Pakistan presented 35 development projects worth approximately $26 billion at the National SDGs Investment Fair, which concluded on October 7. The two-day event produced a letter of intent for a $40 million tourism project. A government private-sector partner and an investor signed it, according to UNDP’s statement. The statement did not identify the signatories. UNDP and the Government of Pakistan convened the fair under the SDGs Plus Programme. Federal and provincial officials met domestic and international investors, financial institutions and development partners. Organisers launched the SDG Investment Pipeline Compendium and project pitchbooks on October 6. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb joined virtually as chief guest. “Every country needs a policy framework and a financing equation. But the most important piece is capacity building, which is where we need to talk about investable, bankable projects that we can structure, report on and monitor in line with international standards,” he said. Senator Sherry Rehman and Sindh planning chief Najam Shah also addressed the opening session. UNDP Pakistan Deputy Resident Representative Van Nguyen stressed follow-through. “Over the next two days, I hope these conversations translate into partnerships that outlast this Fair. Its success should not be measured only by the number of projects showcased or commitments announced, but by whether these projects move forward: into financing, implementation and real improvements in people’s lives,” she said. Project presentations covered transport, climate, agriculture, water and sanitation, tourism, industry, trade and technology. UNDP’s published pipeline also includes floating solar, methane capture, grain storage and wastewater treatment. Participants included Sindh’s PPP Unit and Punjab’s PPP Authority. Ravi Urban Development Authority, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Board of Investment and Trade, and Balochistan’s PPP Authority also participated. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal opened the second day. “The Fair translates URAAN’s pillars into investable opportunities, bringing government and investors together to accelerate sustainable development through investment across Pakistan,” he said. Nguyen moderated a capital-markets and private-financing panel. Speakers included OICCI President and Dawlance CEO Umar Ahsan Khan, alongside EY MENA’s sustainability and climate-change director Zehra Aneek. AKD Securities CEO Farid Alam and InfraZamin Chief Investment Officer Amir Masood also participated. Naghma-e-Tehniat Jerral moderated another panel on turning development plans into investment. It featured Najam Shah and Punjab PPP Authority CEO Dr. Zeeshan Hanif. Balochistan Additional Secretary Finance Faayaz Ali, business-facilitation director Iqbal Sarwar and former Board of Investment secretary Dr. Fareena Mazhar joined them. Sindh Planning and Development Minister Jam Khan Shoro closed the fair. “Sustainable investment is key to unlocking Sindh’s and Pakistan’s development potential, connecting our projects with the capital and partnerships needed to deliver results in health, WASH, and agriculture,” he said. UNDP Pakistan Resident Representative Dr. Samuel Rizk emphasised continued engagement. “This Fair is a platform that demonstrates how well-designed investment opportunities can successfully attract financing and also ensure development impact.” The gathering builds on earlier efforts to attract private capital. UNDP’s Pakistan SDG Investment Report 2021 identified institutional capacity and financing constraints as obstacles to implementation.
Pakistan Wins 11 ASOCIO Digital & AI Awards 2026
Pakistani technology organisations secured honours across 11 categories at the ASOCIO Digital & AI Awards 2026, covering public services, cybersecurity, healthcare and agriculture. Organisers presented the awards on October 6 at Swissôtel Jakarta PIK Avenue in Indonesia. The ceremony formed part of the October 5–7 ASOCIO Digital & AI Summit. The Pakistan Software Houses Association for IT & ITES (P@SHA) congratulated the recipients. It described the results as evidence of Pakistan’s growing capabilities in digital transformation and applied artificial intelligence. P@SHA Chairman Dr. Shoab A. Khan attended with Muhammad Zohaib Khan, ASOCIO vice chairman and P@SHA Central Executive Committee member. Zain Tariq, P@SHA’s manager of special initiatives, also joined the delegation. