Kerosene price reduced as government extends relief on petroleum products

  Security experts have claimed that technology allegedly provided by India to the Afghan Taliban for use against Pakistan has also failed to achieve its intended purpose. According to a report, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) are receiving what the report describes as full support from the Afghan Taliban regime, along with financial assistance from India. The report further claims that the groups are being supported through various means as part of activities directed against Pakistan. The report stated that the Afghan Taliban regime claimed to have carried out a drone attack against Pakistan in June 2026. However, according to the report, the drone was intercepted and destroyed in the air by Pakistan’s air defence system before it could reach its intended target. Security experts cited in the report said the drones allegedly used in the attack were supplied by India. They described the drones as relatively low-grade in terms of technology, with limited operational capabilities. According to the assessment, the systems lack the sophistication required to effectively penetrate Pakistan’s modern air defence network. The reported incident has once again drawn attention to the growing use of unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, in regional security and military operations. Drones have increasingly become an important tool for surveillance, reconnaissance and attacks because of their relatively low operating costs and ability to operate without putting pilots at direct risk. However, experts say the effectiveness of a drone depends heavily on its technological capabilities, including its range, navigation system, communication links, payload capacity, electronic protection and ability to avoid detection. Less sophisticated drones can be vulnerable to modern radar and counter-drone technologies, particularly when they are detected at an early stage. According to the report, Pakistan has developed and deployed defence mechanisms capable of detecting and neutralising such aerial threats. The country’s air defence network is equipped to identify incoming objects and take appropriate measures to prevent them from reaching sensitive targets. The report claims that the destruction of the drone demonstrates the limitations of the technology allegedly supplied by India and highlights the challenges faced by armed groups attempting to use relatively unsophisticated unmanned systems against a country with established air defence capabilities. Security experts further maintained that the incident demonstrates the importance of advanced detection and interception systems in countering the increasing drone threat. As unmanned systems become more widely available, countries across the region are investing in technologies designed to detect, track and neutralise hostile drones. The report also linked the alleged use of Indian-supplied drones to broader security concerns involving militant groups operating in and around the region. It claimed that the TTP and BLA have benefited from support from the Afghan Taliban and financial assistance from India. These claims, however, remain allegations and would require independent verification. The reported June 2026 incident is likely to remain a subject of discussion among security analysts as Pakistan continues to strengthen its air defence and counter-drone capabilities. The episode also highlights the technological competition surrounding unmanned aerial systems and the growing importance of electronic and aerial defence measures. According to the report, Pakistan’s ability to detect and neutralise the drone before it could cause damage demonstrates that its existing defence mechanisms can pose a significant challenge to low-capability unmanned aerial systems.

KARACHI: Pakistan’s information technology (IT) sector achieved a historic milestone in the fiscal year 2025-26, with IT and IT-enabled services (ITeS) exports reaching a record $4.6 billion, marking an impressive 21 percent increase from the previous year’s $3.81 billion. Although the sector narrowly missed the government’s $5 billion export target, the achievement reinforces Pakistan’s position as one of the country’s fastest-growing export industries and strengthens its long-term goal of reaching $10 billion in IT exports by FY2028-29. Industry experts believe the strong performance reflects the steady expansion of Pakistan’s digital economy, driven by a growing pool of skilled professionals, rising demand for remote services, improved internet infrastructure and favourable tax incentives. However, they also caution that the sector must overcome structural challenges and shift towards innovation-led growth to sustain momentum. Pakistan is home to more than 600,000 IT professionals and freelancers, alongside tens of thousands of registered software and IT-enabled services companies operating from major technology hubs in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. Secondary cities such as Faisalabad, Sialkot and Sukkur are also emerging as important contributors to the country’s digital workforce. Software development, business process outsourcing (BPO), enterprise technology services, call centres and freelancing remain the backbone of Pakistan’s IT exports. Meanwhile, demand for advanced services including artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, cloud computing, automation and digital consulting is expanding rapidly as global businesses seek specialised technology solutions. The United States continues to be Pakistan’s largest export destination for IT services, followed by the United Kingdom, the Gulf region, Europe, Canada and several Asian markets. Experts say significant opportunities remain untapped in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Africa and Central Asia, particularly in high-value technology sectors. Industry leaders stress that Pakistan must diversify both its export markets and service offerings. They argue that relying mainly on traditional software development and low-cost outsourcing will limit future growth, while greater investment in AI-powered solutions, enterprise software, cybersecurity and digital transformation services can significantly increase export earnings. Freelancers have also emerged as a major force in Pakistan’s digital economy, contributing an estimated $1.1 billion, or roughly a quarter of total IT exports, during FY2025-26. Online platforms have enabled thousands of professionals to access global clients, creating new employment opportunities and boosting foreign exchange inflows. Beyond export revenues, the sector continues to generate employment, with thousands of technical positions available across the country. The expansion of remote work has also increased opportunities for women and professionals living outside major urban centres. Experts believe the next phase of growth depends on moving beyond providing outsourced services to creating globally competitive technology products and intellectual property. They argue that Pakistan must position itself as a producer of innovation rather than simply a destination for low-cost software development. The country’s AI ambitions are also gaining momentum. Under the National AI Policy 2025, Pakistan plans to establish AI centres of excellence, launch dedicated funding programmes, expand public-sector AI adoption and train around one million people in AI-related skills by 2030. New AI hubs are also being developed to support startups and accelerate innovation. International partnerships are expected to play a key role in this transformation. Pakistan has strengthened technology cooperation with China through joint AI and IT initiatives and recently became a founding member of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO). At the same time, interest from the United States has grown, with American investors pledging more than $20 million for Pakistan’s technology sector during a recent investment conference. Connectivity has also improved through expanded submarine cable capacity, cross-border fibre links and stronger cloud infrastructure, making it easier for local companies to deliver digital services worldwide. Despite the progress, industry stakeholders warn that policy uncertainty, foreign exchange restrictions, internet disruptions, energy costs, weak intellectual property protection and limited access to global payment systems continue to hinder faster growth. They believe addressing these challenges while promoting innovation and AI-driven technologies will be essential if Pakistan hopes to transform its record-breaking IT industry into a global technology powerhouse.