Supernet Limited has announced a change in its top management, informing the Pakistan Stock Exchange that Mr. Waseem Ahmad has ceased to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the company with effect from March 3, 2026.
In a notification submitted to the stock exchange, the company stated that Mr. Jamal Nasir Khan has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect following the departure of Mr. Ahmad.
The disclosure was made in accordance with the regulatory requirements of the stock exchange to inform shareholders and the market about changes in the company’s key management.
Supernet Limited is a leading provider of satellite communications, broadband connectivity, cybersecurity, and information technology solutions in Pakistan. The company offers services to a wide range of sectors including government organizations, defense institutions, financial services, telecom operators, and enterprise clients.
Industry observers note that leadership transitions in technology and communications companies often reflect evolving strategic priorities as firms respond to rapid developments in digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, and connectivity solutions.
While the company did not provide further details regarding the reason for the change, the appointment of Jamal Nasir Khan is expected to steer the company through its next phase of growth and technological expansion.
Market participants will be closely watching how the new leadership shapes the company’s operational strategy and business outlook in Pakistan’s competitive telecommunications and IT services sector.
The company’s notice to the Pakistan Stock Exchange confirmed that the management change became effective on March 3, 2026. – ER News Desk
Powering industrial advancement in Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor
Co-organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd and GMTX Co Ltd, the 2026 edition of Automation Expo closed on 27 February 2026, achieving a record 50 per cent year-on-year increase in attendance.
The event was held at the Nongnooch International Convention and Exhibition Center (NICE) in Pattaya, within the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), the country’s primary hub for advanced manufacturing and industrial investment. It brought together 11,723 visitors to explore the technological advancements needed to enhance the global competitiveness of Thai industry.
Highlights included the IIoT Ecosystem and Future-X zones, alongside a fringe program that provided manufacturers with practical guidance on upgrading their production lines and managing system integration.
Key figures from Automation Expo 2026: 11,723 visitors 150 exhibitors 7,500 sqm of floor space 8 fringe events
Following the close of the exhibition, Mr Jack Wong, Deputy General Manager, Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, highlighted the momentum currently driving the Thai market: “Thailand is proving that its industrial infrastructure is ready to compete at the highest global level, backed by a highly mature manufacturing sector. As international companies look for reliable production bases, the country is in a strong position to capture that demand. We are very pleased with the results from Automation Expo 2026. Moving forward, Messe Frankfurt will continue to bring the full weight of our international resources and network to the local market, connecting local manufacturers with the global technology providers they need to scale up and enhance their position within global value chains.”
Mr Teera Kittiteerapornchai, CEO of GMTX Co Ltd, noted that the 50 per cent increase in attendance was the highest year-on-year growth in the event’s history. “For Thai manufacturers, the pressure to adapt is immediate. With global supply chains shifting and foreign investment entering the EEC, companies know they need to continually upgrade their production technologies. Feedback from exhibitors consistently highlighted that visitors came with very specific goals for advancing their technical capabilities, particularly as an ageing workforce drives the search for technologies that make existing labour more capable.”
The fair’s 2026 edition presented a comprehensive range of solutions for key Thai industries, including electronics, automotive and food processing. Leading exhibitors such as ADVANTECH, Atlas Copco, Balluff, Beckhoff, Brother, Chiyoda Kihan, FUKUTECH, igus, INFOR, Kardex by Storemaster, Keyence, Murata, RAASPAL, Ricoh, San-Ei Tech, Schmersal and VEGA demonstrated the latest advancements.
The exhibition floor featured everything from low-cost automation and digital factory infrastructure to advanced robotics, including humanoid and autonomous service robots. Attendees also explored automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS), smart warehouse technologies, and seamless OT-IT integration.
To help visitors evaluate these technologies, the floor featured two specialised areas focused on advanced production systems. The IIoT Ecosystem zone moved beyond isolated products to illustrate a complete data flow, connecting factory-floor sensors and data collection systems to cloud platforms and analytics engines. Alongside, the Future-X zone highlighted Thailand’s evolution from a consumer of robotics to an active developer and system architect. This section showcased opportunities for Thai manufacturers to produce the essential parts and electric automation components required to build robotics systems locally.
The fair’s fringe program complemented the exhibition with eight events designed to help manufacturers move from exploring new technology to successfully using it. Highlights included the competitive IIoT Tech Challenge Creator, the Creative Factory Space, and the MM Stage Tech Review. By offering expert consulting and business matching alongside hands-on workshops, the program provided attendees with a clear path to both justify their technology investments and manage the technical side of upgrading their production lines.
