BIONIKS becomes first startup from Pakistan to win prestigious Zero Project Award 2025

BIONIKS becomes first startup from Pakistan to win prestigious Zero Project Award 2025
Anas Niaz, BIONIKS CEO, poses for a picture after winning the Zero Project Award 2025 in Vienna, Austria, on March 7, 2025. (BIONIKS)
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Updated 12 March 2025
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BIONIKS becomes first startup from Pakistan to win prestigious Zero Project Award 2025

BIONIKS becomes first startup from Pakistan to win prestigious Zero Project Award 2025
  • BIONIKS was founded in 2016 and has sold 700 prosthetics that use AI and 3D scanning for custom designs
  • Zero Project Award 2025 is an international award given for innovative solutions that promote rights of persons with disabilities 

ISLAMABAD: BIONIKS, which specializes in orthotics and prosthetics, has become the first startup from Pakistan to win the prestigious Zero Project Award 2025 for helping include people with disabilities in the workforce by using advanced prosthetic technology, a press release said this week.

The Zero Project Award 2025 is an international award given for innovative solutions that promote the rights of persons with disabilities. 

BIONIKS, established in 2016, had sold 700 prosthetics up until last year by leveraging AI tools and 3D scanning for custom designs. 

“BIONIKS Pakistan is among 77 winners from 522 global nominations for the Zero Project Award 2025 recognized at a UN event for its AI-powered prosthetics,” the company said in a post on X. 

The startup was recognized for contributions to advancing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, placing it among the world’s most “impactful and scalable” technology. It is the first Pakistani company to win the Zero Project Award. 

Anas Niaz, BIONIKS CEO, dedicated the award to disabled people who deserved the opportunity to live “independently with dignity.”

“Our mission is to revolutionize the way technology serves the disabled community,” he said in a statement. “Through our devices, we aim to lead the way to zero barriers and provide individuals with the advance prosthetic technology.”

In January, BIONIKS launched a mobile AI-powered limb factory in Gaza to provide customized prosthetic arms and legs to amputees.

The company gained international attention in 2021 when it made a multi-grip bionic arm for four-year-old Mohammed Sideeq, the youngest recipient of such a prosthetic limb.


Pakistan to unveil 5G spectrum policy soon, IT minister says

Pakistan to unveil 5G spectrum policy soon, IT minister says
Updated 05 November 2025
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Pakistan to unveil 5G spectrum policy soon, IT minister says

Pakistan to unveil 5G spectrum policy soon, IT minister says
  • Pakistan to auction over 600 MHz of spectrum to expand mobile services and introduce 5G
  • Government finalizing ‘Smartphones for All’ policy to boost digital access and affordability

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will soon announce its long-awaited 5G spectrum policy as part of efforts to accelerate digital access and connectivity across the country, the state media reported on Wednesday.

Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima told the 26th meeting of the South Asia Telecommunication Regulators Council in Islamabad that the country was planning to auction more than 600 MHz of spectrum.

“The government will soon unveil the 5G spectrum policy,” she said, according to Radio Pakistan, adding that the move would “not only improve current 3G and 4G services but also introduce 5G.”

The minister said a telecom infrastructure-sharing framework had been approved and new satellite communication regulations finalized, paving the way for satellite Internet services in Pakistan.

She said the government was committed to ensuring digital inclusion and was finalizing a “Smartphones for All” policy to make mobile devices more affordable and accessible.

Reflecting on Pakistan’s digital progress, Fatima said the country had reached 200 million mobile subscribers and 150 million mobile broadband users, with data traffic rising by 70 percent over the past five years.

She added that the telecom sector had recorded 17 percent year-on-year revenue growth.

E-commerce, she said, had reached nearly $7.7 billion and was expected to cross $10 billion next year.