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Bill Gates makes surprise appearance in Indian TV drama

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Bill Gates

Microsoft founder and one of the world’s richest individuals, Bill Gates, has made an unexpected entry into Indian television drama.

According to Indian media reports, Gates will appear in the popular TV serial “Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2”.

A newly released promo this week shows Bill Gates in a video call with the show’s main character, Tulsi Virani, played by Smriti Irani.

In the short clip, Tulsi can be heard saying in her signature style, “It’s wonderful to know that you’re connecting with my family all the way from America — we’re eagerly waiting for you.”

The promo’s caption suggests that Bill Gates’ appearance in the Indian TV drama Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2 carries a deeper purpose.

According to the post, Gates’ inclusion in the show is part of a broader awareness campaign focused on maternal and child health.

The collaboration aims to use the show’s massive viewership to spread vital health messages and encourage better healthcare practices for mothers and children across India.

Multan Sultans’ owner Ali Tareen tears up PCB’s legal notice

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Multan Sultans

MULTAN: Multan Sultans owner Ali Tareen has torn up a legal notice sent to him by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), declaring that he refuses to be intimidated.

In a video message posted on social media, Tareen revealed that the Pakistan Super League (PSL) management had issued him a legal notice demanding that he withdraw his critical remarks and issue an apology. The notice also warned of the termination of his franchise agreement and the possibility of being blacklisted.

Tareen stated firmly that he would not remain silent in the face of such threats. “If you think I will be silenced by intimidation, you are mistaken,” he said.

Expressing his deep affection for the PSL, Tareen said, “I love this league — it belongs to the entire nation.” He added that he was willing to sit down and resolve the issues but lamented that the PCB had not made any attempt to contact him. “No one has made a single call or sent an email to understand my concerns,” he remarked.

In his latest video message, Tareen offered what appeared to be a tongue-in-cheek apology, saying, “I apologize for demanding that competent people be included in the PSL management. I also apologize for criticizing the draft process, training facilities, and the opening ceremony.”

The PCB had earlier issued a legal notice to the Multan Sultans franchise, accusing it of violating contractual clauses and running a campaign that damaged the reputation of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

According to sources, the notice was served for breaches of the 10-year franchise agreement. If the franchise fails to provide a satisfactory response, the PCB may terminate the contract and blacklist the franchise owners.

Pakistan seeks probe into Israel’s war crimes in Gaza

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Pakistan

UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan has called for accountability over what it described as “grave atrocity crimes” committed by Israel in Gaza, urging an immediate halt to the occupying power’s unlawful actions in the West Bank, including forced displacements, illegal settlements, and annexations.

Speaking in the UN Security Council, Ambassador Usman Jadoon, acting permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN, condemned “the killing of more than 68,000 innocent Palestinians, mostly women and children”, in Gaza, stressing: “The ceasefire, the release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and the restoration of humanitarian flows are welcome steps.”

At the same time, he denounced Israel’s continued attacks and aid restrictions. He rejected “the Israeli Knesset’s preliminary approval of draft laws to impose Israeli sovereignty over the occupied West Bank” as blatant violations of international law.

The Pakistani envoy also demanded an end to Israeli illegal actions in the West Bank, including forced displacements, upholding of the legal and historical status of Al-Haram Al-Sharif – Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the unhindered functioning of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

“As reaffirmed by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in its advisory opinion yesterday, Israel is under an obligation to facilitate relief provided by the UN and its entities, particularly UNRWA,” Ambassador Jadoon pointed out.

In addition, he stressed the need for the launch of a credible, time-bound political process consistent with international legitimacy and relevant UN resolutions to establish an independent, sovereign, and contiguous State of Palestine, based on the pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

In his remarks, Ambassador Jadoon also welcomed the peace efforts led by President Donald Trump and commended the crucial role played by the mediators—Egypt, Qatar, Türkiye, and the United States —in facilitating the negotiations.

“We sincerely hope these efforts will yield sustainable results, including a permanent cessation of hostilities and a just, comprehensive and lasting peace.”

“Looking ahead,” the Pakistani envoy said, “the roles of the UN, the Palestinian Authority, and the Palestinian people will be vital to ensuring legitimate governance, reconstruction, and institution-building in Gaza”, along with the Security Council whose role will also be critical for the next phases of the peace plan including for designing and mandating the deployment of an international stabilization force to fulfill its tasks.

