Long queues and confusion mar first day of India’s landmark AI summit:
India’s AI Impact Summit, billed as a landmark gathering of global leaders and technology executives, was overshadowed by logistical chaos on its opening day in Delhi on Monday. Participants complained about long queues, overcrowding and confusion at the venue, saying they had to wait for hours. Some also reported limited access to food and water and said their products were stolen from their stall. The five-day summit, inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi, is being promoted as the first major international AI meeting hosted in the Global South. On Tuesday, India’s Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw apologised to exhibitors for “any issue or inconvenience”.
Infinix Note 60 Pro Launches With a Cool Second Screen and Self-Healing Battery:
Infinix has introduced the Note 60 series, which stands out for several things: a Nothing-inspired secondary display on the back, a self-healing battery that can repair itself over the years to last longer, and a health-checking fingerprint sensor. The lineup includes the Infinix Note 60 and the Infinix Note 60 Pro, with the Pro marking the company’s first Snapdragon-powered phone since 2019.
Pakistan’s Mobile Phone Imports Increase by 31% in 7 Months:
Pakistan’s mobile phone imports rose sharply to $1.139 billion during the first seven months of fiscal year 2025 to 2026, registering a growth of 31.36 percent compared to $867.685 million in the same period last year.The increase signals a recovery in consumer demand and import activity after a decline recorded in the previous fiscal year.On a monthly basis, imports also showed strong momentum. Mobile phone imports reached $179.380 million in January 2026, up 12.60 percent compared to $159.304 million in December 2025. On a yearly basis, imports surged 33.62 percent compared to $134.243 million in January 2025.
Scammers Are Using InDrive to Steal Hundreds of Thousands From Users:
InDrive has blocked more than 80,000 accounts from its platform after an organised scam targeted courier riders across Pakistan. The scheme involved individuals posing as commissioned military officers and persuading riders to transfer money under false pretences. Some victims lost over Rs. 30,000 as a result. At a media briefing in Lahore, inDrive’s Country Manager for Pakistan, Awais Saeed, said the company began an internal investigation after multiple couriers reported financial losses. After identifying a consistent pattern, inDrive lodged a formal complaint with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Authority (NCCIA) office in Islamabad.
Pakistan Startup Fund Sees First 10 Applications as Project Progress Reaches 24%:
The Ministry of IT & Telecommunication has received 10 applications under the Pakistan Startup Fund, according to official documents.The Pakistan Startup Fund project has a total cost of Rs. 3 billion. Cumulative expenditure so far stands at Rs. 132.84 million. The proposed demand for FY 2026–27 is Rs. 1 billion. Physical progress on the project has reached 24%, while financial progress remains at 5%.
Pakistan’s IT Exports Jump to $2.61 Billion in 7MFY26:
Pakistan’s IT exports rose to $2.61 billion during the first seven months of fiscal year 2025 to 2026, marking a strong increase of $431 million compared to the same period last year. The sector continued its double-digit growth trajectory, supported by rising foreign earnings from IT companies, freelancers, and remote professionals serving global clients across multiple markets.
Govt Plans 20% Excise Duty on Imported Mobile Phones:
The federal government is planning to impose a 20 percent federal excise duty on imported mobile phones as part of a new policy aimed at boosting local manufacturing and achieving up to $400 million in exports of refurbished phones. The proposed measures are part of the Mobile and Electronics Manufacturing Framework finalized by the Engineering Development Board, which will be submitted to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for approval, reported Express Tribune.
Pakistan Retains its International Telecom Regulator Status With Impressive Score:
Pakistan has retained its status as a Fifth-Generation (G5) regulator under the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Regulatory Benchmarking Framework, achieving an overall score of 75.77 in the ITU G5 Benchmark 2025.Pakistan first entered the G5 category in 2021 with a score of 58.64, which improved to 68.36 in 2023. The 2025 score of 75.77 reflects continued progress in regulatory reforms, spectrum management, competition frameworks, and digital policy alignment.
Tecno Camon 50 Pro Arrives with Premium Build, Powerful Cameras, and Dynamic Island For Under $350:
Tecno has introduced the Camon 50 and Camon 50 Pro in several African markets ahead of their expected showcase at MWC next month. The two devices share most of their specifications, while the Pro model adds a curved display and a dedicated telephoto camera. The Tecno Camon 50 Pro features a 6.78 inch AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate. The screen is curved. It also integrates an under-display optical fingerprint scanner.
P@SHA Endorses Govt’s $1 Billion AI Plan As Pivotal for Pakistan’s IT Industry:
The Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) has officially endorsed the federal government’s strategic framework for artificial intelligence as pivotal at the inaugural Indus AI Summit 2026. Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Federal Minister for IT & Telecom (MoITT), attended the HBL P@SHA CXO Networking Dinner as the Chief Guest during Indus AI Week and praised the dynamism and export performance of the IT industry, which surged in the first half of FY26 (July–December 2025) to reach $2.2 billion, representing a 20% year-on-year growth.
