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Mastercard partners with LMKR

Posted on December 2, 2021 by admin

Mastercard partners with LMKR to build Pakistan’s first open-loop transit solution and simplify the commuter experience

Dubai (NUT DESK) Mastercard has announced a strategic partnership with LMK Resources Pakistan (Private) Limited (LMKR) to oversee the deployment of the country’s first open-loop transit payment solution.

The collaboration will enable commuters to top-up and pay for their transit fares simply by using their debit and credit cards or digital wallets, eliminating the need to buy separate tickets for these services. The partnership will see Mastercard's digital payment platforms embedded first into the Zu Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) payments infrastructure, used by over 200,000 commuters daily, followed by a wider rollout.

Developing affordable and accessible public transport systems is a crucial enabler of socio-economic development in Pakistan as the country builds an inclusive digital economy. To date, Pakistan’s transit systems have been restricted to only cash or closed-loop cards that need to be topped up in advance, resulting in additional time and efforts required by travelers. “Our partnership with LMKR will transform the everyday commuter experience for people in Pakistan.

Mastercard’s digital offerings will enable passengers to simply pay using their bank card, wearable device, or smartphone, providing additional freedom for the user and decreasing the costs associated with special cards and ticket issuances for transit organizations. As a trusted advisor, Mastercard is committed to forming strategic public- private-partnerships to accelerate the growth of Pakistan’s digital economy,” said Khalid Elgibali, Division President – MENA, Mastercard.

“We are delighted to partner with Mastercard to upgrade Pakistan’s current transport payment systems. Enabling distance-based fare collection through widely available contactless debit and credit cards in Pakistan is a milestone moment in Pakistan’s digitization journey ahead,” said Iftikhar Atif Khan, President, LMKR.

The announcement follows a series of strategic partnerships with key government entities in Pakistan, cementing Mastercard’s leading role as a partner to the government and a key enabler of digitization in the country. Recent announcements include the digitization of the country’s road toll payments network in partnership with One Network.

Spotify Announce its 2021 Wrapped – Revealing Top Lists, Wrapped Campaign, and Personalized Experience

Posted on December 2, 2021December 2, 2021 by admin

Atif Aslam Topping Most-Streamed Local Artist in Pakistan

King’s ‘Tu Aake Dekhle’ Top Streamed Track in Pakistan

If 2020 was the year that flipped the world on its head, 2021 was the year that we got used to seeing things upside down. With “normal” thrown out the window, we embraced the unknown and championed all of the things that make each of us unique. Spotify’s 2021 Wrapped is a celebration of this — the millions of weird and wonderful ways to listen and live in a world that continues to keep us on our toes.

Spotify is today launching for the first time in Pakistan its annual 2021 Wrapped campaign and personalized user experience inspired by just that. At the same time, unveiling the top artists, songs and playlists from the creators that helped soundtrack the year for more than 381 million users worldwide.

The artists that reached the top of Spotify’s Wrapped Lists in Pakistan….

Arijit Singh topped the most-streamed artist list in Pakistan. Pakistanis have an old affiliation with their neighbouring country’s industry, while the top Pakistani singer on the list is Atif Aslam who has wowed his listeners for many years. The singer is renowned across the world for his love ballads, which are great at serenading your loved ones, or rekindling memories from the past.

Both Arijit Singh and Atif Aslam hold the hearts of many, as their songs bring back memories for all ages. There is no age bracket for these singers, since their songs are all about emotional bonds. Atif Aslam’s most popular songs on Spotify this year were “Kadi Te Has Bol”, “Rafta Rafta”, “Tu Jaane Na” and “Dil Diyan Gallan”.

New talents coming up in Pakistan

Pakistan has been a hotbed for upcoming artists this year with artists like Hassan Raheem, Young Stunners and Asim Azhar making it to the top 20 list of the most-streamed tracks in Pakistan. “Ghalat Fehmi” From Superstar by Asim Azhar came first as the most-streamed Pakistani song, “Gumaan” by Young Stunners ranked at two and “Afsanay” came third.

