Pakistan

Karachi 08 June 2026: The Beijing Jingwa Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Center (Jingwa Center) and Pakistan’s Iftekhar Ahmed Food & Beverages Pvt. Ltd. have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop and introduce high-quality tomato varieties tailored for industrial processing in Pakistan. The agreement was signed during the Pakistan-China Information Technology, Telecom, Battery Energy Storage System, and Agriculture B2B Investment Conference held in Hangzhou as part of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s official visit to China. The MoU was signed by Waheed Ahmed, Director Marketing of Iftekhar Ahmed Food & Beverages Pvt. Ltd., and Zhao Guodong, Director Business Development of the Jingwa Center. Under the agreement, the Chinese research institution will provide new tomato varieties specifically selected for industrial use, featuring high Brix levels, strong solids content, and superior pulp yield, making them suitable for the production of high-quality tomato paste and puree. The collaboration will begin with a research and development phase in Sindh, where six to seven candidate tomato varieties will undergo comprehensive field and greenhouse trials. Chinese and Pakistani experts will jointly evaluate the varieties for adaptability to local climatic conditions, soil characteristics, cultivation practices, and disease pressures. In addition to supplying seed varieties, the Jingwa Center will transfer advanced agricultural technologies, modern cultivation techniques, and technical expertise aimed at improving tomato productivity and quality. The partnership also seeks to promote year-round tomato production through controlled environment agriculture, helping ensure stable yields and consistent quality. Following successful trials and adaptation, the most suitable varieties will be introduced for commercial cultivation and industrial processing in Pakistan, with continued technical support from the Chinese side. Commenting on the agreement, Waheed Ahmed, Director Marketing of Iftekhar Ahmed Food & Beverages Pvt. Ltd., said the collaboration with the Chinese research institution would play an important role in promoting research and development in Pakistan’s agriculture sector. He said the development and local cultivation of suitable industrial tomato varieties would help save foreign exchange currently spent on importing tomato paste, which amounts to approximately $1 million annually. In addition, the initiative is expected to boost Pakistan’s exports of value-added agricultural products. Waheed Ahmed further stated that the partnership could attract investments of up to $7 million in the local production of industrial tomato varieties. He added that the final selected seed variety would be registered in Pakistan and made available to farmers on a large scale, paving the way for wider adoption and significantly increasing tomato production in the country. Representatives of both organizations described the agreement as an important step toward strengthening agricultural cooperation between Pakistan and China and modernizing Pakistan’s tomato value chain. The partnership is expected to support Pakistan’s import substitution efforts, reduce dependence on imported tomato paste, enhance local processing capacity, and contribute to food security through the development of a sustainable and climate-resilient tomato production system in Sindh. Iftekhar Ahmed Food & Beverages Pvt. Ltd., operating under the 60-year legacy of Iftekhar Ahmed & Co. (IAC), is among Pakistan’s leading fruit and vegetable processing and export companies. The company exports products to more than 30 countries and operates Pakistan’s largest aseptic processing facility for fruit pulps, concentrates, and tomato paste, along with a 35,000-metric-ton cold storage network in Karachi and Sargodha.

