-winning strategic communications agency, has achieved a significant milestone by becoming an officially accredited Media Buying House by both the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) and the Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA). This dual accreditation empowers Brand Spectrum to plan and execute media buying campaigns across Print, Electronic, and Digital Media platforms, placing it among a select group of firms in Pakistan offering comprehensive 360-degree communication solutions. Founded in 2017, Brand Spectrum has built an impressive and diverse portfolio of local and global clients. Its clientele includes renowned names such as Nestle, IFFCO, TECNO, AzkoNobel, Beaconhouse, DESCON and STYLO Shoes reflecting the agency’s commitment to delivering reliable, result-driven media and communication services across Pakistan and beyond.
Oppo K13 Turbo Series Brings Cooling Fans and 7,000 mAh Battery For Under $300:
Oppo has unveiled two new smartphones in China, the K13 Turbo and K13 Turbo Pro. Both devices are designed for sustained high performance, featuring a unique internal fan-based cooling system, full water resistance, and large batteries intended to last through years of heavy use.The K13 Turbo and Turbo Pro come equipped with a 6.8-inch OLED display, offering a resolution of 1280 x 2800 pixels. The screens support a 120Hz refresh rate and a 240Hz touch sampling rate, along with 10-bit color depth and a peak brightness of 1,600 nits. Despite housing a spinning fan inside, both models maintain IPX6, IPX8, and IPX9 water resistance ratings. The Oppo K13 Turbo comes in Black Warrior, Purple No. 1, and Knight White, while the Turbo Pro is available in Black Warrior, Purple No. 1, and Knight Silver.
WhatsApp Will Let You Set Reminders for Chat Notifications You Don’t Wanna Miss:
WhatsApp is working on a new feature that should make it easier to stay on top of important messages: manual notification reminders for individual chat messages. The feature, currently rolling out to select users via the latest Android beta update (version 2.25.21.14), can set personalized alerts for messages within chats, ensuring nothing important gets buried away. With this update, beta testers can long-press any message, access the message options menu, and now see a “Set Reminder” option. Once selected, users can choose from quick preset intervals, such as 2 hours, 8 hours, or 1 day, or customize a specific date and time for the reminder. When the reminder is active, a small bell icon appears directly on the message bubble, making it easy to track flagged messages.
PTA Establishes National Emergency Coordination Centre to Counter Flood Threat:
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has established a National Emergency Telecommunication Coordination Centre (NETCC) to monitor and coordinate the provision of uninterrupted telecom services in response to ongoing and anticipated flood emergencies across the country. In its advisory, PTA directed all telecom operators, including those operating in Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, to activate contingency plans ensuring seamless voice and data services. With the increase in public reliance on communication networks during disasters, the advisory highlights that operators must remain fully prepared to support relief efforts and maintain service continuity in high-risk and flood-affected areas.
Pakistan Could Get a Social Media Age Limit Soon:
A new bill was tabled in the Senate of Pakistan on Monday seeking to establish a minimum age limit for social media users in the country. According to the proposed legislation, users must be at least 16 years old to create an account on any social media platform. The bill aims to hold social media companies accountable for preventing underage users from accessing their platforms. If a platform allows a user under the age of 16 to create an account, it could face fines ranging from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 5 million.
PM Launches Digital Licensing System for Medical Devices:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday launched a digital system for the online licensing and registration of medical devices which reduces the approval time to 20 days, Radio Pakistan reported.At the Islamabad ceremony, the Prime Minister said the process will now be swift and transparent. Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal said the fully automated system allows online applications with no human involvement, and licenses will be issued digitally within 20 days.
This 73 Year Old Just Won a Tekken 8 Tournament:
A Tekken 8 tournament featuring elderly players aged between 60 and 90 has just crowned its winner. 73-year-old Yoshie Murabe, who had no prior gaming experience, won the tournament using the character Panda, a character she chose simply because of her affection for the animal. “I was happy to win,” she said, adding that she picked up the game quickly and is already looking forward to more competitions.
Get Ready to Pay This Massive New Fee for US Visas:
The United States will begin charging a $250 (Rs. 71,338) “visa integrity fee” to nonimmigrant visitors as part of former President Donald Trump’s newly passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Media reported. The fee, set to take effect in fiscal year 2025 starting October 1, will apply to most foreign nationals seeking entry on nonimmigrant visas, including tourists, students, and business travelers. The Department of Homeland Security will have the authority to adjust the fee amount, which will increase with inflation in subsequent years.
Trend Micro Leads Industry in Early Protection Against Two High-Impact Zero-Day Vulnerabilities:
In a year already marked by a surge in zero-day exploits, Trend Micro once again demonstrates why it’s a global leader in proactive cybersecurity. Two recent critical vulnerabilities — one in Microsoft SharePoint and the other in Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) — have surfaced as major threats to enterprise environments. Thanks to the Trend Micro Zero Day Initiative (ZDI), customers were already protected months before these exploits began circulating in the wild.