Intel’s Latest Processors Are Finally Reaching Apple’s M Series Levels of Battery Life:
A recent battery test comparing Intel’s new Panther Lake SoC with Apple’s M5 processor shows that the two platforms deliver nearly identical levels of battery life under heavy load.The test paired an Asus 14-inch ExpertBook Ultra powered by Intel’s 18A-based Panther Lake chip against a 14-inch MacBook Pro equipped with Apple’s M5 processor. It is important to note that Panther Lake represents Intel’s latest high-efficiency chipset, while the M5 tested here is Apple’s entry-level configuration in the new lineup.
PTA Seeks Public Feedback as Telenor–Ufone Merger Moves Forward:
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has issued a public notice seeking comments on the proposed transfer of licenses of Telenor Pakistan (Private) Limited to Pakistan Telecommunication Mobile Limited (PTML) and the subsequent amalgamation of the two entities. Under the proposal, PTML will remain the surviving entity upon completion of the regulatory process.
Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile Death Date Announced by Activision:
Activision has confirmed that servers for Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile will shut down on April 17, 2026. The announcement was made through a support blog, marking the final step in the game’s sunset process. Warzone Mobile was removed from app stores in May 2025. However, players who had already installed the game were still able to access online servers. After April 17, 2026, the game will no longer be playable.
Gigabyte’s New OLED Gaming Monitor Can Reach Impressive 1300 Nits of Brightness Under $400:
Gigabyte has launched its new 27-inch OLED gaming monitor, the Gigabyte GO27Q24G, in China. The monitor carries a retail price of $376. The model closely resembles the previously released GO27Q24, though the main difference is the OLED panel used in this version.
Apple’s Cheapest MacBook and iPhone 17 Could Launch Next Month:
Apple will hold its first event of the year on March 4, hosting what it describes as a “special Apple experience” in New York, London, and Shanghai. The event is set to begin at 7 PM Pakistan time. It is not yet clear whether the event will be livestreamed or if Apple will introduce new products through press releases. The most frequently rumored device ahead of the event is the iPhone 17e. The model is expected to succeed last year’s iPhone 16e and could feature Apple’s A19 chipset.
YouTube Starts Punishing AdBlock Users Even Harder:
YouTube is facing reports of issues with its comment section, as multiple users say comments are failing to load under videos. Some users also report that video descriptions are not appearing. Several users on Reddit have described encountering the problem. While refreshing the page occasionally resolves the issue, suggesting a potential site glitch, many users claim that disabling their ad blocker consistently restores the comments section.
Islamabad Airport No Longer Needs Cash for Payments:
Islamabad International Airport has fully transitioned to a cashless system, enabling digital payments at all counters. The move is aimed at providing passengers with modern, secure, and faster travel facilities through the use of advanced payment solutions. According to the Pakistan Airports Authority, passengers can now pay all applicable fees and charges through a mobile application. The initiative is expected to significantly reduce waiting times in queues and simplify the overall payment process at the airport.
Samsung Shows Galaxy S26 Ultra’s New Privacy Screen in Action:
Samsung has demonstrated a first-of-its-kind privacy feature for the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, showing how the display can hide content from side viewing angles while remaining clear to the user. Last month, Samsung said it would introduce “a new layer of privacy” to the S26 Ultra. In a newly shared video, the company revealed how the feature works. When enabled, the screen appears black to anyone looking from the side, without affecting visibility for the person holding the phone.
Mobilink Bank Posts Record PKR 3.62B PBT, Reinforcing Its Position as Pakistan’s Largest Microfinance Bank:
Pakistan’s leading digital microfinance bank, Mobilink Bank has announced its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2025. The bank delivered strong growth across key financial and operational indicators while reinforcing its leadership position in Pakistan’s microfinance banking sector. Mobilink Bank delivered a strong financial turnaround in 2025, with Profit Before Tax reaching PKR 3.62 billion, reflecting a 217% YoY growth, while total revenue rose 33% to PKR 89.5 billion. Deposits grew 38% to PKR 214 billion, the highest in the microfinance industry, highlighting strong customer confidence. The Gross Loan Portfolio expanded to PKR 103 billion, up 38%. The Bank also maintained a healthy Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) of 19.53% at the year end, underscoring its solid capital position and prudent risk management.
Islamabad Free WiFi Project Still Nowhere to be Seen After 1.5 Month Delay:
The free public WiFi project in Islamabad has been delayed, as the plan remains incomplete more than one and a half months after its official deadline passed. Authorities had set December 30, 2025, as the completion date for the initiative. The task of installing 30 WiFi hotspots across the city was assigned to the National Telecommunication Corporation.
