Comment by Riaz Haq on October 20, 2024 at 5:05pm

Why Pakistan is your next Technology Hub?

https://zigron.com/2024/05/24/why-pakistan-is-your-next-technology-...

Pakistan – The Next Technology Hub
The world will need 80M software engineers by 2030 to keep up with the technological pace. There will be a shortage of estimated 30M technologists, and with the Russia/Ukraine war, this gap will only grow. With India up to its neck and talent gobbled up by more prominent companies; Pakistan is the only logical destination for technology resource hiring. Pakistan has universities, advanced infrastructure, government policies, and existing 300,000 talent growing rapidly by multitudes. With all these in place, Pakistan is today’s destination for finding tech talent. With Zigron’s past and current experience of serving startups to multi-billion dollar organizations; Zigron is here to bridge this gap for the companies facing a shortage of skilled tech workers today and in the future.



Why is Pakistan being termed Asia’s next Tech Hub?
Pakistan is the 3rd largest IT-enabled services exporter, with more than 40 percent software development. Pakistan is continuously creating high-tech industries and expanding its cyber security, system integration, data center, and IT outsourcing, i.e., AI, ML, IoT, Blockchain, Big Data Analytics, and Cloud Engineering. The biggest reason of all is that Pakistan is home to more than 144 universities; with some top-ranked world universities like NUST, GIKI, FAST, LUMS, UET, NED, etc., offering IT and Engineering degree programs that have so far produced over 300,000 IT professionals with expertise in AI/ML, Data Scientists, Full Stack, DB, DevOps, Designers, UI/UX, Embedded, Firmware Engineers, etc. In addition, they have been producing hardcore engineers like Electrical, CAD, Structural, Solar, Wind, Civil, Geotechnical, etc.

Pakistani universities are on the mission to make world-class talent and continue to do so with skills unmatched and dexterity unprecedented. Sky being the limit, skilled Pakistani talent is all you need to grow into a giant organization with technology expertise like AI, ML, IoT, Blockchain, Big Data Analytics, Cloud, etc. With all the efforts to further support and advance these industries; Govt is expecting 50 billion USD annual exports from the technology sector by 2030. With a lot to offer in the tech industry; Pakistani engineers are fully equipped to play their vital role in helping companies grow and succeed. Zigron also takes huge pride in being a pioneer in offering top-of-scale IT services and Engineering talent globally over the past 15 years and continues to enrich the IT world with its state-of-the-art solutions and services.



Pakistan’s IT exports are at an all-time high, with over a 30 percent growth in the last eight months.

Pakistan has made significant successes in IT exports and crossed a mark of 2 billion USD last year. Although numbers are good; there is still a significantly undiscovered IT talent that is yet to be unleashed and utilized to the full extent. Seeing the tech-minded youth, Prime Minister Imran Khan launched a ‘Digital Pakistan’ initiative; focusing on connectivity, digital infrastructure, digital skills, innovation, and entrepreneurship to further upskill the unexplored talent. The government of Pakistan has taken the forefront to uplift tech minds and help them grow by establishing a Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA) to develop a high-tech economy for rapid growth.

Comment by Riaz Haq on January 30, 2025 at 8:40pm

Ronin established the first smart wearables and tech accessories industry! - DAWN.COM

https://www.dawn.com/news/1888226

Ronin's new tech manufacturing facility enhances self-reliance, reduces imports, and boosts economic growth through quality smart wearables and accessories.

Pakistan has reached a remarkable milestone by developing a domestic industry for manufacturing and assembling earbuds, smartwatches, and other tech accessories. This remarkable achievement is made possible by Ronin, a homegrown brand offering quality smart wearables and tech accessories such as earbuds, smartwatches, headphones, neckbands, power banks, and other charging devices to consumers in Pakistan. It marks a significant step in the country’s progress toward industrial growth and self-reliance.

The demand for smart wearables and accessories has been growing rapidly in Pakistan because of the high consumption of mobile phones. Before this industry was established, Pakistan relied entirely on imports as different brands imported these products from overseas to meet the demand. This increased the trade deficit and filled the market with low-quality products, causing consumers to lose trust in these categories. However, Ronin’s achievement has changed everything.

