OGDC makes landmark discovery of lithium deposits
The Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDC) has announced a landmark breakthrough after identifying lithium in geothermal formation water from a pilot well in Sindh, marking the first such discovery in Pakistan. According to the company’s initial analysis, the lithium concentrations are comparable to leading geothermal brine projects around the world. OGDC will now conduct further technical and feasibility studies to determine the size, quality, and commercial viability of the resource before any extraction plans to move forward. If future studies confirm commercially recoverable reserves, the discovery could position Pakistan to enter the global critical minerals market, attract foreign investment, and support industries such as electric vehicle battery manufacturing, renewable energy storage, and advanced technologies. The project also highlights the potential for sustainable lithium extraction from geothermal resources, offering an environmentally conscious approach to developing one of the world’s most in-demand strategic minerals.
Pakistan’s largest AI Cloud and Data Center inaugurated in Islamabad
Pakistan has taken another significant step toward digital transformation by inaugurating Sky47 Karakorum-01, described as the country’s largest AI cloud and data center, in Islamabad. With an 8.5MW capacity, the state-of-the-art facility is expected to strengthen Pakistan’s capabilities in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and digital infrastructure. The project aims to provide high-performance computing resources for businesses, startups, research institutions, and government initiatives. During the inauguration, the government also announced plans to establish similar AI cloud and data centers in Karachi and Lahore, expanding the country’s digital infrastructure to support innovation, education, healthcare, enterprise services, and national security. According to officials, the initiative will help position Pakistan to benefit from the rapidly growing global AI economy while accelerating the country’s Digital Nation vision and creating new opportunities for technology-driven growth and investment.
Pakistan launches first gender responsive AI school
Pakistan has officially launched the UN Women Gender-Responsive AI School Pakistan, a national initiative aimed at promoting the ethical, inclusive, and gender-responsive use of artificial intelligence (AI). The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT), in collaboration with UN Women Pakistan and with support from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), introduced the program to strengthen responsible AI adoption across the country. The initiative targets policymakers, government institutions, parliamentarians, UN agencies, academic institutions, civil society organizations, businesses, and community leaders. Through the program, participants will gain both theoretical knowledge and practical skills to support responsible AI development and governance.
Pakistan and Kazakhstan discuss possibilities to enhance regional connectivity
Pakistan has offered Kazakhstan access to its three major seaports Karachi Port, Port Qasim, and Gwadar Port to facilitate cargo transit and strengthen regional trade connectivity. The proposal is aimed at providing Kazakhstan and other Central Asian Republics (CARs) with direct maritime access to global markets through Pakistan’s port infrastructure, enhancing trade efficiency and regional integration. The offer was discussed during a bilateral meeting whereby both sides explored opportunities to expand cooperation in ports, shipping, trade facilitation, logistics, and coastal free zones. Officials believe the initiative could significantly improve bilateral trade, strengthen Pakistan’s role as a regional trade gateway, and promote greater economic cooperation between South Asia and Central Asia. The proposal reflects Pakistan’s broader efforts to enhance regional connectivity and position its ports as key hubs for international commerce.
Booming credit card segment under banking sector in Pakistan
Pakistan’s credit card market has recorded its largest-ever quarterly expansion, with the number of cards in circulation increasing by 900,000 in just three months, according to Gallup Pakistan’s Digital Analytics Dashboard, based on data from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). The total number of credit cards rose from 2.2 million in FY25 to 3.1 million in Q1 FY26 (July–September 2025), marking a 44% increase. Remarkably, this single-quarter growth exceeded the total net increase recorded over the previous six years, during which the credit card base expanded from 1.6 million to 2.2 million. The rise was accompanied by a significant increase in card usage. SBP data shows that the value of credit card transactions at ATMs increased nearly six fold during the same period, indicating stronger consumer adoption of credit-based payments. Debit cards continue to dominate Pakistan’s payment ecosystem, accounting for around 90% of the country’s 61.3 million payment cards, while credit cards represent approximately 4% of the total.