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Lahore (Muhammad Yasir)

Central Business District Punjab (CBD Punjab) has achieved a significant achievement in the ongoing Walton Road Upgradation Project with the successful diversion of the old ADA Nullah into the newly constructed ADA Nullah and the operational readiness of the disposal station. This milestone marks a crucial step in resolving longstanding sewerage challenges along Walton Road. The ADA Nullah has been a primary cause of sewerage problems in the Walton Road area. With meticulous planning and execution, CBD Punjab has effectively addressed this issue, laying the groundwork for a modern sewerage system capable of serving up to 1 million residents in the vicinity. Key stakeholders including CBD Punjab’s CEO, Imran Amin, COO Brigadier (R) Mansoor Janjua, and senior PML-N leader Khawaja Saad Rafique, alongside Executive Director Technical Riaz Hussain, Director Project Management Asif Iqbal, Director Construction Asif Babar, and other esteemed members of PML-N and officials from NLC Walton Cantonment Board and NESPAK, gathered to commemorate this achievement. During the visit to the under-construction Walton Road, CEO Imran Amin and Khawaja Saad Rafique reviewed the project’s progress firsthand. CEO CBD Punjab Imran Amin, emphasized the significance of overcoming the ADA Nullah hurdle, stating, “With dedication to public service, we have overcome a major obstacle and delivered an advanced sewerage solution to Walton Road.” Khawaja Saad Rafique commended CBD Punjab for its efforts, acknowledging the project’s positive impact on the community. Executive Director Technical CBD Punjab Riaz Hussain,provided a comprehensive briefing on the functionality of the newly implemented sewerage system, highlighting its capacity to meet the area’s future needs effectively. The Walton Road Upgradation Project, with an estimated cost of Rs 9 billion, is expected to alleviate traffic congestion and address longstanding sewerage issues, further enhancing the quality of life for residents and businesses in the area.

PSDF, GIZ signs contract to Establish On-The-Job-Training Centres (OJTCs) for women, and people with disabilities in the Textile and Fashion Industry.

Lahore (Nut Desk)

Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) signed a contract for establishing, enhancing, and modifying On-The-Job-Training Centres (OJTCs) to create equitable employment and working conditions in the textile and fashion industry. The project aims at addressing structural challenges experienced by women and persons with disabilities (PWD), mainly in Punjab. In line with CM Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif vision for women empowerment and providing dignified income for person with disabilities, this collaboration strives to create and transform income and employment opportunities for women and marginalized groups. The two-year collaboration accounts for PKR 88 million investment, with an increased focus on technical and soft skills. The key training districts are Lahore, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Multan, and Karachi. The initiative will establish 13 industry-based OJTCs and 2 specialized centres for PWDs, training 4,000 trainees in total, and equipping them with the skills necessary to prosper in the competitive textile and fashion sector, including leather goods, footwear, sports goods, and gloves manufacturing. Muhammad Ubaid, Head of Project at GIZ, stated: “This has been one of its kind interventions, as we are eager to establish OJTCs for the first time in the country to empower women and create meaningful job opportunities for the growth of Pakistan’s economy.” Ahmed Khan, CEO of PSDF stated “We are thrilled to partner with GIZ on this groundbreaking initiative to establish OJTCs in the textile and fashion industry. This collaboration represents a significant step towards creating inclusive and equitable employment opportunities for women and persons with disabilities in Punjab. By focusing on both technical and soft skills, we aim to empower women and marginalized communities to drive economic growth and inclusion.” The combined efforts will not only boost employability but also mark as an important step toward achieving gender equity and opportunities for PWDs. PSDF has been a leading force in driving progress and hope for Punjab’s youth, achieving remarkable successes in skills development. 

Master Changan Motors, a disruptive automobile manufacturer known for breaking the status quo and compelling competitors to upgrade their decades-old models, has unveiled the Black Edition of its popular “Smart sedan” Alsvin, offering an exclusive and stylish look for discerning car buyers.

 The Alsvin Black Edition features several significant aesthetic upgrades and is targeted towards individuals who seek to stand out from the crowd and crave to accentuate the sporty design of Alsvin. The sleek and sophisticated look of the Black Edition is ideal for individuals who value both performance and aesthetics in their driving experience.

