KARACHI: In yet another incident highlighting the growing lawlessness in the city, armed robbers looted Rs 8 million from two employees of an electric company in the Saddar area yesterday.

According to police, Salman, who works at an electric company near Native Jetty Bridge in West Wharf, had sent two of his employees to withdraw Rs80 lakh from a Meezan Bank branch in Keamari.

The employees reached Meezan Bank’s Keamari branch around 4:00 pm. After waiting for some time, the bank’s operations manager, Imran, informed them that the branch did not have sufficient cash available. He further told them that arrangements had been discussed with Meezan Bank’s Panorama Centre branch in Saddar and advised them to proceed there to collect the amount.

The employees arrived at the Panorama Centre branch near Atrium Mall at approximately 5:00 pm and completed the withdrawal by 5:30 pm, carrying the cash in a black bag.

As they reached near the Ruby Jewellers traffic signal on Zeb-un-Nissa Street, two armed men riding a motorcycle intercepted them, snatched the cash at gunpoint, and fled the scene. Police said the suspects were wearing shalwar kameez and appeared to be between 35 and 40 years old.

Acting SHO Preedy, Inspector Shah Faisal Khan, confirmed that a case has been registered against unidentified suspects on the complaint of Salman. He said police are attempting to identify the robbers through CCTV footage obtained from the crime scene and surrounding areas.

IG Sindh Takes Notice

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sindh, Javed Alam Odho, has taken notice of the incident and sought a detailed report from the Additional Inspector General of Police, Karachi. He directed authorities to utilize all available resources, including modern technology, to arrest the culprits at the earliest.

Rising Crime Alarms Citizens

The incident comes amid a sharp rise in robbery cases across Karachi, causing widespread concern among residents.

A few days earlier, robbers looted Rs3.3 million from a petrol pump near Korangi Singer Chowrangi. Police said the cashier was on his way to deposit cash at a bank without a security guard when the suspects struck and escaped.

On January 26, a group of seven armed men stormed a residence in the Korangi Industrial Area and carried out a brazen robbery that lasted for nearly one and a half hours. According to police, the suspects forcibly entered the house, threatened the occupants at gunpoint, and took complete control of the premises. The male members of the family were tied up to prevent resistance, while the robbers searched the house room by room.

During the prolonged ordeal, the suspects looted 25 tolas of gold, Rs300,000 in cash, and a large quantity of expensive clothing and footwear before fleeing the scene. Police officials stated that investigations into these incidents are ongoing; however, no major breakthroughs have been reported so far in terms of arrests or recovery of stolen property.

Emirates will continue rolling out its retrofitted Boeing 777 and new A350 aircraft to key destinations across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, North America, Africa, and Australia, bringing Premium Economy and its latest onboard products to more cities across its network. Starting on 1 March*, Emirates’ retrofitted three-class Boeing 777-200LR will begin operating daily to Karachi on EK606/607.

Customers can look forward to Emirates’ award-winning Premium Economy experience, complete with extra legroom and added amenities, elevated dining, and more. The airline will deploy its Premium Economy retrofitted A380, Boeing 777 and A350 aircraft with the latest cabin interiors on more than 84 routes by 1July, underscoring its focus on delivering a premium and consistent experience across its network. Tickets can be booked on emirates.com, the Emirates App, or via both online and offline travel agents as well as Emirates’ retail stores.

Other cities to be covered under the planned Premium Economy route expansions, across Asia, Australia, Africa, Middle East, Europe and North America include Addis Ababa, Barcelona, Basra, , Cochin, Copenhagen, Mexico City, Rome, Taipei and Tehran.

• Aircraft deployment may be advanced if released earlier from refurbishment.

Anchored in this year’s unapologetic Wrapped theme, guests were invited to engage with music on their own terms. Interactive installations spotlighted fan obsessions, while neon-lit portrait booths captured unfiltered expressions throughout the venue. From sound to setting, every detail reinforced a single idea: this was a year to own your sound without filters.

