PDA to Accelerate Pakistan’s Digitization With New Master Plan:
The Prime Minister has assigned the Pakistan Digital Authority (PDA) a key national responsibility to lead the country’s digitalization process. Acting on the Prime Minister’s directives, the authority has accelerated work on the Digital Pakistan agenda, placing digital transformation at the center of national development planning.
PM Forms High-Level Committee to Finalize 5G Spectrum Prices:
The Prime Minister has constituted a committee to determine the pricing framework for the upcoming 5G spectrum auction, according to sources. A sub-committee has been formed under the leadership of Federal Minister Dr. Musadik Malik to review key aspects of spectrum valuation and auction conditions.
aik by BankIslami’s Leadership Team Meets KPK Governor to Promote Financial Inclusion:
Committed to its mission to advance Riba-free banking, the leadership of aik by BankIslami, led by Chief Officer Ashfaque Ahmed, met Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Governor Faisal Karim Kundi to discuss the potential of Islamic digital banking and its role in supporting Pakistan’s transition to a cashless economy.During the meeting, the officials highlighted aik’s efforts to advance Islamic banking in Pakistan and uphold the central bank’s vision to increase financial inclusion in the country. They emphasized the necessity of promoting Shariah-compliant and digitally-enabled banking solutions to make it easier for the underserved to join the formal economy. The participants also discussed the importance of leveraging technology to drive innovation within the Islamic banking ecosystem. The governor lauded aik’s vision and initiatives in digital Islamic banking and extended support for future collaborations aligned with broader economic development objectives.
Pakistan’s Telecom Sector Generated Revenue of Over Rs. 1 Trillion in 2025:
Pakistan’s telecom sector continued to show strong growth in 2024–25, with total subscribers crossing 200 million and broadband connections exceeding 150 million, according to the Annual Report released by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority.The report shows that telecom companies generated revenues of more than Rs. 1 trillion during the year, marking a 12 percent increase compared to last year.
Redmi Turbo 5 Series Could Launch With New Dimensity Chips:
Redmi has been the subject of several recent leaks, and a new report has revealed the chipsets expected to power the upcoming Redmi Turbo 5 lineup.According to a tipster on Weibo, the standard Redmi Turbo 5 will be powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8500 chipset, while the Turbo 5 Pro is expected to use the Dimensity 9500e processor. Both chipsets have yet to be officially announced.
Redmi Note 15 Pro Series Gets New Colors for New Year 2026:
Redmi has introduced new color options for the Redmi Note 15 Pro lineup as part of its New Year 2026 celebrations. The Redmi Note 15 Pro series originally debuted in China in August.The company revealed the new color variants on Weibo, with pre-orders also available through the official Xiaomi China online store. The Redmi Note 15 Pro will be offered in a new Cherry Red color option. Meanwhile, the Redmi Note 15 Pro+ will be available in a Mocha Brown finish. Both new variants feature a leather-like texture.
Oppo Find N6 Foldable Specs Leak Ahead of 2026 Debut:
Oppo is preparing its next foldable flagship, the Find N6, which is rumored to launch in February 2026. While the company has not made an official announcement, a new leak has outlined several key details about the upcoming device. According to well known tipster, Digital Chat Station, the Oppo Find N6 will feature a triple rear camera setup, including two 50MP sensors and a 200MP sensor. Oppo’s previous foldable, the Find N5, included a 50MP periscope telephoto camera.
PTCL Spreads Its Wings: A New Chapter for Pakistan’s Digital Future:
Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) today formally completed the acquisition of 100 percent of the issued share capital of Telenor Pakistan and Orion Towers from 31st December 2025 onwards. Today onwards, Telenor Pakistan and Orion Towers will operate as 100% owned subsidiaries of PTCL, alongside Pak Telecom Mobile Limited (PTML), commonly known as Ufone 4G, and U Microfinance Bank. Telenor Pakistan will continue to operate as a separate legal entity during the transition period, following which PTML and Telenor Pakistan are planned to be integrated as a merged entity (MergeCo) in due course of time, subject to regulatory approvals.
Nvidia Invests $5 Billion in Intel With Plans for Joint CPU Production:
NVIDIA has completed a $5 billion investment in Intel after purchasing common stock under terms agreed earlier this year. The transaction was disclosed in a regulatory filing and finalized following regulatory approval.NVIDIA acquired about 214.7 million Intel shares at $23.28 per share in a private placement, meaning the shares were sold directly to NVIDIA rather than through the open market. Following the issuance of new shares, the investment gives Nvidia roughly a 4% equity stake in Intel.
The Bank of Punjab Partners in Historic Launch of Pakistan’s First-Ever Skills Impact Bond:
The Bank of Punjab (BOP), alongside the British Asian Trust (BAT) jointly acting as the Transaction Advisors and Program Managers (TAPM), is proud to announce the formal launch of the Pakistan Skills Impact Bond (PSIB)—a AAA-rated, Government of Pakistan (GoP)-backed, privately placed Term Finance Certificate (TFC) valued at PKR 1,000 million.Developed under the visionary guidance of the Honorable Minister of Finance Mr. Muhammad Aurangzeb and the Honorable Minister of Education and Professional Training Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, and in close collaboration with the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC), the PSIB represents a paradigm shift in Pakistan’s social impact financing landscape.
