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VEON and Nutshell Group Partner for “THE GLOBAL CONNECT”

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Dubai, UAE: Global digital operator VEON Ltd. and Nutshell Group have announced a strategic partnership for THE GLOBAL CONNECT, a new international platform designed to bring together policymakers, global investors, corporate leaders, and academia to advance cross-border investment, digital transformation, and long-term economic cooperation across emerging and frontier economies.

The partnership was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Nutshell Group, VEON Limited, and JazzWorld at VEON’s global headquarters in Dubai, on the sidelines of the World Governments Summit. The agreement establishes a framework for collaboration in digital innovation, inclusive growth, and investment facilitation, while strengthening public-private partnerships and accelerating sustainable economic development.

The signing ceremony was attended by senior government representatives and leadership from VEON and Nutshell Group, including Bilal Azhar Kayani, Minister of State for Finance and Railways and Head of the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit, Government of Pakistan; H. E. Shafqat Ali Khan, Ambassador of Pakistan to the United Arab Emirates; Augie K. Fabela II, Founder and Chairman of VEON; Brandon Lewis, Board Member of VEON; Kaan Terzioglu, Global CEO of VEON; Muhammad Azfar Ahsan, Founder and Chairman of Nutshell Group; Aamir Hafiz Ibrahim, CEO of JazzWorld and Member of the VEON Group Executive Committee; Usman Yousuf, Director, Nutshell Group; Rabia Ahmad, Director and CEO, Nutshell Group; Unaizah Saeed Ali, Chief Operating Officer, Middle East, Nutshell Group; Hande Asik, Chief Communications and Strategy Officer, VEON; Khaled Nasser, Director Government Relations, VEON; and Zaheer Mehdi, Chief Corporate and Regulatory Affairs Officer, JazzWorld.

Minister of State for Finance & Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani highlighted Pakistan’s macroeconomic stability achieved through consistent policies that strengthen investor confidence and improve the business environment. He welcomed the partnership between VEON, JazzWorld, and Nutshell Group, noting that such initiatives in digitalization and cross-border investment send a strong signal to global investors. He assured full government support and recognized Nutshell Group’s role in creating an important platform for Pakistan’s global economic engagement.

Commenting on the initiative, Founder and Chairman of Nutshell Group Muhammad Azfar Ahsan stated: “THE GLOBAL CONNECT is built on a simple but critical principle: countries like Pakistan and other emerging economies do not lack potential; they lack structured platforms that turn intent into execution. Our goal is to connect global capital, technology, and markets with credible opportunities, fostering long-term partnerships, continuity, and trust.”

In a joint statement, VEON Founder & Chairman Augie K. Fabela II and Global CEO Kaan Terzioglu reaffirmed VEON’s long-term commitment to Pakistan and other high-potential emerging markets through the “Invest in Pakistan Now” initiative. They highlighted the transformative role of digital platforms in expanding financial inclusion, boosting economic participation, and accelerating productivity, and expressed confidence that collaboration with Nutshell Group would enhance international investor engagement and unlock new opportunities.

CEO of JazzWorld, Aamir Hafiz Ibrahim, added that Pakistan’s strong fundamentals, scale, resilience, and growing digital infrastructure position the country well for its next phase of growth. He noted that initiatives such as “Invest in Pakistan Now” and THE GLOBAL CONNECT will help global investors better understand and engage with emerging opportunities on the ground.

The inaugural meeting of THE GLOBAL CONNECT will be held in Islamabad in May 2026, bringing together leaders from more than 25 countries to advance economic cooperation, promote cross-border investment, and develop practical pathways for sustainable and inclusive growth.

Headquartered in Islamabad, THE GLOBAL CONNECT is establishing a strategic presence across key global economic centers, including Riyadh and Abu Dhabi in the Middle East; Tashkent and Astana in Central Asia; Cairo and Nairobi in Africa; Beijing and Hong Kong in China; Washington, New York, and Toronto in the Americas; as well as Istanbul and London. This growing global footprint will enable deeper connectivity among investors, businesses, policymakers, and institutions, strengthening economic linkages across regions.

THE GLOBAL CONNECT aims to serve as a credible and enduring bridge between Pakistan and the international community, facilitating investment, trade, knowledge exchange, and long-term economic cooperation.

