Posts in category: Technology

Mobile phone and internet services will be suspended in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and parts of Attock on September 26 and 27 in view of the possible long march by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

According to details, the decision to suspend mobile phone services has been taken as part of security measures in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad and Attock district.

Sources said mobile phone and internet services would remain suspended in areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Attock on September 26 and 27.

Sources said the suspension of mobile services had been discussed in detail at a high-level security meeting held five days ago. The meeting also considered decisions to close motorways, the Grand Trunk Road and other important routes in order to maintain law and order and address security concerns. A decision has now been taken to implement the suspension of mobile services.

Also Read: Mobile Tariffs Rose by Up to 22% in One Year: PTA

Meanwhile, traffic restrictions have been imposed on key routes leading towards the federal capital ahead of the expected long march.

According to the National Highways and Motorway Police, Motorway M-1, M-14 and GT Road N-5 are being closed in both directions at various points from Wednesday evening.

Motorway M-1 will remain closed in both directions from the Islamabad Toll Plaza to Chachh Interchange, while M-14 will be closed from Hakla to Kundal. The GT Road is also being closed to traffic in both directions at Attock Khurd.

The measures are being taken ahead of the expected arrival in Islamabad of protest convoys led by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister on September 27.

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has acknowledged that mobile operators increased tariffs by up to 22% over the past year, while rejecting claims that telecom companies have been raising prices by 10 to 20% every month.

According to official documents, the PTA analysed the 10 most-used packages, based on subscriber numbers, offered by the country’s four major mobile operators — Jazz, Telenor, Zong and Ufone. The analysis showed that average tariffs increased by between 12% and 22% from June 2025 to June 2026.

However, the regulator said the annual increase translated into an average monthly rise of around 1% to 2%, and there was no evidence to support claims that mobile operators were increasing package prices by 10% to 20% on a monthly basis.

The PTA’s acknowledgement comes amid growing concerns among consumers over steadily rising mobile package prices, with telecom users facing higher costs for calls, mobile data and other services.

The authority said it was regulating Jazz as a Significant Market Power (SMP) operator under the merger order issued on November 30, 2025. It also regulates the tariffs of Ufone and Telenor, while Zong, as a non-SMP operator, is allowed to revise its tariffs in accordance with its commercial decisions.

The PTA nevertheless clarified that it retains the authority under the Mobile Tariff Regulations 2025 to intervene where tariffs have a negative impact on consumer interests.

Also Read: ‘Pay Rs5,000 a Week and No One Will Bother You,’ Claims Habib Jalib’s Daughter

According to the regulator, its legal responsibility is to protect consumers while also ensuring a reasonable return on investments made by telecom operators.

The PTA said it regularly approves tariffs proposed by SMP operator Jazz after taking into account consumer interests, inflation, prevailing economic conditions and competition in the market.

The authority also conducts anonymous billing verification exercises to ensure that customers are being charged according to approved tariff rates.

Consumers facing tariff-related complaints or discrepancies in billing can lodge complaints through the PTA’s Complaint Management System, which is available through the authority’s official website, CMS application and helpline.

The regulator said such complaints are taken up with the relevant operator for resolution under the applicable legal framework.

The PTA’s explanation indicates that while mobile tariffs have increased significantly over the past year — reaching as high as 22% in some cases — the regulator does not consider the annual increase equivalent to the alleged monthly price hikes of 10% to 20%.

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has announced key measures to promote the use of eSIM technology across the country, including reducing the fee for eSIM issuance and conversion from a traditional SIM to an eSIM.

According to the PTA, the maximum fee for issuing an eSIM or converting a conventional SIM into an eSIM has been fixed at Rs1,500. The revised fee will be implemented uniformly across Pakistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan.

In a statement, the PTA said consumers will now be able to transfer their eSIM profile from one mobile device to another free of charge up to 10 times.

The authority has also expanded the free eSIM profile transfer facility to make the use of modern mobile technology more convenient for consumers.

According to the PTA, the revised fee structure and the enhanced free eSIM profile transfer facility will come into effect on August 17, 2026.