Pakistan, he said, will continue to work with all partners to advance these shared objectives and to help restore peace, justice, and dignity to the Palestinian people.

Briefing the 15-member Council, the UN’s Deputy Middle East envoy, Ramiz Alakbarov, said that the Gaza ceasefire provides a rare opportunity to end one of the most destructive phases of the wider Israel-Palestine conflict.

Alakbarov warned that without decisive support for reconstruction and aid delivery, the region risks sliding back into violence.

How Young Entrepreneurs Are Driving Change in Pakistan’s Economy

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youth ,entrepreneurship ,Pakistan, women entrepreneurs, Pakistan ,start-ups, Pakistani start-up hubs, Lahore, Karachi, Pakistan, start-up ecosystem
youth ,entrepreneurship ,Pakistan, women entrepreneurs, Pakistan ,start-ups, Pakistani start-up hubs, Lahore, Karachi, Pakistan, start-up ecosystem

Youth-led start-ups reshaping Pakistan’s entrepreneurial landscape

With more than 60 % of its population under 30, Pakistan is in the midst of a youth-driven entrepreneurial surge. According to a recent analysis, this generation is not simply entering jobs—they’re building businesses.


In major hubs like Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, start-ups led by young entrepreneurs are emerging across e-commerce, ed-tech, fintech and sustainable ventures. The report by DigiIT notes that sectors previously underserved—such as agritech, sustainable fashion and cloud kitchens—are now drawing interest.


Women entrepreneurs are gradually gaining visibility. Female-led tech start-ups such as those backed by i2i Ventures are recording increased activity, though funding disparities persist.


What’s driving this youth momentum?

• High internet and mobile penetration (~100 m users)

• Rising freelancing and remote work allowing side-projects to turn into start-ups

• Government incubator programmes (e.g., NICs) and grants providing early-stage support
Still, there’s a gap between desire and scale.

Many youth-led start-ups stall after MVP phase due to funding, regulatory hurdles or limitations in mentorship.

As one founder remarked:

“We have the idea, the tech, the hustle—but finding the right mentor and investor is the toughest part.”


For these entrepreneurs to succeed, the ecosystem must provide better access to networks, global mentors, cross-border expansion opportunities and structured growth tracks.


For policy-makers, the lesson is clear: lower regulatory burden, simplify registration and taxes, improve internet and power reliability and fund seed-stage grants targeted at diverse groups (women, rural founders).


In short, the young entrepreneurial army in Pakistan is ready—but to win the battle they need stronger arms: capital, infrastructure and institutional support.

Tech Trends Entrepreneurs Must Watch in Pakistan in 2025

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tech trends, Pakistan 2025, AI startups Pakistan, fintech Pakistan, renewable energy startups Pakistan

What tech entrepreneurs in Pakistan should focus on now



As the entrepreneurial landscape evolves in Pakistan, three major technology trends are standing out as high-potential for start-ups and entrepreneurs in 2025: AI & automation, fintech & digital payments, and renewable-energy tech integration.


According to a report by tech-analytics portal DigiIT, artificial intelligence and machine learning adoption are no longer optional. Companies in Pakistan are integrating chatbots, predictive analytics and automation to reduce costs and improve service.

Fintech and digital banking have also surged: as smartphone penetration climbs (~85 % in 2025), mobile wallets, QR payments and buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) models are gaining traction.


Meanwhile, Pakistan’s energy challenges are creating a fertile ground for start-ups in renewable energy and sustainable tech.

Businesses offering solar-installations, smart grid solutions or IoT energy-management systems are emerging.
For entrepreneurs, the implication is clear: Aligning start-up ideas with these tech trends increases relevance and investor appeal.

For example:

• AI-driven logistics start-ups that optimise last-mile delivery

• Fintech platforms that serve under-banked or remittance-heavy populations

• Energy-tech firms enabling solar-plus-storage in urban or rural Pakistan


Yet challenges remain. Many start-ups cite infrastructure gaps (unreliable power, slower internet), regulatory ambiguity around fintech and data-privacy, and talent shortages in advanced AI skills.


