Policy, Progress, and Pitfalls: Pakistan’s Tech & E-Commerce Landscape in June 2025
Pakistan’s Digital Shift: 20 Game-Changing Updates You Should Know in June 2025.
1. What Is the Role of PEA and CAP in Fighting E-Commerce Taxes in Pakistan?
The Pakistan E-Commerce Association (PEA) and Chainstore Association of Pakistan (CAP) have taken a united stance against the sudden and harsh taxation policies targeting online sellers in the Finance Bill 2025–26. Both organizations have conducted press conferences in Lahore and Karachi, attended by major digital brands, SMEs, and government representatives. CAP highlighted how the current tax framework penalizes formal businesses while encouraging cash-based sales. PEA, representing freelancers, marketplaces, and digital startups, pointed out that the 5% advance income tax on online sellers without any differentiation between registered and unregistered entities is unjust and counterproductive. The associations are currently lobbying for phased implementation, home-based seller exemptions, and clarity in documentation processes.
Press conference in Lahore was done by Omer Mubeen, Haider Qazi, Enablers Saqib Azhar, Usman Chugtai from Ecommerce Wala and many more. Same was followed in Karachi under CAP leadership and PEA members including Shoaib Bhatti and Asfandyar leading the conference.
2. How Did Pakistani Tech Founders Secure $10 Million in U.S. Investment?
Pakistani entrepreneurs Mehwish Salman Ali and Malik Mudassir achieved a major milestone by securing $10 million in funding from the JR Dallas Tech Fund, based in the United States. Their startup, which specializes in SaaS products for real estate and customer engagement, impressed investors with a 300% YoY revenue growth and a 2.3 million user base across North America and MENA. This is one of the largest international investments into a Pakistan-founded startup in 2025 and signals growing investor confidence in Pakistani tech talent abroad. The founders have also committed to using part of the funding to open a new R&D center in Lahore.
3. Why Did Builder.ai File for Bankruptcy Despite Being Backed by Microsoft?
Builder.ai, once hailed as an AI unicorn and valued at $1.5 billion, has filed for bankruptcy after an exposé revealed that its services were not truly AI-powered as claimed and over 100 indian developers were sitting behind. The London-based startup, which raised funds from Microsoft and other major VCs, was caught misleading customers by marketing a no-code app builder as an AI tool. Despite raising over $400 million in total funding, operational inefficiencies, high customer churn, and the lack of proprietary AI tech led to a rapid downfall. The scandal is now being investigated for investor misrepresentation and consumer fraud, raising questions about due diligence in the AI startup ecosystem.
4. Has Japan Broken the World Record for Internet Speed?
Yes. In a groundbreaking achievement, Japan has set a new world record by achieving 1.02 petabits per second (1,020,000 GB/s) over a distance of 1,808 kilometers using a 19-core optical fiber cable. This speed is roughly 100,000 times faster than standard home internet connections. Conducted by Japan’s National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), this advancement could revolutionize global broadband infrastructure, data centers, and cloud gaming industries. It's seen as a major leap in addressing data transmission bottlenecks as demand for high-speed internet continues to skyrocket.
5. How Rich Is Bitcoin’s Mysterious Creator, Satoshi Nakamoto?
The anonymous inventor of Bitcoin, Satoshi Nakamoto, is estimated to own approximately 1.1 million BTC, which at June 2025’s average market value of $109,500 per coin, equates to $120 billion USD. This makes Nakamoto the 11th richest person in the world—ahead of figures like Mukesh Ambani and behind Google co-founder Sergey Brin. Despite this vast wealth, none of these bitcoins have ever been moved or cashed out, keeping Satoshi's identity and intentions a mystery. If these coins were to hit the market, they could significantly impact Bitcoin's price due to their volume.