Fraud, Fake Invoices: Top Executives Named in $750,000 Scam At Private IT Firm:
Pronet (Private) Limited has uncovered an alleged internal fraud involving more than $750,000, in what is emerging as one of the most significant corporate misconduct cases in Pakistan’s IT sector this year.According to internal investigators and details outlined in a First Information Report (FIR) filed by the company, the alleged fraud involved fabricated vendor networks, shell companies, and falsified procurement documents.
Amazfit Active Max Can Last Nearly a Month and Can Survive Underwater:
Amazfit has introduced its latest smartwatch, the Amazfit Active Max, expanding its wearable lineup with a focus on display brightness, fitness tracking, and extended battery life. The Amazfit Active Max features a 1.5-inch circular AMOLED display capable of reaching up to 3,000 nits of peak brightness. The screen supports automatic brightness adjustment to improve visibility in bright outdoor conditions and during workouts.
A wave paralysed me but AI could help me walk again:
When Dan Richards went for a New Year’s Eve swim in 2023, he never could have imagined how drastically his life would change. In a freak accident, he injured his neck when a wave caused him to flip and hit the sand in Langland Bay, Swansea.
“I knew instantly that I was paralysed,” the 37-year-old said.
“I couldn’t move anything.” Doctors told him he would be bed-bound but, two years later, he uses a wheelchair and can move his arms and fingers. He has even walked with the help of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in Wales and Germany.
China to crack down on AI firms to protect kids:
China has proposed strict new rules for artificial intelligence (AI) to provide safeguards for children and prevent chatbots from offering advice that could lead to self-harm or violence.
Under the planned regulations, developers will also need to ensure their AI models do not generate content that promotes gambling. The announcement comes after a surge in the number of chatbots being launched in China and around the world. Once finalised, the rules will apply to AI products and services in China, marking a major move to regulate the fast-growing technology, which has come under intense scrutiny over safety concerns this year.
The viral moments that grabbed India’s attention this year:
With millions of posts uploaded every day, India’s social media churns out a viral moment almost on cue. If you’ve lost track of what thrilled – and infuriated – users in 2025, here’s a handy recall: a round-up of the year’s moments that made the country pause, laugh, or even scoff.In May, Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan attended his first ever Met Gala and clips of him walking the red carpet got an ecstatic reception from fans worldwide. The theme for this year’s Gala, one of the biggest nights in fashion, was “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” which focused exclusively on menswear. Khan arrived on the red carpet in an outfit created by Indian designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee – decked out with his own dandy cane, plenty of bling and sunglasses. Of all the tunes you would expect to hear at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey, a Bollywood song isn’t on the list. That is why when a pipe band played Dhoom Machale to welcome the Royal Family at the event in March, the video went viral on Indian social media. The tune, originally composed by songwriter Pritam, is from the 2004 blockbuster film Dhoom.India made history in November, defeating South Africa to clinch their first Women’s World Cup win. When skipper Harmanpreet Kaur took the final catch, as Deepti Sharma claimed the wicket of Nadine de Klerk, the roar that erupted at Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium echoed across the country. Jubilant crowds took to the streets and the sound of celebratory fireworks sounded late into the night.
The sounds revealing the secrets of world’s most elusive whales:
Beaked whales have rarely been seen. Now scientists are using underwater sounds to help identify these mysterious creatures. On a bright, almost windless day in early June 2024, scientist Elizabeth Henderson was aboard a boat off the sun-drenched coast of Baja California. She and her team perched halfway up the vessel’s mast, wielding powerful binoculars and peering round at the calm water. They were looking for beaked whales, a group of species that aren’t often sighted because they dive deeper and longer than any other mammal – with some known to dive nearly 2 miles (3km). Even when they surface, their relatively small, light grey bodies are hard to spot. “Depending on the light, they could just look like a wave,” Henderson says.
Many new UK drone users must take theory test before flying outside:
Many in the UK who unwrapped a new drone this Christmas may face a rude awakening next week, when they will have to take a theory test before being allowed to fly outdoors. From 1 January, those intending to fly drones or model aircraft weighing 100g or more outside must complete a Civil Aviation Authority (CCA) online theory test to get a Flyer ID – something previously only needed for heavier drones. The regulator believes up to half a million people in the UK may be impacted by its new requirements. CAA spokesperson Jonathan Nicholson said with drones becoming a “common Christmas present” it was important people knew how to comply with the law.
Is texting behind the wheel of a self-driving Tesla crazy?:
As self-driving cars get closer to reality, Tesla is striving to remain a big player. But is it sacrificing safety to stay in the game? For the past few weeks, Geoff Perlman, a 61-year-old technology executive from Texas, has been testing a free trial of Tesla’s latest self-driving software as he travels around Austin. He’s impressed: it can handle confusing lane adjustments and park itself in busy lots better, he thinks, than the average human. He’s expecting to recommend that his 89-year-old father-in-law upgrades his own Tesla with the system, which costs an extra $8,000 (£5,950), to help out as old age closes in. But his confidence has its limits. For now, he says, he keeps his eyes on the road and does not pick up the phone to text.