In this environment, entrepreneurs who differentiate by combining technology with local market insight will have an edge. Consider partnerships with universities, leverage government incentives or incubators, and build lean MVPs before scaling.


Overall, the message for 2025: Technology is not just about building another app—it’s about solving real business and social problems using tech that is accessible, scalable and locally relevant.

The State of Startup Funding in Pakistan: What’s Changing in 2025

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Pakistan ,startup, funding ,2025, Pakistan, venture ,capital, startup ecosystem ,Pakistan, hybrid financing ,startups Pakistan

Pakistan startup funding falls but ecosystem matures

Pakistan ,startup, funding ,2025, Pakistan, venture ,capital, startup ecosystem ,Pakistan, hybrid financing ,startups Pakistan



Pakistan’s startup ecosystem is experiencing a shift in 2025. Although the numbers show a slowdown, many analysts believe this represents maturation rather than collapse. According to a recent report by Invest2Innovate (i2i), disclosed funding in Q3 2025 stood at US$15.2 million across six deals, a steep drop from roughly US$58 million in Q2.


The largest raise that quarter was by Trukkr (logistics), which secured US$10 million through a hybrid equity-and-debt structure. Investors note that the number of deals may be smaller, but the ecosystem is diversifying: fintech, Web3, fashion and mobility deals all featured.


Why the slowdown? Several factors: global venture capital is tighter post-pandemic; Pakistan’s macroeconomic headwinds (currency instability, inflation, regulatory uncertainty) make investors cautious; and start-ups themselves are pivoting toward sustainable business models rather than growth-at-all-cost.


“Founders are choosing hybrid financing — convertible notes, equity-plus-debt — to reduce dilution and risk,” the i2i report noted. This is a sign the market is maturing, emphasising resilience over hype.


However, the drop in funding underscores serious challenges. Early-stage start-ups still struggle to secure funding beyond seed rounds, while growth-stage funding remains scarce.

The gender-funding gap remains visible: women-led start-ups receive smaller checks on average.
What should founders and policy-makers do? First, focus on building strong unit economics and export-oriented models to appeal to global investors.

Second, leverage government initiatives like the Pakistan Startup Fund (PSF) and incubators to de-risk early stages. Third, embrace hybrid financing models and structured debt to extend runway.


For Pakistan’s ecosystem, this period of lower funding is not necessarily a downturn—it may be a “spring cleaning” phase toward sustainable growth. Founders who prioritise product-market fit, revenue generation and capital efficiency will emerge stronger.

Climate Finance Gap: Pakistan’s Vulnerability and Global Inaction

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Climate ,finance , Pakistan, Germanwatch, Climate ,Risk, Index, UNDP ,report, World Bank ,CCDR, Pakistan ,vulnerability
Climate ,finance , Pakistan, Germanwatch, Climate ,Risk, Index, UNDP ,report, World Bank ,CCDR, Pakistan ,vulnerability


Pakistan remains one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations yet receives less than 0.5% of global climate finance, according to the UNDP Climate Finance Report (2024).

The Germanwatch Climate Risk Index 2023 ranked Pakistan as the eighth most affected country by climate disasters, largely due to the 2022 floods and recurring heatwaves.

“Despite contributing less than 1% of global emissions, Pakistan pays a disproportionate price for global inaction,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).

The World Bank Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR) estimates that Pakistan requires $348 billion by 2030 to meet adaptation and mitigation needs, yet available funding is less than 10% of that target.

The Ministry of Climate Change has proposed the Pakistan Climate Investment Fund (PCIF) to attract both public and private capital into renewable energy, water conservation, and green transport projects.

“We need predictable and accessible climate finance, not promises that never materialize,” stated Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, climate policy expert.

Analysts warn that Pakistan’s limited fiscal space and rising debt burden constrain domestic investment in climate adaptation. International donors are calling for better transparency and project readiness to attract concessional funding.

Water at Risk: Indus Basin and Pakistan’s Looming Water Emergency

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Pakistan water crisis, Indus Basin, UNDP Climate Promise, sea-level rise Pakistan, salinity intrusion Sindh


Pakistan’s Indus Basin, the lifeline for 80% of its population, is nearing a tipping point due to glacier melt, erratic monsoons, and severe water mismanagement. A World Bank report titled Pakistan: Getting More from Water (2023) warns that per capita water availability has fallen by over 80% since 1950, placing the country among the world’s most water-stressed nations.