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Technology Board (KPITB) received the Digital Government Award. Remire won the Talent Development Award, while Symmetry Group Limited secured the Global Business Service Award. Eight other Pakistani organisations earned recognition for artificial intelligence applications across different sectors. SecureBeans won the AI in Cybersecurity Award, while Planetbeyond Pakistan received the AI for Public Good Award. CARE took the AI in Education honour. DxVision AI secured the AI in Healthcare Award. Sybrid won for AI in Smart Agriculture, while Unikrew Solutions received the AI in Financial Services Award. Geekinn Private Limited claimed the AI in Workforce & Future Skills Award. SMART IS (Private) Limited completed the list with the AI in Manufacturing / Supply Chain Award. “This monumental achievement is a testament to the relentless innovation, resilience, and world-class capability of Pakistan’s technology sector,” said Dr. Shoab Khan, Chairman of P@SHA. “Winning across 11 diverse categories against fierce competition from 24 economies demonstrates that Pakistan is no longer just participating in the global tech landscape – we are actively driving the future of digital transformation and applied artificial intelligence. These organizations have done Pakistan proud, showcasing the true depth and potential of our IT ecosystem to the world.” P@SHA’s release cited participation from 26 economies elsewhere, although Khan’s statement referred to 24. The official summit website also lists 24 participating economies. KPITB’s recognition followed work under the Chief Minister’s Good Governance Roadmap and Digital KP Vision 2030. According to an official statement reported by APP, these initiatives aim to make provincial public services more accessible, integrated and transparent. The award acknowledged the board’s use of technology to improve governance and citizens’ access to services. ASOCIO, the Asian-Oceanian Computing Industry Organization, brings together ICT industry associations across Asia and Oceania. Its annual awards recognise digital innovation, technological advancement and IT adoption. The organisers describe the awards as recognising AI innovation, digital transformation and responsible, sustainable technology practices. Categories also cover workforce development and technology-enabled business services. P@SHA said the breadth of Pakistan’s winners highlighted local talent and solutions serving multiple industries. The association also linked the recognition to Pakistan’s growing contribution to the international technology sector.
India, Qatar and South Africa Join Seven-Country Race for 2036 Olympics
India, Qatar and South Africa are among seven countries interested in hosting the 2036 Summer Olympics, the International Olympic Committee confirmed Tuesday. Germany, Hungary, Turkiye and South Korea complete the current list. Other countries have until October 31 to declare their interest. The announcement identifies interested parties, rather than a final shortlist. The IOC Executive Board will select countries in March 2027 to advance into a more focused strategic dialogue. The Olympic body will assess proposals against several factors, including funding, political backing and public support. Athlete experience will remain central to the process. “Wherever the Games take place, one thing must never change: athletes have to be at the heart of everything we do,” IOC President Kirsty Coventry said. “That is why, for every future host, delivering the best possible experience for the athletes must always be the starting point,” the Zimbabwean former swimmer added. The IOC has also published a handbook setting out the next stages for potential hosts. Qatar’s Olympic Committee confirmed its participation after the announcement, describing the process as a revised route towards selecting the 2036 host. Qatar Olympic Committee India targets Ahmedabad, Qatar faces heat challenge India wants to host the Olympics for the first time, with its proposal centred on Ahmedabad in Gujarat. The city lies in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home state and houses the world’s largest cricket stadium. Ahmedabad will also host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, offering a major test of its ability to stage a multi-sport event. Qatar brings experience from hosting the 2022 football World Cup. However, allegations of corruption within FIFA later overshadowed the process that awarded that tournament. Summer temperatures present another challenge for a Gulf Olympics. Organisers would need to move the Games beyond the traditional July-August window to avoid the region’s extreme heat. South Africa, meanwhile, hopes to bring the Olympics to the African continent for the first time. It previously staged the 2010 football World Cup and the 1995 Rugby World Cup. Those tournaments provide major-event experience, although South Africa has never hosted an Olympics. Munich and Istanbul seek another opportunity Germany’s National Olympic Committee selected Munich as its candidate last month. The city previously hosted the 1972 Summer Games. A German Olympics in 2036 would fall exactly a century after the Berlin Games, which took place under the Nazi regime. Turkish Olympic officials hope Istanbul can improve on its unsuccessful campaign for the 2020 Games, when it finished second to Tokyo. Hungary also seeks its first Olympics. South Korea has hosted both editions of the event, staging the 1988 Summer Games in Seoul and the 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang. Reuters reported that the IOC expects to identify preferred hosts in 2028, with a final decision anticipated in mid-2029. Los Angeles will host the 2028 Summer Olympics, followed by Brisbane in 2032. The 2036 edition remains the next Summer Games without a confirmed host.
