On the occasion of World Population Day, JazzWorld, Pakistan’s leading digital services company, signed a two-year Letter of Intent (LoI) with Population Council Pakistan to work together on improving the lives of women and young people across the country. The partnership aims to use digital technology, research, and innovation to provide trusted information, improve health awareness, and create more opportunities for millions of Pakistanis.

The agreement reflects the shared goal of both organizations to help women and youth gain access to reliable information, useful digital tools, and new opportunities that can improve their education, health, and future careers. They believe that empowering young people and women is essential for Pakistan’s long-term social and economic development.

Pakistan has one of the world’s largest young populations, and this number continues to grow every year. Experts believe that if young people receive proper education, healthcare, digital skills, and employment opportunities, they can play a major role in strengthening the country’s economy. This partnership is designed to help turn Pakistan’s growing youth population into one of its biggest strengths.

Under this collaboration, JazzWorld will use its large digital network and customer reach to deliver information and services to people across Pakistan. Population Council Pakistan will contribute its research experience and knowledge in public health, development, and policymaking. By combining their strengths, both organizations plan to launch projects that improve digital inclusion, support women and youth, increase access to trusted maternal and reproductive health information, and help policymakers make better decisions based on research and evidence.

The first phase of the partnership will include several important initiatives. These include nationwide digital awareness campaigns to educate people about important health and social issues, AI-powered innovation challenges to encourage new ideas and solutions, joint research projects, and digital programs focused on maternal health, reproductive health, and youth empowerment.

Speaking about the partnership, Aamir Ibrahim, CEO of JazzWorld, said that the company’s mission goes beyond simply providing communication services. He explained that technology should also be used to connect people with knowledge, opportunities, and services that improve their everyday lives.

He said that by combining Population Council Pakistan’s research expertise with JazzWorld’s digital platform, the two organizations can help millions of Pakistanis make better decisions about their health and future. He added that the partnership will create more opportunities for women and young people while supporting JazzWorld’s vision of creating “A Better Life for All” through technology and innovation.

Dr. Zeba Sathar, Country Advisor at Population Council Pakistan, also welcomed the collaboration. She said that research, innovation, and strong partnerships are important for solving the complex challenges faced by developing countries like Pakistan.

According to Dr. Sathar, this partnership will allow Population Council Pakistan to reach millions of people more effectively by using JazzWorld’s wide digital network. She explained that the main focus will be on women and young people, especially those living in underserved and remote communities where access to reliable information and healthcare services is often limited.

She added that the partnership aims to raise awareness about important health issues, provide trusted information that helps people make informed decisions, and connect them with practical digital solutions that improve their quality of life. She also believes that empowering women and youth will strengthen their contribution to Pakistan’s future development.

The collaboration highlights how technology can be used to solve social challenges on a large scale. By combining digital platforms with research and innovation, JazzWorld and Population Council Pakistan hope to improve public health, increase awareness, promote digital inclusion, and create more opportunities for women and young people throughout the country.

Through this two-year partnership, both organizations aim to support Pakistan’s future by helping millions of people access reliable information, better healthcare knowledge, digital opportunities, and the tools they need to build healthier and more successful lives.

Apple was the best-performing major computer company during the second quarter (Q2) of 2026, even though the global PC market experienced a noticeable decline. While most leading PC brands shipped fewer computers compared to last year, Apple managed to increase both its Mac shipments and its market share.

According to a new report from market research firm IDC, Apple shipped 6.7 million Mac computers during the second quarter of 2026. This is a 10.1 percent increase compared to the 6.1 million Macs the company shipped during the same period in 2025. Thanks to this strong performance, Apple’s share of the global PC market increased from 8.5 percent to 9.9 percent, making it one of the biggest winners of the quarter.

Although Apple recorded the strongest growth, Lenovo remained the world’s largest PC manufacturer. The company shipped 16.6 million computers during the quarter, slightly lower than the 17 million units it shipped a year earlier. Even with fewer shipments, Lenovo’s market share increased from 23.7 percent to 24.4 percent because the overall PC market declined at a faster rate than Lenovo’s sales.

HP continued to hold the second position in the global PC market. The company shipped 13 million computers, down from 14.3 million units in the second quarter of 2025. As a result, HP’s market share also dropped from 19.9 percent to 19.1 percent.

Dell ranked third after shipping 9.3 million computers, compared with 9.8 million units during the same period last year. Like most other PC makers, Dell also experienced lower demand and reduced shipments.

Apple secured the fourth position among the world’s largest PC manufacturers, while Asus finished fifth. Asus shipped around 5 million computers during the quarter. The company recorded only a small growth of 0.2 percent, but its market share still increased slightly from 7 percent to 7.4 percent.