Hosted by Ayla Adnan, the evening came alive through a curated DJ lineup featuring Mouseeki Machine, ZULU and Disguise in Hoodie, each bringing their distinct energy and sound mixes to keep the crowd moving. The celebration included artists such as Afusic, Natasha Humera Ejaz, Shareh and Umer Anjum, alongside content creators Areeka Haq, Reeja Jeelani, Hemayal and Daniya Kanwal, who joined the experience and connected with fans throughout the venue.

Adding a unique, on-ground extension of the Wrapped experience, Spotify also hosted VIP Wrapped Awards during the evening, a real-time celebration inspired by the in-app Wrapped Party feature. The awards recognised members of Spotify’s VIP community for their distinctive listening habits, mirroring how listeners share Wrapped results with friends and earn personalized accolades on the platform. Winners of the night included Dino Ali and Osamah Nasir, among others, as Spotify paid tribute to the unwavering support and enthusiasm its community consistently brings to the brand.

“2025 Wrapped is our most unapologetic expression of listening yet,” said Talha Hashim, Spotify’s Marketing Manager for Pakistan. “This year’s experience captured real listening behavior, unfiltered taste, and the stories behind every listener’s soundtrack, and the response has been incredible. Within the first 24 hours alone, over 200 million users around the world engaged with the Wrapped in-app experience, generating more than 500 million shares globally. This milestone alone reflects how much our users enjoyed this year’s experience.”

Through 2025 Wrapped, Spotify continues to celebrate Pakistani artists and the fans who support them, creating a space where individuality, creativity, and music come together.

Eligible users can now explore their personalized 2025 Wrapped experience exclusively on the Spotify mobile app (iOS and Android). Users are encouraged to update to the latest version to access Wrapped via the feed on Home.

Fatima Fertilizer has received significant international recognition by winning four major awards at The Drum Awards 2025 in London reflecting impactful purpose-led communication for the Salam Kissan campaign and the company’s strategic partnership with UNDP.

The Silver award won for ‘Sustainability & Climate Action – Leading Sustainable Change for Pakistan’ recognized Fatima Fertilizer’s partnership with UNDP. Fatima Fertilizer has become the first company in Pakistan to adopt the SDGs Impact Framework, a commitment under which the company has mapped 8 impact areas to 15 SDGs and 49 targets to deliver measurable, people-oriented sustainability outcomes.

Salam Kissan, a flagship campaign that pays tribute to the farmers of Pakistan, secured three awards: a Silver award for ‘User-Generated Content for Social Change (TikTok)’; a Silver award for ‘Social Media for Good’; and a Bronze award for ‘Cause-Led Influencer Campaign’. The success of the campaign was driven by meaningful communication and the brand’s commitment to driving real change in farmers’ lives.

Salam Kissan, over the past six years, has been transformed into a powerful movement, leveraging authentic voices and relatable stories. Sarsabz pioneered Pakistan’s first-ever Kissan Day on 18th December 2019, adding it to the national calendar, which has inspired many brands to follow in the celebration.

The award-winning User Generated Content initiative by Sarsabz invited audiences on TikTok to create content paying tribute to the unsung heroes of Pakistan using the Salam Kissan anthem. Hundreds of reels poured in from rural and urban communities, including farmers themselves, making it a nationwide expression of gratitude.

The influencer-led communication for the same campaign spanned multiple genres, encompassing fashion, lifestyle, food influencers and celebrities who paid tribute to farmers which the heartfelt gesture of a salute. Music influencers released their own renditions of the campaign anthem and comedy creators produced content that resonated with wider audiences, helping register the greater cause and making the tribute culturally engaging.