Feedback from exhibitors:
“Automation Expo 2026 clearly shows that Thai industries are ready to leap directly from Industry 2.0 to 4.0. At the show, we saw immense interest in our AI and predictive maintenance solutions which forecast and alert users about equipment failures. While we expected to meet mainly with the automotive sector, the actual visitor profile was much broader, reaching buyers from the electronics, chemicals, and plastic & moulding industries.” Mr Chotivet Pianpobsuk, Sales Manager, Advantech Corporation (Thailand) Co Ltd
“I see Automation Expo as an ‘automation gallery’ that makes high-tech solutions genuinely accessible to Thai industries. The visitor turnout has been outstanding, drawing a wide audience including clients from the electronics and Food & Beverage industries travelling from as far as Northern Thailand to the EEC. This event allows visitors to explore a variety of solutions in one place, helping factories find practical ways to upgrade their technology and cut maintenance costs.” Mr Voravadhana Asavaphongsavanich, Marketing & Inside Sales Engineer, igus Motion Plastics (Thailand) Co Ltd
“Automation Expo brings the industry together for shared learning. Our participation allowed us to showcase technologies that solve traditional efficiency hurdles, securing opportunities with executives from companies like Mitsubishi and SCGC. The audience quality was exceptional; following our live demonstrations, nearly 100% of visitors with relevant pain points requested product trials.” Mr Wason Hutapraphin, Managing Director, T.V.P. Valve and Pneumatic Co Ltd
Feedback from visitors:
“I attended this event to update my technical knowledge and discovered many relevant innovations, especially in the Creative Factory Space, which showed that incorporating creativity can lead to a more productive, lower-pressure work environment. The sessions on Zero Defect AI and human resource management also provided excellent insights into bridging the generational gap between staff and advancing technology.” Mr Traipop Ampai, Engineer, Thai Engineering Products
“Working in a factory daily, it is difficult to see how advanced innovations can be applied to our daily work until we see them in person. Attending this event has been highly beneficial. I was particularly impressed by the Cobots and AI Inspection systems using smart cameras for quality control. Seeing these technologies firsthand opens up clear possibilities for our own production lines.” Mr Thawatchai Thanunajan, Manager, Ricoh Manufacturing
“This year, my focus at the show was on the training sessions for Procurement KPIs and Corporate Carbon Footprinting, topics that are highly relevant to the aluminium industry, particularly for export-oriented businesses where environmental standards are now crucial. The insights shared from real-world experience make the content immediately useful and applicable.” Mr Asoke Karnasuta, Assistant Vice President, Varopakorn Public Co Ltd
Feedback from speakers: “I have witnessed the remarkable growth of this show since its very first edition. This year, my sessions on human management and technology were fully booked, and the high level of interest led several attendees to approach me for further consulting. The fact that my own clients sent four minivans of employees to attend clearly proves the event has become a respected driver for industries across the Eastern region.” Mr Wuttipong Bunnayawa, Consulting Director, Thailand Productivity Institute
“The standards here elevate every year, successfully drawing massive crowds to the heart of the EEC. My session highlighted that you don’t need to ‘think big’ to adopt technology; starting small with IoT can yield immediate productivity gains. The high interest led many attendees to seek advice backstage on solving specific factory pain points. By connecting innovation with practical application, this event serves as a significant platform for pushing Thai industries towards Industry 4.0.” Mr Teerapat Thongsuchot, Executive Board Member, Thai IoT Association
Automation Expo is supported by a number of prominent organizations and industry associations, including: The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) Logistics Division, Department of Industrial Promotion Industrial Promotion Center Region 9, Department of Industrial Promotion National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC) Software Park Thailand Eastern Economic Corridor of Innovation (EECi) EEC Automation Park Thailand Productivity Institute (FTPI) Thai-German Institute (TGI) Sumipol Institute of Manufacturing Technology Thai-Nichi Institute of Technology Thai Automation and Robotics Association (TARA) Thai IoT Association Artificial Intelligence Association of Thailand (AIAT) Technology Promotion Association (Thailand-Japan) Thai PLC Center
Jointly organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd and GMTX Company Ltd, Automation Expo is part of Messe Frankfurt’s global portfolio of Electronics & Automation Technologies events. – Pattaya, 4 March 2026: PR
In continuation of its previously announced investment plan, Symmetry Group Limited has executed a Share Purchase Agreement to acquire LogoDesignGuru.com, Inc. (LDG), a US-based digital branding and technology company.