Overall, the global PC market had a difficult quarter. According to IDC, worldwide computer shipments fell by 4.9 percent year over year, decreasing from 71.7 million units in the second quarter of 2025 to 68.2 million units during the same period in 2026.

IDC said the biggest reason behind this decline is the ongoing global memory shortage. The shortage has increased the prices of important computer components such as RAM, SSD storage, and other hardware parts. As manufacturing costs have gone up, PC companies have been forced to increase the prices of their computers. Higher prices have made many customers delay or cancel their purchases, leading to weaker demand across the market.

Apple’s strong performance was largely driven by the popularity of the MacBook Neo, which attracted many buyers and helped the company grow while most competitors experienced declining sales. The strong demand for this new MacBook allowed Apple to gain a larger share of the global PC market.

Another reason Apple performed well is that it delayed its Mac price increases until the end of June, which was almost the end of the reporting period. This meant that most of the quarter’s sales were not affected by higher prices. Analysts believe the real impact of Apple’s price increases will become clearer when third-quarter sales figures are released.

Looking ahead, IDC expects the PC market to remain under pressure during the second half of 2026. The research firm believes the memory shortage will continue, keeping production costs high for computer manufacturers.

IDC also warned that many PC companies are preparing to raise prices further, and these higher prices could continue into 2027. According to the research firm, the supply of memory chips is not expected to improve significantly before the end of next year. Until then, both manufacturers and consumers may continue to face higher prices and slower demand in the global computer market.

Despite these challenges, Apple has shown strong momentum by increasing Mac sales and expanding its market share, making it the strongest-performing major PC brand during the second quarter of 2026.

Chairman of the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA), Bilal Bin Saqib, met with renowned Islamic scholar Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani on Saturday to discuss cryptocurrencies, blockchain technology, and other digital assets. The meeting took place after Mufti Taqi Usmani’s recent religious ruling, which declared cryptocurrency trading to be impermissible (haram) under Islamic law. His fatwa started a nationwide discussion about the future of digital assets and cryptocurrency in Pakistan.

The meeting was seen as an important step because the government is working on a regulatory framework for digital assets, while many people are also looking for guidance on whether these technologies are acceptable under Islamic principles.

After the meeting, Bilal Bin Saqib shared details on his official X (formerly Twitter) account. He said that both he and Mufti Taqi Usmani agreed that protecting the public should be the top priority. They discussed the need to safeguard Pakistanis from fraud, financial scams, exploitation, and other risks that can exist in the digital asset market.

Bilal explained that many people think all digital assets are the same, but this is not true. He said blockchain technology, cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, tokenized real-world assets, and other digital financial tools are different from each other and should not be treated as one single category.

According to him, blockchain is a technology that can be used in many industries, including banking, supply chains, healthcare, education, and government services. Similarly, stablecoins are digital currencies that are designed to maintain a stable value, while tokenized real-world assets represent physical assets such as property, gold, or other investments in digital form. Because these technologies have different purposes and uses, each one should be studied separately.

Bilal Bin Saqib said that before making any final decisions about these technologies, experts should carry out detailed technical reviews along with thorough Shariah examinations. He believes that understanding how each technology works is just as important as examining whether it complies with Islamic teachings.

He also said that the digital asset industry is changing very quickly around the world. New technologies and financial products are being introduced every year, making it important for Pakistan to continue studying these developments instead of making broad assumptions.

Bilal emphasized that the country should encourage regular discussions between Islamic scholars, government regulators, technology experts, financial professionals, and industry leaders. Such cooperation, he said, can help Pakistan develop balanced policies that protect the public while also supporting innovation and technological progress.

He added that future decisions about digital assets should be based on both Islamic principles and a clear understanding of how modern technologies work. This approach would help policymakers make informed decisions that are suitable for Pakistan’s financial system and religious values.

Despite the positive discussions, there was no indication that Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani had changed his earlier religious opinion. His previous fatwa, which declared cryptocurrency trading impermissible under Islamic law, remains unchanged.

The statement released after the meeting also did not mention any new fatwa or updated religious ruling regarding cryptocurrencies or other digital assets. Instead, the meeting appeared to focus on exchanging views and improving understanding between religious scholars and government officials.

The discussion comes at a time when Pakistan is exploring ways to regulate digital assets and blockchain technology while ensuring that financial innovation remains safe, transparent, and in line with national laws and Islamic values.

The meeting highlights the importance of ongoing dialogue between religious scholars, regulators, and technology experts as Pakistan considers the future of cryptocurrencies and other digital financial technologies. While no immediate policy or religious changes were announced, the discussions may help shape future regulations and encourage a more informed approach to the country’s growing digital asset sector.

OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, has launched a new Bio Bounty Program that gives qualified researchers from Pakistan and many other countries a chance to earn rewards of up to $50,000. The program is designed to improve the safety of OpenAI’s most advanced AI models by finding weaknesses before they can be misused.

One important point for Pakistani researchers is that Pakistan is officially included in the list of eligible countries on the program’s application page. This means people living in Pakistan can apply to take part in the program. However, the program is not open to everyone. OpenAI will carefully review each application and invite only selected researchers to participate.

The Bio Bounty Program is an upgraded version of OpenAI’s earlier GPT-5.5 Bio Bug Bounty. Instead of running for a limited time, it has now become an ongoing private program that will continue to support AI safety research in the future.

The main goal of the program is to make OpenAI’s AI models safer by testing whether they can resist prompts that try to bypass their biological safety rules. OpenAI wants to ensure that its latest AI systems cannot be easily used to provide dangerous biological information or assist in harmful activities.

Researchers who are accepted into the program will be asked to find what OpenAI calls a universal jailbreak. A jailbreak is a prompt or technique that tricks an AI model into ignoring its safety protections. However, OpenAI is not looking for simple one-time tricks that work on only one question.

Instead, participants must discover a single prompt or method that can consistently bypass the model’s biological safety protections across the entire testing system. This is much more difficult than finding separate prompts for different questions. A successful universal jailbreak would help OpenAI understand where its safety systems are weak so that engineers can improve future AI models.

To encourage high-quality research, OpenAI has increased the maximum reward available through the program. Previously, the top reward was $25,000, but it has now been doubled to $50,000.

The full $50,000 reward will be given only if a participant successfully discovers a universal jailbreak that works against GPT-5.5 or GPT-5.6 under the program’s testing rules. OpenAI may also offer smaller rewards for partial findings or research that helps improve model safety, even if it does not fully meet the highest standard.

The company has also announced that the original GPT-5.5 Bio Bounty testing period will end on July 27, 2026. After that date, GPT-5.5 will no longer be included in the program. The focus will then shift entirely to GPT-5.6 and future advanced AI models unless OpenAI announces further updates.

Researchers from Pakistan who want to apply only need to complete a simple online application. The form asks for basic information such as the applicant’s name, country of residence, organization or employer, and details about their experience in areas related to AI safety, cybersecurity, biology, or technical research.

Applicants must also have an active ChatGPT account before they can apply. Once an application is submitted, OpenAI reviews it and decides whether the applicant has the right skills and experience for the program.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, which means there is no single deadline. OpenAI continues reviewing new applications as they arrive and sends invitations to selected researchers throughout the year.

Researchers who are accepted into the Bio Bounty Program will receive access to OpenAI’s private testing platform. Before they begin testing, they must sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). This legal agreement requires participants to keep program details and testing information confidential.

OpenAI has also confirmed that people who already applied to the earlier GPT-5.5 Bio Bug Bounty Program do not need to submit another application. Their previous application will still be considered under the new program.

It is important to understand that this is not a public competition or a prize available to every ChatGPT user. Simply filling out the application form does not guarantee acceptance, and only researchers chosen by OpenAI will be allowed to participate.

The Bio Bounty Program is mainly intended for people who have experience in AI red teaming, cybersecurity, biological safety, machine learning security, or other technical research fields. These experts have the knowledge needed to safely test advanced AI systems and help identify possible weaknesses.

Besides the Bio Bounty Program, OpenAI also runs other reward programs for researchers. These include the Safety Bug Bounty Program, which focuses on AI safety issues, and the Security Bug Bounty Program, which is designed to find traditional cybersecurity vulnerabilities in OpenAI’s systems and services.

For Pakistani researchers, this new program is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of safer artificial intelligence while also earning a significant financial reward. Since Pakistan is officially listed as an eligible country, qualified researchers can apply for a chance to join the private program. Those selected by OpenAI and able to discover a successful universal jailbreak may receive rewards of up to $50,000 while helping make future AI models more secure and responsible.

Islamabad, July 10, 2026: Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) has achieved another significant milestone as PTCL Flash Fiber, the company’s flagship fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) service, surpassed 900,000 subscribers. The achievement reflects the growing trust that customers across Pakistan continue to place in PTCL’s high-speed broadband services and further strengthens the company’s position as the country’s largest internet service provider.

The milestone marks another important chapter in PTCL’s journey to deliver world-class digital connectivity across Pakistan in line with its long-term ambition of driving digital enablement and promoting the Government of Pakistan’s vision for a hyper-connected Digital Pakistan. With its expanding fiber network, PTCL Flash Fiber has become the preferred broadband choice for homes, businesses, gamers, content creators, students, and professionals who increasingly rely on fast, stable, and uninterrupted internet to power their daily lives.