PAL Free Rebooking: Dubai, Doha and Riyadh Flight Rules
Philippine Airlines is offering eligible passengers one flight-date change without a rebooking fee on services from Manila to Dubai, Doha and Riyadh. The flag carrier’s Free First Rebooking promotion gives travellers flexibility when work schedules, leave approvals or personal commitments change. Passengers must submit their request at least 15 days before departure and no later than November 15, 2026. Both conditions apply, so the deadline alone does not determine eligibility. PAL announced the promotion on October 3, with immediate effect, according to its announcement and reporting by GMA News. The offer covers one date change for qualifying bookings on the three Middle East routes. Fare differences and exclusions still apply The promotion waives the rebooking fee, but it does not guarantee a completely free change. Passengers may still need to pay an applicable fare difference when selecting another departure. Ticket validity rules and other conditions also remain in place. PAL excludes tickets purchased during major promotional fare and seat sale campaigns. Travellers should therefore check their individual ticket conditions before assuming the waiver applies. The distinction matters for passengers who bought discounted tickets during a separate sale. A booking on an eligible route does not automatically qualify for this promotion. For example, a traveller requesting a change fewer than 15 days before departure would miss the promotion’s advance-notice requirement. Submitting that request before November 15 would not remove the restriction. Similarly, the waiver covers the first flight-date change. It does not provide unlimited changes throughout the ticket’s validity. PAL said the initiative responds to the changing schedules and travel arrangements that many Filipinos face. It aims to let eligible customers book earlier while retaining some flexibility. “Through initiatives that respond to customers’ evolving travel needs, PAL continues to connect people and the Philippines to the world, always with care,” said the flag carrier. Manila-Dubai nonstop flights resume The promotion follows PAL’s return to the Manila-Dubai route on October 2. The airline currently operates the nonstop service four times weekly, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. This restores a direct connection between the Philippine capital and the UAE city. The published resumption schedule lists flight PR 658 departing Manila at 12:50pm and arriving in Dubai at 6pm. Both times are local. PAL previously said it planned to increase frequencies progressively to daily service as operational considerations allowed. That remains a stated expansion plan rather than the four-times-weekly schedule at the route’s restart. For eligible passengers, the offer combines the restored Dubai connection with an opportunity to adjust a travel date without the usual rebooking charge. Before requesting a change, travellers need to confirm three points: ticket eligibility, the 15-day notice period and any additional fare payable. They must also submit the request by November 15.
Abu Dhabi Launches AiNative as It Targets AI-Native Government by 2027
Abu Dhabi Government has launched AI-Native, a training programme targeting practical artificial intelligence skills for 20,000 government employees by year-end. The Department of Government Enablement developed the initiative with OpenAI, Microsoft and Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence. Officials signed a memorandum of understanding at Ai Everything Abu Dhabi on October 7. The programme supports the emirate’s ambition to become the world’s first AI-native government by 2027. Its focus extends beyond providing software to helping employees use AI confidently and responsibly. “Abu Dhabi’s leadership understands that becoming an AI-native government is as much about people as it is about technology,” said Amr Kamel. He serves as Microsoft UAE’s general manager. Government employees will learn to use ChatGPT, Codex and Microsoft 365 Copilot in their daily work. The curriculum includes foundation courses and a dedicated programme for department leaders. Later phases will introduce specialised, function-specific certifications, including coding and data. A government pilot is already under way, with public access to follow. Free training for citizens and residents Abu Dhabi citizens and residents will eventually access the free programme through Tomouh, the government’s AI-powered learning app. They will log in using UAE Pass. The public learning programme will use the free version of ChatGPT. Lessons will demonstrate everyday applications, including managing personal finances, running small businesses, finding jobs, studying and creating online content responsibly. This broadens the initiative beyond workplace training. Residents will learn how to apply AI to practical needs in their professional and personal lives. “Becoming an AI-native nation starts with AI-confident people,” said Farouk El Hamzawi, head of enterprise at OpenAI MENA. He said AI’s shift from answering questions to handling complex tasks would create opportunities for workers and government services. Realising those opportunities, he added, requires the skills and confidence to use the technology effectively. “DGE is helping government employees and the wider public to turn Abu Dhabi’s bold AI ambitions into everyday impact.” Wesam Lootah, director general of GovDigital at DGE, emphasised responsible adoption. He said the programme would help employees and the wider community use AI at work and in everyday life. Training builds on 35,000 Copilot licences AiNative follows the Frontier Employee Programme, announced in July, which expanded Microsoft 365 Copilot across Abu Dhabi Government. DGE’s July announcement detailed deployment to 26,000 civil servants across 27 government entities. Combined with 9,000 existing licences, that brought the total to 35,000. The department said the deployment included Advanced Data Residency, with AI processing taking place within UAE borders. It also outlined security, data governance and readiness assessments to support responsible use. Officials said the two initiatives would pair access to advanced tools with the skills necessary to use them at scale. The immediate target remains training 20,000 government employees before the end of 2026. The subsequent public rollout will extend that learning opportunity to Abu Dhabi’s citizens and residents.