‘I do not trust them’ – top streamers left concerned by Discord age checks:
Alastair, or Eret as he is known online, is one of Twitch’s most popular LGBT streamers – with more than one million followers on the streaming site. The US-based British content creator, who does not disclose his last name, says he has around 60,000 members in his server on Discord, an online chat service popular with gamers. But when the platform announced it would soon require some users to verify their age, Alastair was among those concerned about its implications for their data – and that of their online communities.
Could Bill Gates and political tussles overshadow AI safety debate in Delhi?:
Tech bosses, politicians, scientists, academics and campaigners are meeting at the AI Impact Summit in India this week for top-level discussions about what the world should be doing to try to guide the AI revolution in the right direction. It has kicked off not just with long queues and confusion for some delegates, but also conflicting reports about whether keynote speaker Bill Gates would appear. Reports overnight suggested the Microsoft founder – who has faced questions after appearing in the Epstein files – would no longer be addressing the Summit.
The tactile tech giving deaf runners a fair start:
At the Tokyo Deaflympics, gold-medalist sprinter Akihisa Shitara is rethinking how races begin for deaf athletes, developing a tactile starting block that vibrates under their hands instead of relying on lights or a starting gun. He says visual cues split concentration and slow reactions, while touch allows deaf runners to focus purely on their form. Grounded in universal design, the technology promotes conversations around inclusivity and the future of fair starts in sport.
Reddit’s human content wins amid the AI flood:
For Ines Tan there’s one particular site she turns to again and again for advice – and that’s Reddit. Tan, who works in communications, regularly jumps on the site for skincare advice, to view reactions to shows she watches, such as The Traitors, and for help planning her upcoming wedding in May. “It’s a very empathetic place,” she says of Reddit. “For my wedding, I’ve found help emotionally, logistically and inspiration-wise.” Tan believes people are consulting the online discussion platform more as they’re craving human interaction in the world of increasing AI slop.
How the sound of sport is being reimagined for deaf fans:
New technologies tested at the Deaflympics in Tokyo are creating new ways of experience the atmosphere at sporting events. For fans of live sport, the experience is as much about the atmosphere – the sights, smells and sounds – as the drama unfolding in front of them. Think about the crack of a bat, the blast of a whistle, thump of a ball and the roar of the crowd. Would there be something missing without them? At the Deaflympics in Tokyo this year, sound has been reimagined to ensure no-one misses out. Filming recently for BBC TechXplore, I learned that, at the Deaflympics, sound doesn’t have to just be something you hear. It can be something you see. Something you feel. Sometimes, something you hold.
Why India’s AI summit is key to its future in tech
This week, Delhi is set to host the India-AI Impact Summit 2026 that will be attended by several heads of governments and top tech leaders. More than 100 countries are expected to participate in what India is calling the first international AI summit to be hosted in the Global South. But how can India use this event to cement its place in the future of AI development? The Media’s Arunoday Mukharji explains.
Hollywood studios take aim at ‘ultra-realistic’ AI video tool:
Major US studios have demanded that a powerful new AI video tool, launched by TikTok’s Chinese owner ByteDance, must “immediately cease” infringing copyright with its clips based on existing films and shows. Many of the clips are based on real actors, TV shows and films, and the Motion Picture Association told the BBC: “In a single day, the Chinese AI service Seedance 2.0 has engaged in unauthorised use of US copyrighted works on a massive scale.” The MPA represents the major US studios – Netflix, Paramount Pictures, Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios, Sony Pictures, Universal Studios, The Walt Disney Studios and Warner Bros Discovery. According to ByteDance, the product has already suspended the ability for people to upload images of real people, and it respects intellectual property rights and copyright protections, and takes any potential infringement seriously. The content referenced was created as part of a limited pre-launch testing phase, it said.
AI coding platform’s flaws allow Media reporter to be hacked:
The Media has been shown a significant – and unfixed – cyber-security risk in a popular AI coding platform. Orchids is a so-called “vibe-coding” tool, meaning people without technical skills can use it to build apps and games by typing a text prompt into a chatbot. Such platforms have exploded in popularity in recent months, and are often heralded as an early example of how various professional services could be done quickly and cheaply by AI. But experts say the ease with which Orchids can be hacked demonstrates the risks of allowing AI bots deep access to our computers in exchange for the convenience of allowing them to carry out tasks autonomously. The Media has repeatedly asked the company for comment but it has not replied.
Social media suspended in Gabon for ‘spreading of false information’:
Gabon’s media regulator has announced the suspension of social media platforms “until further notice”, saying online content has fuelled conflict and deepened divisions in the country. In a televised statement on Tuesday evening, the High Authority for Communication (HAC) cited the “spread of false information”, “cyberbullying” and the “unauthorised disclosure of personal data” as reasons for the decision. Its spokesperson Jean-Claude Mendome did not specify which platforms would be affected, but WhatsApp, Facebook and TikTok are popular in the country. Gabon is led by General Brice Oligui Nguema, who won presidential elections last year after leading a military coup led in 2023.