ISLAMABAD: Google on Wednesday launched two new programs to support Pakistan’s gaming and app industry by teaching local developers how to create high-quality games, Pakistani state-run media reported.
The two programs include Game Design Masterclass and Google Ads Academy, which have been introduced across major Pakistani cities to train the country’s talented game developers as part of a six-month initiative.
The programs were launched at a Google-hosted tech event, Think Apps 2024, in the eastern city of Lahore that brought together nearly 350 of Pakistan’s top developers alongside global industry leaders and experts.
The event focused on empowering developers to harness artificial intelligence (AI) to drive innovation, growth and sustainability in the expanding app industry in the South Asian country, the state-run APP news agency reported.
“Pakistan’s app and gaming industry has a high potential for long-term future growth,” Google Director for Pakistan Farhan Qureshi was quoted as saying. “Several Pakistani studios are leading the charge in mobile app development, such as Vyro.”
He said AI, Hazel Mobile, Games District, GeniTeam, and Finz Games were consistently generating millions of downloads daily, employing hundreds of Pakistanis, and garnering global attention.
Pakistan could achieve a $6.6 billion annual increase in revenue potential by 2030 by focusing on digital exports, with the gaming and app industry identified as one of the key growth opportunity areas, according to a recent report by Access Partnership, a global technology-focused public policy consultancy firm.
Pakistan’s gaming and app industry has demonstrated impressive growth, including a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 32 percent in global downloads of locally-made apps from 2018 to 2023, in recent years, the APP reported. The industry remained resilient as in-app purchase (IAP) revenue soared by 50 percent when overall app downloads dipped slightly in 2023, placing the country at number 17 globally.
Qureshi said Google aimed to help Pakistani developers create exceptional games and apps, drive profitability and build sustainable businesses by providing access to its AI-powered products and resources.
“This will subsequently unlock the opportunity to improve the country’s economy through digital export proceeds and provide high-value employment,” he said. “Google remains dedicated to investing in Pakistan’s developer ecosystem and supporting its journey to global success.”
Different Google programs like the Google Ads Academy and ‘Google App Academy’ have reached over 800 participants to date, apart from offering in-person offline hackathon workshops in Lahore and Islamabad, according to the APP.
Google is also deepening engagement at key events like the Google Developer Conference (US), CXO meetups in Asia Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (APAC), and APAC’s App Summit, connecting leaders of Pakistan’s top gaming and app studios’ talent with global peers, state media said.
Google launches two new programs to boost Pakistan’s gaming industry
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Google launches two new programs to boost Pakistan’s gaming industry
- ‘Google Design Masterclass’ and ‘Google Ads Academy’ will help train Pakistani game developers as part of a six-month initiative
- The programs were launched at a Google-hosted event, ‘Think Apps 2024,’ bringing together Pakistani developers, global experts
Pakistan Airports Authority reports ‘historic’ twin-engine aircraft landing in Lahore
- Twin-engine aircraft are usually larger, heavier and require better airport infrastructure, navigation systems to land
- Pakistan Airports Authority says landing reflects its commitment to enhance aviation sector, strengthen infrastructure
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) announced on Saturday that the New General Aviation Aerodrome achieved a significant milestone when it handled the landing of a twin-engine aircraft.
A twin-engine aircraft has two engines that provide it redundancy and increased performance compared to single-engine counterparts. These aircraft range from small twin-engine propeller planes to large commercial jetliners. The presence of multiple engines enhances safety by allowing the aircraft to continue flying in the event of an engine failure.
However, twin-engine aircraft are usually larger, heavier and more complex than single-engine planes. They require advanced airport infrastructure such as better runways, navigation systems and air traffic coordination.
“The New General Aviation Aerodrome, Lahore achieved another significant operational milestone today with the successful landing of a twin-engine aircraft, following the recent arrival of a single-engine aircraft,” the PAA said in a statement.
It said the flight was also boarded by Air Vice Marshal Zeeshan Saeed, the director general of the PAA. The move reflected “strong institutional confidence” in the aerodrome’s safety standards, operational capability, and overall readiness, it added.
“The landing was conducted with exceptional precision and professionalism, demonstrating the aerodrome’s robust operational framework, technical preparedness, and effective airside coordination in accordance with contemporary aviation requirements,” the PAA said.
It said the landing represented a “major advancement” in Pakistan’s general aviation sector and underscores the PAA’s commitment to enhancing regional aviation capacity, strengthening infrastructure and promoting excellence in aviation development.