Michael Jordan’s Ferrari Attracts 43 Bids and a Record $2.7 Million Price
Michael Jordan’s 1997 Ferrari 550 Maranello has sold for $2.7 million, setting a public-auction record for the model. The September 30 sale through JOOPITER, in partnership with specialist dealer CURATED, attracted 43 bids over roughly two weeks. The result more than doubled the $1.3 million upper estimate. According to the auction house, the price exceeded the model’s previous public-auction record by more than four times. Jordan’s documented ownership helped distinguish the car from otherwise comparable examples. The basketball star took delivery in May 1997, during the Chicago Bulls’ championship years. The Ferrari featured Rosso Barchetta paint, tan leather and the Illinois vanity plate “MJ 5”. Read More: Ferrari’s First Electric Car Sells for Record $40 Million Jordan drove it to games and practice, reportedly covering about 6,400 miles before selling it in 2002. Photographs captured him leaving Chicago’s United Center in the Ferrari shortly after his fifth NBA championship in June 1997. The car also helped inspire elements of the Air Jordan XIV sneaker design. Those connections gave bidders more than a desirable Italian grand tourer. They offered a documented link to Jordan’s playing career and his influence beyond basketball. A manual V12 with championship history Ferrari introduced the 550 Maranello in 1996. It restored the front-engined, two-seat V12 layout after more than two decades of mid-engined flagship road cars. Its naturally aspirated 5.5-litre V12 pairs with a six-speed gated manual gearbox. Ferrari’s historical specifications list output at 485 horsepower at 7,000 rpm. The manufacturer built 3,083 examples between 1996 and 2001, according to the supplied report. However, Jordan’s Ferrari commanded a price far beyond ordinary examples. PakWheels placed typical values between $200,000 and $300,000, depending on mileage, condition and specification. Against that range, the $2.7 million result represents roughly nine to 13.5 times the price of a conventional example. It demonstrates the premium collectors can attach to a particular ownership history. The result also comfortably exceeded JOOPITER’s full presale estimate of $700,000 to $1.3 million, reported by Road & Track. An online clue helped trace the car After Jordan sold the Ferrari in 2002, it largely disappeared from public view. CURATED founder John Temerian reportedly spent years tracing it. An incomplete vehicle identification number posted online eventually provided a lead, which investigators matched against Ferrari dealer records. The Ferrari returned to Chicago for photography before the auction. That visit took place on May 29, 2026, exactly 29 years after Jordan’s original delivery, according to Auto Trader. Read More: Chinese EVs Claim to Outperform Porsche, Ferrari and BMW At the time of sale, its odometer showed approximately 18,500 miles. The result remains far below the $51.7 million Ferrari 250 GTO sale. Yet its premium over ordinary 550 values makes the Jordan connection central to this auction. For collectors, the appeal combined a manual V12 Ferrari with photographs, ownership records and a link to the Bulls dynasty.