LDG operates AI-powered design platforms, digital asset marketplaces, and hybrid design-service models that cater to an international customer base. The acquisition marks a significant step in Symmetry Group’s strategy to expand its global footprint while enhancing its platform-driven digital offerings.
According to the company, LDG is expected to generate approximately USD 0.7 million (around PKR 200 million) in revenue during the current year and is already operating at a healthy level of profitability. Following the acquisition, Symmetry anticipates further improvement in earnings through cost optimization, operational efficiencies, and targeted revenue growth initiatives. Revenues are projected to grow at a strong year-on-year rate.
The move reinforces Symmetry Group’s focus on scaling technology-enabled services and strengthening its presence in international digital markets through platform-led business models.
The company stated that further details regarding the transaction and integration plans will be shared in due course. – ER News Desk
The Indus AI Summit 2026 concluded at the Jinnah Convention Center, marking a pivotal moment in Pakistan’s journey from AI policy discussions to practical implementation. Organized by the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication as the centerpiece of Indus AI Week (9–15 February), the summit brought together global experts, policymakers, and industry leaders to define Pakistan’s strategic AI direction.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif attended as Chief Guest alongside Federal Minister for IT Shaza Fatima Khawaja. In his address, the Prime Minister described artificial intelligence as central to national progress and announced a $1 billion government commitment to AI by 2030. The investment will fund sovereign compute infrastructure, research, and ecosystem development. He also announced 1,000 fully funded AI PhD scholarships, the introduction of AI curriculum in federal schools, and a plan to train one million non-IT professionals in AI skills.
Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal linked AI adoption to the “Uraan Pakistan” vision, stressing academia–industry integration for export growth and jobs. Minister Shaza Fatima highlighted ongoing digital reforms, including e-office adoption and high-performance computing foundations, and emphasized international partnerships.
A key outcome was the Islamabad Declaration, outlining eight pillars for sovereign, ethical, and accountable AI governance, focused on data trust, public value, explainability, and a private-sector-led ecosystem.
The summit featured international voices including Dr Aisha Bin Bishr, Türkiye’s Deputy Minister Muhammet Kasım Gönüllü, and experts from Canada, China, the UAE, and global tech firms. Dialogues covered AI governance, financing, data policy, and AI-native government design.
With the summit concluded, activities now move to public engagement events at the Islamabad Sports Complex, as Indus AI Week continues nationwide through February 15, signaling Pakistan’s intent to become a regional AI leader. – ER News Desk/PID
Symmetry Group Limited has announced that its Board of Directors has approved an aggregate investment plan of up to PKR 1,250 million, aimed at strengthening the company’s position across the digital, media, and technology ecosystem.
According to the company’s disclosure, the approved plan includes the acquisition of a US-based technology firm and a strategic investment in a local AI and data-driven digital company. The move signals Symmetry’s intent to deepen its technological capabilities while expanding its international and domestic footprint in high-growth digital segments.
The investment will also be directed toward scaling operational capacity, enabling the company to effectively execute recently secured long-term engagements. A portion of the funds will be allocated to enhancing technology infrastructure and meeting working capital requirements, with a clear focus on improving operational efficiency and profitability.
Industry observers view this development as a significant step for Pakistan’s digital services landscape, where companies are increasingly investing in artificial intelligence, data analytics, and integrated digital solutions to meet evolving client demands in marketing technology, digital transformation, and customer experience management.
Symmetry Group, known for its presence in digital media, marketing technology, and data-led solutions, has in recent years positioned itself at the intersection of technology, creativity, and analytics. The latest investment plan appears to align with this trajectory by bringing in advanced international expertise while simultaneously nurturing local AI-driven capabilities.
The acquisition of a US-based technology firm is expected to provide Symmetry access to advanced platforms, technical talent, and global market linkages. Meanwhile, the strategic investment in a domestic AI and data company reflects growing confidence in Pakistan’s emerging tech ecosystem and the potential for locally developed solutions to scale regionally and globally.
The company stated that further details regarding the investment plan will be communicated in due course.
