Latest news with #Communication
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Digitisation and cashless economy: Major hurdles impede govt's push
ISLAMABAD: Lack of infrastructure, affordability, legislation and cyber threats are among the major hindrances in realizing government's digitisation and cashless economy vision. This was the crux of background discussion with government officials, sector experts and international organizations report. Parvez Iftikhar, international consultant on Information & Communication Technology (ICT) Policy and Regulation told Business Recorder that many rural and underserved areas still lack reliable internet, electricity, and mobile connectivity. Without these basics, digital payment systems cannot function effectively. He further said that high cost of smartphones, data plans, and digital devices make it difficult for low-income groups to participate. Even point-of-sale (POS) machines are scarce among small retailers. Iftikhar said the legal framework is still catching up. While the government is pushing QR code payments and digital mandates, enforcement and clarity around digital taxation and compliance remain weak, he added. He said that trust, awareness and data protections are also among the major challenges to digitization. The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications is working on the Personal Data Protection Bill, envisaging to regulate the collection, processing, use, disclosure, and transfer of personal data and additionally provides a data protection mechanism including the offences concerning the violation of data privacy rights of an individual for the last five years. However, the required legislation is yet to be completed, he added. Government officials said that many people still perceive cash as safer and more convenient. Fear of fraud, lack of awareness, and limited tech skills discourage adoption, adding that merchants worry that digital payments will expose them to tax scrutiny. Further, officials said that online banking as well as fraud with BISP beneficiaries resulted in trust deficit, which needs to be overcome through proper legislation and awareness. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jazz Aamir Ibrahim told Business Recorder that despite strong growth in digital payments, Pakistan's transition to a cashless economy still faces structural challenges—particularly low smartphone penetration, usage gaps among women and rural populations, and deep-rooted reliance on cash in retail. He said many merchants are hesitant to adopt digital channels due to compliance concerns, while consumers often lack the trust or incentive to move away from cash. 'I'm encouraged to see the government's recent action plan moving in this direction, with a balanced focus on enablement, awareness, and accountability. With coordinated execution and a strong push for financial literacy, we have a real opportunity to drive meaningful progress toward a more inclusive and future-ready digital economy,' Ibrahim added. McKinsey Global Institute reports that Pakistan can experience an increase in its GDP by a cumulative seven percentage points (roughly $36 billion) and create around four million new jobs by increasing the use of digital financial services alone. Pakistan has made some progress in digitalizing its public services, especially in the online service delivery domain, but it still lags behind many of its peers in the region and globally, noted in a report of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Chinese firm eyes ICT, energy sectors
Pakistan, by contrast, has opted out of the ITA, one of the world's most successful digital trade agreements, whose membership has grown to 86 countries accounting for over 97% of global digital trade.: photo: file A three-member Chinese delegation led by Lu Jie, Founder and Chairman of GuoDong Group, met Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja on Sunday. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Global Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai. The delegation showed strong interest in investing in Pakistan's Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector, especially in building telecom towers, data centers, and cloud computing systems. Jie also expressed a desire to invest in Pakistan's new energy sectors, including electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, smart city technologies, and advanced material manufacturing, according to a press release from the IT Ministry.
Bloomberg
23-07-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
How a Central Bank Fumbled Its Communication
Communication has been a basic tool of central banking for decades, but it can be a tricky thing to get right. Merely fronting the microphones doesn't deliver superior results. The message sent has to be clear — and received. The Reserve Bank of Australia needs to do much better. The authority's decision to forgo a widely anticipated interest-rate cut this month left much to be desired, and the RBA's explanations for why it wrong-footed investors have been subpar. Press conferences and the signaling of intent through speeches aren't sidelines. No lesser person than Ben Bernanke, a Nobel laureate and former Federal Reserve chair, observed that successful policy was 98% talk and 2% action.
The Print
23-07-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Just 35% govt schools in India have smart classrooms, Bihar & UP among worst performers—Centre to Parliament
Out of 3,94,634 government schools from Class 6 and above, 91,289, or just 23 percent, have ICT labs, dedicated spaces with computers, Internet access, and digital tools to support digital learning and technology-based education, according to the data. Smart classrooms are available in only 35 percent of the schools, or 1,40,926 schools. Internet connections are available in 54 percent of them. The Union Minister of State for Education, Jayant Chaudhary, presented the data in the Upper House, in response to a question on the status of digital education infrastructure in schools, as asked by Dhananjay Bhimrao Mahadik, a BJP member in the Rajya Sabha. New Delhi: At a time when the Centre is promoting digital education under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, only 23 percent of government schools nationwide have Information and Communication Technology (ICT) labs, and a mere 35 percent have smart classrooms, the Union Ministry of Education informed the Parliament Wednesday. NEP 2020 emphasises the integration of ICT labs in schools to enhance learning outcomes and prepare students for the digital age. To support this vision, the Ministry of Education implements various ICT and digital initiatives under the Samagra Shiksha scheme, aimed at strengthening digital learning in government schools in the country. Bihar, Uttar Pradesh among states lagging behind Among the larger states, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh are lagging, according to the ministry's response. In Bihar, of the 37,839 government schools from Class 6 and above, only 7,424 (19.6 percent) have smart classrooms. ICT labs are present in 2,597 schools (6.8 percent). Nearly 6,080 schools (16 percent) have Internet facilities. In Uttar Pradesh, 8,642 schools, or 17.55 percent of the total 49,325 government schools, have smart classrooms. ICT labs are available in nearly 1,077 schools (2.1 percent). Also, 26.6 percent of UP's schools, or 13,162 schools, provide Internet connections. In Madhya Pradesh, 8,993, or 26 percent of the total 34,161 government schools, have smart classrooms. There are ICT facilities in 6.2 percent of the schools in the state, or 2,137 schools. Internet connections are available in 11,951 schools (35 percent). Punjab is among the best-performing states in terms of digital infrastructure. Nearly 95.9 percent—6,165 schools—have smart classrooms. Moreover, 98.2 percent of Punjab's schools, or 6,310 schools, have Internet connections, whereas 4,678 schools or 72.8 percent, come with ICT labs. (Edited by Madhurita Goswami) Also Read: Gujarat sees highest coverage under PM's rooftop solar installations scheme; Bengal, Jharkhand lag