Alaska Batteries Unveils Advanced Graphite Battery Series Designed for Extreme Heat:
In a market flooded with generic promises of reliability and innovation, Alaska Batteries is raising the bar with the launch of its new Graphite Series, a lead-acid battery enhanced with advanced graphite technology, engineered specifically to handle Pakistan’s scorching temperatures and shifting energy landscape. Already a trusted name among consumers and dealers nationwide, Alaska Batteries is not just iterating on past success, it’s redefining what durability and performance mean in harsh environments.”Graphite isn’t just a component, it’s a transformative enabler,” said Moosa Bin Haroon, CEO of Alaska Batteries. According to Haroon, the inclusion of graphite in the battery plates leads to a remarkable 30% increase in cycle life, faster recharge times, and significantly greater thermal stability. These features are crucial in high-temperature cities like Karachi, Multan, and Bahawalpur, where summer temperatures routinely cross 45°C.
You Can Own an iPhone 16 for Rs. 26,417 a Month at 0% Markup:
Bank Alfalah has launched a limited-time instalment plan for the iPhone 16 series, offering customers the option to purchase Apple’s latest flagship devices at 0% markup. The offer covers all models in the lineup, including the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max, with flexible payment options ranging from three to 36 months. Customers can finance their iPhone purchase over 3, 6, 9, or 12 months with 0% markup, subject to a one-time 2.5% processing fee. For extended tenures of 18, 24, or 36 months, a fixed markup of 2.5% per annum applies. The offer is available to Bank Alfalah credit card holders under the SBS (Step-by-Step) Instalment Plan, which allows users to convert purchases into fixed monthly payments.
Govt Starts Restructuring of NITB:
Restructuring of the National Information Technology Board (NITB) has formally begun under a newly approved operating model, as the federal cabinet moves to reposition the institution as a central player in Pakistan’s digital governance. The hiring process for a new Chief Executive Officer has also been initiated as part of the transition, officials told Media.Sources stated that during the recent cabinet meeting, the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) presented a comprehensive restructuring plan for NITB. The cabinet approved the proposal, effectively reversing an earlier decision to dissolve the organization based on recommendations of the Rightsizing Committee. The ministry argued that NITB remains a vital instrument for driving federal digital transformation.
PTA Warns Against Hackers Sending Fake WhatsApp Messages to Steal Private Data:
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has issued a public warning about a new wave of fraudulent messages targeting WhatsApp users in the country. The authority cautioned users to be on high alert for deceptive messages sent from local or international numbers that pretend to be WhatsApp’s official account and display its logo.According to PTA, these scam messages often contain malicious URL links and misleading claims, such as violations of WhatsApp rules or requests for account verification. The messages are not from WhatsApp, and the links may lead to data theft or complete compromise of the user’s WhatsApp account.
vivo Y19s Pro Now Available in Pakistan: Style, Power, and Performance at Rs. 43,999:
Stepping up its Y Series lineup, vivo rolls out the all-new Y19s Pro, an upgrade built on user-loved essentials. As a refined successor to Y19s, the Y19s Pro features enhanced battery performance for longer-lasting power, without compromising on the core features users rely on.It brings together vivo’s signature stylish design, immersive audio-visual experience, reliable durability, and dependable imaging, making it to keep up with your everyday hustle and downtime alike. Priced at Rs. 43,999, the vivo Y19s Pro combines stylish design with balanced performance, making it a smart choice for users who value practicality and affordability.
Realme 14 Series with Snapdragon 6 Gen 4, 512GB Storage Launches in Pakistan Under PKR 100K:
realme has officially launched its groundbreaking realme 14 Series in Pakistan, bringing flagship-level performance at unbeatable prices. The lineup features the realme 14 5G at PKR 99,999 with up to 26GB dynamic RAM and 512GB storage, and the realme 14T 5G at PKR 79,999 with up to 26GB dynamic RAM and 256GB storage.The realme 14 5G features the industry-first Snapdragon 6 Gen 4, Qualcomm’s most advanced 6nm chipset, delivering top-tier performance with reduced heating, superior power efficiency, and extended battery life. With an Antutu score exceeding 800,000, the realme 14 5G confidently leads its category, backed by a 6050mm² bionic cooling system that ensures peak performance during extended sessions.
Punjab Expands Free Wi-Fi Spots to 22 Cities:
The Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) has significantly broadened its public Wi-Fi initiative, doubling its footprint across the province to improve digital accessibility.Officials from the PSCA confirmed that the number of free Wi-Fi access points in Lahore has been increased from 230 to 430. Additionally, the service has now expanded from 11 to 22 districts, including Kasur, Nankana Sahib, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Gujrat, Jhelum, Attock, Hasan Abdal, Sahiwal, Okara, and Murree.
