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Saudi prince launches $100 million tech house in Pakistan for 'greater collaboration'

An undated file photo of Saudi Arabia's Prince Fahad bin Mansour bin Nasser bin Abdul Aziz. (Photo courtesy: social media)
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Updated 06 March 2023
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Saudi prince launches $100 million tech house in Pakistan for 'greater collaboration'

  • Prince Fahad bin Mansour Al-Saud says project will create over 1,000 jobs in Pakistan
  • Pakistani tech companies say Saudi initiative a "game-changer" for entire region
Updated 06 March 2023
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia’s Prince Fahad bin Mansour on Monday launched a $100 million Saudi Arabia-Pakistan Tech House, a new initiative aimed at creating opportunities through partnerships with information technology (IT) companies and enterprises in Pakistan. 

The joint venture is part of the Saudi government's Vision 2030 strategic framework, an effort to pivot Saudi Arabia away from oil dependency and establish it as a global investment powerhouse with a sophisticated digital infrastructure. The Kingdom is estimated to have mobilized around $500 billion to achieve the goals, including the development of new cities.  

Prince Fahad unveiled his plans to set up a tech house earlier this year during Pakistan's largest tech conference, Future Fest. He had said the purpose of the tech house would be to improve business relations between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. 

The tech house will be established under ILSA Interactive, a company co-founded by Prince Fahad and Pakistani entrepreneur Salman Nasir in 2009 that has offices in Riyadh and Lahore.

“Today it is my honor to announce the launch of the Saudi Pakistan Tech House,” Prince Fahad said during the launching ceremony in Islamabad.

“Our venture in Pakistan will be a catalyst for this partnership to provide a platform for greater collaboration and growth,” he said. Prince Fahad added the venture was a new dimension for greater cooperation and strengthening the longstanding strategic relationship between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.

“I would like to reassert that we are looking forward to creating more than 1,000 jobs in Pakistan and are expecting to have more than 300 projects with a minimum cost of $100 million in the next five years,” he added. 

He expressed confidence in Pakistan's workforce and startups to form partnerships that would prove to be a game-changer for both countries' IT sectors.

“I look forward to seeing Pakistan’s entrepreneurs and tech companies to further boost the relationship between our two countries,” he said. Prince Fahad said the Kingdom planned to have a Saudi Tech House in every region, from the east to the west, under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, given under the roadmap of Crown Prince Muhammed bin Salman.

“I feel very happy for participating in the opening ceremony of Saudi-Pakistan Tech House which will further strengthen cooperation in the information technology field between the two countries,” Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, said.

He added the Saudi leadership had developed a huge plan for digital transformation to achieve the goals of the Vision 2030 plan.

“The Kingdom has made strong and secure digital infrastructure and it provided huge potential for cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia,” the ambassador added.

Pakistan's Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Youth Affairs Shaza Fatima praised the Saudi crown prince's leadership in modernizing the Kingdom.

“Pakistan is open to sharing its talent in the technology sector with the Kingdom and is open for any type of collaboration with Saudi Arabia,” she said. Fatima added that around 70 percent of the Pakistani population falls under the age of 30 years, adding that one could tap into their resources. 

Dr. Muhammad Manshad Satti, CEO of IT Butler E-Services termed the initiative a significant development and a great opportunity for Pakistani talent.

“Under the project, Saudi Arabia will have management preview but coders and developers will be Pakistanis,” he told Arab News.

He said once the project achieved its initial key performance indicators, more Saudi companies would invest in Pakistan's IT sector. “This initiative is considered a game changer for the entire region,” he added.

Arzish Azam, Future Fest founder, said the conference aimed to promote Pakistani talent in technology by connecting skilled Pakistanis with the Kingdom. He said his organization planned to organize another similar event in Riyadh soon.

“The main goal is to establish joint ventures and provide opportunities for Pakistani companies to collaborate with Saudi Arabia,” Azam added.

