Tech and Telecom

Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) took place yesterday and unsurprisingly took the wraps off of iOS 18 revamped with generative AI features and lots more customization. But let’s start with the AI features first, called Apple Intelligence. Apple Intelligence A significant highlight of iOS 18 is the debut of Apple Intelligence, the company’s proprietary artificial intelligence technology. Designed for devices equipped with the A17 chip and all M series processors, this AI suite aims to enhance user experience through personalized tools. These tools assist with everyday tasks, such as prioritizing notifications. Additionally, iOS 18 brings advanced writing aid across all…

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Zonal Office in Lahore, in close collaboration with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), conducted a successful raid against an illegal Internet Service Provider (ISP) operating at Punjab University Town-II, Lahore. During the raid, an operational internet setup was found, being operated without a valid license. One person has been taken into custody and relevant equipment including 05 OLTs and 02 ONTs were confiscated. The FIA is probing further inquiry as per law. The successful efforts against illegal internet service providers can be attributed to PTA’s unwavering commitment, continuous monitoring, and persistent efforts to curb illegal…

The federal government has decided to install advanced firewalls sourced from China to control social media content and block unwanted content from reaching a wider audience, sources told ProPakistani. Both the federal government and local ISPs will each share the burden of paying for these firewalls. The government will cover part of the expenses while ISPs will pay the remaining fees. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has mandated ISPs to block illegal content as per the terms of their operating licenses. The firewalls, equipped with deep packet inspection (DPI) technology, will be installed by local internet service providers (ISPs). This…

The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has intensified its recovery campaign by sealing seven commercial properties in Gulshan-e-Ravi for failing to pay commercial fees. The operation, led by TP Zone 1 Director Ayesha Mutahir under the directive of LDA Director General Tahir Farooq, targeted medical stores, grocery shops, private schools, and other businesses. Ayesha stated that these properties had substantial unpaid commercialization fees and were given several notices before the operation. She added that actions against defaulters and illegal constructions would continue indiscriminately throughout the city. In a related meeting on LDA resource generation, DG Tahir Farooq reviewed the performance of…

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is all set to impose application/processing administrative fees for processing and issuance of Certificate of Compliance (CoC) and review the existing Type Approval fee structure to cater to the regulatory overheads. Currently, there is no application/processing administrative fee being charged by the PTA to applicants for processing and issuance of CoC. The Authority stated that there is a dire need to impose such administrative/regulatory/applications processing fees in order to cater for the regulatory overheads such as the expenses associated with the allocation of human resources, handling paperwork, dispatching CoCs to the applicants, correspondence with multiple entities,…

The 1 percent increase in the sales tax rate from 18 to 19 percent would not be done through the upcoming Finance Bill 2024 due to its inflationary impact on the general public. The rate would likely remain unchanged in the budget (2024-25). The FBR had suggested a 1 percent increase in the sales tax rate, projecting an additional revenue generation of Rs. 40-50 billion for the fiscal year 2024-25. However, Prime Minister Sharif declined this proposal, citing the potential for immediate inflationary effects on the general public. The budget proposal of raising the sales tax rate from 18 to…

The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved on Monday $1 billion in a second round of additional financing for the DASU Hydropower Stage I (DHP I) Project. This financing will support the expansion of hydropower electricity supply, improve access to socio-economic services for local communities, and build the Water and Power Development Authority’s (WAPDA) capacity to prepare future hydropower projects. “Pakistan’s energy sector suffers from multiple challenges to achieving affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy,” said Najy Benhassine, World Bank Country Director for Pakistan. “The DASU Hydropower Project site is one of the best hydropower sites in the world and…

The National Economic Council (NEC) on Monday approved Rs. 1.4 trillion worth of federal Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) along with a national development budget outlay of Rs. 3.5 trillion (Rs. 2.1 trillion provincial annual development plans). The council, headed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, also approved a growth rate target of 3.6 percent for the upcoming fiscal year (FY25), while the inflation target was set at 12 percent. The NEC also approved a five-year annual development plan including a target to increase exports of goods and services to $63 billion by 2029. The meeting was briefed on the 13th…

South Africa won the toss and decided to bat first against Bangladesh at the Nassau County Cricket Stadium in New York, a surprising decision by their captain Aiden Markram on a difficult pitch. Tanzim Hasan Sakib dismantled the top-order of the Proteas finishing up with figures of 3-18 in his 4 overs with Taskin Ahmed bowling brilliantly with his supreme pace at the other end in tandem. He picked up 2 wickets for 19 runs as well at the end of his spell. David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen notched up a 79-run partnership in the first innings to post a…

The government has allocated Rs 180.284 billion for 104 projects under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2024-25 for National Highway Authority (NHA), which is around 16 percent higher than the allocation for the current fiscal year of 2023-24, official sources revealed. Sources said that the Annual Plan Coordination Committee (APCC) proposed Rs. 180.284 billion for 104 projects under PSDP 2024-25 for NHA to National Economic Council (NEC). For 90 ongoing projects, Rs. 167.800 billion were proposed, whereas Rs. 12.484 billion for 14 new projects. The government had allocated Rs. 156 billion in the PSDP 2023-24 for NHA of which…