Why Argentina Fans Brought a Goat to Messi’s Final Match
Argentina supporters brought a real goat wearing Lionel Messi’s No. 10 shirt outside Buenos Aires’ Monumental stadium before his international farewell. The unusual tribute added humour to an emotional occasion on Tuesday, October 6. Inside the stadium, Messi scored once and supplied two assists as Argentina beat Benin 3-0. Fans dressed the animal in Argentina colours ahead of kick-off. Their message drew on the nickname that has followed Messi throughout his career: GOAT, short for Greatest Of All Time. Read More: Lionel Messi’s Son Is Already Making His Mark at Inter Miami Supporters turned that familiar football argument into a literal tribute. The goat wore the number associated with Argentina’s captain as fans gathered to celebrate his final national-team appearance. The moment offered a light-hearted contrast to the tears and elaborate celebrations surrounding the match. Messi’s performance then gave supporters another reason to celebrate. The 39-year-old helped create Argentina’s opening goal by delivering a corner for Nicolas Otamendi. He later assisted Nico Paz, linking his farewell with one of the country’s emerging talents. Messi completed the scoring from the penalty spot. It was his 126th international goal and his last in Argentina colours. More than 85,000 supporters packed the Monumental for the occasion. Messi finished his international career with 208 appearances, leaving as Argentina’s record appearance-maker and leading scorer. His final assist tally came up at 70. However, Major League Soccer’s website listed 69, reflecting a difference between the published totals. Both credited him with two assists against Benin. Read More His honours included the 2022 World Cup, Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024, and the 2022 Finalissima. Those victories reshaped an international career that had previously brought repeated disappointment in major finals. The farewell extended well beyond the result. Messi struggled with his emotions, while tributes continued throughout the evening and a drone show illuminated the stadium. The Argentine Football Association described celebrations featuring live music, lights, artistic performances and tributes before, during and after the match. It also highlighted Messi’s tears during the national anthem. Organisers had prepared opportunities for supporters beyond the stadium, too. An AFA fan festival at the University of Buenos Aires’ sports grounds included a giant screen showing the Benin match. FIFA had confirmed in advance that the friendly would mark Messi’s final Argentina appearance. The occasion therefore carried the weight of a planned goodbye to a career spanning 21 years. Amid the official ceremonies, the supporters’ goat stood out for its simplicity. It needed neither a speech nor a stadium-sized display to explain the affection behind it. On a night built around Argentina’s most famous No. 10, fans gave the GOAT nickname a distinctly literal farewell.
VEON Raises Pakistan Investment Plan to $1.5 Billion
VEON has increased its planned Pakistan investment to $1.5 billion over three years, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said on Tuesday. The revised commitment adds $500 million to the global digital operator’s earlier $1 billion plan, a 50 percent increase. “This is a significant jump,” Aurangzeb said during a virtual address at the SDGs Investment Fair 2026, organised by UNDP Pakistan. VEON’s original plan focused on expanding connectivity, modernising infrastructure and accelerating digital services. The minister presented the increase as evidence of foreign investor interest as Pakistan seeks greater private-sector participation. The company’s recent disclosures provide further context for its expansion. VEON reported that Jazz acquired 190 MHz of spectrum for $239.5 million in Pakistan’s March 2026 auction. It subsequently raised its capital expenditure outlook to support network investment following the spectrum purchase. Aurangzeb also highlighted foreign interest in privatisation. He said three Turkish companies had expressed interest in the first electricity distribution company on offer. “We have the basic hygiene, which is being recognised at the local and international level,” he said, referring to macroeconomic stability. Domestic capital markets also featured prominently in his address. Aurangzeb said the Pakistan Stock Exchange recorded 11 initial public offerings during the previous fiscal year, its highest number in two decades. Five more IPOs followed in the latest quarter. He said Khaadi was preparing an IPO. Around 22 real estate investment trusts could also list over the next couple of years. “When someone is raising equity on the stock exchange, they’re obviously looking to either invest, expand their local commercial operations or set up new units,” he said. The finance minister linked these developments to improvements in Pakistan’s fiscal and external position. He said the twin deficits had narrowed from 12.5 percent of GDP a few years ago to approximately 2.6 percent by end-June. He also cited a 22-year-low fiscal deficit and three consecutive years of primary surpluses. Aurangzeb said State Bank foreign exchange reserves had reached $21.4 billion a few weeks earlier, describing the level as a record. That provided almost three months of import cover, compared with roughly two weeks when the stabilisation programme began. He projected four percent economic growth this fiscal year, contrasting the outlook with contraction three years earlier. However, he stressed that expansion must remain sustainable. “We want to move towards growth, but it has to be responsible growth because we want to avoid the boom-and-bust cycles as we go forward,” he said. The two-day investment fair showcased around 35 investment-ready public-private partnership projects, according to Associated Press of Pakistan. These covered transport, energy, climate, agriculture, water, urban development, tourism, industry and technology. The projects aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, placing the investment announcement within a broader effort to attract development financing.
