Tech and Telecom

The Pakistani rupee (PKR) suddenly fell against the US Dollar today after opening trade at 278 in the interbank market. It was slightly stable all day but closed in red against the greenback. It posted losses against most of the other major currencies during today’s session. The interbank rate stayed at 278/$ most of the day before closing at the same level. Open market rates across multiple currency counters were strictly at 278 today. The PKR depreciated by 0.01 percent to close at 278.36 after losing three paisas against the dollar today. On a fiscal year-to-date basis, the rupee has…

Redmi 13 4G has arrived as the latest member of Xiaomi’s entry-level lineup, succeeding last year’s Redmi 12, which launched nearly around the same time. The most notable upgrades here include a new main camera as well as an improved chipset. The screen is a 6.78-inch IPS LCD with 1080p resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate, the same as its predecessor. Although the resolution has been downgraded, the Helio G91 Ultra chipset is a clear upgrade from the previous Helio G88. The memory options are the same as before, going all the way to 8 GB/256 GB. The phone boots…

In a move to curb obscenity and nudity in stage plays, the Punjab government has enacted the “Punjab Theatrical Performance Ordinance 2023,” effectively replacing the 150-year-old Dramatic Performance Act of 1876. This new legislation aims to regulate and monitor theatrical performances more stringently across the province. As part of this initiative, the administrative control of all theatre halls, including those in Lahore, has been transferred from the Home Department to the Information and Culture Department. The Punjab Arts Council (PCA), under the Information and Culture Department, will now oversee all activities related to theatrical performances. The new ordinance is a…

Federal Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb had a meeting with the Korean Ambassador and representatives of Korean Companies working in Pakistan at the Finance Division today. The Korean Ambassador appreciated the government’s economic initiatives and strong bilateral relations between Pakistan and Korea. He emphasized the need to fully exploit the untapped potential for further collaboration. Representatives from Korean companies briefed the minister on their concerns regarding project timelines and operational efficiency. The minister underscored the significant macroeconomic improvements and noted the positive trend in foreign exchange reserves. He reiterated the commitment of the government to address the challenges faced by…

Honor’s long-rumored and teased flip phone is finally confirmed to launch on June 13, as announced by the company’s latest social media post on Weibo. The Honor Magic V Flip will become official in China at a dedicated Technology Fashion Show event held in Shanghai, which will be live-streamed online too. Thanks to the latest announcement, we also have official images of the phone in three different color options Camellia White, Champagne Pink, and Iris Black. Honor has shared some of the phone’s hardware specifications as well. The Honor Magic V Flip will come with one of the largest cover…

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has reported a 28 percent decrease in the amount of airline funds blocked from repatriation by governments with total blocked funds at the end of April at approximately $1.8 billion, a reduction of $708 million since December 2023. The association said that eight countries account for 87 percent of the total blocked funds, amounting to $1.6 billion with funds blocked by Pakistan standing at $411 million followed by Bangladesh at $320 million. IATA reiterated the call for governments to remove all barriers to airlines repatriating their revenues from ticket sales and other activities in…

Former world champion, Amir Khan channeled his inner Ivan Drago as he called out YouTuber Jake Paul after he “leaked” his potential fight with KSI. Quoting the iconic line of the big Russian from Rocky IV, ‘King’ Khan both YouTubers: “If he dies, he dies. Then f*** Jake Paul up.” Jake Paul took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to hint at Amir Khan’s comeback fight. Paul posted, “KSI vs. Amir Khan I f*** with. Good entertainment.” While there has been no official announcement regarding Khan’s return, his response on X seemingly confirmed the plans. Amir Khan ended his…

PanaceaLogics, a Pakistani AI-driven software solutions company, has claimed the top spot at the coveted AquaCon Invest competition recently held in Dubai. The company received the honor for its groundbreaking AI solution in aquaculture, showcasing Pakistan as a leading hub for AI-driven industry innovation. PanaceaLogics’ award-winning Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS)-based solution aids fish farmers in such critical areas as fish biomass estimation, health monitoring and disease prevention, water quality management, and feed optimization. The vital insights provided by the solution can significantly reduce costs and losses, improve yields, and enhance profitability. This is accomplished through the integration of cameras, sensors,…

As a leader in the cloud services sector, Rapid consistently endeavors to elevate the service experience for our clients. In this spirit, we are preparing to transform the payment experience, a strategic move that underscores our position as one of the pioneering providers in Pakistan’s local market. Clients can anticipate a sophisticated integration of payment options, designed to offer unparalleled ease and security. This initiative reflects our dedication to providing a seamless and efficient user experience, showcasing our foresight in adopting and adapting technologies that resonate with evolving needs. At Rapid, we are not just adapting to change – we…

Pakistan’s headline inflation rate declined for the fifth consecutive month to 11.8 percent in May and State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) is likely to lower the policy rate, says S&P Global Market Intelligence. This analysis was produced by S&P Global Market Intelligence, not S&P Global Ratings, which is a separately managed division of S&P Global. The realized headline consumer price index (CPI) inflation of 11.8% for May was considerably lower than the market expectations, mainly on the back of a notable deflation in food prices, led by perishables. Inflation is projected to continue its declining trend in the coming months,…