Pakistan

Ali Akhai, Daraz Group Head of Customer Experience & Insights Group Head of Customer Experience & Insights at Daraz Group while conducting a training session on e-commerce scams, at Karachi Press Club, said scammers aren’t just technical hackers; they are behavioral hackers. They use psychological triggers to bypass your logical system of thinking and force a reaction from your impulsive system of brain. He articulated: Authority Bias: We are hardwired to obey titles. Scammers impersonate bank officials, FIA officers, or “Group Heads” to make you feel like you are answering to power. Social Proof: “Thousands in Karachi are already earning from this app.” We look to others for cues on how to behave. Fake reviews and screenshots of “earnings” create a false sense of safety. Scarcity (FOMO): “Only 2 slots left for this investment.” This triggers the Fear Of Missing Out, making a suspicious offer feel like a rare opportunity. The Halo Effect: If a website looks professional (clean logos, no typos) or a person sounds polite and charming, we subconsciously assume they are trustworthy. Sunk Cost Fallacy: In “Pig Butchering” scams (long-term investment fraud), once you’ve put in a little money, your brain would rather “invest more” to save the original amount than admit you were tricked.

International media reports have revealed that Starbucks’ attempts to modernize its supply chain through artificial intelligence are being thwarted by persistent technical glitches and an antiquated digital backbone. Read More: https://theboardroompk.com/daraz-pakistan-steps-in-to-support-sellers-affected-by-the-gul-plaza-tragedy/ Despite the rapid rollout of “automated counting” tools under CEO Brian Niccol, store managers and baristas report that the AI-powered apps frequently misidentify inventory, confusing different types of milk or failing to recognize products on shelves entirely. These digital errors are contributing to a frustrating cycle of “phantom” stockouts, where the system believes an item is available while the physical shelf remains empty. The Ghost of 1997: Outdated Hardware Issues A significant hurdle for the coffee giant is its continued reliance on the IBM AS/400 system—architecture the company first touted in 1997. While Starbucks has confirmed it is working to replace this “mission-critical” platform, current tech employees compare the upgrade process to “changing the engine of an airplane while it’s flying.” This nearly 30-year-old hardware struggles to process real-time inventory data at the speed required for a modern global chain, leading to a massive disconnect between corporate forecasting and the actual needs of local cafes. A Tightrope of Waste and Shortage The breakdown in accuracy has led to extreme swings in inventory management. In some regions, the lack of storage space in older Starbucks cafes means that even a minor forecasting error leads to significant waste. Baristas have reported throwing away “astronomical” amounts of unsold food—sometimes bags full of sandwiches—after misguided automated shipments flooded stores. This balance of avoiding empty shelves while minimizing perishable waste remains the most pressing challenge for the company’s new leadership as they prepare to update investors on their turnaround strategy.

Mehwish Salman Ali, CEO & Founder, Data Vault Pakistan and ZahanatAI said that the real promise of artificial intelligence in Pakistan’s public sector does not lie in complex algorithms or imported platforms. It lies in simplifying broken processes, empowering public servants to co‑design solutions, and building sovereign digital infrastructure that keeps national data within national borders. For decades, citizens have experienced government systems as slow, fragmented, and inaccessible. Manual procedures, disconnected databases, and bureaucratic complexity have created inefficiencies that no technology alone can fix. AI, if deployed on top of broken structures, will only digitize inefficiency — not eliminate it. True digital transformation begins with process simplification. Before automation, we must eliminate unnecessary steps, harmonize data formats, and standardize workflows across institutions. When systems are simplified, AI becomes a force multiplier — accelerating service delivery, improving accuracy, and enabling transparency. Without this foundation, AI becomes cosmetic modernization rather than structural reform. Pakistan’s public sector must also move away from vendor-driven digitalization. Too often, external suppliers design systems that do not reflect the realities of public administration or citizen needs. These systems lack ownership, face resistance from users, and fail at scale. Sustainable AI adoption requires a co-creation model, where government officers, IT professionals, and local AI developers design tools together from the outset. When public servants help shape digital systems, AI is introduced where it adds real value — in service delivery, compliance facilitation, data structuring, and citizen engagement. This approach builds institutional ownership, accelerates adoption, and ensures that technology serves governance, not the other way around. Local innovation is already demonstrating this potential. AI-based tools and chatbots developed within Pakistan are beginning to structure databases more efficiently and support citizen facilitation in public departments. These solutions are not just technologically relevant — they are culturally and administratively aligned with local realities. However, digital progress must be anchored in data sovereignty. Integration of public and business data must remain within national boundaries, hosted in local data centers. Data is a strategic national asset. Dependence on foreign infrastructure exposes the state to security, regulatory, and governance risks. A sovereign digital ecosystem is essential for long-term resilience, trust, and institutional stability. AI must also be designed for inclusion, not exclusion. Multilingual interfaces, local-language platforms, and accessible digital services are essential for a country where digital literacy varies widely. AI-powered citizen services must simplify access, not create new barriers. Technology that cannot be used by ordinary citizens only deepens inequality.