Topics: Pakistan Saudi Arabia Pakistan Saudi Ties

Egypt takes key role in renewed diplomatic push for truce in Gaza

Updated 6 sec ago
Arab News
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Egypt takes key role in renewed diplomatic push for truce in Gaza

  • Officials in Israel described latest moves as ‘an attempt by Egypt to restart the talks’ after Qatar mediation efforts broke down
  • Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel to make clear ‘will not tolerate’ Israel’s deployments of troops along Gaza-Egypt border
Updated 6 sec ago
Arab News

CAIRO: A high-level Egyptian delegation was in Israel for talks on Friday amid a new diplomatic push for a truce in the Gaza war and the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

The visit followed a trip to Cairo on Thursday by Israeli army chief Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi and Shin Bet domestic intelligence service head Ronen Bar.

Officials in Israel described the latest moves as “an attempt by Egypt to restart the talks” after previous mediation efforts led by Qatar broke down. They told the Egyptian delegation that Israel was ready to give hostage negotiations “one last chance” to reach a deal before moving forward with an invasion of the southern city of Rafah.

“Israel told Egypt that it is serious about preparations for the operation in Rafah and that it will not let Hamas drag its feet,” one official said.

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Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip during more than six months of war between Israel and Hamas.

Egypt is concerned about a potential influx of Palestinian refugees from Gaza if the war continues with the long-threatened Israeli offensive into Rafah, and has taken an increasingly active role in the negotiations.

“The Egyptians are really picking up the mantle on this. Egypt wants to see progress, not least because it’s worried about a prospective Rafah operation,” the official said.

Israel was increasingly looking past Qatar as a main broker, according to the official, after it failed to respond to Israeli demands to expel Hamas leaders from its territory or curb their finances.

“Qatar is still involved but in a lesser capacity,” the official said. “It’s clear to everyone they failed to deliver, even when it came to expelling Hamas or even shutting down their bank accounts.”

Hamas officials said they still considered Qatar a key mediator, alongside Egypt.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said he saw fresh momentum in the talks.

“I believe that there is a renewed effort … to try to find a way forward,” he said “Do I think that there is … new life in these hostage talks? I believe there is.” 

No new proposals

An official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Israel had no new proposals to make, although it was willing to consider a limited truce in which 33 hostages would be released by Hamas, instead of the 40 previously under discussion.

“There are no current hostage talks between Israel and Hamas, nor is there a new Israeli offer in that regard,” the official said. “What there is, is an attempt by Egypt to restart the talks with an Egyptian proposal that would entail the release of 33 hostages — women, elderly and infirm.”

According to Israeli media reports, Israeli intelligence officials believe there are 33 female, elderly and sick hostages left alive in Gaza, out of a total of 133 still being held by Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups.

There was no decision on how long any truce would last but if such an exchange were agreed, the pause in fighting would be “definitely less than six weeks,” the official said.

The visit by the Egyptian delegation came a day after the United States and 17 other countries appealed to Hamas to release all of its hostages as a pathway to end the crisis in Gaza. Hamas vowed not to relent to international pressure.

Hamas said it was “open to any ideas or proposals that take into account the needs and rights of our people.” However it stuck to central demands Israel has rejected, and said it criticized the statement for not calling for a permanent ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

 

Topics: Egypt #israel Palestine Gaza

Pakistan gears up for PM Sharif’s visit to China in May

Updated 27 April 2024
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Pakistan gears up for PM Sharif’s visit to China in May

  • Planning minister says China has invested $25 billion in infrastructure projects in Pakistan since 2013
  • However, the undertaking has been affected by Pakistan’s financial woes, attacks on Chinese in recent years
Updated 27 April 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is preparing for a possible visit by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to China next month and the 13th meeting of a joint cooperation committee (JCC) on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the Pakistani planning ministry said on Friday.

The statement came after Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal presided over a meeting with regard to the prime minister’s visit and preparations for the 13th JCC meeting.

Sharif is expected to visit China in May to restore Beijing’s confidence in Islamabad with regard to various Chinese-funded projects, Pakistani state media reported this month, citing a senior official.