Ronin, a prominent tech brand, has played a key role in making this vision a reality. By analysing the challenges in the market and recognising the immense potential, Ronin took the bold step of setting up a state-of-the-art industry dedicated to manufacturing and assembling smart wearables and accessories within Pakistan. This facility is now producing top-quality earbuds, smartwatches, headphones, neckbands, and other tech products domestically.

Comment by Riaz Haq on February 11, 2025 at 5:33pm

Local mobile phone manufacturing rises 28pc MoM in December

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1280447-local-mobile-phone-manufac...

On a quarterly basis, local production climbed to 8.79 million units in the fourth quarter of 2024, marking a 67 per cent rise compared to 5.25 million units in the third quarter. This surge pushed the total annual output for 2024 to 31.38 million units, reflecting a 47 per cent year-on-year (YoY) increase, primarily driven by import restrictions imposed last year.

Despite this remarkable recovery, the YoY growth compared to 2022 remained at 43 percent, bolstered by factors such as economic stabilisation, a growing preference for locally assembled mobile phones amid higher taxes on imports, and a steadily increasing population, said Sunny Kumar, an analyst at Topline Research.

Out of the 31.38 million locally assembled mobile phones produced in 2024, smartphones accounted for 59 per cent (18.64 million units), while the remaining 41 per cent (12.74 million units) were 2G feature phones.

The top 10 brands contributing to local assembly included Infinix with 3.98 million units, followed by Itel (3.64 million units), VGO Tel (3.37 million units), Tecno (2.85 million units), Vivo (2.77 million units), Xiaomi (2.35 million units), Realme (1.76 million units), Samsung (1.51 million units), G’Five (1.44 million units) and Nokia (1.36 million units).

The data further revealed that local manufacturing fulfilled 95 per cent of the country’s mobile phone demand in 2024, compared to an average of 67 per cent over the past five years (2019-2023) and 47 per cent over the past eight years (2016-2023).

According to Topline Research, Tecno and Xiaomi smartphones ranked among the top 10 brands in 2024. Tecno’s production surged 97 per cent YoY to 2.85 million units, while Xiaomi’s production saw a 79 per cent YoY increase, reaching 2.35 million units.

Comment by Riaz Haq on February 15, 2025 at 8:17am

As US-China trade war escalates, could Pakistan be Beijing's EV loophole? - CSMonitor.com


https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-South-Central/2025/0214/China-...


Amid the ornately painted trucks bellowing smoke and the green and yellow tuk-tuks, the Chinese-made Haval Hybrid Electric Vehicle has become a ubiquitous sight on the streets of Islamabad.

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Some are looking to neighboring Pakistan, a country of 240 million which has so far welcomed Chinese automakers, to buoy sales – and possibly bypass (US) tariffs. In recent months, several Chinese automakers have either doubled down on their Pakistan projects or made their first foray into the market.

As EVs become an increasingly important geopolitical battleground, former Pakistan finance minister Miftah Ismail says that, at least in the short-term, Pakistan could serve as a sort of pressure release valve for Beijing. But he predicts the West will eventually catch up.

“The West will say that EV components have to be made in certain countries, or that 70% of the value addition has to be done in the country that exports,” he says. “It's a cat and mouse game. The West will find other ways of placing restrictions on the Chinese.

An alliance on the rocks
In October, Chinese battery giant Build Your Dreams (BYD) formally entered the Pakistani market with two electric vehicles, partnering with the country’s largest private electricity producer to facilitate the expansion. The move came after the U.S. and Canada both decided to impose a 100% tariff on Chinese electric vehicle imports, and the European Commission voted to raise its own tariffs by 35%.

Its expansion represents a boost to the business relationship between China and Pakistan at a time when both seem to be running out of friends – and when their own alliance has grown fraught.

Though China has long considered Pakistan a key part of its ambitious Belt and Road Initiative, a series of recent attacks on Chinese nationals working in Pakistan has injected the relationship with tension. After an explosion at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport in October claimed the lives of two Chinese citizens, Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong called the attacks “unacceptable.”

Still, there is a sense that neither side can afford to downgrade their relationship.

Pakistan has fraught relations with all three of its other neighbors, while China has been accused of an increasingly hostile approach towards foreign businesses, driving down foreign direct investment.

