Initiate Magazine (2025)

01/10/2025

Through initiatives like the FAME programme and her leadership roles in FPCCI, Maryyam Qasim Khan is driving women’s economic empowerment, digital inclusion, and sustainable entrepreneurship in Pakistan.

01/10/2025

Punjab Police has reported a massive crackdown on traffic violations, collecting Rs. 26 million in fines across the province within just 24 hours. According to a police spokesperson, enforcement officers issued 37,789 challans for various offenses ranging from reckless driving to lane violations. In a parallel effort to promote road safety, authorities also issued 34,342 new driving licenses in a single day, encouraging motorists to comply with traffic regulations. Environmental enforcement was also part of the drive, with 703 smoke-emitting vehicles fined and several impounded at 19 police stations for contributing to air pollution. Officials said the campaign reflects the government’s commitment to stricter traffic management and safer, cleaner roads for citizens.

01/10/2025

Late Tuesday night, internet users across Pakistan faced one of the worst slowdowns in recent months, with access to websites disrupted and services lagging across multiple providers. Outage monitoring platforms recorded a surge in complaints, while Nayatel confirmed that the disruption was caused by a fault at one of its upstream providers, promising restoration by 1:15 a.m. The crisis comes on top of ongoing strain from earlier undersea cable cuts in the Red Sea, which forced traffic onto longer backup routes via the Asia-Europe corridor. Critical systems including SMW4 and IMEWE remain affected, with repair timelines estimated at four to five weeks. Industry experts warn that users should brace for recurring bottlenecks and higher latency, particularly during peak hours, despite local networks working to stabilize routing. Temporary fixes such as switching DNS, VPN rerouting, or mobile data may offer limited relief, but Pakistan’s reliance on fragile global cable systems once again highlights the urgent need for stronger digital infrastructure and resilience.

01/10/2025

Millions of internet users across Pakistan faced severe connectivity issues on Tuesday evening, with browsing speeds plummeting and frequent timeouts reported nationwide. According to Nayatel, the disruption originated from a fault at one of its upstream providers, with restoration expected by 1:15 a.m. The slowdown has been compounded by recent undersea cable cuts in the Red Sea affecting SMW4 and IMEWE systems, two vital Asia-Europe data routes. With repairs projected to take four to five weeks, experts warn that recurring bottlenecks and high latency are likely during peak hours despite local networks working to stabilize traffic. While temporary fixes such as alternative DNS settings, VPN routing, and mobile data may offer partial relief, full recovery hinges on restoring upstream capacity. The latest disruption underscores Pakistan’s vulnerability to global internet infrastructure shocks, raising fresh concerns over the country’s digital resilience.

01/10/2025

Airlink Communication Limited (AIRLINK) is set to expand its industrial footprint with a state-of-the-art production facility in Lahore’s Sundar Green Special Economic Zone (SGSEZ). Spread across eight acres, including three acres owned by Airlink and five acres by its subsidiary Select Technologies, the facility will cover 1.4 million square feet of purpose-built infrastructure. Commercial operations are expected to begin by the end of 2025. Operating under the SGSEZ framework, the company will enjoy 10 years of fiscal incentives, boosting competitiveness and enabling future exports of mobile phones, laptops, LED TVs, electronics, and home appliances. The project will also feature a 1 MW solar power generation system to reduce costs and carbon footprint, aligning with sustainable growth goals. Alongside this expansion, Airlink continues to strengthen its retail presence, recently launching a Samsung Multi-Experience Store at Dolmen Mall, Lahore. The company reported strong FY25 results with consolidated EPS rising to Rs. 12.01, reflecting profitability, resilience, and long-term growth momentum.

01/10/2025

Pakistan has formally demanded $565.7 billion in climate finance and technology support in its updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0), submitted to the UNFCCC on September 23, 2025. The country has pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions from 2,559 million tons to 1,280 million tons by 2035, but made it clear that one-third of this target depends on international funding and technology transfers. Pakistan underscored its success under NDC 2.0, where it achieved a 37% reduction in emissions between 2021 and 2025 without foreign aid, showcasing its commitment to climate action despite limited resources. Under the new plan, the country aims to generate 38,000 MW of clean energy by 2035, ensure that 30% of all new vehicles by 2030 are electric, and roll out 3,000 charging stations nationwide. The strategy also targets a 35 million ton cut in emissions through energy efficiency by 2030. Officials stressed that Pakistan’s climate goals hinge on global cooperation, enhanced financing, technology transfer, and capacity building to ensure resilience and sustainable development in the face of escalating climate risks.

