ISLAMABAD: A pioneering American artificial intelligence (AI) company, Afiniti, has decided to expand its operations in Pakistan and recruit more talent in the South Asian country, the Pakistani finance ministry said on Monday.
Founded in 2005, Afiniti is a global AI provider in health care, telecommunications, travel, hospitality, insurance and banking industries as well as across multiple customer experience channels.
A delegation, led by Afiniti Chief Executive Officer Jerome Vaughan Kapelus, called on Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Monday to discuss the company’s growth and continued investment in Pakistan.
“The meeting focused on discussions regarding Afiniti’s expanding business operations in Pakistan, the recruitment of talent and associated issues related to the taxation structure,” the Pakistani finance ministry said in a statement.
Kapelus highlighted that around 80 percent of Afiniti’s operational support team was based in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, with the company’s customer base extending to North America, Europe and other regions.
He praised Pakistani engineers, computer scientists and technologists, and said that his firm had an “exceptional” experience while recruiting people from Pakistan, according to the statement.
Pakistan is making steady progress in AI, with increasing investments in research, education and industry. Initiatives like the National Center for Artificial Intelligence are driving innovation, while startups explore AI applications in health care, finance and security sectors.
Despite challenges such as limited funding and infrastructure, Pakistan’s AI sector shows promise, with companies leveraging AI for data analytics, automation and customer engagement. As global AI adoption increases, the South Asian country aims to strengthen its position through policy support and technological advancements.
Aurangzeb appreciated Afiniti’s continued investment in Pakistan and assured the delegation of his government’s support in creating an enabling ecosystem for IT and agriculture sectors. He apprised the delegation of the Pakistan Crypto Council’s launch to regulate and integrate blockchain technology and digital assets into Pakistan’s financial landscape.
“The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the government’s commitment to supporting businesses like Afiniti, and the importance of continued collaboration between the public and private sectors to foster growth and development in Pakistan,” the finance ministry said.
Pioneering American AI firm to expand operations in Pakistan, finance ministry says
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Pioneering American AI firm to expand operations in Pakistan, finance ministry says
- Afiniti is a leading global AI provider in health care, telecommunications, travel, hospitality, insurance and banking industries
- Around 80 percent of Afiniti’s operational support team is based in Pakistan, with its customer base extending to Europe and other regions
At least 16 dead after Karachi building collapses in suspected gas blast
- Four children and seven women among the dead, 13 people injured
- Incident follows recent Gul Plaza fire, highlighting urban safety concerns
KARACHI: At least 16 people were killed and 13 injured on Thursday when a residential building collapsed after a suspected gas explosion in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi, rescue authorities said.
Deadly accidents linked to gas leaks and unsafe infrastructure are frequent in Karachi’s crowded low-income neighborhoods, where households commonly rely on gas cylinders and informal connections with limited safety enforcement. The collapse comes weeks after a major fire at the city’s Gul Plaza shopping mall killed over 70 people and underscored concerns about building safety and regulatory oversight.
The latest incident occurred in the densely populated Soldier Bazaar area, according to a Rescue 1122 Sindh spokesperson. The dead included four children, seven women and five men, while the injured comprised five children, three women and five men.
“During a timely and professional operation, Rescue 1122 pulled 13 injured people from under the rubble and recovered 16 bodies,” Rescue 1122 Sindh spokesperson Hassan Khan said in a statement.
“Those injured in the incident were pulled from the debris and provided immediate medical assistance.”
He said urban search-and-rescue teams, firefighters and disaster response vehicles were dispatched to the site, with victims transported to nearby hospitals.
“All injured were provided first aid by Rescue 1122 ambulances at the scene before being shifted to nearby hospitals, while the rescue operation by Rescue 1122 (Sindh) was still under way,” the spokesperson added.
Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon directed authorities to ensure proper medical treatment for the injured.
“He also urged citizens to exercise caution in the use of gas and to immediately inform the relevant authorities in case of any suspected leakage,” the provincial government said in a statement.
Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city, has repeatedly witnessed building collapses and fires linked to weak enforcement of construction rules, aging infrastructure and unsafe energy practices.
