Friday, January 23 2026

Rs124.2bn spent to improve telecoms infrastructure: minister
Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja on Thursday said that a total of Rs 124.2 billion from the Universal Service Fund (USF) has been utilised across the provinces to strengthen telecommunication infrastructure and expand digital access in underserved and remote areas. In written reply to a questions asked by MPs in National Assembly, she said that Rs 52.31 billion funds utilized in Balochistan, Rs 26.032 billion in Punjab, Rs 24.23 billion in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Rs 20.203 billion in Sindh, Rs 1.016 billion in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) and Rs 409.9 million in multiple provinces. In another written reply, the minister said that during the first five months of financial year 2025-26 (July-November), Information and Communication Techno-logy(ICT) export remittances surged 18.5 percent, reaching USD 1.799 billion compared to USD 1.518 billion achieved during the corresponding period last year (FY 2024-25).
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Wednesday, January 14 2026

Telecom sector: Senate panel expresses concern over governance issues
Serious concerns over governance and accountability in the telecom and digital sectors came under sharp scrutiny on Monday as the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology expressed alarm over hefty dollar-denominated fees paid to Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) board members, ongoing corruption cases within the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and persistent weaknesses in national data security frameworks. Chaired by Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan, the Committee was informed that PTCL board members receive up to USD 8,000 per board meeting, despite the company facing sustained financial pressures. Senators questioned how serving government officials could lawfully draw such payments, recalling that the Prime Minister had earlier directed that no public office holder should receive more than Rs 1 million in meeting-related remuneration and that any excess amount must be returned to the national exchequer.
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Friday, January 09 2026

Govt fixes dollar rate, shifts to KIBOR for 5G
The Ministry of IT and Telecom has acknowledged long-standing demands of the telecom sector by easing payment terms and fixing exchange and interest rates in its policy directive for the upcoming next-generation mobile spectrum auction, a move that clears the way for the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority to issue the Information Memorandum for existing operators and new entrants to participate in the process. Under the approved framework, the spectrum fee has been denominated in US dollars, but the exchange rate will be calculated at the National Bank of Pakistan's TT selling rate prevailing at the close of business on the day preceding the auction date. At least 50% of the spectrum price will be payable within one year of the licence issuance date, while the remaining 50% will be paid in five equal annual instalments carrying interest at the KIBOR offer rate plus three percentage points.
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Digital transformation unveiled: Zarea Ltd positioning for global commodities leadership
Zarea Limited has announced a comprehensive digital transformation, signaling a major shift in its business model and laying the foundation for a dominant role in the global commodities market. The company disclosed the initiative through a formal filing with the Pakistan Stock Exchange, describing the move as a complete re-engineering of its identity, technology, and operational capabilities. At the heart of Zarea’s international ambitions is the acquisition of the premium domain www.zarea.com. Recognised as a high-value digital asset, the five-letter domain is intended to establish a unified global brand presence as the company expands beyond Pakistan. The domain not only strengthens Zarea’s branding strategy but is also expected to contribute measurable value to the company’s intangible assets, underscoring the strategic importance of a strong digital identity in today’s global economy.
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Tuesday, January 06 2026

Mobile manufacturers to face penalties over lack of localisation
The government has decided to impose penalties on mobile and electronics device manufacturing companies over failure to achieve specified localisation levels in the stipulated time period under the proposed new policy. As part of the Mobile and Electronics Device Manufacturing Policy 2026-33, the government will withdraw concessions like all exempted or concessionary duties. It will also start applying normal tariff rates and the companies will face import licensing restrictions. Monetary penalties shall be imposed in the form of a surcharge equivalent to 1% of the total annual import value, in addition to any other financial liabilities prescribed in the prevailing laws and regulations. The government has targeted a rebate of Rs103 billion on the export of mobile phones by allowing a fixed and non-discretionary 8% research and development allowance. This allowance has been calculated on the basis of verifiable free-on-board value of mobile devices exported by Pakistan.
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