Rabel Sadozai, Director Marketing and Sales at Fatima Fertilizer, while expressing her pride in the achievement stated, “These awards are a testament to the power of purpose-led communication and the authenticity of our mission. Farmers are the backbone of Pakistan, and our campaigns aim not just to highlight their contributions but to give them the national recognition they deserve. Winning four global awards at The Drum 2025 (UK) reinforces our belief that meaningful storytelling, rooted in respect for the people who feed the nation, can inspire real change at home and admiration abroad.”

Continued global recognition for Fatima Fertilizer highlights its commitment to elevating the agricultural community of Pakistan, shaping positive narratives and leading sustainable change in the country.

The Second Asia Energy Transition Summit opened today at LUMS with extensive regional and international participation. Jointly organised by the LUMS Energy Institute (LEI), the Alliance for Climate Justice and Clean Energy (ACJCE) and the Pakistan Renewable Energy Coalition (PREC), the Summit brought together senior government representatives, foreign diplomats, global climate leaders, development institutions, researchers and civil society networks from across Asia, Europe and the Pacific to examine the shifting political, financial and technological landscape of Asia’s clean-energy transition.

Delivering the inaugural address, Professor Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, highlighted the strategic reforms underway to secure Pakistan’s energy future. He stressed on the centrality of a resilient, forward-looking grid and the efficient use of energy resources in meeting national and regional ambitions. He stated that the government is strengthening its power infrastructure to integrate large-scale renewables, describing modern infrastructure as indispensable to a green, competitive economy. He also reaffirmed the importance of energy efficiency, “The most reliable source of clean energy is the energy conserved.” He reiterated that no country can undertake this transition alone and called for deeper multilateral engagement, partnership-driven financing and wider regional cooperation.

The day’s discussions built on priority areas repeatedly highlighted by Federal Minister for Energy (Power Division), Awais Ahmad Leghari, whose policy vision for a flexible, modernised and technologically advanced grid guided the Summit proceedings. Speaking at the event, he said,

“Pakistan recognizes the critical importance of moving toward renewable energy, our energy strategy is deeply rooted in sustainability. To fully unlock the potential of renewable energy, Pakistan is focused on modernizing its energy infrastructure. A smart, modernized grid will enable us to effectively integrate renewable energy. The energy transition requires significant investment, Pakistan is open to partnerships with international organizations, governments, and private sector players. By working together, we can achieve a future where clean, renewable energy drives economic growth, improves quality of life, and protects our planet for future generations.”

In the plenary dialogue, Former Federal Minister of Finance, Dr. Shamshad Akhtar stressed that Asia must steer global transition debates with clarity and confidence, calling for integrated planning frameworks that balance financial prudence, technological readiness and social equity.

Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, former judge of Supreme Court of Pakistan, highlighted the legal and institutional dimensions of the transition, underscoring that climate and energy governance must be rights-based, transparent and adaptive to emerging risks.

Moreover, he shared that “Climate finance never matched the scale of climate challenge and if it ever materialised it arrived late mostly as loans.”

“The Supreme Court, however, made a landmark ruling that climate finance is a fundamental right since no climate adaptation is possible without climate finance.”

International delegates shared insights on financing landscapes, renewable-energy market reforms, community resilience and cross-border cooperation, reflecting broad global interest in Asia’s emerging leadership role.

Thematic sessions discussed tariff and non-tariff barriers, South–South cooperation and Asia’s geopolitical influence in global energy pathways. Conversations emphasised the need for financing mechanisms that shield developing nations from additional debt burdens, strengthen domestic institutions and support people-centred transition strategies.

Concluding the opening day, Dr. Tariq Jadoon, Provost LUMS, reaffirmed the University’s commitment to advancing research-driven, evidence-based energy policy. Dr. Fiaz Chaudhry, Chairman National Grid Company and Senior Advisor at LEI, noted that the Summit’s discussions will inform practical and financially viable pathways for countries aligning development agendas with climate and energy imperatives.

The Summit continues tomorrow with high-level forums on financing landscapes, false solutions, distributed renewable deployment and Asia’s emerging energy diplomacy.