6. What Does Alibaba’s Partnership with CPEX Mean for Pakistani Exporters?
Alibaba, the world’s largest B2B e-commerce platform, has entered into a strategic partnership with CPEX (China-Pakistan Express) to support Pakistani SMEs and manufacturers in exporting their products to over 200 countries. This collaboration aims to streamline cross-border e-commerce by offering integrated logistics, customs clearance, and warehousing. The move is expected to boost Pakistan’s e-commerce exports by 22–25% within the next fiscal year. Training programs, product listing assistance, and real-time tracking dashboards will also be introduced to help local businesses scale globally.
7. How Did Nvidia Surpass Microsoft in Market Capitalization?
In a historic financial moment, Nvidia has overtaken Microsoft to become the world’s most valuable publicly traded company with a market capitalization of $3.45 trillion. This surge has been fueled by explosive demand for AI chips used in data centers, autonomous vehicles, and generative AI tools like ChatGPT. Nvidia’s flagship H100 GPU accounted for over $26 billion in sales in just the first half of 2025. With partnerships spanning from Meta to Tesla and Amazon, analysts believe Nvidia’s dominance in the AI supply chain is set to last well into the decade.
8. Who Built a Heart Failure Detection App with 96% Accuracy?
A 14-year-old tech prodigy from Texas has stunned the medical community by developing an AI-powered app that can detect early signs of heart failure with 96% accuracy in just 7 seconds. The app, which uses data from smartwatches and mobile sensors, was trained on over 2 million clinical samples and is currently under review by the U.S. FDA for emergency medical approval. The teenager, supported by university mentors, plans to release the app as a free open-source tool to help underserved communities globally.
9. Is Tesla Still Dominating the EV Market in 2025?
Yes. In Q1 2025, Tesla delivered 128,100 electric vehicles, more than the next 10 EV brands combined, according to EV-Volumes data. This includes models like the Model Y, Model 3, and the newly launched Cybertruck, which alone accounted for 32,000 units. Tesla’s dominance is attributed to its global Gigafactory network, vertically integrated supply chain, and aggressive pricing strategies. The company is also expanding rapidly in South Asia and the Middle East, targeting a 22% market share increase by the end of the year.
10. Are Humanoid Robots Coming to Your Doorstep?
Amazon is set to pilot a futuristic delivery program in Q3 2025, involving humanoid robots that will exit Rivian electric vans and carry packages straight to customer doorsteps. These robots, developed by Agility Robotics, are equipped with AI vision, obstacle detection, and arm mobility, and are trained to handle up to 30 pounds of cargo. Initially, the program will run in select U.S. cities with plans to expand globally by 2026. This initiative aims to cut last-mile delivery costs by up to 40% and address labor shortages in logistics.
11. How Fast Did Foodpapa Grow on Launch?
Foodpapa, a newly launched Pakistani food delivery app, made history by reaching 100,000 downloads within just 59 minutes of its official release on app stores in May 2025. The app's performance shattered previous records held by competitors like Foodpanda and Cheetay. Key reasons for this success include an aggressive pre-launch marketing campaign across TikTok and YouTube, influencer partnerships with over 80 food vloggers, and a time-bound launch offer of free delivery for the first 3 orders. Within its first week, Foodpapa had over 300,000 active users and listed 5,000+ restaurants across Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad.
12. How Much Did Pakistan Export to Saudi Arabia in 2025?
Pakistan’s trade relationship with Saudi Arabia reached a major milestone in FY 2024–25. Exports of goods rose by 41.2% to hit $710.3 million, while total exports including services surpassed $1.08 billion — marking the first time ever that Pakistan crossed the billion-dollar mark in bilateral exports to the Kingdom. Key exported categories included rice, meat, garments, surgical instruments, and manpower services. This growth was driven by diplomatic engagements, new trade corridors under the Pak-Saudi Joint Working Group, and streamlined logistics via ports in Jeddah and Gwadar.
13. Is Pakistan Among Top Exporters of Truck Tires to the U.S.?
Yes. In Q1 of 2025, Pakistan was ranked among the Top 10 global exporters of Truck and Bus Radial (TBR) tires to the United States, as per U.S. International Trade Commission data. Pakistani manufacturers such as Service Tyres, Panther Tyres, and GTR collectively shipped over 118,000 units of TBR tires, generating $42 million in revenue. The success has been attributed to adherence to U.S. Department of Transportation standards, improved raw material sourcing, and a focus on quality certifications like ISO 9001.