“The federal minister said that the prime minister’s visit to China will be of great importance and China wishes that the 13th JCC [meeting] is held before this visit,” the Pakistani planning ministry said in a statement.

“So that projects, including five new economic corridors, can be accelerated and the desired results can be obtained from the visit.”

Beijing is investing over $65 billion in energy and infrastructure projects in Pakistan as part of CPEC, a major segment of Beijing’s Belt and Road infrastructure initiative, which will connect China to the Arabian Sea and help Islamabad expand and modernize its economy through a network of roads, railways, pipelines and ports in Pakistan.

Since its initiation in 2013, CPEC has seen tens of billions of dollars funnelled into massive transport, energy and infrastructure projects. But the undertaking has also been hit by Pakistan struggling to keep up its financial obligations as well as militant attacks on Chinese nationals in Pakistan.

From 2013 to 2018, Iqbal said, China invested $25 billion in Pakistan under CPEC that improved economic condition of the country.

He said his government was currently taking steps to implement CPEC projects and was determined to soon complete them.

Topics: Pakistan China Ties China-Pakistan Economic Corridor

Green glamor: Young Pakistani innovators transform electronic waste into fashionable jewelry

Updated 27 April 2024
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Green glamor: Young Pakistani innovators transform electronic waste into fashionable jewelry

  • Jewelry crafted from electronic scrap appeals to a young demographic that values innovation, ethical lifestyle choices
  • Sameer Asif began to pursue entrepreneurial dream by partnering with a classmate to launch ‘Wired Wonders’ in 2023
Updated 27 April 2024
Yusra Jabeen

ISLAMABAD: In a room filled with discarded computer components and broken electronic items, 21-year-old Sameer Asif works under a bright fluorescent light, meticulously shaping an old motherboard into a heart-shaped pendant.
His project is more than a hobby; it’s the core of his entrepreneurial dream, “Wired Wonders,” a venture launched in 2023 to transform electronic waste into wearable art.
Jewelry crafted from electronic scrap aligns with a global trend in sustainable fashion, appealing to a young demographic that values innovation, individuality and ethical lifestyle choices.
Despite its niche market appeal, this form of jewelry reflects a growing interest in repurposing materials that would otherwise contribute to landfills, offering a creative solution to the challenge of electronic waste.
For Asif, however, the whole thing began as an accident.
“I was always into arts and crafts as a child,” he told Arab News in a conversation this week. “I enjoyed giving handmade things, and the first-ever necklace I made from a motherboard was also a gift for my friend.”
“She wore it to the university, and people started asking her about it,” he continued. “That’s when we thought this could actually become a business since people were interested in it.”
Asif said he was fascinated by electronics since childhood, using his tools to dismantle sophisticated gadgets to understand how they worked.
“When I was like five or six years old, on my birthday, someone gifted me a toy set of mechanical things,” he recalled. “It had nuts and screws, and it came with a screwdriver. I used that screwdriver to open my brother’s PlayStation 2 which he really loved.”
“I just opened it but couldn’t fit it back,” he recalled with a smile, saying his brother and parents were not pleased with him.
Asif partnered with his friend Maham Usman to launch Wired Wonders, asking her to manage the social media, sales and marketing.
Asked about the challenges of developing a small niche business, Usman said the biggest problem was procuring discarded motherboards that were not readily available.
“There are like one or two scrapyards in Rawalpindi where they sell discarded electronics in bulk,” she said. “To tackle this challenge, we have started a recycling initiative where we ask people to donate the electronic devices they want to dispense with. Not only will this help us with business, but it is also good for the environment.”
Making a single piece of jewelry can take about two hours. The process involves cutting and shaping motherboard pieces, removing the sharp edges and then pouring resin – a transparent, viscous liquid – over it for shine and preservation. Thereafter, the piece is left to dry for 24 hours.
Asked about the prices of their products, the Wired Wonders’ team informed that they ranged from $1.40 to $7.
“The gold and copper in motherboards add unique value to our jewelry,” Usman said.