The event also welcomed prominent industry leaders and distinguished guests from across sectors, including Samad Dawood, Vice Chairman, Engro Holdings; Saeed Alhebsi, Advisor in AI, UAE Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation; Brendan McKittrick, Chairman, HBAN, and Co-Founder, CEO & Chairman, Aeroband; Jimmy Nguyen, Global Blockchain & Emerging Tech Investor; Tahir Malik, Global CEO, Shan Foods; Faraz Minai, Co-founder & CEO, Andulus Holdings LLC; Shazad Dada, Founder & Managing Partner, Dada Partners; and Asim Chohan, Vice President, Global Operations COO, Morgan Stanley USA. Their presence underscored broad international support for THE GLOBAL CONNECT and highlighted the shared vision of driving innovation, collaboration, and sustainable economic growth across emerging and frontier markets.





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Innovation Challenge Futuremakers Demo Day Highlights Inclusive Innovation Addressing Systemic Barriers

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February 16, 2026

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In a country where access to capital, technology, and opportunity remains uneven, Innovation Challenge Futuremakers (ICF) is working to shift the innovation narrative toward inclusion. The program’s Demo Day for Cohorts 3 and 4 showcased how purpose-driven startups are addressing social, economic, and accessibility gaps through innovation.

The event marked the culmination of an intensive incubation journey under the ICF program, implemented by DeafTawk in collaboration with Sightsavers and funded by Standard Chartered Foundation. Throughout the program, entrepreneurs with disabilities were supported to refine solutions that address real‑world challenges and strengthen their business ideas.

Speaking on the importance of inclusive innovation, Munazza Gillani, Country Director at Sightsavers, noted that inclusion must be intentional. “Innovation only creates real impact when it is designed with those most often excluded in mind. Programs like ICF show that accessibility and innovation can, and must, go hand in hand.”

Highlighting the role of responsible finance and private sector engagement, Tasneem Mirza, Head Community Impact and Engagement at Standard Chartered, Pakistan, shared that “supporting inclusive entrepreneurship is not just about funding ideas, but about enabling ecosystems where innovation contributes to shared prosperity.”

A central focus of the Demo Day was the role of inclusive design and responsible innovation in creating long-term impact. Speakers emphasized that innovation cannot be considered successful if it excludes those most affected by systemic barriers. Discussions highlighted the need for accessible technologies, inclusive financing, and cross-sector collaboration to ensure that innovation contributes to equitable growth rather than widening existing gaps.

Startups from Cohorts 3 and 4 presented solutions targeting critical challenges such as accessibility, employment, and service delivery. Their pitches reflected a growing shift within Pakistan’s startup ecosystem, from profit-first models to impact-led ventures designed with inclusion at their core.

Demonstrating tangible outcomes of the program, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between NADRA Technologies Limited and Cohort 3 startup Reinn Raus, signaling increased institutional openness to working with inclusive startups and scaling their solutions within public systems.

Government and development sector representatives reiterated the importance of enabling policies, digital infrastructure, and partnerships that support inclusive entrepreneurship. The presence of senior officials underscored a shared recognition that innovation-led growth must also be people-centred and accessible.

In his remarks as Chief Guest, Mr. Zarrar Hasham Khan, Secretary IT & Telecommunication, emphasized the government’s role in enabling innovation that serves all citizens. “Inclusive innovation strengthens our digital future by ensuring that no segment of society is left behind,” he said.

Innovation Challenge Futuremakers continues to strengthen Pakistan’s inclusive entrepreneurship ecosystem by equipping startups with the tools, mentorship, and platforms needed to transform ideas into impact, contributing to a future where innovation works for everyone, not just a few.





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Nothing Phone (4a) Series Expected Launch Date and Specs Revealed

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February 16, 2026

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Nothing has started teasing its upcoming Phone (4a) series, which is expected to debut as early as next month. Although official specifications remain limited, CEO Carl Pei has stated that the new lineup will deliver significant improvements over the Phone (3a) series.

Storage Variants Confirmed

According to a tipster, both the Nothing Phone (4a) and Phone (4a) Pro will be available in two configurations: 8GB RAM with 128GB storage and 12GB RAM with 256GB storage.

Nothing has also confirmed that the upcoming models will feature UFS 3.1 storage. However, it remains unclear whether both devices will include this upgrade.

Color Options Revealed

While a recent teaser hinted at multiple color choices, the tipster claims the standard Phone (4a) will launch in Black and White. The Phone (4a) Pro is expected to be offered in Black and Silver.

Expected Specifications

The Nothing Phone (4a) series is rumored to use Snapdragon 7-series chipsets. The Pro variant is also expected to include a 5,080mAh battery.

Further details about the lineup are likely to emerge in the coming weeks as the anticipated launch approaches.





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Forget MWC: Apple Tipped To Crash The Party With Major iPhone 17e And Mac Event

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February 16, 2026

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Apple has plenty of new products up its sleeve, and now it looks like Apple will hold a special event to announce them. When, exactly?



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