“It’s an important and close partnership, albeit one that has stumbled in recent months,” says Michael Kugelman, who directs the Wilson Center’s South Asia Institute. “In that regard, this EV plan could be not just an economic win, but also a confidence building measure.”

Economic win for who?
For China, Pakistan could be the key to tapping into the U.S. market, says Usman Qadir, senior research economist at the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics.

“If they are able to assemble their vehicles in Pakistan or a third country, then they can bypass tariffs and get into the market with their lower prices,” he says.

Pakistanis could benefit, too.

BYD and its local partner announced plans to build an assembly plant in Karachi by early 2026. They estimate that as many as half of the vehicles sold in Pakistan by 2030 will be electrified – by which time BYD hopes that its vehicles will make up a quarter of all sales.


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So far, the Chinese EVs launched in Pakistan have largely targeted the luxury market.

But whatever their long-term motive, it is clear that Chinese EV makers are having an impact; Japanese automakers, which have historically dominated the Pakistani market, have begun slashing their prices out of concern that they might lose ground.

Comment by Riaz Haq on July 26, 2025 at 9:57am

Pakistan is the New Frontier for Chinese EV Expansion - The China-Global South Project

https://chinaglobalsouth.com/analysis/pakistan-is-the-new-frontier-...


Policy Backing and Strategic Intent
As part of its climate commitments under the Paris Agreement, Pakistan is pushing to expand electric vehicle adoption. The country’s New Energy Vehicle (NEV) policy for 2025–2030 targets 30% of all vehicles to be electric by 2030, rising to 90% by 2040. To support this transition, the government is offering incentives such as tax breaks, reduced import duties, and green financing.

Also, there is potential to turn Pakistan into a manufacturing base, eventually exporting to other populous countries like Sri Lanka or Bangladesh. Islamabad aims to export EVs to emerging markets in Central Asia and the Middle East, though balancing foreign investment with support for local players remains a challenge.

Pakistan also has the potential to become a regional automotive manufacturing hub, with an eye toward exporting vehicles to other densely populated markets in South Asia, namely Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The government is also targeting emerging markets in Central Asia and the Middle East. However, the government must be careful, though, not to lure too much foreign investment into the auto sector, so that it places undue hardships on legacy companies in the market.

Hurdles and Hope
High upfront costs remain one of the biggest barriers to EV adoption in Pakistan. While Chinese EVs are often more affordable than other options, they are still out of reach for most ordinary consumers. Expanding access will require targeted financing and subsidy programs.

Meanwhile, despite having surplus generation capacity, Pakistan’s power grid continues to face periodic shortfalls. Expanding fast-charging infrastructure is essential. To that end, BYD Pakistan is working with oil marketing companies to install 20–30 fast chargersacross major cities.

But cost and electricity aside, the biggest obstacle is that consumers still don’t know very much about electric vehicles and scooters. And combined with the fact that after-sales service for EVs is still at a nascent stage, it may prove very difficult for the government to surpass its goal of 30% market share for EVs by 2030.

Naeem Haroon, CEO of a company in Pakistan’s main commercial hub Karachi, isn’t discouraged by the challenges of being an early EV adopter. Haroon recently bought a new BYD, attracted to the brand’s stylish designs and lower maintenance costs that come with owning an electric car.

“Pakistan’s EV charging infrastructure is still in its early stages. Many potential buyers are deterred by limited charging infrastructure, high upfront costs, and misconceptions about EV performance, battery life, and maintenance costs,” Haroon said.

He said those concerns, while legitimate, are more than offset by the savings he gets from lower fuel costs and much less maintenance on a car without an internal combustion engine. And the fact that these are Chinese-made cars is even better. “The growing partnership between Pakistan and China in the automotive sector will drive innovation,” Haroon explained.

Comment by Riaz Haq on July 26, 2025 at 9:58am

After India’s rejection, China’s BYD invests $1 billion to build a large car factory in Pakistan!

https://youtu.be/gBNKshxeJYM?si=ck-BzkMWHbm8sk7L

BYD, China’s electric vehicle giant, faced a surprising hurdle when India rejected its $1 billion proposal for an EV super factory in Hyderabad, despite years of investment and local expansion. This unexpected move has left global analysts questioning India’s unpredictable approach to foreign investment, especially from neighboring nations. As regulatory challenges and political tensions mounted following a 2020 border clash, BYD ultimately shifted its focus to Karachi, Pakistan—a strategic location with easier access to ports, political stability, and strong China-Pakistan ties. Discover how BYD’s shift highlights differences in investment climates between India and Pakistan and what this means for the future of the EV industry in South Asia. Like and share if you found this analysis insightful!