Looking through the Decades

While listeners have responded well to the newcomers in the music industry of Pakistan, the older household names have not been forgotten. Songs such as Nusrat Fateh ali Khan’s Kali Kali Zulfon Ke Phande Na Dalo, Aitebaar by Vital Signs, and musicians like Atif Aslam have topped the most-streamed songs from previous decades in Pakistan.

This goes to show, regardless of where we are, what era of music we are in; a few favorites from the past will always stay with our listeners.

Eligible users can now access their personalized Wrapped experience exclusively in the Spotify mobile app (iOS and Android).

This year’s personalized experience is full of familiar favorites, mixed with surprising new ones that connect fans with each other and creators. Here are a few new features to look out for:

New data stories to express your year in audio – In addition to your top artists, genres, songs, podcasts and minutes listened, the personalized Wrapped experience includes several all new features, including: 2021: The Movie, Your Audio Aura, Playing Cards and 2021 Wrapped: Blend. Check out Spotify For the Record for all the details on these new features.
Even more shareability – We know that Spotify fans love to share their Wrapped cards on social channels like Snapchat, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook; and now, they can share their Wrapped cards directly to TikTok.

Spotify has also rolled out its Wrapped creator experience for artists. With access to their own individualized Wrapped microsite experience, creators can dive into all the ways in which their fans listened this year. Check out Spotify for Artists to learn more.

To learn more about Spotify’s 2021 Wrapped results in Pakistan, see below:

Pakistan’s Most Streamed Artists

Pakistan’s Most Streamed Tracks:

‘Tu Aake Dekhle’ by King
‘Brown Munde’ by AP Dhillon
‘Insane’ by AP Dhillon
‘MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)’ by Lil Nas X
‘Butter’ by BTS
‘Ghalat Fehmi – From Superstar’ by Asim Azhar
‘STAY (with Justin Bieber)’ by The Kid LAROI
Masked Wolf ‘Astronaut In The Ocean’ by Masked Wolf
‘Gumaan’ by Young Stunners
‘Afsanay’ by Talha Anjum

Pakistan’s Top Spotify Playlists:

The Citizens Foundation at Expo 2020 Dubai

Posted on December 2, 2021 by admin

Islamabad (Muhammad Yasir) The Citizens Foundation (TCF), perhaps the largest network of independently run schools in the world, is set to be featured at the Expo 2020 Dubai’s Global Best Practices Programme in December 2021.

This week as the Expo 2020 Dubai celebrates the Knowledge and Learning Week, we will see many organisations such as TCF highlighting best practices in education to achieve Sustainable Development Goals.

The Citizen’s Foundation is a leading non-profit working to provide quality education in Pakistan’s most neglected rural and slum communities where we find children, especially girls, out of school. Pakistan is the world’s sixth most populous country and has the second-highest number of out-of-school children in the world. These children in Pakistan often face deep-rooted structural inequalities that are most often linked to gender biases, poverty and lack of access to quality schools.

What started as a discussion among 6 friends to correct their country’s trajectory, has now become a national movement and a global best practice. TCF has evolved a model to deliver quality education at scale. It runs 1,687 schools in 62 districts across Pakistan. Currently it has an enrollment of 275,000 students, of which nearly 50% are girls.

“When we started TCF we wanted to ensure that girls received an equal opportunity to study. That is why we make sure that all TCF schools are within walking distance to communities. We also hire only female teachers to encourage parents to send their daughters to school,” says Ateed Riaz, Co-founder and Chairman of The Citizens Foundation.

Hiring only female teachers has made TCF one of the largest private employers of women in Pakistan with a faculty of 12,950 women. TCF not only provides transportation to these teachers to and from the schools but also conducts a rigorous training of over 120 hours annually to develop their capabilities and ensure quality education in its classrooms.