The authority said the primary objective of reducing the fee and increasing the free eSIM profile transfer limit is to encourage the adoption of eSIM technology in the country and enable a larger number of users to benefit from the modern digital service.

The PTA added that efforts are continuing to promote advanced technology and provide consumers with easier access to digital services.

The authority said the growing use of eSIM technology will make it more convenient for users to switch between mobile devices while providing easier access to modern digital services compared to traditional SIM cards.

The PTA expressed hope that the revised fee and the expanded free transfer facility would accelerate the adoption of eSIM technology across the country.

Also Read: Internet and Mobile Services to Be Suspended Across AJK from Tonight

Apple is reportedly preparing to introduce one of the biggest iPhone updates in its history in September 2026, with the expected launch of the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and the company’s first foldable iPhone.

Although Apple has not officially confirmed the plans, several sources, including Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman, have reported that the company is working on a new generation of iPhones, foldable devices and products powered by artificial intelligence.

According to reports, Apple’s annual launch event could take place on September 8 or 9, 2026. The United Arab Emirates is expected to be among the first markets where pre-orders for the new iPhones may begin shortly after the event, while deliveries are expected to start from September 18.

Sources suggest that Apple could introduce its iPhone lineup in two phases this time. The iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and foldable iPhone are expected to be launched in the first phase, while the standard iPhone 18, iPhone 18e and the next-generation iPhone Air could arrive in early 2027.

In terms of design, the overall appearance of the iPhone 18 Pro series is expected to remain similar to current models. However, the devices may feature a larger camera module, a more powerful battery, an improved vapor chamber cooling system and new colour options, including Dark Cherry, Light Blue, Silver and Dark Gray.

Also Read: Meta Introduces Advanced AI Image Generation Feature for Instagram and WhatsApp

After years of speculation, Apple’s first foldable iPhone is also expected to be unveiled at the same event. Reports suggest that the device will focus on a strong hinge, improved durability and a high-quality user experience. It is expected to be sold as a premium model alongside the iPhone 18 Pro series.

A major change is also expected in pricing. According to Nabila Popal, senior director of data and analytics at IDC, rising production and component costs could lead to a price increase of up to $200 for the iPhone 18 Pro series. Such an increase could make it Apple’s most expensive mainstream iPhone lineup to date.

Reports further suggest that the iPhone 18 Pro could feature an A20 Pro chip based on new 2-nanometre technology, an upgraded camera system, variable-aperture technology, more advanced Face ID, a smaller Dynamic Island and improved battery life.

Apple has not yet officially confirmed the launch schedule, specifications, pricing or reported features.

Technology company Meta has introduced an advanced AI-powered image generation feature for Instagram and WhatsApp for the first time, enabling users to create new images and edit existing ones using simple text prompts or basic sketches.

According to the company, the new generative AI feature, called Muse Image, has been developed by the Meta Superintelligence Lab and is being integrated into the Meta AI chatbot.

Meta said Muse Image is designed to act as a creative partner for users by transforming their ideas into high-quality images.

Users will be able to download the AI-generated images as well as share them directly to their Instagram Feed, Instagram Stories or WhatsApp chats.

The company said that whether users want to create a completely new image or modify an existing one, they will only need to describe what they want in simple language, while Meta AI will handle the rest of the process.

Meta also said that Instagram and WhatsApp have a combined global user base of more than three billion people. However, the Muse Image feature is currently being rolled out in phases to selected countries and will be expanded to additional markets over time.

Also Read: iPhones Set to Become More Expensive in Pakistan

Islamabad: Website of private television channel Samaa News has reportedly been hacked by unknown hackers, who replaced parts of the website with their own logo and messages.

According to the available information, the hackers displayed the Hind Cyber Ghost logo on the website along with a message stating that “No system is secure.” The hacked page also contained several names, while the hackers identified themselves under the name Jordan X Alpha 02.

The hackers also allegedly indicated that they were associated with India. In addition, a Play Music option was prominently displayed on the hacked webpage.

According to the information available, the hackers also issued a warning to Samaa TV for the future.

The incident came to light after the altered content appeared on the Samaa TV website, where the hackers’ logo, messages, and other displayed content replaced the website’s normal appearance.

