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PBA, Casbaa & Pemra to host Intl. forum titled ‘A Digital Future for Pakistan‘
MUMBAI: The Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) and the Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (Casbaa) are pleased to announce details of the first Electronic Media Exhibition and Conference (EMEC) in Karachi, Pakistan, on 15 – 16 May. The international forum that has been themed ‘A Digital Future for Pakistan‘ will be hosted by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) and co-organised by the PBA and Casbaa. |
According to an official announcement, the issues that the forum will attempt to address include the development of a world class pay-TV industry within Pakistan, international best practices for content development and the impact of digital technologies such as IPTV on new business models. The speakers for the event will be drawn from media companies from across the world. “This is a uniquely exciting time for broadcasting in Pakistan,” said Pemra chairman Iftikhar Rashid. “With the introduction of advanced cable systems, Direct-to-Home satellite services and IPTV systems, Pakistan is on the cusp of great change. During our conference Pemra will welcome the participation of specialists in international best practices and the suppliers of the very best of the new technologies.” |
| “Pakistan is experiencing unprecedented growth in broadcast services,” said PBA chairman and Pakistan broadcaster GEO TV chairman Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman. “The PBA, working with Casbaa, will provide a rare opportunity to examine international business models and technologies that can be brought to Pakistan.” “As a regional industry body devoted to the advancement of multi-channel television, Casbaa is delighted to partner with the PBA and with Pemra to forge new relationships,” said Casbaa chairman Marcel Fenez. |
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With 57 per cent single new users, Ashley Madison rebrands as discreet dating platform
Platform says majority of new members now identify as single
INDIA: Ashley Madison is shedding the “married-dating” label that defined it for two decades, repositioning itself as a platform for discreet dating in what it calls the post-social media age.
The rebrand, unveiled in India on 27 February, 2026, marks a structural shift in business model and identity. Once synonymous with married dating, the company now describes itself as the “premier destination for discreet dating” under a new tagline: Where Desire Meets Discretion.
The pivot is data-driven. Internal figures show that 57 per cent of global sign-ups between 1 January and 31 December, 2025 identified as single: a notable departure from the platform’s married core. The company argues that its community has already evolved beyond its original positioning.
“In an age where our lives have been constantly put on public display, privacy has become the new luxury,” said Ashley Madison chief strategy officer Paul Keable. He framed the platform’s offering as “ethical discretion” for singles, separated, divorced and non-monogamous users seeking private connections.
The shift also taps into wider digital fatigue. A global survey conducted by YouGov for Ashley Madison, covering 13,071 adults across Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Italy, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland, the UK and the US, found mounting discomfort with hyper-public online lives.
Among dating app users, 30 per cent cited constant swiping and messaging as a source of fatigue, while 24 per cent pointed to pressure to curate public-facing profiles and early personal disclosure. Some 27 per cent said fears of screenshots or information being shared contributed to exhaustion; an equal share cited unwanted attention.
The retreat from oversharing appears broader. According to the survey, 46 per cent of adults actively try to keep most aspects of their life private online. Only 8 per cent feel comfortable sharing most aspects publicly, while 35 per cent say they are becoming more selective about what they disclose.
Ashley Madison is betting that this cultural recalibration towards controlled visibility can be monetised. By doubling down on privacy infrastructure and reframing itself around discretion rather than infidelity, the company is attempting to convert reputational baggage into a premium proposition.