“Ensuring that we make a lasting impact in the lives of our students, we decided to provide support beyond just school years,” says TCF’s CEO Asaad Ayub Ahmad. “TCF provides ongoing support to its Alumni through scholarships and its Alumni Development Programme where it helps students obtain admissions in universities.” To date 50,500 students have graduated from TCF Schools and this year 733 TCF alumni have received admission in the top universities in Pakistan.

Today, TCF alumni are serving as agents of positive change and inspiring change in their communities. One such alumna is Dr. Sidra Saleem, daughter of a daily-wage laborer, who grew up in a slum in Karachi. Sidra is now a Doctor of Neurology in Toledo, Ohio and is in her second year of medical residency. She is just one of thousands of TCF alumni who beat all odds and are on the path to success through quality education.

For 26 years, TCF is working to transform the children of Pakistan into agents of positive change. TCF remains committed to its mission and magnifying its impact by reaching 2 million agents of positive change by the year 2030. It aims to do this by continuing to expand the formal schooling programmes, supporting alumni through higher education, providing structured interventions for basic literacy and life skills to communities outside the context of formal schooling and nurture and expand partnerships with provincial governments and social enterprises to confront the massive education crisis faced by Pakistan.

P&G PAKISTAN Delegation Meets President ARIF ALVI; Discuss Investments & Future Outlook

Posted on December 2, 2021 by admin

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) A delegation of senior executives, led by Adil Farhat, Chief Executive Officer, P&G (Procter & Gamble) Pakistan, met President Arif Alvi in Islamabad this week. The Company reaffirmed its commitment to Pakistan and to continue serving consumers and the community through its brands and operations in the country.

President Alvi lauded P&G’s efforts and said that Pakistan is gearing up towards new horizons as the Government is working hard to ensure that the country transforms into an attractive place for business from around the world.

The Company recently celebrated 30 years of its successful operations in the country. Since 1991, P&G Pakistan has been serving consumers with superior quality brands providing superior value and driving category growth. P&G has already brought valuable foreign direct investment into Pakistan by expanding its local manufacturing footprint and has made significant investments of over $150 million in fixed assets to date in the country. Its manufacturing plants at Port Qasim, Korangi and Hub enable over 80% of its business in Pakistan to be locally produced, allowing the Company to better serve its consumers. Moreover, P&G’s latest baby and feminine care manufacturing plant investment of over $44 million is a vote of confidence in the future of the country.

Today, P&G Pakistan exports its entire portfolio to Afghanistan as well as to 23 countries across Europe. This export approximately contributes over 10 million US Dollars to the country’s exchequer on an annual basis. P&G manufacturing sites in Pakistan are considered amongst the top 19 countries globally where 100% P&G manufacturing facilities meet the zero-waste-to-landfill qualification and deliver approximately 40%, 60% and 25% reduction in energy, water and CO2 respectively.

Expressing his views, Adil Farhat said, “Pakistan is an important market for P&G. For over three decades, we have improved Pakistani lives through world-renowned brands, investment in manufacturing facilities, the creation of direct and indirect employment, as well as helping communities in need. The support received from the Government of Pakistan over the years has been instrumental for our successful operations in the country.” He further added, “With the potential Pakistan has to offer, we remain committed to future growth and long-term investment in the country. We thank the President for his leadership, and hope that our strong partnership with the Government of Pakistan will help us to continue to serve Pakistani consumers in the years ahead.”

TPL Trakker to Power Masst Rides’ Next – Gen Transportation Service

Posted on December 2, 2021 by admin

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) TPL Trakker Limited, Pakistan’s leading IoT, Telematics, and Digital Mapping Company, has partnered with Masst Rides Private Limited, Pakistan’s first Network Transportation Company, to power their ride booking service with location-based digital mapping services. With TPL Trakker’s mapping platform emerging local entrants in Pakistan’s digitization landscape especially ride hailing services are being enabled in their journey towards reshaping the national ecosystem.

Ride hailing startups and established companies have created a global market worth $900 million giving rise to one of the biggest markets in the South Asia region that is expected to grow considerably over the coming years.