Running from 5 June (8 PM onwards) to 10 June, the campaign brings customers up to 80% off across leading brands, everyday essentials, electronics, fashion, beauty, health and home categories Karachi, June 06, 2026: From wishlist upgrades to everyday top-ups, Daraz Pakistan is turning mid-year shopping into a five-day celebration of savings with the launch of its 6.6 Mid Year Shopping Fest. Running from 5 June at 8 PM to 10 June, the campaign brings customers big deals, exclusive vouchers, free delivery, digital payment discounts and exciting rewards across the products they need, love and have been waiting to buy. Whether customers are planning a phone upgrade, restocking groceries, refreshing their wardrobe, shopping for beauty and personal care, or looking for home and lifestyle essentials, the 6.6 sale brings everything together in one shopping festival. With up to 80% off across major categories, the campaign brings together value, choice and convenience in one place, helping customers across Pakistan shop smarter for both everyday essentials and bigger planned purchases. This year’s 6.6 sale brings a power-packed brand line-up, covering everything from electronics and appliances to fashion, beauty, grocery, health and household essentials, including Samsung, Haier, Dawlance, Dettol, Ensure, TCL, Pepsi, L’Oréal, Surf Excel, Junaid Jamshed, Ezviz Pakistan, Meclay, Lipton, Jenpharm, Saya and Zero Healthcare Pakistan. The sale will begin with a high-energy Brand Rush Hour on 5 June at 8 PM, giving customers a limited-time window to access some of the strongest opening deals of the campaign. Featured brands include Junaid Jamshed, FITTED, Jenpharm, Herbiotics, Sana Safinaz, TUX and Levi’s, with additional savings available through bank vouchers during the launch window. Customers can also look forward to a full calendar of savings throughout the campaign, including Prime Rush Hour vouchers, Daily Flash vouchers from 7 PM to 11 PM between 6 June and 8 June, and additional campaign-wide vouchers on high-value purchases. Category-specific vouchers will also be available across Fashion, Health & Beauty, Lifestyle and Large Appliances, making it easier for customers to save across both everyday essentials and bigger planned purchases. For customers paying digitally, 6.6 comes with even more value through offers from leading banks and payment partners, including Meezan Bank, MCB, Soneri Bank, Allied Bank, UnionPay, JS Bank, JazzCash, AlBaraka, HBL, Easypaisa, Askari Bank and SCB. Customers will be able to unlock additional discounts through digital payments across selected sale moments, categories and exclusive store offers, including the Apple Official Store on DarazMall. Beyond discounts, the 6.6 Mid Year Shopping Fest will also give customers more reasons to shop, play and win. Through Shop & Win, customers can get a chance to win 70 gifts worth over PKR 1 million, including exciting prizes such as a bike, refrigerator, sofa and more. Featured Shop & Win brands include HiClean, Dabur, Veet, Zero Healthcare, Tapal and A.H.Q Interior. Customers can also play Coins Treasure Chest daily for a chance to win additional rewards across home, lifestyle and fitness. Speaking about the campaign, a Daraz Pakistan spokesperson said “6.6 is one of the moments where we bring the full Daraz shopping experience together for customers, from trusted brands and everyday essentials to bigger purchases customers may have been planning for. This year, our focus is on helping customers get more value at every step, whether through strong brand deals, platform vouchers, free delivery, bank partner offers or rewards. We want 6.6 to feel exciting, useful and accessible for households across Pakistan.” Customers can access the 6.6 Mid Year Shopping Fest exclusively on the Daraz app and website from 5 June (8 PM onwards) to 10 June. About Daraz Group Daraz is the leading e-commerce platform in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. It empowers sellers and consumers with cutting-edge marketplace technology, targeting a rapidly growing region of 500 million people. By building an integrated infrastructure covering e-commerce, logistics, payment and financial services, the company aims to deliver an immersive, personalized shopping experience and uplift South Asian communities through the power of commerce.For more information, please visit www.daraz.com or follow Daraz on LinkedIn for regular corporate updates. Media Contactambar.ahmed@daraz.pk