P@SHA Urges 10-Year Tax Stability & One-Window Compliance to Supercharge Pakistan’s Tech Exports:
Pakistan can unlock billions in tech investment if it gives investors what they value most: predictable taxes, friction-free remittances, and a single digital compliance experience.The Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) calls upon the Government of Pakistan to lock in a long-term, predictable tax and compliance framework for the country’s technology and IT-enabled services (ITeS) sector.P@SHA’s Continuity & Consistency reform package, delivered to the Ministry of Finance ahead of the Finance Bill, lays out a small number of high-impact changes that would slash compliance costs, bring tens of thousands of remote digital workers into the formal tax net, and catalyze both domestic and foreign investment into Pakistani tech firms.
Pakistan Announces Tax Relief for Google:
Pakistan has assured Google that it will not be subject to the newly introduced 5% digital tax.This assurance, communicated by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to Google’s South Asia government affairs representative, Kyle Gardner, has sparked debate over the effectiveness of the recently enacted Digital Presence Proceeds Act 2025, Media has reported.Critics say the government may not have fully considered the consequences before passing the law last month. The Digital Presence Proceeds Act, introduced in June, was designed to boost tax collection from international companies with a substantial digital footprint in Pakistan but no physical or registered presence.
Microsoft servers hacked by Chinese groups, says tech giant:
Chinese “threat actors” have hacked Microsoft’s SharePoint document software servers and targeted the data of the businesses using it, the firm has said. China state-backed Linen Typhoon and Violet Typhoon as well as China-based Storm-2603 were said to have “exploited vulnerabilities” in on-premises SharePoint servers, the kind used by firms, but not in its cloud-based service. The US tech giant has released security updates in response and has advised all on-premises SharePoint server customers to install them. “Investigations into other actors also using these exploits are still ongoing,” Microsoft said in a statement.
Irish government reveals how Apple tax windfall will be spent:
The Irish government has provided more details of how it intends to spend its €14bn tax windfall from Apple. The money is being used to beef-up the country’s National Development Plan (NDP), a €112bn (£97bn) package of infrastructure investments. It will be spent on housing, energy, water and transport projects between 2026 and 2030. It has also been confirmed that just under €1bn (£867m) will be committed to the cross-border Shared Island fund up to 2030.
OpenAI and UK sign deal to use AI in public services:
OpenAI, the firm behind ChatGPT, has signed a deal to use artificial intelligence (AI) to increase productivity in the UK’s public services, the government has announced. The agreement signed by the firm and the science department could give OpenAI access to government data and see its software used in education, defence, security, and the justice system. Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said that “AI will be fundamental in driving change” in the UK and “driving economic growth”. But digital privacy campaigners said the partnership showed “this government’s credulous approach to big tech’s increasingly dodgy sales pitch”.
Woman, 18, charged after £17k iPhone theft:
An 18-year-old woman has been arrested and charged after more than £17,000 of iPhones were stolen from an Apple store near Renfrew. Police Scotland said the devices were taken from Braehead shopping centre on 1 June and 9 July.
The woman is due to appear at Paisley Sheriff Court on 2 October. A 19-year-old man has also been arrested over the 1 June incident, while a 42-year-old woman has been reported over the 9 July incident.
‘It’s a barrier dividing us’: How a concrete seawall split this Japanese island village:
Some locals and ecologists are troubled by the potential impacts a looming seawall could have on the biodiverse Japanese island of Amami Ôshima. So is there another way to protect its beach? Rising before dawn on an early summer day in July 2022, Hisami Take took a walk along Katoku beach in Amami Ôshima, an island nestled in the far south of Japan. Looking along the beach, she saw an animal track on the sand stretching from the ocean, then U-turning back into the water. The track, she says, likely belonged to an endangered loggerhead sea turtle that is known to come ashore to lay eggs. “This year, no eggs were found. Maybe the shiny orange construction rope is signalling the turtles to turn away.” Take, a 49-year-old Amami resident, and many other locals on the island fear that an enormous concrete seawall about to be constructed on the beach in place of the rope could make such tracks more common by blocking endangered species like the turtle from coming to the beach.
How the rise of green tech is feeding another environmental crisis:
Raquel Celina Rodriguez watches her step as she walks across the Vega de Tilopozo in Chile’s Atacama salt flats. It’s a wetland, known for its groundwater springs, but the plain is now dry and cracked with holes she explains were once pools. “Before, the Vega was all green,” she says. “You couldn’t see the animals through the grass. Now everything is dry.” She gestures to some grazing llamas. For generations, her family raised sheep here. As the climate changed, and rain stopped falling, less grass made that much harder. But it worsened when “they” started taking the water, she explains.