Comment by Riaz Haq on July 28, 2025 at 9:08pm

Pakistan's Mobile Manufacturing Soars in 2025.

Local plants assembled 14.24 million mobile phones in the first half of 2025, a massive leap compared to just 0.86 million imported units. In June alone, 2.19 million handsets were made locally, while only 0.1 million were imported.

https://www.techjuice.pk/pakistan-mobile-manufacturing-assembles-14...

The local manufacturing/assembling plants manufactured/ assembled 14.24 million mobile handsets during the first six months (January-June) of the calendar year 2025, compared to 0.86 million imported commercially. Official data revealed that 2.19 million mobile handsets were manufactured/assembled in June, compared to 0.1 million imported commercially.
Local manufacturing/assembling plants manufactured/assembled 31.38 million mobile phone handsets during the last calendar year, 2024, compared to 1.71 million imported commercially. The 14.24 million mobile handsets manufactured/assembled locally included 7.63 million 2G and 6.6 million smartphones.
Besides, as per the PTA data, 68 percent of mobile devices are smartphones, and 32 percent are 2G on the Pakistan network.
Pakistan imported mobile phones worth $1.494 billion in the fiscal year 2024-25, registering a negative growth of 21.31 percent compared to $1.898 billion during 2023-24.
In terms of Pakistani rupees, the total value of mobile phone imports stood at Rs 417.351 billion during fiscal year 2024-25. This represents a 22.09 percent decline when compared to Rs535.690 billion in the same period of 2023-24. On a month-on-month (MoM) basis, Pakistan’s mobile phone imports saw a 39.60 percent increase, totalling $139.425 million in June 2025, compared to $99.875 million in May 2025. This is a 49.95 percent decrease year-on-year (YoY) when compared to $278.574 million in June 2024.

Comment by Riaz Haq on July 28, 2025 at 9:11pm

Husain Haqqani
@husainhaqqani
A decade ago, IT exports accounted for barely 2–3 percent of Pakistan’s goods and services exports; today, they are close to 10 percent.

https://x.com/husainhaqqani/status/1949844564849607043

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https://www.brecorder.com/news/40374855
Pakistan’s IT and ICT exports touched a historic high in FY25, clocking in at $3.8 billion. That’s an 18 percent jump over last year, though shy of the government’s $4 billion target and slower than the 24 percent growth seen in FY24.

June alone brought in $338 million, up 14 percent year-on-year and 3 percent month-on-month, taking monthly exports above the 12-month average of $314 million. Net IT exports (after imports) also reached $306 million for the month, up 20 percent year-on-year.

The story remains anchored in computer services, which pulled in $3.24 billion, up from $2.65 billion last year, while telecom exports stalled at $554 million. Information services, though small, more than doubled to $21 million, hinting at a slow but growing diversification within the export basket.

Yet, even with the record-breaking performance, the missed target underscores persistent structural bottlenecks. Pakistan’s IT sector still grapples with talent shortages, rising wage pressures, and patchy connectivity, while global tech spending slowed as firms cut back on budgets.

Tax and payment reforms have also lagged, limiting exporters’ ability to fully ride global demand. The slower growth rate in FY25 compared to FY24 can also be attributed to a base effect since FY24 had already seen an unusually high jump of 24 percent year-on year.

Policy support has, however, cushioned the sector. The State Bank allowed exporters to retain 50 percent of their foreign earnings (up from 35 percent) and even invest abroad, encouraging them to repatriate a larger share of profits.

Pakistani IT firms have also been busy expanding their global footprint, tapping into the GCC market, and highlighting at international events like London Tech Week 2025 and the Pak-US Tech Investment Conference.

A decade ago, IT exports accounted for barely 2–3 percent of Pakistan’s goods and services exports; today, they are close to 10 percent.

