ISLAMABAD: In a room filled with discarded computer components and broken electronic items, 21-year-old Sameer Asif works under a bright fluorescent light, meticulously shaping an old motherboard into a heart-shaped pendant.
His project is more than a hobby; it’s the core of his entrepreneurial dream, “Wired Wonders,” a venture launched in 2023 to transform electronic waste into wearable art.
Jewelry crafted from electronic scrap aligns with a global trend in sustainable fashion, appealing to a young demographic that values innovation, individuality and ethical lifestyle choices.
Despite its niche market appeal, this form of jewelry reflects a growing interest in repurposing materials that would otherwise contribute to landfills, offering a creative solution to the challenge of electronic waste.
For Asif, however, the whole thing began as an accident.
“I was always into arts and crafts as a child,” he told Arab News in a conversation this week. “I enjoyed giving handmade things, and the first-ever necklace I made from a motherboard was also a gift for my friend.”
“She wore it to the university, and people started asking her about it,” he continued. “That’s when we thought this could actually become a business since people were interested in it.”
Asif said he was fascinated by electronics since childhood, using his tools to dismantle sophisticated gadgets to understand how they worked.
“When I was like five or six years old, on my birthday, someone gifted me a toy set of mechanical things,” he recalled. “It had nuts and screws, and it came with a screwdriver. I used that screwdriver to open my brother’s PlayStation 2 which he really loved.”
“I just opened it but couldn’t fit it back,” he recalled with a smile, saying his brother and parents were not pleased with him.
Asif partnered with his friend Maham Usman to launch Wired Wonders, asking her to manage the social media, sales and marketing.
Asked about the challenges of developing a small niche business, Usman said the biggest problem was procuring discarded motherboards that were not readily available.
“There are like one or two scrapyards in Rawalpindi where they sell discarded electronics in bulk,” she said. “To tackle this challenge, we have started a recycling initiative where we ask people to donate the electronic devices they want to dispense with. Not only will this help us with business, but it is also good for the environment.”
Making a single piece of jewelry can take about two hours. The process involves cutting and shaping motherboard pieces, removing the sharp edges and then pouring resin – a transparent, viscous liquid – over it for shine and preservation. Thereafter, the piece is left to dry for 24 hours.
Asked about the prices of their products, the Wired Wonders’ team informed that they ranged from $1.40 to $7.
“The gold and copper in motherboards add unique value to our jewelry,” Usman said.
Green glamor: Young Pakistani innovators transform electronic waste into fashionable jewelry
https://arab.news/2ppcz
Green glamor: Young Pakistani innovators transform electronic waste into fashionable jewelry
- Jewelry crafted from electronic scrap appeals to a young demographic that values innovation, ethical lifestyle choices
- Sameer Asif began to pursue entrepreneurial dream by partnering with a classmate to launch ‘Wired Wonders’ in 2023
Islamabad offers skilled manpower to help Iraq in reconstruction, development efforts
- The development comes during Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari’s four-day visit to Iraq to strengthen bilateral cooperation
- Zardari says current levels of bilateral trade do not reflect true potential of Pakistan-Iraq ties, highlights opportunities
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has offered to provide skilled manpower to support Iraq’s reconstruction and development efforts, the Pakistani government said on Sunday, signaling Islamabad’s willingness to deepen cooperation with Baghdad in sectors including infrastructure, technical services and human resource development.
The development comes during Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari’s four-day visit to Iraq to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, religious tourism, energy and other sectors.
Zardari held a one-on-one meeting with his Iraqi counterpart, Dr. Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, at Baghdad Palace, which was followed by delegation-level talks to review the state of bilateral relations.
“President Zardari reiterated Pakistan’s willingness to support Iraq’s reconstruction and development efforts through the provision of skilled and semi-skilled manpower under the existing Memorandum of Understanding on manpower transmission,” Pakistan’s Press Information Department (PID) said in a statement.
“He also highlighted Pakistan’s capacity in medical services, financial expertise and digital governance, and expressed readiness to share technical experience, including in secure data management, to support institutional capacity-building in Iraq.”
Iraq has been working to rebuild its economy and infrastructure after decades of conflict, including the 2003 US-led invasion and years of instability caused by sectarian violence and the fight against Daesh group. Although security conditions have improved in recent years, large parts of the country still face damaged roads, power plants, hospitals and housing, requiring large-scale reconstruction and public service delivery.
During Sunday’s meeting, Zardari noted that the current levels of bilateral trade do not reflect the true potential of Pakistan-Iraq economic, cultural and security relations, highlighting opportunities in agriculture, defense production, information technology, construction, pharmaceuticals and other sectors. He underscored the importance of business-to-business engagement and the establishment of direct banking channels to facilitate trade and commercial activity, according to the PID.
Zardari also requested improved facilitation for Pakistani pilgrims visiting Iraq and expressed hope for early finalization and implementation of a proposed Memorandum of Understanding on Zaireen (pilgrims) Management, aimed at ensuring orderly travel. He expressed his firm resolve to work with the Iraqi government to stop illegal entry and overstay of those Pakistanis who violate Iraqi law.
“Both Presidents expressed their resolve to fight extremism, terrorism and narco trade and enhance bilateral cooperation,” the PID said. “The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further deepening bilateral cooperation across political, economic and social domains.”
Pakistan and Iraq established diplomatic relations in 1947 and have traditionally maintained cordial ties, though commercial links remain modest. The volume of trade between both countries stood at $268 million in 2023.
Pakistan’s major exports to Iraq include machinery and mechanical appliances, pharmaceutical products, fish, cereals, essential oils and resinoids. Islamabad’s imports from Iraq include mineral fuels, mineral, organic chemicals, edible fruit and nuts.