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
4 Signs You Have A 'Minimal Effort Partner.' And What To Do If This Kind Of Love Finds You.
Healthy relationships require good communication, mutual respect and a good deal of support — and we all know that these dynamics (unfortunately) don't just happen on their own. In a romantic partnership, especially a long-term one, it takes each partner consistently showing up for the person they love to make the magic happen. And that takes work. So what happens when it feels like one person in the relationship is completely dropping that ball? You may be dealing with a 'minimal effort partner.' Simply put, 'A minimal effort partner is a person who does the bare minimum when it comes to their relationship,' Dr. Marisa T. Cohen, relationship expert for the dating app Hily told HuffPost. This is a partner who will put in little work when it comes to the relationship, neglect their partner's needs and give indications that they might not be fully invested in the relationship. Typically, the minimal effort partner's behavior stems from the person's own insecurities or fears about getting hurt, Dr. Cohen said, therefore, they avoid getting truly attached to or pursuing deeper connections with their partner. Bonnie Winston, celebrity matchmaker and relationship expert, said that these behaviors could also be learned if they had unhealthy role models throughout their childhood. However, not all hope is lost if your partner exhibits any of the following signs — these are the kinds of issues couples work through all the time. Read on to learn the typical behaviors of a 'minimal effort partner' and what you can do if they sound a bit too much like your own relationship. They're not showing up for you. 'Showing up means being present, engaged and caring,' Winston said. 'It's about checking in, staying in contact, asking thoughtful questions, and showing curiosity about the other person's life, their day, interests and dreams.' On the flip side, a minimal effort partner doesn't ask how you're doing and won't remember the details that matter to you — whether it's your birthday, your favorite ice cream or even random facts that mean the most to you (like Taylor Swift's birthday). They won't try to connect with you on a deeper level, celebrate your wins or might bail on important events in your life, Winston added. 'It's about doing things that make the other person happy,' Winston said. 'A consistent lack of effort sends a clear message: They're not truly invested.' They don't prioritize communication. Communication is the most important skill for couples to have in order to maintain their relationship. But with a minimal effort partner, communication is a low priority, leaving issues to be discussed until the very last minute or not addressing them at all, according to Dr. Cohen. This can be something small, not mentioning plans until the very last minute, or avoiding discussing relationship issues. 'The minimal effort partner may simply not share what is going on in their life or may not add to conversations,' Dr. Cohen said. 'They may refuse to engage by shutting down or may be part of the conversation but not actively listening to their partner.' They avoid talking about the relationship. It's natural for relationships to evolve and change over time. You might want to know where this is going and talk about long-term plans, but a bare minimum partner will often dodge those conversations — which can make the partner who is putting more effort in feel like they're the only one who cares. '[Feelings of indifference] can negatively affect their partner because the person may start to feel as if they are not worth the effort,' Dr. Cohen added. 'The partner may fail to realize that the lack of effort is not a reflection of them, but an issue with the minimal effort partner.' And as we've all been told countless times, relationships really are a two-way street: 'Without working on the relationship or maintaining and strengthening the bond, the partnership is likely to erode over time,' Dr. Cohen said They don't plan anything. A minimal effort partner is unlikely to schedule date nights or plan vacations or outings with their partner, Dr. Cohen said. They often don't consider their partner's needs or wishes or are unable to prioritize those needs, so the planning can consistently end up falling on the other partner. If you're always making plans and want more involvement from your partner, Winston suggests trying this activity: have you and your partner write down five things you've always wanted to try. It can be anything from novel sex positions or acts that interest you, destinations you're dying to visit, or learning a new skill or trying out a hobby together. Swap the lists and choose at least one activity from each list to start. What to do when you're only getting the bare minimum from your partner. It's not the end of your relationship if your partner stops putting in the work. Sometimes the minimal effort partner doesn't realize they're slacking off, Winston said. First, try addressing the issue with them, and be vulnerable and honest about how the lack of effort makes you feel. To get back on track, Dr. Cohen notes that it's essential for couples to be able to communicate openly and honestly about their experiences within the relationship, including their needs and boundaries. Winston and Dr. Cohen also agree that visiting a couples therapist could help you build those skills and get to the root of the issue. 'A third person can offer an objective viewpoint and also a solution,' Winston said. It is possible for the minimal effort partner to change their ways, but it takes a lot of self-reflection. If they're still not making an improvement, ending the relationship might ultimately be worth considering. After all, it's better to be single than be with someone who isn't choosing you. 'Relationships thrive on mutual effort, presence and care, not passive indifference,' Winston said. 'A person not being cared for can have lowered self-esteem and stay in an unhappy situation, or they can realize they deserve much better and leave.' Related... A Woman On TikTok Calls These Strange Dating Behaviors 'Princess Treatment.' But Experts Aren't So Sure. New TikTok Trend Sheds Light On How Men Talk To Women. And The Responses Are Bleak. This Low-Effort Activity Could Improve Your Relationship Solve the daily Crossword