Also Read: No Federal Grants Without Restoration of Imran Khan’s Meetings, Says KP Chief Minister

Pakistani consumers may soon face higher prices for iPhones and other Apple products after the tech giant announced plans to increase prices globally due to rising component costs and an ongoing memory crisis.

According to reports, Apple’s outgoing Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook confirmed that the company has been compelled to raise prices as a result of increasing costs across the supply chain.

In an exclusive interview with The Wall Street Journal, Cook said, “Unfortunately, price increases have now become inevitable. I have never seen market conditions like these in my 40-year career.”

He added, “We are doing everything possible to absorb the rising costs and protect our customers from the impact, but the situation has now become unbearable.”

The decision is expected to directly affect Pakistan, where prices of iPhones, MacBooks and iPads are likely to increase further.

According to the report, Apple does not have an official or local presence in Pakistan, meaning Pakistani consumers do not benefit from regional pricing and generally experience price increases in line with global markets.

In contrast, Samsung operates officially in Pakistan and also has a local assembly plant. As a result, despite rising global prices, the company recently launched its Galaxy S26 series in Pakistan at comparatively better prices than in the United States and several other countries. Apple users, however, are unlikely to receive similar relief.

Also Read: Hands-On With the iPhone 13, Pro, Max, and Mini

While the exact scale of the price increase and its implementation timeline remain unclear, Apple is expected to unveil its new iPhone 18 lineup in the coming months following the conclusion of WWDC 2026, with prices anticipated to be higher than the previous generation.

The report further stated that new MacBooks, iPads and existing Apple products could also become more expensive later this year due to growing demand for artificial intelligence technologies and shortages of key components.

It is worth noting that Apple is not alone in facing these challenges. Major companies including Samsung, HP, Microsoft, Nintendo and Valve are also grappling with rising memory prices and supply chain constraints.

YouTube has begun a wider rollout of its new in-app messaging feature after completing its testing phase, aiming to allow users to directly discuss videos within the platform itself.

Under the new feature, a messaging icon has been added to the top-right corner of the YouTube app. Through this icon, users will be able to share videos, Shorts, and live streams, as well as engage in one-on-one chats.

However, the feature includes a specific safety and control system. According to the platform, users must first send an invitation link before starting a direct conversation with another user. This link will remain valid for seven days and can be shared via WhatsApp or any other third-party chat application. The purpose of this restriction is to encourage communication mainly between friends and family rather than strangers.

YouTube stated that the feature received strong user demand during its testing phase last year. It is also worth noting that the company previously offered a similar messaging service until 2019, which was later discontinued.

Also Read: Pakistan to Unveil Over Rs17.5 Trillion Federal Budget Today

Under the new system, when a user clicks on an invitation link, they will be given the options to either “Allow messaging” or “Not now.” As a result, the feature is designed to remain limited mainly to video sharing and discussions, rather than functioning as a full-scale social chat platform.

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has announced the launch of 5G services in 22 cities across the country, with the service now active in four sectors of Islamabad.

The announcement was made during a briefing to the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on IT, chaired by Syed Aminul Haque. Officials reported that tests conducted in Sector F-8 recorded internet speeds of approximately 100 Mbps.

PTA representatives stated that following the upcoming 5G spectrum auction, not only will internet performance improve further, but the average 4G speed is also expected to reach 40 Mbps.

However, committee members expressed concerns over the overall quality of telecom services. Member Sadiq Memon questioned whether new technologies like 5G would provide meaningful benefits if the existing service quality does not improve.

PTA officials acknowledged that prolonged power outages are affecting telecom networks, with electricity disruptions lasting up to 10 hours in some areas, creating operational challenges for service providers.

The committee also criticized the consumer complaints system, noting that major telecom companies have reduced, rather than improved, their helplines. The committee chairman demanded strict action, including fines and showcause notices, against non-compliant operators.

Additionally, the meeting addressed issues related to Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), where questions were raised regarding approximately $800 million in government dues and property matters. Officials stated that details regarding the privatization agreement could be provided by the Privatization Commission, and the committee has summoned relevant authorities for the next session.