As the segment revolutionizes with local players including startups entering into the market, TPL Trakker’s digital mapping services powered by an extensive database that provides maps for 400+ cities, 5 million geocoded addresses and 610,000+ kms of road networks is playing a crucial role in the growth of the technological ecosphere in Pakistan. The current partnership leveraging the technical prowess of TPL Trakker’s mapping services will allow Masst Rides, a ride-hailing startup for individuals and corporate customers to provide end users with unique and comfortable travel experiences.

A signing ceremony was held recently in this regard where Sarwar Ali Khan, CEO TPL Trakker and Muhammad Noman Shaukat, CEO Masst Rides, inked the agreement on behalf of their organizations.

“At TPL Trakker, we ensure diligent efforts as a leading technology enabler in the country to provide established entities as well as entrepreneurial ventures with essential technical tools required for sustainable development. In the midst of Pakistan’s diversifying digital ecosphere, we are serving as a catalyst for progressive change. This partnership with Masst Rides is a personification of our commitment to the end consumer where two tech partners collaborate for their betterment.” Said Sarwar Ali Khan, CEO TPL Trakker.

“Masst Rides Private Limited was established with the objective of offering reliable and safe traveling experience to individuals and corporate customers. Our Vision is to organize the Transportation Industry of Pakistan such that it becomes fast and effective. Our collaboration with TPL Trakker is in line with our vision and we hope to achieve and grow more under this partnership” said Muhammad Noman Shaukat, CEO Masst Rides.

TPL Trakker is committed to transforming Pakistan’s digital ecosystem through a variety of sophisticated IoT, mapping and technology based services for various industries.

Consul General of Pakistan in Toronto Abdul Hameed received the delegation of LadiesFund

Posted on November 27, 2021 by admin

Toronto (Muhammad Yasir) Consul General of Pakistan in Toronto Abdul Hameed received the delegation of LadiesFund today and hoped that successful Pakistan origin women professionals in Canada would help their counterparts in Pakistan by sharing best practices, experiences and strategies for achieving targets in their respective fields.

Spotted at the event were politician Sarah Bokhari, art curator Neshmia Ahmed, safety expert Asma Kazmi, Happiness guru Shaista Ali, realtor Shafaq Hussain, PhD Dr. Sarah Alam, beauty brand manufacturer Samina Ali, mortgage specialist Reema Hasnain, EY’s Rukhsana Hossein, Healonline’s Kanwal Salman, and LADIESFUND President Tara Uzra Dawood.

Bookme.pk joins hands with Road Master to offer FLAT 50% discount on online bookings

Posted on November 27, 2021 by admin

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Keeping pace with changing needs of the customers in the country, Bookme.pk has joined hands with one of the leading transport companies of Pakistan, Road Master, with the aim to provide customers with the luxury and convenience that they deserve. The transport giant has taken a step ahead to provide the best travel experience to its users. Bookme keeps its customers at the heart of what they do and strives towards providing best in class customer services. And this is why Pakistan’s first and largest online ticketing platform has made Road Master a premium transport partner for travel to help people move around Pakistan in a much more economical way. But this collaboration holds exciting news for Bookme and Road Master loyalists, the companies have decided to offer the customers with the BIGGEST deal ever! Now you can avail a FLAT 50% discount on UNLIMITED online ticket bookings form Bookme.pk and Road Master. The offer started from 20TH of November. You heard it right, the offer holds NO LIMIT for discount. So make your travel plans and book your tickets now from Bookme.pk and Road Master App to avail the offer.