The general public will be able to subscribe to the initial public offering (IPO) of Pak Qatar General Takaful Limited (PQGTL) starting January 28th, following a strong response from institutional investors during the book-building phase. Read More: https://theboardroompk.com/pakistan-qatar-uae-saudi-arabia-turkiye-egypt-jordan-indonesia-join-trumps-board-of-peace/ A total of 7.5 million shares, representing 25 percent of the total IPO size, will be available to retail investors at a strike price of Rs14 per share. The subscription window for the general public will remain open for 24 hours on January 28 and 29. The IPO’s book-building phase, which concluded last week, was oversubscribed 21 times, signalling strong demand from institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals receiving a total participation of PKR 4.74 billion from interested investors. The strike price of Rs14 per share was set 40% above the floor price of Rs10, helping the company raise Rs 420 million in funds. With the general public subscription now open, market watchers anticipate active participation, following the robust institutional interest observed earlier.

January 27, 2026, LAHORE: Under the special directions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, a high-profile workshop titled “Google AI for Public Sector: Strategic Governance & Enterprise Impact” was held at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat. The session, conducted by Tech Valley Pakistan, brought together international experts to equip the Provincial Cabinet and the CM Office with advanced AI tools for enhanced public service delivery. During the technical sessions, the ministers observed how AI can be leveraged to analyze various policy and impact reports instantly. Participants engaged in live simulations where Google Gemini was used to convert complex governmental reports into concise cabinet summaries, localized social media content in Urdu, and executive press releases. The session was opened by CEO Tech Valley, Pakistan Umar Farooq who provided an overview of engagements of Google for Education in Punjab. He emphasised on streamlining strategy, governance and technology ensuring that technological automation remains under the ethical and strategic control of government leadership. He also shared a special thank you video for honorable Chief Minister Punjab by Paul Hutchings, General Manager, Greater Asia at Google for Education. Ms. Alex Galland, Regional Digital Transformation Advisor at Google, shared insights on utilizing the Gemini ecosystem for education governance especially addressing the Out of School Children crisis. She emphasized the use of multimodal AI, capable of analyzing text, images, and data, to foster equitable outcomes and drive data-driven decision-making across various provincial departments. Mr. Tim Paolini, Special Initiatives Lead, APAC & MENA, concluded the training by introducing the concept of “Digital Secretary” initiative. He detailed how this AI model can serve as a force multiplier for the CM Office, in both private and professional lives, automating administrative burdens to allow officials to focus on high-impact policy enforcement. The workshop was attended by Senior Provincial Minister Ms. Marriyum Aurangzeb, School Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat, and Information Minister Ms. Azma Zahid Bokhari. Senior Minister Mariyam Aurangzeb stated that this initiative is a cornerstone of the Chief Minister’s vision for “Speed and Delivery,” ensuring that Punjab leads the way as a digitally empowered and transparent province.

Gold prices in Pakistan experienced a notable decline on January 27, 2026, mirroring a downturn in the international market. The price per tola dropped by Rs1,500, settling at Rs530,562, while the 10-gram rate fell by Rs1,286 to Rs454,871, as reported by the All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA). Local Market Dynamics This reversal comes just a day after gold hit a record high of Rs532,062 per tola on Monday, following a sharp increase of Rs10,900. Traders attribute the drop to global cues, where investors adjusted positions amid fluctuating economic signals. In urban centers like Karachi and Lahore, jewelers noted reduced buying activity as consumers awaited further stability. Rural markets also felt the impact, with smaller transactions dominating the day. The APGJSA’s data highlights volatility in precious metals, influenced by currency movements and import costs. Analysts suggest this could ease pressure on households planning weddings or investments. However, long-term demand remains strong due to gold’s safe-haven status. Economic experts point to Pakistan’s rupee stability as a factor cushioning deeper falls.This price adjustment may influence upcoming fiscal planning. Stakeholders monitor for rebound potential in coming sessions. International Influences Globally, gold spot prices decreased by $15, closing at $5,082 per ounce, inclusive of a $20 premium. Factors like US Federal Reserve policies and geopolitical tensions contributed to the slide. Emerging markets, including Pakistan, often follow these trends closely. Silver, in contrast, bucked the trend with a Rs212 rise to Rs11,640 per tola. This divergence underscores differing investor sentiments toward the metals. International commodity exchanges reported similar patterns in Europe and Asia. Pakistan’s importers may benefit from lower costs temporarily. Economists advise caution, citing potential inflationary rebounds. The drop aligns with broader market corrections post-holiday surges. Overall, this development signals a cooling phase in gold trading. Consumers are encouraged to track daily updates for informed decisions. This event reflects the interconnected nature of global and local economies.