Chinese tech firm explores smart city collaboration in Pakistan
A delegation from Beiming Software, a China-based technology company, has explored collaboration opportunities in smart cities and digital transformation during a visit to Pakistan, taking a new step in China–Pakistan cooperation in emerging technologies.
During the visit, the company signed a strategic partnership agreement with Smart TechOne (Private) Limited, a subsidiary of Habib Rafiq Engineering (Pvt) Ltd (HRL Group).
According to a Gwadar Pro’s report on Tuesday, the Smart TechOne is working on Pakistan’s digital transformation through projects such as Capital Smart City, Lahore Smart City, and Silicon Village.
Zambia programs national digital ID rollout for year-end
Zambian authorities have assured that citizens will begin receiving their national digital ID cards by the close of the current year.
The information was disclosed recently by Percy Chinyama, National Coordinator of the SMART Zambia Institute, the government agency overseeing the country’s digital transformation journey. A press release was issued during a working visit to the United States.
IN: Nagaland among four states to complete all Smart Cities Mission projects
Nagaland joins four states to complete all Smart Cities Mission projects, with Kohima finishing 40 works worth INR 689 crore.
Nagaland is among four states and Union territories in the country—along with Chandigarh, Jharkhand, and Tripura—to have completed all projects sanctioned under the Smart Cities Mission (SCM), according to the latest update by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
As of December 1, 2025, all 40 projects undertaken in Kohima under the mission, with a total outlay of INR 689 crore, have been completed. Kohima was selected under the Smart Cities Mission at its inception on June 25, 2015.
How smart cities evolve to meet 2030 goals for a sustainable future
The concept of a "smart city" has evolved significantly over the past two decades. What began around 2005 as a tech-focused display of digital infrastructure, IoT, and urban data has matured into a multidimensional, systemic vision. This early approach, while innovative, sparked criticism for its technocratic view, treating cities as collections of technical problems rather than living, complex systems. It also threatened to become invasive regarding mass surveillance and data privacy. Many pilot projects failed to scale, lacking context and integration with legacy systems, and often excluded citizens from planning.
As a result, emphasis has now shifted from technology as the driver to technology as an enabler of more livable, resilient and just urban environments. This reimagined "smart" approach necessitates system-thinking, moving beyond isolated technological fixes to integrated strategies that harness real-time data for adaptive governance, enhanced climate resilience in urban planning, inclusive growth, and collaborative policymaking. It also demands human-centered innovation, ensuring that technology serves human needs by designing systems that are inclusive, ethical and responsive to the complex realities of urban life, rather than imposing top-down solutions.
QA: Smart City Solutions project first phase implemented
As part of its efforts to humanise cities and improve urban services, the Ministry of Municipality (MoM) implemented the first phase of the Smart City Solutions Project, marking a significant step forward in Qatar’s journey towards smarter, more sustainable and people-centred urban development.
The initiative reflects the Ministry’s broader 2025 achievements, which focused on improving quality of life, protecting the environment and accelerating digital transformation across the country.