14. When Will Careem Stop Operating in Pakistan?
Careem has announced the end of its ride-hailing operations in Pakistan effective July 18, 2025, citing sustainability challenges and market saturation. The company, which entered the Pakistani market in 2016, once held a market share of 45% in urban mobility. However, regulatory uncertainty, rider safety issues, and rising fuel costs led to consistent operational losses. Careem’s food and parcel delivery services will continue, and users will still be able to access the app for digital wallet and payment functionalities.
15. How Can Freelancers Now Get Paid Instantly in Pakistan?
In a game-changing move, JazzCash has partnered with Veem, a global cross-border payment solution, to enable instant international payments for freelancers in Pakistan. This allows verified freelancers to receive payments directly into their JazzCash wallets from over 110 countries, bypassing delays and high banking fees. With over 1.5 million freelancers in Pakistan, this service is expected to ease cash flow issues, support gig economy growth, and reduce dependency on third-party money transfer platforms like Payoneer or Western Union.
16. Is Pakistan Now a Solar Power Leader?
Yes. In a landmark achievement, Pakistan has become the first major country globally to generate 25% of its electricity from solar energy as of mid-2025. This shift was enabled by government-backed initiatives like Net Metering, Roshan Ghar Scheme, and tax exemptions for solar panel imports. According to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), this renewable energy revolution has helped reduce power shortfalls by 19% and carbon emissions by 11.7 million tons annually. Cities like Bahawalpur, Multan, and Hyderabad have emerged as solar hotspots.
17. Why Are Pakistani Retailers Still Avoiding Cashless Payments?
Despite having over 100,000 POS machines deployed across the country, only 3% of retailers in Pakistan actively use digital payment systems, according to recent State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) data. Reasons include fear of tax documentation, lack of digital literacy among small shopkeepers, and network reliability issues in rural areas. On the consumer side, only 23% of daily retail transactions are done through cards or mobile wallets.
Out of over 5 million MSMEs, just 151,000 retailers have adopted POS system, highlighting a significant gap in digital payment adoption and continued reliance on cash transactions. While QR code adoption is growing, analysts say Pakistan needs stronger incentives, such as reduced transaction fees and digital rebates, to drive behavioral change.
18. How Much Did Pakistanis Spend on Global Tech Apps?
According to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Pakistanis spent over Rs. 317 billion (approx. $1.14 billion USD) on global digital platforms during FY 2024–25. This includes app store purchases, advertising spends, subscriptions, and in-app services on platforms such as Meta (Facebook/Instagram), Apple, Netflix, Google, and Spotify. With more than 120 million smartphone users and increased reliance on streaming and digital advertising, Pakistan has become one of the top emerging digital consumer economies in South Asia.
19. What’s the Latest E-Commerce Scam in Pakistan?
A new wave of scams has hit Pakistan’s digital economy in 2025. Cybercriminals are sending SMS alerts pretending to be from e-commerce companies, warning users of "delivery failures" and prompting them to click on phishing links. These links often lead to cloned websites that steal personal data or payment credentials. The Cyber Crime Wing of FIA reported a 240% spike in such scams compared to last year. Major brands like Daraz, Foodpanda, and Telemart have issued public safety alerts, advising users to never click on unsolicited messages and to verify orders via official apps.
20. Will There Be Any Relaxation in E-Commerce Taxes Soon?
Yes. As per early drafts of the Finance Bill 2025–26, the government is considering phased implementation and reduction in compliance penalties for small online sellers. There are also proposals to raise the minimum income threshold to Rs. 2.5 million annually for mandatory registration, which would exempt thousands of home-based sellers. Furthermore, women-led startups, freelancers, and early-stage e-commerce vendors may receive conditional tax reliefs. These measures, if implemented, could ease the pressure on the sector and allow time for broader digitization and compliance training.