Trucking’s uneasy relationship with new tech:
When Jared first started out in trucking more than two decades ago, he didn’t anticipate he’d be on tour with a country music star, hauling guitars, amps, and other pieces of on-stage equipment. “It just happened, right place, right time,” the Canadian driver, who prefers not to use his surname, explains from behind the wheel of his towering lorry. “I’ve done 5,000 miles in a month and a half, but there’s a lot of breaks this year.” But during time off between driving to shows in New Jersey, New York, Toronto and Nashville, Jared will be scanning multiple screens in his cabin – a laptop, tablet and two smart phones – to secure more work. All made possible by new technology. It’s a world away from his early career, when he was transporting fruit and wine, he explains.
How the Space Shuttles were given better names thanks to Star Trek:
The first Space Shuttle was originally going to be named Constitution. US President Gerald Ford agreed to rename it Enterprise – here’s how Star Trek fans persuaded him. It’s 17 September 1976. The world’s press has gathered in Palmdale, California, for the revealing of Nasa’s first Space Shuttle vehicle: The Enterprise. But it wasn’t always supposed to have that name. It was a huge day for Nasa and for the US administration, as they began a new adventure in space travel. After the Moon landings, the Space Shuttle would be Nasa’s project to make spaceflight routine, affordable and accessible for the future.
New AI voice tool trained to copy British regional accents:
A new AI voice-cloning tool from a British firm claims to be able to reproduce a range of UK accents more accurately than some of its US and Chinese rivals. Because much of the data traditionally used to train AI products with voices comes from North American or southern English speaking sources, many artificial voices tend to sound similar. To combat this, the company Synthesia spent a year compiling its own database of UK voices with regional accents, through recording people in studios and gathering online material. It used those to train a product called Express-Voice, which can clone a real person’s voice or generate a synthetic voice. These can be used in content such as training videos, sales support and presentations.
Paddy Power and Betfair users warned of ’email danger’ after breach:
Some Paddy Power and Betfair customers have been warned to “remain vigilant” after a hack of up to 800,000 users. A spokesperson for Flutter Entertainment, which owns the online gambling brands, confirmed to the Media it had “suffered a data incident.” Some personal information including IP addresses, email addresses, and online activity data has been compromised. The company provided affected users with online safety information and told them: “There is nothing you need to do in response to this incident, however we recommend you remain vigilant.”
From Bitcoin to XRP: Key cryptocurrency terms and what they mean:
Bitcoin’s price reaching a new high of $120,000 (£89,000) – buoyed by US President Donald Trump’s crypto-friendly stance – has kept the buzzy world of cryptocurrencies in the spotlight. But it also contains confusing terms such as ETFs, blockchains and cold wallets, that can make the topic somewhat tricky to navigate. Worry not. If you’re hearing these for the first time, or simply need a refresher, here are a few key terms and what they mean. While many may struggle with the finer points of crypto, pretty much everyone has heard of its most famous product: Bitcoin. But what actually is it? Bitcoin is a cryptocurrency, which is to say a type of digital currency. Unlike traditional currencies, Bitcoin is not controlled by centralised financial institutions. This makes it popular for people who think decentralisation can bring financial freedom, but it also makes it extremely volatile with it rising and falling in value at the whim of Bitcoin buyers and sellers. Donald Trump has pledged to make the US the “crypto capital of the world” – backtracking on his previous claim that Bitcoin was a “scam”. Its price topped a much-awaited threshold of $100,000 in December 2024. In mid-July 2025, the price rose to $120,000 as US politicians prepared to begin debating bills that would regulate digital assets.
‘We’re not just gonna roll over’: The US Civil War battlefield at the centre of a new conflict:
The US state of Virginia saw some 50% of the nation’s Civil War casualties. Now, mass construction of AI data centres is encroaching on historic lands, the environment and local communities. As the gunner of the Bull Run Legion lifts the explosive charge from its container and carries it up to the cannon, dozens of phones are lifted from pockets. Visitors open camera apps and raise devices high, focusing in on the handful of blue-uniformed men as they swab the gun’s barrel with an era-appropriate sponge fastened to a stick. The cannon blasts its shot out into the air, and in the same moment, each phone fires its parcel of data at the cloud, landing in a data centre where banks of diligent servers sort, clean and route it along. On 21 July 1861, Union soldiers defending the United States watched over the crest of the same hills now framed on tourists’ smartphones, as rebelling Confederate forces charged out of the forest in the first major battle of the American Civil War. A century and a half later, the Bull Run Legion, a group of “living historians” (better-known as re-enactors), still gather at Manassas National Battlefield Park using historic techniques and uniforms to commemorate that struggle. But today, the march of technology has turned this historic landmark into the scene of a new kind of battle.