Topics: Wired Wonders Jewellery

China unveils first Hangor-class submarine developed for Pakistan

Updated 27 April 2024
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China unveils first Hangor-class submarine developed for Pakistan

  • Islamabad signed agreement for the acquisition of eight submarines during President Xi’s visit to Pakistan
  • Under the contract, four submarines will be built in China, while other four will be built at Karachi Shipyard
Updated 27 April 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: China on Friday unveiled the first Hangor-class submarine that it has developed for Pakistan, the Pakistani military said.

The Pakistani government had signed an agreement with Beijing for the acquisition of eight Hangor-class submarines during the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Pakistan.

The first of these submarines was launched at a ceremony held at Shuangliu Base in China’s Wuhan, which was attended by Pakistan’s Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf as the chief guest, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations, the Pakistani military’s media wing.

“Under the contract, four submarines will be built in China while the other four will be built at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works Limited in Pakistan,” the ISPR said in a statement.

“These submarines will be equipped with advanced weapons and sensors to target long-range targets.”

The ISPR said the project would add a new dimension to Pakistan-China friendship. China has been one of Pakistan’s most trusted friends and both countries have worked on a number of joint projects in the field of defense in recent years.

Besides, Beijing is investing over $65 billion in energy and infrastructure projects in Pakistan as part of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a major segment of its Belt and Road Initiative designed to give China a shorter, more secure trading route to the Middle East and beyond, while also boosting Pakistan’s economy.

Since its initiation in 2013, CPEC has seen tens of billions of dollars funnelled into massive transport, energy and infrastructure projects. Beijing has also often provided financial assistance to bail out its often-struggling neighbor in times of a financial crunch.

Topics: Hangor-class submarine submarine

Army chief stresses economic stability as key to national sovereignty at Green Pakistan conference

Updated 26 April 2024
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Army chief stresses economic stability as key to national sovereignty at Green Pakistan conference

  • General Asim Munir says army will continue to support the government with economic development of Pakistan
  • He tells the gathering the military will provide comprehensive national security, work for Pakistan’s collective good
Updated 26 April 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s army chief General Asim Munir emphasized the importance of economic stability for a country to achieve full sovereignty while addressing the Green Pakistan Initiative conference on Friday, adding that his institution would continue to support the government in these efforts.

The initiative was launched as a response to the severe climate change impacts that Pakistan has faced over the years, including droughts, catastrophic floods, and extreme heatwaves. The program aims not only to mitigate the effects of erratic weather patterns by improving forest cover and restoring the ecosystem but also enhance the country’s resilience against future climatic shocks.

Pakistan has witnessed a growing awareness about the nexus between environmental issues and national security, prompting various sectors, including the military, to contribute to such green efforts.

“Pakistan is a blessed land with an industrious and resilient nation which needs to come together for national development,” the military’s media wing, ISPR, quoted the army chief in a statement circulated after the conference.

“Pakistan Army will continue to provide all possible support for the economic development of Pakistan,” he continued while pointing out the efforts of his institution to provide comprehensive national security and work for the collective good of the nation.

The state-owned PTV News reported the army chief warned all those who were trying to stop the country from progressing that their efforts would be wasted.

“In today’s era, the concept of complete sovereignty is not possible without economic stability,” he added.

Senior members of Pakistan’s federal cabinet were also present at the conference.

The participants reviewed the progress made under the initiative, expressing satisfaction that the country had achieved significant milestones under the program by establishing model farms, launching water management schemes and enhancing agricultural productivity.

Topics: Arab News Pakistan COAS Pakistan Army Pakistan Green Pakistan conference

Latest updates

Egypt takes key role in renewed diplomatic push for truce in Gaza
Taiwan reports Chinese military activity after Blinken leaves Beijing
Pakistan gears up for PM Sharif’s visit to China in May
Green glamor: Young Pakistani innovators transform electronic waste into fashionable jewelry
China unveils first Hangor-class submarine developed for Pakistan

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