On the outside, the Alsvin Black Edition undergoes a transformative blackout treatment with sleek black door handles, black outside rear view mirror and black alloy wheels whispering a promise of exclusivity as you approach. The black roof creates a dynamic silhouette that cuts through the crowd and hints at the power and performance beneath.

The transformation continues inside the cabin, where Alsvin Black Edition showcases premium and sporty black leather seats, black door trims, black roof headlining and black center console replacing the previous beige theme and complementing the black exterior theme, enhancing the overall sporty feel of the car. The additional cost of all the premium yet sporty black theme is only Rs 25,000 while other status-quo brands normally charge 40,000 to 65,000 for only black interior.

The Black Edition maintains the style and performance that have made the Alsvin a popular choice, retaining all the features and benefits of the Lumiere variant, including several industry firsts:

• Cruise control
• Start-Stop Technology
• Heated side mirrors
• Sunroof
• Safety features like reverse parking sensors, camera, and airbags
• Technological advancements like a EURO 5 engine

In addition, the Alsvin offers a fuel average of 12 – 15 km/litre, providing cost-effective efficiency. Its aerodynamic body and well-built dimensions also provide excellent road grip and handling for a smooth driving experience.

Commenting on the launch, Syed Shabbir Uddin, Director of Sales and Marketing at Master Changan Motors, expressed his gratitude for customers’ support for Changan, he stated, “I’m deeply thankful for our customers who appreciated the Pakistan’s most accessibly priced “diggi wali gadi”. We are glad to bring this limited Black Edition of Alsvin for our customers who otherwise spend a lot of money to modify the aesthetics to highlight and enjoy Alsvin’s sporty design”.

Priced at Rs 4,574,000, the Black Edition is only Rs 25,000 more than its regular beige variant while some car models charge Rs 40,000 to Rs 64,000 only for a black interior. Overall, this allows customers to enjoy a sporty and sophisticated look without having to overspend.

 

Variants	Ex-Dealer Price	Difference	Change points
Alsvin Lumiere	PKR 4,549,000	25,000/-	1.        Black Roof 2.        Black Door Handles 3.        Black Sideview Mirror 4.        Black 15″ Alloy Wheels 5.        Black Leather Seats with White Stitching 6.        Black Roof Lining 7.        Black Interior Door Trims and center console
Alsvin Lumiere Black Edition	PKR 4,574,000

 

Experience the black edition before it’s gone! Book your test drive of the Alsvin Black Edition at your nearest Changan 3S dealership today.

Don’t miss out – call 021-111-116-265 now for more information and be among the first to elevate your driving experience!

• With the all new ‘Flexi’ car type, customers and Captains can negotiate and choose their own preferred price.
• The Flexi Ride will offer four categories; Flexi GO, Flexi GO Mini, Flexi Bikes and Flexi Riksha.

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir)  Careem, the pioneer of ride-hailing in Pakistan, has launched its ‘Flexi’ car type in Karachi, enabling customers and Captains to take rides on their own preferred fare. The introduction of Flexi makes its way to the metropolitan city of Karachi after its successful launch in Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad and Multan where it garnered an overwhelmingly positive response from both customers and Captains.

At the time of booking a Flexi Ride, customers will be shown a suggested fare, which they can increase or reduce. Once selected, the bid will be sent to multiple Captains in the area, enabling them to accept the ride or send a counter-bid. Once the price matches, customers will be assigned the Captain, beginning their journey. 

The Flexi Ride will offer four categories; Flexi GO, Flexi GO Mini, Flexi Bikes and Flexi Riksha. While the Flexi Ride will be available in categories of GO and GO Mini, the GO Premium category will remain unchanged, offering the pre-existing marketplace model which is based on a variable fare.

Flexi Ride is a new ride-hailing option redefining freedom of choice for both customers and Captains by enabling them to choose their own preferred price.

Commenting on the bringing Flexi Ride to Karachi, Imran Saleem, General Manager Ride Hailing at Careem Pakistan, stated, “We are really excited to bring Flexi Ride to our customers in Karachi, as it has garnered a great response in other cities of Pakistan. The idea behind the service is to give customers the flexibility to choose their own fares, all while offering unparalleled experience and the utmost level of safety.

He further added: “The Flexi Ride has also proven to result in a positive impact on the overall earnings of Captains and offer them flexibility in their work. We are certain that this service will undoubtedly make the experience more convenient and enjoyable for both customers and Captains.”