01/10/2025

The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has granted Phase-II approval for Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited’s (PTCL) acquisition of Telenor Pakistan, marking a landmark moment in the country’s telecom sector consolidation. PTCL, through a Share Purchase Agreement signed with Telenor Pakistan BV in August 2024, will acquire 100% of Telenor Pakistan (Private) Limited and Orion Towers (Private) Limited. The CCP’s comprehensive 18-month review applied the Substantial Lessening of Competition (SLC) Test and included multiple hearings, stakeholder consultations, and data scrutiny to ensure compliance with the Competition Act, 2010. PTCL hailed the decision as a transformative step that will combine the strengths of Ufone and Telenor to enhance customer experience, expand coverage, and accelerate digital innovation. While the approval paves the way for one of Pakistan’s largest telecom mergers, the transaction remains subject to final corporate and regulatory clearances.

01/10/2025

Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) has reported a significant hydrocarbon discovery at its Bitrism East-1 well in District Khairpur, Sindh. The well, spudded on June 30, 2025, and drilled to a depth of 3,800 meters in the Sembar Formation, confirmed the presence of hydrocarbons following two successful Drill Stem Tests (DSTs) in the Lower Goru Formation. The tests indicated a production potential of 22.5 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD) of gas and 690 barrels of condensate per day (BCD) at a 32/64” choke. OGDCL, operating with a 95% working interest in partnership with Government Holdings (Private) Limited (GHPL), which holds 5%, stated that the discovery strengthens the company’s exploration portfolio and contributes to Pakistan’s hydrocarbon reserves. The company emphasized that this development will help bridge the country’s energy supply-demand gap by utilizing indigenous resources.

29/09/2025

Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD has unveiled a new megawatt charging technology in Dubai, capable of delivering up to 400 kilometers of driving range in just five minutes, a development that could revolutionize the EV industry by bringing charging speeds closer to conventional refueling times. The system, showcased at Dubai Festival City, marks the first international demonstration of the technology outside China. BYD confirmed that beginning next year, the chargers will be compatible with all electric vehicles and will be rolled out across the Middle East in partnership with regional players, with more than 600 stations planned by the end of 2026. While the full charging speed may not be accessible to all EV models, the universal connector will ensure broad compatibility. Company executives highlighted the UAE as an ideal innovation hub, aligning with the country’s Net Zero 2050 goals. Industry experts believe this breakthrough could significantly accelerate EV adoption by reducing charging time, improving convenience, and addressing one of the biggest hurdles for mainstream electric mobility.

29/09/2025

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has approved a comprehensive regulatory framework to oversee the introduction of self-driving heavy vehicles in the logistics sector, marking a significant step toward autonomous transport. The framework outlines licensing rules, trial operations, safety protocols, and technology requirements to ensure the secure integration of autonomous vehicles into the emirate’s road network. Developed in partnership with private companies and industry stakeholders, the initiative is part of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) and the Smart Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which aims to make 25% of all journeys autonomous by 2030. According to RTA Director General Mattar Al Tayer, the move will modernize logistics, improve efficiency, cut emissions by 30%, and double the sector’s economic contribution to AED 16.8 billion. Pilot routes have been identified across key logistics hubs including Jebel Ali Port, Al Maktoum International Airport, and Dubai Investments Park, with some initially operating under safety drivers. Alongside the framework, RTA also launched “Logisty,” a digital logistics platform developed with TruKKer, to streamline fleet management and on-demand booking. Officials say the strategy strengthens Dubai’s position as a global leader in smart mobility and logistics.

29/09/2025

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has approved the adoption of Wi-Fi 7 within the 6 GHz band (5925–6425 MHz), positioning Pakistan among the early adopters of next-generation wireless technology in the Asia-Pacific region. The decision, aligned with earlier parameters for Wi-Fi 6E, is expected to transform digital connectivity by delivering ultra-high data rates, lower latency, and stronger reliability. Wi-Fi 7 is designed to support advanced applications including 8K streaming, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), industrial automation, and smart cities, while also easing congestion in legacy spectrum bands. According to PTA, the rollout will reduce broadband delivery costs and strengthen connectivity across households, SMEs, healthcare, campuses, and innovation-driven industries. The regulator noted that the move reflects its commitment to bridging the digital divide, boosting productivity, and accelerating Pakistan’s digital transformation agenda.

29/09/2025

Pakistan has offered 1,000 acres of land free of cost to Turkiye for the establishment of a dedicated Export Processing Zone (EPZ) within Karachi Industrial Park, in a move aimed at boosting bilateral trade and industrial cooperation. The initiative, first proposed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during his April 2025 meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, is designed to create an investor-friendly environment and help achieve the ambitious $5 billion trade target between the two countries. A high-level Pakistani delegation recently visited Istanbul and Ankara, presenting the Karachi EPZ as a strategic hub for Turkish manufacturers seeking regional market access and cost efficiencies. Officials emphasized Karachi’s location, infrastructure, and reduced freight costs, projecting significant benefits for Turkish companies relocating operations. With bilateral trade already hitting a record $1.4 billion in 2024, the proposed EPZ is seen as a potential catalyst for deeper economic integration and future expansion of trade agreements, including a possible Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

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