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June 19 , 2026
Apple Launches Official Flagship Store On E-Commerce Platform Daraz Pakistan
Karachi: E-commerce platform Daraz Pakistan has officially launched the Apple Flagship Store on DarazMall in partnership with GNext, Apple’s authorized distributor in Pakistan, according to a press release issued by Daraz on Thursday.
A formal signing ceremony was held at the Daraz Head Office in Karachi, bringing together senior representatives from the e-commerce platform and GNext to mark the launch.
According to the press release, the launch gives customers a “trusted and value-driven destination” to shop for original Apple products online.
The statement highlighted that the partnership combined “Daraz’ e-commerce platform, nationwide reach and customer service infrastructure with GNext’s authorized Apple distribution network, product authenticity assurance and after-sales support”.
It added that the flagship store launch was supported by competitive pricing, transparent offers, reliable fulfilment and official distributor-backed warranty support.
Daraz said that the launch was designed to address key customer concerns in the high-value consumer electronics category, including “authenticity, pricing consistency, warranty coverage and after-sales reliability”.
As part of the launch, Daraz is offering a free 20-watt charger as a bundle deal on eligible purchases, along with free shipping and next-day delivery for the iPhone 17 series.
“Customers will also be able to benefit from an extended warranty package that includes one year of Apple warranty and an additional one year of distributor-backed warranty through GNext, providing added peace of mind on Apple device purchases,” the statement added.
It will also offer a best price guarantee, with up to a 14 per cent discount on eligible products, along with 0pc EMI plans that allow customers to purchase products via instalments.
The e-commerce platform highlighted that the launch reflected its commitment to building a trusted online marketplace “where customers can shop leading global brands with confidence”.
It noted that the store offered a more “seamless and reliable” way for Pakistani customers to purchase Apple devices online.
The store is now live on DarazMall, the statement said, inviting customers to visit the Daraz app or website to explore Apple’s available products and launch offers. - Dawn
After SC Verdict, Families of Baldia Factory Fire Victims Seek Answers
Karachi: The grieving families of the Baldia Town factory fire victims walked into the Karachi Press Club on Saturday along with labor organizations, wanting to know who they should hold responsible for the death of their loved ones.
Holding tightly to the framed photographs of their dear father, son, husband, brother, sister or daughter, the families wanted to know why they had been fed lies for the past 14 years.
The recent decision of the three-member bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan has reopened old wounds as the bench acquitted two Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) activists Abdul Rehman Bhola and Zubair alias Chariya of starting the fire in the factory on September 11, 2012.
Both men were given the benefit of doubt by the court as out of approximately 400 witnesses, only one claimed to have seen one of the accused with a chemical bag, while none actually saw the fire being ignited.
“It means that what the affected families and labor organizations have been saying from the very beginning, that the tragedy happened because of the criminal negligence of the factory owners and the failure of relevant government departments, which failed to enforce safety laws and conduct proper inspections, was true,” said Nasir Mansoor, General Secretary of the National Trade Union Federation (NTUF).
“Multiple individuals were acquitted during various stages of the case. The trial court initially acquitted certain MQM leaders who had been accused of extortion, while later the Sindh High Court also acquitted factory security guards and other employees. And, following the Supreme Court judgement, it now appears that no one is responsible for the deaths of more than 260 workers of the Baldia factory,” he pointed out.
“It is also a fact that had the case not been framed as one of terrorism and extortion, the responsibilities and failures of the Labor Department, Fire Brigade, EOBI, Social Security institutions, and other relevant bodies would have come under serious scrutiny,” he said.
“It is unfortunate that the course of the case was deliberately diverted in a specific direction to shield these responsible actors. As a result, not only were the real perpetrators spared accountability, but all legal avenues that could have brought the actual culprits to justice were effectively blocked,” Mr Mansoor added.
“But we firmly believe that had there been effective accountability of those individuals and institutions involved in this horrific crime, and had they been punished according to law, the lives of millions of workers in thousands of small and large industrial units across the country would be significantly safer today. Unfortunately, this did not happen. The blood of more than 260 workers still demands justice,” the NTUF leader reminded.
It is also a matter of record that the factory owners did not provide any direct compensation to the victims. The monthly pension system established for the affected families was made possible through the continuous efforts of labor organizations, lawyers, and international solidarity networks such as the European Centre for Constitutional and Human Rights, Clean Clothes Campaign, IndustriALL Global Union, etc. Compensation was arranged via the German company KIK, providing lifelong monthly pensions to the affected families, currently ranging from approximately Rs9,000 to 35,000 per month.
Academic Dr Tauseef Ahmed Khan said that the issue of worker safety was not considered important in the Baldia factory fire case. “If we had done something about worker safety and maintenance of buildings back then, the Gul Plaza tragedy could have been prevented,” he observed. - Dawn
Courtesy Dawn
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