The Asian Productivity Organization’s international conference on Green Productivity 2.0 (GP 2.0), jointly organised by the LUMS Energy Institute (LEI), the National Productivity Organisation Pakistan (NPO), Federal Ministry of Industries & Production, concluded successfully at the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS). The two-day event brought together senior government officials, industry leaders, international experts, academics, and development practitioners from 21 Asian Productivity Organization (APO) member economies, with more than 80 foreign delegates participating, marking one of Pakistan’s most prominent international forums on sustainable industrial transformation.

The conference featured high-level plenaries, expert keynotes, and sector-focused discussions aligned with the advanced GP 2.0 framework. Sessions addressed a wide range of themes, including sustainable architecture and industrial growth, energy efficiency, circular-economy innovation, energy transition, digital productivity tools, green hydrogen applications, green initiatives in the power and oil and gas sectors, efficient thin-film photovoltaics, circular plastics solutions, and collaborations across government, academia, and industry. Presentations from experts representing Italy, Japan, Thailand, China, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Türkiye, Vietnam, Pakistan and other APO economies showcased cutting-edge research and applied solutions shaping the future of green productivity across the region.

Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, Mr. Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary, emphasised, “Green productivity is not just an environmental choice; it is an economic necessity for countries like Pakistan.” He stated that by 2035, Pakistan aims to achieve over 6% productivity-driven GDP growth, $100 billion in exports, a 30% reduction in emissions intensity, universal climate-resilient infrastructure, 60% clean energy, 2 million green and high-tech jobs, and full integration into Asian green supply chains.

Dr. Musadiq Malik, Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, highlighted the alignment between climate policy and productivity-led growth. He noted, “Pakistan’s energy future depends on cleaner, smarter, and more efficient systems. Green productivity provides the pathway to strengthen energy security and national resilience.” He also said that Pakistan’s 17% voluntary NDC commitment reflects our responsibility to safeguard the future of our children. “The global shift from multilateralism toward bilateral arrangements has led to a steady decline in multilateral climate financing. This contraction poses significant challenges for countries like Pakistan striving to build a fast-growing green economy,” he added.

Representing parliamentary leadership, Ms. Shaista Pervaiz Malik, MNA and Convener of the Parliamentary Taskforce on SDGs, underscored the SDG-aligned development priorities and stated, “Green productivity ensures that economic growth advances alongside environmental responsibility and social well-being. This balance is essential for a sustainable Pakistan.”

The APO Secretariat’s perspective was presented by Mr. Zainuri Juri, who commended Pakistan’s leadership on the GP agenda, noting, “Pakistan, a steadfast partner of the APO, has demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing Green Productivity, which is exemplary across the member economies.”

Reflecting on the conference outcomes, Dr. Fiaz Chaudhry, Senior Advisor LUMS Energy Institute, and Mr. Alamgir Chaudhry, CEO NPO, highlighted the importance of collaboration in accelerating sustainable transformation. Dr. Fiaz stated, “This conference has shown the power of partnership between government, academia, and industry in shaping Pakistan’s sustainable industrial future.” Dr. Tariq Jadoon, Provost LUMS, appreciated the active participation from international and national delegates, adding, “The insights shared over these two days will meaningfully support Pakistan’s transition toward cleaner, more competitive, and productivity-driven industrial growth.”

The international conference on Green Productivity 2.0 concluded with a strengthened regional commitment to advance sustainable industrial development, deepen cross-sector collaborations, and support Pakistan’s transition toward a low-carbon, innovation-driven, and globally competitive industrial economy.

The YANGWANG U9 Xtreme is already the fastest car on the planet – and now the performance flagship of BYD’s luxury sub-brand has set another benchmark. Just one month after posting a world-record high speed of 496.22km/h at ATP Papenburg, YANGWANG is proud to announce that the U9 Xtreme has achieved a new lap record for Electric Super Sports Cars around the Nürburgring, the ‘Green Hell’ of motorsport.

