Small Business

TikTok has launched a new self-serve advertising platform in Pakistan to help small and medium-sized businesses create and manage their own ad campaigns more easily and affordably. The TikTok For Business Ads Manager gives local entrepreneurs flexible tools, creative resources and performance targeting to reach new audiences without needing specialist expertise. The company says Pakistani SMBs can now better tap into TikTok’s highly engaged user base, building brand visibility at home and abroad while using flexible budgets and intelligent targeting to improve campaign results.

Pakistan has begun its new kinno export season, already shipping about 6,000 tonnes to the Middle East, Sri Lanka and the Philippines since Dec 1. Exporters aim to send 300,000 tonnes this season, targeting around $110m in earnings, up from 250,000 tonnes worth $95m last year. Despite a bumper crop of 2.7m tonnes, exports remain about 50pc below levels five years ago due to limited research and reliance on older citrus varieties, though proposed government-backed plans could lift annual kinno export revenues to $400m within five years

PM Shehbaz Sharif approved the AI-powered Womenpreneurship Platform to boost women in the SME sector and reviewed SMEDA's reforms.SMEDA has opened new regional offices and formed a new board of experts. The PM ordered a clear timeline for the reforms. Finally, SMEDA/TDAP will represent Pakistan at BIOPROM-2025 in Russia.

The Ufone-Telenor merger has transformed Pakistan's telecom sector into a three-player market, creating a near two-horse race. The new entity, MergeCo (≈32.8% share), is now a powerful rival to the market leader, Jazz (≈43%). This consolidation is expected to spark intense competition, forcing both giants to invest heavily in 4G and 5G networks. Customers are set to benefit from better network quality and more competitive pricing, while Zong (≈24.1%) adapts as the third major competitor.

Alibaba.com has signed an MoU with Pakistan’s Ministry of IT & Telecom (MoITT) through Ignite to strengthen the digital economy, support SMEs and startups, and expand global e-commerce opportunities. The partnership will offer AI-powered tools, B2B training, and trade show initiatives to boost exports and enhance Pakistan’s role in digital trade.

Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal has launched "Pakistan One," a nationwide business plan competition designed to transform youth creativity into globally competitive ventures. The initiative, part of the new URAAN five-year plan, aims to engage over 10,000 young entrepreneurs and will award a record-breaking $5 million Grand Prize to promising ventures. The program seeks to shift Pakistan from a job-seeking to a job-creating economy by focusing on high-growth sectors like IT, agri-tech, and sustainable manufacturing to boost the country's stagnant export figures.

A new Economic Census from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) shows that micro and small enterprises, those with fewer than 10 employees, make up a staggering 95% of all businesses in Pakistan. The census, which was integrated into the country's first-ever digital population census, highlights the pivotal role of these small-scale businesses and the informal sector in driving the nation's economy, creating jobs, and empowering women. The data provides a crucial new foundation for policymakers to develop targeted strategies for inclusive growth.

Punjab is launching an innovative interest-free electric taxi scheme in August 2025. This initiative aims to promote sustainable transport, empower individuals, and combat climate change by distributing 1,100 e-taxis with significant government support.

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has mandated a two-day maximum turnaround time for new bank account openings and pushed for widespread digital payment acceptance. This bold move aims to significantly boost financial inclusion and enhance customer experience across Pakistan, building on recent successes that saw the country’s financial inclusion rate reach 60% in 2023. Banks are now required to simplify processes, offer digital account opening, and ensure merchants are equipped with digital payment solutions like Raast QR and POS terminals.