MD of Road Master, Faisal Sheikh says, “Transforming Transportation Industry through Innovation & Digitalization. As a Road Master I always had my firm belief that the future of the Bus Industry relies on SMART Bus Terminals i.e. having your Terminal at the palm of your hand in the mobile phone through booking apps. I feel honored to be part of Bookme.pk in this journey of revolutionizing transport Industry together.” Message from Faizan Aslam – CEO, Bookme.pk: “Being the leading e-ticketing platform in the industry, we aim to reform intercity transportation in Pakistan and this partnership with Road Master will lead us to achieve that aim. It is particularly gratifying to have Road Master as our premium partner. We look forward to this collaboration which will definitely result in earning more trust and support of the customers.”

realme Brings Yet Another Quality King – the realme C25Y for PKR 26,999/-

Posted on November 25, 2021 by admin

realme Combines the Best of Quality, Value and Technology in the realme C25Y

realme C25Y carries the baton of realme’s C-Series forward with its top-notch quality, premium value-for-money and a gamut of technological features for everyone.realme has enticed the mid-range segment once again, adding a stellar C-Series smartphone that offers great quality, value and a host of technological features that will surely be perfect for any pocket. realme C25Y delivers an all-day performance with its 5,000mAh Massive Battery and brings out your photographic talent with its 50MP AI Camera. The realme C25Y is for people on-the-go, offering an 18W Quick Charge and a Unisoc T610 Processor – which with its powerful performance is an all-out winner.

realme’s C-Series is synonymous with the best-in-class quality, with the TUV Rheinland High Reliability Certification. So, one can be sure to have the utmost value-for-money with the realme C25Y. A 6.5” Large Display puts the realme C25Y in the league of all the must-have C-Series smartphones – that are truly a recognition for realme.

The realme C25Y debuts for PKR 26,999/- and comes in Glacier Blue and Metal Grey colours. The smartphone shall be available from Monday, November 29, 2021 so one doesn’t have to wait long enough to visit their nearest market or Daraz to get their realme C25Y soon.

Dubai’s Top Realtors to Enter Pakistan

Posted on November 25, 2021 by admin

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) A multi-billion rupees investment agreement has been signed for Pakistan’s real estate sector as Dubai-based Samana Developers, one of the top 20 real estate developers in the UAE and a subsidiary of diversified Samana Group, has signed a key partnership with H&S Real Estate, a Dubai-based top performing real estate brokerage agency.

This decision was announced by senior officials of both the business giants at a joint press conference held in Dubai on Thursday.

The partnership has launched Emirates Developers, a new real estate development company incorporated in Pakistan. Emirates Developers will build mixed-used resort-themed communities in the tourist hotspots of Pakistan.

The agreement signing ceremony was witnessed by His Excellency Hassan Afzal Khan, Consul-General of Pakistan to Dubai, along with officials of the Consulate General of Pakistan, Samana Developers and H&S Real Estate.

His Excellency Hassan Afzal Khan, Pakistan Consul-General to Dubai, while appreciating the strategic partnership, said: “It is a proud moment for all of us and for the Pakistani community in Dubai that we are witnessing a double success story of Samana Developers and H&S Real Estate going to be replicated in Pakistan. I believe that the two well reputed real estate companies with their vision are going to create a new milestone in the real estate sector of Pakistan and attract much-needed investment to our homeland. I, on behalf of my colleagues in Pakistan mission in the UAE, share our best wishes to the success of Samana Developers, H&S Real Estate and the new venture Emirates Developers.”

Multi-award-winning and ranked amongst Top 50 Real Estate Companies in the Middle East, Samana Developers, is among top 20 real estate developers in the UAE. Throughout 2021 it was ranked number 16th in terms of the number of units sold out in a set timeframe. The ranking reflects the success of Samana Developers and its CEO Imran Farooq’s business strategy which focuses the end-user. For 2022, Samana Developers is looking at increased market share and expecting 35% more sales revenue projection in the UAE.

Mr. Imran Farooq, CEO of Samana Developers, said: “We are coming to Pakistan with high ambitions and bullish mindset. Despite the drop in currency, Pakistan’s real estate market is quite attractive with year-on-year growth projection as we see Pakistan’s population, which needs housing, continues to grow.

“We are not only developing another brick-and-mortar project but a lifestyle development with state-of-the-art amenities at par with the international standards, which we have achieved in Dubai. I believe today’s developers need to think outside the box to fill the gap between innovation, lifestyle and construction. That’s what we practiced in Dubai with Samana Developers. It gives a solid reason to buyers and end-users to invest in our projects. Our end-user business model has helped to be resilient during the Covid-19 pandemic. During the lockdown, we kept on building, and did not stop which continued the workflow, hence, cash flow from buyers to vendors.”