YANGWANG’s engineering team has been conducting long-term testing at the 20.832km Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit since July 2024 – and the extensive on-track data gleaned from this process had been fed into the development of the U9 Xtreme. YANGWANG can now confirm that on 22 August 2025, the U9X lapped the Nürburgring in 6m59.157sec – slicing more than five seconds off the previous record time in the Electric Super Sports Cars class and becoming the first such vehicle to dip under the seven-minute barrier.

BYD Executive Vice President Stella Li said: “We are dedicated to pushing the limits of what can be achieved through technology, and the Nürburgring is such a legendary challenge for cars and drivers that it is only natural for our engineers to pursue their dreams there. I congratulate the entire team on this phenomenal achievement. The limited-edition U9 Xtreme has proven that it is not only the world’s fastest car in a straight line, but also a vehicle with the performance and dynamic qualities necessary to break lap records on a circuit with a wide variety of corners.”

The driver for the record lap was Moritz Kranz, an experienced German racer who has notched up almost 10,000 laps of the ultra-challenging Nordschleife circuit during a career in GT competition. He said: “The Nürburgring Nordschleife is the most demanding track, and our lap time is a testament to the development skills of BYD and YANGWANG. Without their intense work to balance a high-powered EV platform with the difficult demands of the chassis set-up, this great lap time would not have been possible.”

The U9 Xtreme is built on the world’s first mass-produced all-domain 1200V ultra-high-voltage platform and equipped with four high-performance motors, each capable of 30,000rpm. The car delivers a total output of over 3,000PS, delivering a power-to-weight ratio of 1,217PS per tonne that sets new global benchmarks for performance.

Based on the same e⁴ Platform and DiSus-X intelligent body-control system as the current YANGWANG U9, the U9 Xtreme innovatively brings “body-attitude control” technology to track applications – balancing both top-speed and lap-time performance in a single vehicle.

To conquer the Nürburgring’s classic 20.832km circuit – known for its steep elevation changes and demanding corners – the U9 Xtreme features a completely redesigned cooling system, a new titanium-alloy carbon-ceramic braking system, and GitiSport e·GTR² PRO semi-slick tires, jointly developed with Giti. These upgrades enable the car to excel in not only the 496.22km/h top-speed challenge but also the Nürburgring’s “Green Hell” lap-time record attempt.

The U9 Xtreme is now being made available to customers, with a limited series production run of no more than 30 units. Its name is derived from the English word ‘Extreme’, meaning ‘limit’ and ‘ultimate’, with added emphasis on the ‘X’, which represents the unknown. These qualities fit perfectly with YANGWANG’s ethos of taking joy and delight from the act of exploration and the innovations that come through that process.

Pakistan’s leading digital microfinance bank, Mobilink Bank, has collaborated with TPL Life, a digital insurance provider, to extend much-needed healthcare support to flood-affected communities across Punjab. The partnering institutions set up medical camps across Pakpattan, Sialkot, and Minchinabad (Bahawalnagar) to deliver essential healthcare to people who had lost access to medical facilities – either destroyed or rendered inaccessible by the recent floods.

The initiative reflects the institutions’ shared commitment to corporate social responsibility and timely humanitarian intervention. The day long camps offered comprehensive medical services completely free of charge, including medical check-ups, consultations, distribution of medicines and tetanus vaccinations. The initiative was met with an overwhelming response, serving over 300 patients across all locations, highlighting both the critical need for accessible healthcare in flood-affected areas and the effectiveness of the outreach.

Commenting on the initiative, Atta Ur Rehman, Chief Business Officer, Mobilink Bank said, “In the wake of the recent floods, we recognized the urgent need to restore access to healthcare where infrastructure had been most affected. By bringing essential medical facilities directly to our affected customers in rural and suburban areas, we reaffirmed our commitment to standing by those who need us the most.”