Analysts suggest that such investments not only strengthen corporate growth but also contribute to Pakistan’s broader digital economy by encouraging technology transfer, capacity building, and the development of indigenous AI and data competencies. – ER News Desk
ASPIRE Pakistan has strengthened its nationwide mission to promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and emerging technologies in higher education through two significant Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed with leading universities in Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
In Jamshoro, ASPIRE Pakistan formalized a partnership with the Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences (LUMHS) aimed at advancing innovation-led learning and practical entrepreneurial pathways for students in medical and health sciences. The MoU was signed by Professor Dr. Ikramuddin Ujjan, Vice Chancellor of LUMHS, and Mr. Hassan Syed, Founder and CEO of ASPIRE Pakistan.
The collaboration is designed to create opportunities for students to engage in innovation programs, startup enablement initiatives, and applied learning experiences that translate academic ideas into real-world solutions. By integrating entrepreneurship with health sciences education, the initiative seeks to nurture future-ready professionals capable of addressing healthcare challenges through technology and innovation.
Earlier, on January 20, 2026, ASPIRE Pakistan entered into a similar agreement with CECOS University of Information Technology and Emerging Sciences, Peshawar. The MoU was signed by Hassan Syed alongside the university’s senior leadership, including Dr. Mohammad Mohsin Khan, Vice Chancellor; Dr. Abdul Hanan, Director ORIC; and Dr. Shiraz Khan, Dean, Faculty of Computing and Management Sciences.
This partnership focuses on entrepreneurship development, innovation acceleration, and youth empowerment through structured programs, mentorship support, and startup incubation pathways for students. During his visit, Mr. Syed appreciated CECOS University’s commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and highlighted the shared vision of bridging academia with Pakistan’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Through these collaborations, ASPIRE Pakistan is building a network of universities committed to equipping students with practical skills, innovation exposure, and startup support mechanisms. The initiative reflects a broader effort to align higher education with national economic needs by encouraging students to become problem-solvers, innovators, and job creators.
These MoUs mark important milestones in ASPIRE Pakistan’s ongoing journey to create an interconnected, empowered, and innovation-driven academic landscape across the country. – ER News Desk
Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok generated an estimated three million sexualised images of women and children in a matter of days, researchers said Jan 22, revealing the scale of the explicit content that sparked a global outcry.
The recent rollout of an editing feature on Grok, developed by Musk’s startup xAI and integrated into X, allowed users to alter online images of real people with simple text prompts such as “put her in a bikini” or “remove her clothes”.
A flood of lewd deepfakes exploded online, prompting several countries to ban Grok and drawing outrage from regulators and victims.
“The AI tool Grok is estimated to have generated approximately three million sexualized images, including 23,000 that appear to depict children, after the launch of a new image editing feature powered by the tool on X,” said the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), a nonprofit watchdog that researches the harmful effects of online disinformation.
CCDH’s report estimated that Grok generated this volume of photorealistic images over an 11-day period – an average rate of 190 per minute.
The report did not say how many images were created without the consent of the people pictured.
It said public figures identified in Grok’s sexualized images included American actress Selena Gomez, singers Taylor Swift and Nicki Minaj as well as politicians such as Swedish Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch and former US vice president Kamala Harris.
“The data is clear: Elon Musk’s Grok is a factory for the production of sexual abuse material,” Imran Ahmed, the chief executive of CCDH.
“By deploying AI without safeguards, Musk enabled the creation of an estimated 23,000 sexualized images of children in two weeks, and millions more images of adult women.”
There was no immediate comment about the findings from X. When reached by AFP by email, xAI replied with a terse automated response: “Legacy Media Lies.”
Last week, following the global outrage, X announced that it would “geoblock the ability” of all Grok and X users to create images of people in “bikinis, underwear, and similar attire” in jurisdictions where such actions are illegal.
It was not immediately clear where the tool would be restricted.
The announcement came after California’s attorney general launched an investigation into xAI over the sexually explicit material and several countries opened their own probes.
“Belated fixes cannot undo this harm. We must hold Big Tech accountable for giving abusers the power to victimize women and girls at the click of a button,” Ahmed said.
Grok’s digital undressing spree comes amid growing concerns among tech campaigners over proliferating AI nudification apps.
Last week, the Philippines became the third country to ban Grok, following South-East Asian neighbours Malaysia and Indonesia, while Britain and France said they would maintain pressure on the company.
On Wednesday, the Philippines’s Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center said it was ending the short-lived ban after xAI agreed to modify the tool for the local market and eliminate its ability to create “pornographic content”. – AFP/TS
Epic Angels, the world’s largest global all-female investment collective, has announced an investment in Neem, a Pakistan-based full-stack payments infrastructure platform, as part of Neem’s Pre-Series A funding round. The investment underscores growing international confidence in Pakistan’s fintech ecosystem and its potential to drive financial inclusion through digital innovation.
