ConnectHear, a social enterprise working for disability inclusion in the country using technology, along with Ufone 4G (cellular arm of PTCL Group) has launched the world’s first AI-powered early warning system ‘SUNO’ to deliver life-saving alerts in sign language to the deaf and hard of hearing community during emergencies and natural disasters.
The platform, supported and funded by the GSMA Mobile for Humanitarian Innovation Fund, closes a critical gap in emergency communication, ensuring that deaf people receive timely alerts during natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes.
Through the system, sign language video alerts are instantly transmitted via Ufone’s WhatsApp bot, reaching at-risk people across Pakistan for free. ConnectHear creates the sign language content using cutting-edge AI technology, while Ufone provides a robust nationwide distribution infrastructure.
Speaking at the launch event, Hatem Bamatraf, Chairman, PTCL and CEO, Ufone 4G Group, said, “Our collaboration with ConnectHear reflects our belief that true digital inclusion leaves no one behind. Through our partner ConnectHear, we are harnessing technology to create an impact that matters.”
ConnectHear Co-Founder and CEO Azima Dhanjee said: “In an emergency, communication is not only important, it is a matter of life and death. For too long, deaf people, including my parents, have been deprived of urgent alerts and must rely on others during a disaster. With this project, we are finally changing that.