He added: “We had a choice of choosing a plot for single building but that would not be a lifestyle. That is the reason we picked up a cluster of large plots to create a community with facilities and amenities required for a good lifestyle. Anything one needs in a five-star hotel, will be available in the premium Emirates Developers projects at prime locations in Pakistan.”

Mr. Emad Haq, Vice-Chairman, and H&S Real Estate, said: “We believe it is a perfect synergy of two property experts with international experience – Emirates Developers and H&S Real Estate – who will present a living experience in Pakistan which will be unmatched. With group’s 50 plus years of combined experience in residential and commercial luxury real estate development, Emirates Resort project will be a jewel in the heart of beautifully landscaped Islamabad in close proximity to Murree, the lush green resort town in Pakistan.”

Emirates Developers will build a series of projects in Pakistan. Projects will develop a lifestyle with high-end luxury resort-themed apartments and fully-serviced. Residential projects will include one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, penthouses and suites of different size. Amenities will include round-the-clock concierge service, ambulance service, limo, chef-on-demand, nanny-on-demand, driver-on-demand, fine-dining, rooftop restaurants, basketball, volleyball, squash courts, gyms, jogging tracks, skate park, yoga studios, swimming pools, parks, rock climbing, kids play areas, access control system and round-the-clock security.

Emirates Developers will launch first mega project at a tourist hotspot of Pakistan in January 2022. Details of the projects will be revealed at a press conference to be held in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan.

Zong signs MOU with SCO for digitalizing AJK & GB

Posted on November 25, 2021 by admin

Islamabad (Muhammad Yasir) Leading the digital innovation in the country, Zong 4G, Pakistan’s leading cellular and digital services provider has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Special Communication Organization (SCO), in a bid to work in-step towards the Prime Minister’s vision of Digital Pakistan. In a major development to offer their mutual subscribers a seamless and faster connectivity experience across the AJK & GB.

Through mutual collaboration, Zong and SCO will expand the network across the length and breadth of the AJK & GB to provide unmatched experiences to the customers. Along with SCO having unmatched coverage area in AJK/GB, and preferred business partner, Zong 4G will ensure the development of a state-of-the-art system by utilizing the new technologies in optimizing processes for network expansion and higher efficiency. With the company’s extensive experience in Mobile services and SCO`s remarkable infrastructure our mutual customers will be served with the most advance and reliable services across the country and especially in the AJK&GB region.

“We can confidently claim to have the most advanced network, providing cutting-edge mobile services to its valued consumers in the AJK&GB region,” stated Maj Gen Muhammad Shahid Sideeq, DG -SCO. “Zong is a highly innovative telecommunications firm in Pakistan leading the country’s ICT-powered digital transformation. I am confident that the biggest beneficiaries of this collaboration are going to be the people of AJK & GB.”

“Our strategic cooperation benefits both partners and, more significantly, the people of AJK & GB,” stated Wang Hua, Chairman & CEO Zong 4G. “This agreement will ensure that resource-sharing benefits both enterprises and that the public receives superior products and services, improving their quality of life. The partnership, which aligns well with our vision of Digital Pakistan, is a huge testament to our care for AJK & GB community and our commitment to meeting their ever-changing connectivity needs.”

In September, Zong (CMPak) emerged as the highest bidder for the 1800 MHz spectrum auction for Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJ&K) and Gilgit Baltistan (GB). Earlier this month, Zong launched its LTE services in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, achieving exceptional results in user speed and traffic. Zong’s LTE testing in the region was recently completed with the throughput experience improving up to 10-20 Mbps depending upon backhaul capacity across AJK and its various districts.

SCO being the most reliable partner of ZONG having cutting edge technology in remote areas of AJK & GB and ZONG being the leader of digital transformation, together this partnership is a testament to the company’s commitment to providing unparalleled services to its customers.