PTCL Flash Fiber’s network performance has also been independently validated by Ookla, the globally respected authority on internet testing and network intelligence, with two prestigious distinctions: Best Fixed Network for Pakistan and Best ISP Gaming Experience. The recognition was based on Ookla’s comprehensive evaluation of network performance and customer experience metrics through its Speedtest Connectivity Report, which cemented PTCL’s leadership in delivering superior network performance, low latency, and an enhanced digital experience for customers across the country.

This latest achievement reflects the accelerating demand for reliable fiber broadband as Pakistan’s digital economy continues to evolve. From remote work and online education to digital entertainment, cloud applications, and competitive gaming, PTCL Flash Fiber continues to enable seamless connectivity that supports the country’s growing digital aspirations.

Commenting on the significant development, Mohammad Nadeem Khan, President & CEO, PTCL, said: “This milestone reflects the confidence that hundreds of thousands of customers have placed in PTCL Flash Fiber. As Pakistan’s digital needs continue to grow, we remain committed to expanding our fiber footprint, investing in next-generation network infrastructure, and delivering a consistently superior broadband experience that empowers individuals, businesses, and communities across the country.”
Today, PTCL Flash Fiber is available across 78 cities nationwide, extending reliable fiber connectivity to millions of Pakistanis. The continued growth in its subscriber base reflects PTCL’s sustained investments in next-generation network infrastructure, service reliability, and customer experience, enabling users to benefit from consistent, high-performance broadband connectivity.

Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept; it has become a practical tool that helps people work smarter, create faster, and stay organized every day. Keeping pace with this shift, TECNO has partnered with Google AI Plus to bring advanced AI experiences to eligible smartphone users in Pakistan. Along with powerful AI capabilities, users receive three months of Google AI Plus at no additional cost, including 2 TB of cloud storage, while saving up to PKR 2,000 per month for three months.

The experience is further elevated on the TECNO CAMON 50 Series, designed for users who demand both premium performance and intelligent innovation. Powered by capable processors, generous RAM, a vibrant AMOLED display with a smooth refresh rate, and a long-lasting battery with fast charging, the CAMON 50 Series is built to keep up with work, creativity and entertainment. Its advanced imaging system, highlighted by a high-resolution camera with AI-powered photography features, allows users to capture stunning photos and videos, while Google AI Plus enhances the experience with smarter editing, intelligent assistance and seamless cloud integration.

The partnership introduces a range of intelligent tools designed to make everyday tasks easier. Eligible users can access Gemini AI Plus for smarter assistance, edit photos using simple natural language prompts, instantly find memories with Ask Photos, and generate ideas, images, and other creative content using Google’s AI tools. Together, these features transform the smartphone into a more capable personal assistant that adapts to different lifestyles and everyday needs.

For students, AI can simplify study sessions by summarizing lecture notes, organizing research, or brainstorming ideas for presentations. Freelancers can quickly refine client proposals, draft marketing content, or generate creative concepts without switching between multiple apps. Small business owners can create engaging social media posts, develop promotional campaigns, and organize day-to-day tasks more efficiently, allowing them to spend more time growing their businesses.

Photography is where the combination of the CAMON 50 Series and Google AI Plus truly stands out. While the smartphone’s advanced camera system captures detailed, vibrant images, AI-powered editing enables users to transform them simply by describing the changes they want to make. Whether it’s removing unwanted objects, improving lighting, or enhancing landscapes, professional-looking edits can be completed in seconds without requiring specialist skills.

Managing digital memories has also become much easier. Most people now have thousands of photos stored on their smartphones, making it difficult to locate a specific image months or even years later. With Ask Photos, users can search naturally for moments like a family holiday, a graduation ceremony or a favorite meal without remembering the exact date or endlessly scrolling through their gallery.

The experience is further enhanced by 2TB of cloud storage, giving users enough space to securely store hundreds of thousands of photos, thousands of videos and countless important documents. Whether it’s coursework, business files, creative projects or family memories, everything remains safely backed up, synchronized across compatible devices and readily accessible whenever it’s needed.

Available on eligible TECNO smartphones launched from December 2025 onwards, the Google AI Plus offer reflects a broader vision of making premium AI experiences more accessible to consumers in Pakistan. Rather than reserving advanced AI for a select few, TECNO is helping more users experience technology that genuinely supports productivity, creativity and everyday convenience.

As smartphones continue to evolve, AI is becoming one of the most valuable features they offer, not because it replaces people, but because it helps them accomplish more with less effort. By combining the flagship capabilities of the CAMON 50 Series with Google AI Plus, TECNO is empowering students, professionals, entrepreneurs, and creators alike to unlock smarter ways of working, creating, and connecting every day.