The government’s ambition is to hit $10 billion by FY29 under the “Uraan Pakistan” plan, which implies an annual growth rate of 27 percent. Whether that materializes will depend on how fast Pakistan can fix infrastructure gaps, build a skilled talent pipeline, and simplify its regulatory framework.

Comment by Riaz Haq on Wednesday

Big win for Pakistan’s tech scene!

Viper Technology has kicked off local manufacturing of laptops and desktops, aiming to make tech more affordable and accessible.

Partnering with Chinese ODMs, they’re not just assembling devices but also creating jobs and reducing foreign exchange costs.

https://www.techjuice.pk/pakistans-first-it-hardware-manufacturer-e...

Viper Technology, which has long designed and assembled laptops, desktops and other computing solutions in Pakistan, has now begun manufacturing its hardware lineup locally.


The company’s hardware lineup includes a range of devices tailored for both everyday users and high-performance needs, making tech accessibility more affordable for local consumers. In an exclusive conversation with TechJuice, Khushnood Aftab Shaikh, CEO of Viper Technology Group, shared that the company has partnered with Chinese ODM suppliers to locally manufacture components and assemble final products in Pakistan. He stated,

“China has established itself as a global technology powerhouse. For Pakistan, this is not just a trend to observe; it’s an opportunity to act. By localizing production and pursuing tech partnerships, we can reduce foreign exchange spending and foster skilled employment.”

Despite these efforts, Viper continues to face business challenges. “Whoever is handling local setups in Pakistan often lacks the technical depth to manage such operations effectively,” Shaikh noted. He emphasized the need for long-term policy support and technical infrastructure to strengthen this emerging sector.

What Viper Offers
On the market, Viper’s products include options like the Viper P40 Notebook, available for around PKR 72,000, featuring a Core i3-10th Gen processor and SSD storage, suitable for students and professionals alike. At the higher end, devices such as the Viper Expeder X, with an Intel i7 CPU and RTX 3060 GPU, cater to power users and gamers.

Viper Technology Group claims to be Pakistan’s first locally based IT hardware manufacturer now, a milestone that not only underscores its own achievement but also signals a broader shift toward homegrown tech innovation, greater industrial self‑reliance, and accelerated digital transformation across the country. Even so, the industry still faces hurdles such as limited manufacturing infrastructure and complex regulations that will need to be addressed to sustain and grow local production.

Comment by Riaz Haq on Wednesday

Systems Limited acquires British American Tobacco SAA Services to expand global footprint - Profit by Pakistan Today

https://profit.pakistantoday.com.pk/2025/07/30/systems-limited-acqu...

Systems Limited’s associated firm Techvista Systems FZ LLC also enters into multiyear long-term deal for Business Process Outsourcing Services with Accenture (UK) Limited

Systems Limited has announced the acquisition of British American Tobacco SAA Services (Private) Limited from British American Tobacco International Holdings (UK) Limited.

The company disclosed this development through a notice to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Wednesday in accordance with Sections 96 and 131 of the Securities Act, 2015 and the relevant provisions of the PSX.

Systems Limited’s board approved the acquisition at a meeting on July 29, 2025.

“We hereby wish to inform you that Systems Limited in its Board meeting dated 29th July 2025 considered and approved the acquisition of British American Tobacco SAA Services (Private) Limited (“Target Company”) from British American Tobacco International Holdings (UK) Limited (“Seller”),” read the company’s notice.

Systems Limited stated that the primary business of the acquired company involves providing services in areas such as Information Technology (IT) and IT-driven shared and digital business services.

These services include, but are not limited to, consumer and customer support through omni-channel contact centers, marketing operations, HR operations, finance operations, procurement, and supply chain services. These offerings cater to multiple regions and align with Systems Limited’s business process outsourcing (BPO) service line.

The company also approved and entered into Share Purchase Agreement and the aggregate purchase price on the same date.

It said that the completion of the acquisition transaction will remain subject to satisfaction of conditions precedent and applicable regulatory approvals.

Additionally, Systems Limited’s affiliate, Techvista Systems FZ LLC, which is incorporated under UAE law, has entered into a long-term Master Services Agreement with Accenture (UK) Limited on July 29, 2025.

This multiyear agreement is for Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) services, where Techvista will act as a subcontractor to provide AI-powered global shared services through the newly acquired company.

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