The Flexi Ride is aimed at redefining freedom of choice for both customers and Captains by enabling them to choose their own preferred price. Empowered with an enhanced layer of safety, Careem aims to provide the most reliable experience to both its customers and Captains.

 

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir)

Fly Jinnah, Pakistan’s leading low-cost airline, has proudly partnered with T3 Aviation Academy to induct its first batch of future Pakistani pilots. This milestone marks the beginning of an ambitious journey to cultivate and develop local aviation talent in Pakistan.

The initial training phase for these CPL holders commenced on June 20, 2024, at the T3 Academy facility in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. After completing this foundational training, the group will advance to aircraft base training and line training with Fly Jinnah. This comprehensive program will equip them with the skills and knowledge necessary to meet the highest international standards.

This collaboration was made possible with the invaluable support of the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority and reflects the commitment to fostering local talent. The initiative aims to develop a new generation of pilots who will contribute significantly to the growth and success of Pakistan’s aviation industry.

Fly Jinnah spokesperson commented: “This collaboration with T3 Aviation Academy highlights our commitment to investing in Pakistan’s aviation future and providing world-class training to our aspiring pilots. We extend our gratitude to the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority for their support in enabling this initiative. We are confident that this program will produce highly skilled pilots who will uphold the highest standards of safety and professionalism.”

T3 Aviation Academy, renowned for its comprehensive pilot training programs, brings a wealth of expertise and a proven track record in developing top-tier aviation professionals. By joining forces with Fly Jinnah, they are set to deliver an unparalleled training experience that combines theoretical knowledge with practical, hands-on learning.

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir)

Nutshell Group, a premier communications and public advocacy firm, is excited to unveil its strategic expansion into the Middle East market. This significant development underscores Nutshell’s commitment to broadening its regional presence and strengthening economic and cultural ties within the region.  

With over two decades of industry experience, Nutshell Group has been a pioneer in fostering impactful dialogue and collaboration across various sectors. Expanding into the Middle East marks a pivotal step in the firm’s journey toward establishing itself as a global leader in communications and strategic engagement.  

The Middle East, with its vibrant economic landscape and strategic significance, offers a wealth of opportunities for Nutshell Group to extend its expertise in corporate communications, and strategic advisory services. This expansion will enable the firm to support businesses and governments in the region by facilitating meaningful dialogue, embracing innovation, and forging strategic partnerships.  

In a joint statement, Muhammad Azfar Ahsan, Chairman of Nutshell Group; Usman Yousuf, Director; and Rabia Ahmad, Director and CEO of Nutshell Group, expressed their enthusiasm about the expansion, saying: “Our entry into the Middle East market reflects our vision of connecting visionary minds and driving transformative change. We are eager to bring our distinctive approach to communications in this vibrant region and look forward to building enduring relationships with our partners.”  

 As part of this strategic growth, Unaizah Saeed Ali, has been appointed Chief Operating Officer for the Middle East, while Mehrunisa Azhar, has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer for Pakistan.  

As part of its commitment to excellence, Nutshell Group will work closely with the local partners to deliver innovative solutions that drive growth, foster collaboration, and contribute to the region’s economic and social development.

 

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir)

Terrabiz, one of the leading corporate training companies,
organized an “emotional intelligence and decision-making” session on
Tuesday at a local hotel. John Bentley, a renowned corporate trainer,
was the main speaker. A number of professionals from different fields
of the corporate world attended the session.

John Bentley, the lead speaker, underscored the pivotal role of
emotional intelligence in corporate decision-making because a
staggering 70% of strategic failures can be attributed to poor
decision-making by business leaders with low emotional intelligence.

He mentioned that emotions influence 80% of decision-making, as per a
survey carried out by Deloitte, hence, it is crucial to harness the
power of emotional intelligence by effectively blending thinking with
feelings to make optimal decisions.

Business leaders and professionals of various trades should
effectively learn adaptability and embrace optimism to cultivate the
growth mindset in their professionals and provide lives, improving
their emotional intelligence to the optimal level. Individuals should
recognize triggers, overcome their stress, and apply consequential
thinking to be smarter people with EI.

Hamza Wasi Hasim, Founder and CEO Terrabiz, stressed the importance of
investing in human capital to significantly enhance the productivity
of human capital through capacity-building programs led by globally
recognized trainers and speakers. He urged both corporate and private
sectors to invest in their workforce to ensure high performance in
strategic decision-making.