Karachi: Sindh Minister for Local Government, Housing and Town Planning Syed Nasir Hussain Shah has said that development projects worth more than Rs 2 trillion are currently underway in Karachi, with many nearing completion while others are at the initial stages. He noted that the Frontier Works Organization (FWO) is assisting in the execution of several projects, while development work is in progress on nearly 140 roads across the city. Speaking at a meeting with industrialists at the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI), Shah said that Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah had allocated Rs9 billion in development funds for Karachi’s business community, including Rs2 billion specifically for the Korangi Industrial Area. The event was attended by KATI President Muhammad Ikram Rajput, Deputy Patron-in-Chief Zubair Chhaya, Standing Committee Chairman Masood Naqi, Senior Vice President Zahid Hameed, Vice President Muhammad Talha Ali, KITE Limited CEO Saleem uz Zaman, former chairmen and presidents including Junaid Naqi, Johar Qandhari, Danish Khan, Sheikh Umer Rehan and Ehteshamuddin, CPLC Chief Zubair Habib, Secretary Local Government Dr Waseem Shamshad Ali, KDA Director General Asif Jan Siddiqui, SBCA Additional Director Sindh Region Shakeel Ahmed, Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation COO Asadullah Khan, MD Sindh Solid Waste Management Board Tariq Nizamani, Kanwar Qutubuddin senior government officials and a large number of industrialists and KATI members. Nasir Hussain Shah said that water supply to KATI would be improved on a priority basis. He noted that Karachi receives water from a source located nearly 200 km away, making supply management a significant challenge. He added that the Sindh government is acting on KATI’s proposals regarding Pumping Station-II (PS-2) for the Korangi Industrial Area. He also stated that a Garbage Transfer Station (GTS) is being developed on the causeway in line with international standards and includes Pakistan’s first mechanised landfill facility. The Sindh government, he said, is working with international organisations to mitigate the effects of climate change through various initiatives. Discussing the Yellow Line Bus Rapid Transit project, Shah revealed that Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Sindh Transport Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon had proposed increasing the number of buses and improving urban infrastructure through the allocated project funds instead of constructing a dedicated corridor that could worsen traffic congestion. He acknowledged that the Sindh government has reservations regarding the current design of the Yellow Line project. The minister further announced that a committee comprising officials from the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) and the Karachi Development Authority (KDA) had been formed to resolve issues relating to Mehran Town. The committee, in consultation with KATI, will prepare recommendations for granting industrial status to the area. Highlighting Karachi’s economic importance, Shah described the city as the “economic lifeline” of Pakistan. He said that despite perceptions that provinces gained extensive authority after the 18th Constitutional Amendment and the NFC Award, Karachi and Sindh received only limited allocations under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) between 2013 and 2018, and only 3 to 4 percent promised projects only 1 to 2 percent were executed. He alleged that the federal government largely neglected Sindh, particularly Karachi, during this period. He added that while some projects were approved during the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government in 2022, Sindh was simultaneously hit by two major natural disasters that damaged nearly 70 percent of the province’s infrastructure, forcing the provincial government to redirect resources towards reconstruction and development. Shah also expressed confidence that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), which received increased public support in the last general elections, would achieve a sweeping victory in Sindh in the 2029 elections. Earlier, KATI President Muhammad Ikram Rajput praised the Sindh government, particularly the Local Government and Urban Development Department, for completing Shahrah-e-Bhutto and several other development projects in Korangi. He said these initiatives represent a major step forward in improving Karachi’s infrastructure, urban development and economic activity. Rajput said that major infrastructure projects such as Shahrah-e-Bhutto would help reduce traffic congestion, improve connectivity and create new opportunities for industrial areas, businesses and residents. He identified water scarcity as one of the most pressing challenges facing industries in Korangi. Due to insufficient water supply from the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation, industrial units are forced to rely on costly water tankers, significantly increasing production costs and undermining the competitiveness and sustainability of local industries. He urged the authorities to ensure a reliable and uninterrupted water supply to industrial areas on a priority basis in order to support investment, industrial growth and exports. Rajput also welcomed the Sindh government’s decision to allocate Rs2.1 billion for development projects in the Korangi Industrial Area, describing it as a positive initiative. However, he noted that the area’s infrastructure challenges are so extensive that additional funding will still be required. Deputy Patron-in-Chief Zubair Chhaya said that Rs 600 million from the provincial grant would be spent on resolving sewage and drainage issues in the Korangi Industrial Area. He called on the Sindh government to support the long-term maintenance of the infrastructure. Chhaya also raised concerns over the construction of a modern dumping site near the Korangi Causeway and Shahrah-e-Bhutto, warning that it could create environmental and operational problems for the area. He suggested identifying an alternative location and also called for improved planning of connectivity between the Malir Expressway and Karachi Airport. He further proposed constructing a flyover in Shah Faisal Colony instead of Azeempura. Standing Committee Chairman Masood Naqi urged the government to grant industrial status to Mehran Town, noting that legal obstacles had previously prevented progress but that the courts had now delivered a verdict, paving the way for action. He said granting industrial status to the area would also generate significant additional revenue for the Sindh government. Naqi reiterated KATI’s concerns regarding the Yellow Line project, arguing that the current design could severely affect infrastructure in the industrial zone and disrupt industrial operations. He called on the Sindh government to revise the project’s design in consultation with stakeholders.

Karachi, June 06, 2026 – aik by BankIslami has been awarded the Best Shariah Compliant Digital Financial Solution at the Pakistan Digital Awards 2026. The award recognizes aik’s role in delivering a seamless, fully Shariah-compliant digital banking experience to an ever-growing base of Islamic banking users across Pakistan. Read More: https://theboardroompk.com/sbp-go-cashless-campaign-records-pkr-34-billion-digital-transactions-during-eid-ul-azha-2026/ In 2025, aik was launched with a mission to bring Riba-free, Shariah-compliant banking within reach of every Pakistani. Equipped with technology-driven and digital-first features, aik makes Islamic banking easy and seamless for users across Pakistan. Ashfaque Ahmed, Chief Officer of aik, commented on the achievement: “This recognition reflects the trust our users have placed in us and the dedication of the team behind aik. We built this platform on the belief that digital finance does not have to come at the cost of one’s values. We remain committed to continuing our journey of innovation and expanding access to Riba-free banking.” The recognition reinforces the shared mission of aik and BankIslami to expand access to Shariah-compliant digital banking in Pakistan. As aik continues to grow and expand its footprint, this recognition celebrates the ground covered while keeping sight of the road ahead.

Islamabad: Ignite, National Technology Fund, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Muhammad Bilal Abbasi as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Mr. Abbasi brings extensive experience in technology, innovation, digital transformation, entrepreneurship development, and strategic leadership. His appointment reflects Ignite’s continued commitment to strengthening Pakistan’s innovation ecosystem, accelerating technology driven economic growth, and fostering entrepreneurship across the country. Read More: https://theboardroompk.com/sbp-go-cashless-campaign-records-pkr-34-billion-digital-transactions-during-eid-ul-azha-2026/ As CEO, Mr. Abbasi will lead Ignite’s efforts to promote innovation, support startups, enhance digital skills development, strengthen research and commercialization initiatives, and advance emerging technology programs in areas such as Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing, robotics, and digital entrepreneurship. Under his leadership, Ignite will continue to play a pivotal role in implementing the Ministry of IT & Telecom’s vision of building a vibrant knowledge economy, empowering Pakistani youth, and positioning Pakistan as a leading innovation and technology hub in the region.