The Pre-Series A round also includes participation from DNI Group, Hi2 Global and AKD, with continued backing from existing seed investors SparkLabs Ventures, Outrun Ventures, Arif Habib and MyAsiaVC. In addition, a group of strategic angel investors from leading global fintech and payments companies, including Stripe, PayNet and Aspire, have joined the round.
The fresh capital will be deployed to scale Neem’s technology infrastructure, strengthen cybersecurity and data protection frameworks, expand enterprise partnerships, and accelerate customer onboarding across key sectors such as logistics, insurance, healthcare, e-commerce and agriculture. The funding is expected to support Neem’s mission to help businesses transition from cash-based operations to secure, efficient digital payments.
About Epic Angels Founded as a global, women-led investment collective, Epic Angels brings together accomplished female founders, operators and executives from around the world to invest in high-growth technology companies. With a strong focus on fintech, enterprise technology and scalable digital platforms, Epic Angels aims to bridge funding gaps, promote diversity in venture capital and support innovative businesses across emerging and developed markets.
About Neem Neem is a full-stack payments infrastructure platform that is modernizing Pakistan’s financial ecosystem by enabling businesses to digitize collections and disbursements through integrated payment solutions and embedded wallets. By offering secure, scalable and compliant financial technology, Neem supports enterprises in moving away from cash-based processes, improving transparency, efficiency and access to formal financial services across the economy.
The investment marks a significant milestone for Neem as it continues to expand its footprint and contribute to the evolution of Pakistan’s digital payments landscape. ERMD
Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, on Tuesday announced the launch of Indus AI Week 2026, a flagship national initiative on artificial intelligence, scheduled to be held from February 9 to 15, 2026.
Indus AI Week 2026 aims to position Pakistan as a country committed to advancing artificial intelligence at scale by fostering collaboration among government, industry, academia, startups, and the broader technology ecosystem. The initiative seeks to build awareness, strengthen national capacity, promote responsible AI adoption, and encourage practical, sector-wide engagement.
Organised by the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication through a public-private partnership, Indus AI Week has been conceived as an open and inclusive, week-long national platform for AI learning, exploration, and participation. The programme will bring together policymakers, technology leaders, enterprises, universities, startups, students, and the general public in Islamabad and across the country.
Key features of the week include a national technology showcase, startup and innovation spotlights linking founders with investors, skills training and certification opportunities for students and professionals, a gaming and experiential AI arena, and interactive public engagement activities. These components are designed to demystify artificial intelligence and translate policy dialogue into hands-on learning and real-world adoption.
Announcing the initiative, Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja said that following the introduction of Pakistan’s National AI Policy last year, Indus AI Week represents a shift from discussion to implementation. She said the initiative would help connect policy, industry, and talent while positioning Pakistan as a credible participant in the global AI ecosystem.
Indus AI Week will open with the Indus AI Summit at the Jinnah Convention Center, Islamabad, on February 9, followed by Innovation, Learning, and Engagement activities at the Islamabad Sports Complex on February 9–10. Co-branded AI events will continue nationwide through February 15, marking a significant step toward Pakistan’s digital future. – ER News Desk
Sky47 Limited, a majority-owned subsidiary of Mari Energies Limited, has launched its first Cloud and AI infrastructure platform at the Silicon Valley of Capital Smart City near Islamabad, marking a significant milestone in Pakistan’s digital and technological evolution.
The platform has been developed through Sky47’s wholly owned subsidiary, Mari Technologies Limited, and is designed to provide secure, scalable, and sovereign digital infrastructure within the country. It aims to enable enterprises, government institutions, and technology innovators to run mission-critical workloads locally, while adhering to global standards of performance, reliability, and regulatory compliance.
According to the company, the Cloud and AI platform will support advanced computing needs, data security, and digital transformation initiatives across multiple sectors, reducing reliance on overseas data centers and strengthening national data sovereignty.
The launch reflects a growing focus on building indigenous technology infrastructure to support Pakistan’s expanding digital economy. By offering world-class cloud and AI capabilities within Pakistan, Sky47’s initiative is expected to accelerate innovation, enhance public and private sector efficiency, and contribute to the country’s long-term technological resilience. – ER News Desk