“Pakistan’s water crisis is as much a governance issue as a climate one,” said Najy Benhassine, World Bank Country Director for Pakistan.

The UNDP Climate Promise (2024) reports that sea-level rise and declining river flows have accelerated salinity intrusion in Sindh’s Indus Delta, affecting agriculture and fisheries. Coastal districts like Thatta and Badin have seen over 1.2 million acres of farmland rendered unusable due to saltwater.

The Ministry of Climate Change warns that if upstream water regulation and mangrove restoration are not prioritized, the Indus Delta could face “irreversible ecological collapse within two decades.”

“We are witnessing both floods and droughts within the same year — the new climate normal,” said Sherry Rehman, former Federal Minister for Climate Change.

Pakistan’s National Water Policy (2018) is being revised to align with the Paris Agreement, focusing on climate-smart irrigation, groundwater regulation, and transboundary water cooperation with India and Afghanistan.

Poor Captaincy: South Africa defeat Pakistan by 8 wickets

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Poor Captaincy

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s fragile batting lineup faltered on the fourth day of the Rawalpindi Test, setting South Africa a modest target of just 68 runs — which the visitors comfortably chased down with eight wickets to spare.

Resuming their second innings with a deficit of 71 runs, Pakistan struggled from the outset as wickets fell rapidly in the morning session. Babar Azam top-scored with 50 before being dismissed, while Mohammad Rizwan managed 18 runs.

Salman Ali Agha contributed 28, and Sajid Khan added 13, but the rest of the batting order failed to offer resistance. Nauman Ali and Shaheen Afridi were dismissed without scoring, while Asif Afridi remained unbeaten on zero.

For South Africa, Simon Harmer delivered a stellar performance, taking six wickets, while Keshav Maharaj claimed two and Kagiso Rabada picked up one.

Chasing 68 for victory, South Africa reached the target at the loss of just two wickets. Aiden Markram scored a solid 42, Tristan Stubbs was dismissed for a duck, and Ryan Rickelton remained unbeaten on 25.

Earlier, Pakistan had posted 333 runs in their first innings, while South Africa responded with 404, gaining a crucial first-innings lead that ultimately proved decisive.

Pakistan captain Shan Masood came under scrutiny following Pakistan’s defeat in the second Test against South Africa, as tactical errors and questionable decisions contributed to the team’s disappointing performance.

Cricket analysts and former players criticized Masood’s field placements, bowling changes, and lack of proactive strategy during crucial moments of the match. Despite having a balanced bowling attack, Pakistan failed to maintain pressure on the South African batters, allowing them to take control of the game.

Masood’s captaincy was also questioned for his inability to inspire the batting lineup, which collapsed twice under pressure. His decision to persist with defensive tactics, even when South Africa appeared vulnerable, drew particular criticism from experts.

The defeat has raised serious concerns about Pakistan’s leadership direction in the longer format, especially as the team continues to struggle with consistency and temperament in home conditions.

IT Secretary confirms internet services not fully restored in Pakistan

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IT Secretary

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s undersea internet cable fault has not yet been fully repaired, the Secretary of Information Technology informed a parliamentary committee, adding that restoration work by the international consortium is still in progress.

Briefing the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunications, the IT Secretary said that efforts by the international consortium responsible for maintenance are continuing. In the meantime, Pakistan’s internet traffic has been shifted to alternate routes to minimize disruption.

Later in the session, the committee expressed concern over poor mobile network coverage across the country and decided to summon Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) officials in the next meeting for an explanation.

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunications was given a detailed briefing on the Islamabad IT Park project, where officials revealed that 80 percent of the construction work has been completed.

During the meeting, Project Director informed the committee that the project is being executed in collaboration with a South Korean company. However, Federal Minister for IT Shaza Fatima Khawaja stated that the Prime Minister has ordered an inquiry into delays in the project’s completion.

Highlighting broader challenges in the telecom sector, the minister said that network issues persist due to spectrum shortage and legal disputes.

She added that Pakistan currently operates on 274 MHz of spectrum, which is insufficient to meet national demand. The government, she noted, is planning to hold a spectrum auction by December or January to enhance connectivity and service quality.