Sharing thoughts on the initiative, Saad Nissar, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of TPL Life Insurance Limited, stated, “This initiative stands as a testament to the impact that can be created when like-minded institutions unite for a greater cause. Through our partnership with Mobilink Bank, we were able to provide essential healthcare services to communities during their most vulnerable moments.”

Mobilink Bank’s operational support and grassroots connectivity, combined with TPL Life’s medical expertise and resources, ensured that quality care was delivered efficiently. The collaboration underscores the power of partnerships in driving positive social impact and reinforces Mobilink Bank’s role as a responsible financial institution that places people at the heart of its operations.

PTCL Group (Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited & Ufone 4G), Pakistan’s largest integrated ICT and telecom services provider, in collaboration with Mercantile, Apple’s authorized distributor in Pakistan, is offering the highly anticipated iPhone 17 nationwide. The rollout brings customers an unparalleled blend of the most famous gadget with cutting-edge technology and unmatched value.

Every iPhone 17 purchased through this collaboration comes with an industry-leading two-year warranty, comprising one year from Apple and an additional year from Mercantile, along with instant theft and damage insurance worth up to PKR 400,000. All warranty related claims will be facilitated seamlessly through Apple’s authorized service centers & Mercantile service centers across Pakistan.

PTCL Group has further enhanced the offer with exclusive perks for its Ufone and PTCL broadband users. New and existing Ufone 4G subscribers will receive a free eSIM plus a premium connectivity bundle featuring with over 1 TB mobile data for six months, along with 1,000 off-net and 10,000 on-net minutes monthly for six months. PTCL broadband customers can enjoy 50 Mbps speeds at the price of 30 Mbps for a full year, ensuring both savings and superior connectivity.

To celebrate the launch, UPaisa and UPTCL customers will have the chance to win a free iPhone 17. The first 100 buyers will also receive a complimentary Apple charger, while all customers can enter a lucky draw to win Apple AirPods. Pre-booking comes with special cash discounts, making the offer even more rewarding. These exclusive benefits are available for both new and existing customers across PTCL, Ufone 4G, and UPaisa.

Alongside Apple’s innovation, PTCL Group is empowering users with high-speed broadband and 4G services that deliver seamless performance every day. By combining world-class devices with reliable connectivity, we are making the digital experience more powerful, secure, and rewarding for our customers. Ends

Viper, a local PC brand, has been ranked Pakistan’s No. 1 PC brand by unit shipments in Q2 2025, according to the IDC Pakistan PC Market Executive Summary. Building on this momentum, Viper has commenced local manufacturing. A significant step in the national “Made in Pakistan” drive.

“Becoming Pakistan’s top PC brand while beginning local manufacturing is more than a business milestone, it’s a signal that Pakistani technology can lead at home and compete abroad,” said Khushnood Aftab, CEO, Viper Technology. “We’re scaling responsibly, strengthening supply chains, and creating value where it matters: in jobs, skills, and innovation.”

Local manufacturing reduces reliance on fully built imports, easing pressure on FX reserves through import substitution and enabling future export receipts.

The factory operations, QA, after-sales, and channel enablement create jobs while upskilling youth in electronics assembly, testing, and service.

Local build and parts availability improve lead times, customization, and after-sales reliability, key for schools, enterprises, and government projects.

Viper’s portfolio (AI PCs, laptops, desktops, tablets, interactive displays) helps seed local R&D and integration expertise, supporting government, education, and enterprise digitization. It achieved a significant milestone that signals stronger domestic value chain—promising foreign-exchange savings, skilled jobs, and AI-era technology leadership.

Viper Technology (Pvt.) Ltd. is a 30-year-old Pakistani IT hardware company focused on PCs, laptops, tablets, AI PCs, and interactive display solutions with nationwide sales and service. The Viper Group also includes VIION Technology (software, digital, services) and Viper Academy (tech skills training). Viper partners with leading global suppliers and serves enterprise, education, and government customers across Pakistan.