Silicon Valley / Islamabad: In a landmark development for Pakistan’s tech ecosystem, data-resilience firm Veeam has acquired Securiti AI, a company founded by Pakistani entrepreneur Rehan Jalil, in a deal valued at approximately $1.7 billion. The acquisition marks one of the largest exits ever achieved by a Pakistani founder in the global technology landscape. Securiti AI, known for its Data Command Center, provides enterprises with tools to discover, protect, and govern data across cloud environments and SaaS applications. Its platform enables organizations to manage data privacy, compliance, and security particularly for AI-driven systems, where safeguarding sensitive information is becoming a…
Author: Imran Ali Khan
Islamabad/Riyadh: In a historic stride toward deepening bilateral ties, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud in Riyadh on October 27, where both leaders agreed to launch a comprehensive economic cooperation framework between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. The framework aims to enhance trade, investment, and strategic development while promoting private sector engagement and increasing bilateral economic exchanges. The high-level meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff General Syed Asim Munir, and senior cabinet officials from both nations. The agreement marks…
Islamabad: In a landmark step to advance digital transformation, the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT), in collaboration with Meta, has launched ALIF, an Urdu-language version of Meta AI. This innovative AI assistant allows users in Pakistan to interact with cutting-edge technology in their native language, making artificial intelligence more accessible and inclusive. The launch was unveiled at the “Future in Focus: AI and Innovation” event, which brought together government leaders, industry experts, and academic representatives to accelerate the adoption of AI and digital innovation nationwide. ALIF aims to empower Pakistanis by enabling them to discover information, express themselves,…
Manama: Palestinian Foreign Minister Dr. Varsen Aghabekian Shahin is set to participate in the 21st edition of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Regional Security Summit, known as the Manama Dialogue 2025, scheduled from October 31 to November 2 at The Ritz-Carlton in Bahrain. This premier event convenes national leaders, ministers, and policymakers from the Middle East, North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia to discuss pressing regional security issues and share policy responses. The Manama Dialogue serves as a central element of the Middle East’s security architecture, facilitating high-level discussions on strategic challenges and fostering international cooperation. Dr. Shahin’s…
RIYADH: The ninth edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference opens in the Saudi capital today under the patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, bringing together global leaders, investors, and policymakers to deliberate on pathways to sustainable prosperity. The three-day event, being held at the King Abdul Aziz International Conference Center, carries the theme “The Key to Prosperity” and will run until October 30, 2025. According to the organizers, the conference will serve as a high-level platform for addressing some of the most pressing global challenges and opportunities shaping the…
ISLAMABAD: Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has made a shocking revelation that Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR’s) whole IT system has collapsed and under the complete control of cybercriminals. The cybercriminals can do anything with the FBR IT system, FTO order concluded. The complaint was filed in terms of Section 10(1) of the Federal Tax Ombudsman Ordinance, 2000 (FTO Ordinance) initially against the illegal suspension of sales tax registration (STRN). Later on, additional grounds of complaint were filed against frequent hacking/unauthorized access to password, ID and filing of returns/revised returns, deletion of original invoices, insertion of fake sales tax invoices, etc…
ISLAMABAD: In a major milestone for Pakistan’s aviation industry, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has resumed direct flight operations to the United Kingdom after a five-year hiatus, with the first Islamabad–Manchester flight taking off on Saturday, carrying 284 passengers. The flight marks PIA’s long-awaited return to the UK route following the suspension of direct operations in July 2020, when regulatory restrictions halted flights to Europe and Britain. A simple yet dignified ceremony was held at Islamabad International Airport, attended by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, British High Commissioner Jane Marriott, and senior officials from the Ministry of Defence, Civil Aviation Authority (CAA),…
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Thailand’s Queen Mother Sirikit, extending condolences to the Thai royal family and the people of Thailand. The Thai Royal Household Bureau announced that Queen Mother Sirikit, revered for her grace, philanthropy, and role in the country’s postwar royal revival, passed away at the age of 93. According to the palace, the Queen Mother had been largely out of the public eye since suffering a stroke in 2012. She had been hospitalized since 2019 due to multiple illnesses and developed a bloodstream infection on October 17, before…
RIYADH: The General Entertainment Authority (GEA) Chairman Turki Alalshikh announced that Riyadh Season 2025 has welcomed one million visitors within just 13 days of its grand launch on October 10, marking a record-breaking milestone in the region’s entertainment history. Turki Alalshikh said the achievement reaffirms the sixth edition of the Riyadh Season as “the grandest entertainment destination in the region and the world. The mega event, part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative, continues to redefine global entertainment standards with its vibrant activities and world-class experiences. The season opened with a spectacular global parade organized in collaboration with U.S. Company…
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday emphasised that cooperation in trade and economic sectors was a “win-win proposition” for all nations, offering “rich dividends” through peace, prosperity, and regional development. He made these remarks while addressing the Regional Transport Ministers’ Conference in Islamabad, which brought together ministers and senior officials from Türkiye, Sri Lanka, Iran, Maldives, Turkmenistan, Saudi Arabia, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Russia, and Kazakhstan. Highlighting the importance of connectivity, PM Shehbaz said Pakistan’s strategic geographic location linked the Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf with the towering Karakoram and Himalayan ranges, passing through the ancient Indus Valley civilization. He…