Author: yasir

THAAP recently hosted an engaging and thought-provoking talk titled “Culture and Development: The Chinese Path”, delivered by Engr. Siddiq-ur-Rehman Rana, with participation from his daughter scholar Bimal Rehman. The session attracted leading academics, intellectuals, and development practitioners, sparking an insightful discussion on how Pakistan can learn from China’s extraordinary journey of transformation. Engr. Siddiq-ur-Rehman Rana traced China’s remarkable progress over the last eight decades, from a war-torn nation in 1949 to becoming the world’s second-largest economy and a global technological leader by 2025. In contrast, he pointed out, Pakistan’s development has been uneven and slower, marked by frequent political upheavals,…

Ali Qasim, 37, is an entrepreneur who runs a marketing agency in Karachi. But beyond his day-to-day work, he is also a passionate podcaster, sharing his thoughts and conversations as a side project. His channel has steadily grown and now attracts nearly 2,000 followers on YouTube, a milestone that motivates him to keep creating. In the past, Qasim relied on rented studios far from his home to record his episodes. Each session cost between PKR 10,000 and 15,000 per hour, while the editing charges are separate and producing a single episode often required three to four hours of studio time.…

Jubilee Life Insurance Company Limited (JLI), Pakistan’s largest private sector insurer, and United Bank Limited (UBL), one of the country’s largest financial institutions, have entered into a strategic partnership to launch innovative insurance solutions aimed at delivering greater financial security and long-term value to customers. The new product offering is first of its kind to provide customers with early break-even, guaranteed benefits at maturity, a fixed surrender benefit, reversionary bonus in addition to sum assured in case of death, option to avail policy and automatic premium loans. These features ensure that customers not only receive the value they signed up…

Alibaba.com, a leading B2B e-commerce platform, hosted its flagship event CoCreate 2025 in the United States of America, unveiling its most ambitious AI-driven transformation for global trade and creating opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) worldwide. Pace Sports, a Sialkot-based manufacturer of custom sportswear and sublimated team uniforms, represented Pakistan at CoCreate 2025. Founder Mr. Tehseen Abbas, a verified Alibaba.com seller with over a decade of experience on the platform attending his first U.S. trade show, delivered a compelling address on shifting global buyer behavior and data-driven apparel sourcing trends. With more than 80% of his company’s revenue generated…

VEON and Jazz leadership delegation, led by Kaan Terzioğlu, CEO of VEON Group, and Aamir Ibrahim, CEO of Jazz, called on Major General (R) Hafeez Ur Rehman, Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). The meeting centered on unlocking Pakistan’s digital potential through forward-looking reforms, spectrum management, and digital sector investment-friendly policies. The VEON CEO underlined Pakistan’s role as a strategic growth engine for VEON, with Jazz at the forefront of driving digital adoption nationwide. They highlighted ambitions to expand broadband penetration, accelerate readiness for 5G, and scale digital platforms that empower both citizens and businesses. Jazz’s expertise in all…

Riyadh, KSA: MENAP-based fintech ABHI and TRAY, a leading cloud-basedPOS and business management platform in the Kingdom, have joinedforces to introduce Earned Wage Access services for the fast-growingF&B sector.Earned Wage Access is a financial solution that allows employees towithdraw a portion of their earned salary anytime before payday,eliminating the need to wait until the end of the month. By givingworkers instant access to their earnings, EWA reduces financialstress, lowers reliance on loans, and helps employers improveretention and productivity.The collaboration is designed to empower frontline employees withinstant access to their earned salaries while supporting SaudiArabia’s Vision 2030 goals of financial inclusion,…

Pakistan’s e-commerce market is expanding rapidly and is projected to reach $7.5 billion by 2026. Yet, a significant challenge persists—over 50% of consumers worry about buying counterfeit goods, while consignment, return, and exchange mechanisms remain largely incomplete. This lack of trust continues to hinder the full potential of digital commerce in the country. Goldbox, a newly launched e-commerce platform in Pakistan, aims to overcome these concerns by introducing a unique Blind Box Shopping experience, enabling users to discover new products in an exciting and rewarding way. Through its One-Click Consignment feature, users can easily resell products within 24 hours and earn instant cash incentives directly to…

Jahanzeb Khan, President & CEO of easypaisa digital bank, emphasized that disruptive digital innovation, keeping local market insights and ground realities in mind, has the potential to drive full-scale financial inclusion across Pakistan, which currently has a financial inclusion rate of over 60%. Speaking at a panel discussion titled “Future of Global Finance is Local+Digital” alongside fintech and digital banking industry experts, Rob Cameron, Global Head of Acceptance Solutions at Visa, and Ahmad Habib Alhaddad, Senior Director – Product Development at STC Bank at the first edition of Money20/20 Middle East held in Riyadh from 15-17 September, Jahanzeb highlighted the…

The Punjab Central Business District Development Authority (PCBDDA), also known as Central Business District Punjab (CBD Punjab), has announced the availability of the last remaining retail and commercial units at CBD Walk in CBD Punjab Quaid District, a flagship lakefront development that has already been unveiled and successfully balloted. Following the overwhelming response to earlier rounds, this release marks the last opportunity for investors and businesses to become part of Lahore’s most dynamic retail, commercial, and entertainment hub. A total of 16 premium 4-Marla commercial units are being offered in CBD Walk, Quaid District, as shell & core-built units, designed…

Jaffer Brothers (Pvt.) Limited (JBL), in collaboration with Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC) and Komatsu Limited, celebrated a major milestone with the delivery and deployment of more than 100 Komatsu machines at the Thar Coalfield Block II project. The achievement marks a new benchmark in Pakistan’s mining sector, highlighting the scale of operations and the strength of the partnership. At a ceremony in Karachi, the three organisations also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalise long-term cooperation. The Thar Coalfield Block II project is regarded as a key step towards reducing reliance on imported fuel and tapping into…