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realme 12 and realme 12+ 5G in Pakistan

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realme 12 Series: Ready to Challenge Rivals with Cutting-Edge Processors in Pakistan’s Smartphone Arena

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir) realme, one of the world’s leading smartphone brands, this week announced the launch of its latest smartphones, the realme 12 and realme 12+ 5G in Pakistan. This highly anticipated announcement has generated significant excitement among realme enthusiasts, promising to shake up the market with their advanced features and competitive pricing.

Since its debut, the realme number series has garnered global appreciation, and after a two-year hiatus, it has made a triumphant return to Pakistan. Renowned for its premium quality in the Pakistani market, the series is now back with enhanced photography features and top-notch chipset capabilities.

Adding to the excitement, the unveiling of cricketer Shaheen Afridi as the brand ambassador has further bolstered realme’s image. Afridi’s association with realme has positively impacted the brand’s following, aligning the high-performance ethos of the cricketer with the advanced technology of the new realme 12 series.

The realme 12+ 5G, the highlight of this launch, is quickly being recognized by the media as a formidable competitor in the 5G smartphone market. Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7050 5G chipset, featuring an 8-core 64-bit architecture with 2 ARM® Cortex-A78 @2.6GHz and 6 ARM® Cortex-A55 @2.0GHz cores, along with a Mali-G68 GPU, it delivers robust performance while maintaining ultra-low power consumption.

Available in two variants, 12GB RAM+256GB ROM and 8GB RAM+256GB ROM, the realme 12+ 5G has scored over 580,000 on the AnTuTu Benchmark, setting a new standard in its price bracket and proving its capability to handle more than the average user’s needs.

Beyond its impressive chipset power and benchmark scores, the realme 12+ 5G excels in heat control, software optimization, smoothness, gaming capability, and charge speed, outperforming its competitors in every segment.

Inspired by renowned French watchmaker Ollivier Savéo, known for his collaborations with luxury Swiss watch brands like Rolex and Breitling, the realme 12+ 5G features a polished sunburst dial design, premium vegan leather, and PVD polished edges. It offers an ultra-light and slim form factor with just 7.87mm thickness and 190g weight.

On the other hand, the realme 12, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 685 chipset, stands as a formidable force in its segment. This powerhouse chipset ensures a comprehensive performance boost, enhancing every aspect of the user experience, especially when compared to other devices utilizing the same Snapdragon 685 processor. The realme 12 is available with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage, ensuring ample space for all your apps, photos, and videos.

Both the realme 12 and realme 12+ 5G come with a 50MP Sony LYT-600 primary camera with OIS, designed to capture clear shots from any distance. The 2X In-sensor zoom and Cinematic 2X Portrait Mode offer flexible shooting with DSLR-like bokeh. SuperOIS technology ensures stable video and image capturing, ideal for fast-paced scenarios.

Both devices feature a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution, offering vibrant colors and smooth visuals. With a 120Hz refresh rate, these displays ensure a seamless viewing experience. The realme 12+ 5G boasts 4096 levels of brightness adjustment and a peak brightness of 2000 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight.

Equipped with a 5000mAh battery, both the realme 12 and realme 12+ 5G support 67W SUPERVOOC fast charging, allowing the devices to charge to 50% within 19 minutes and 100% within 48 minutes.

The realme 12 is priced at PKR 59,999, while the realme 12+ 5G is available for PKR 74,999. The realme 12 will be available in Pioneer Green and Skyline Blue, while the realme 12+ 5G comes in Pioneer Green and Navigator Beige. These colors exude elegance and a sense of quiet confidence and adventure. Both devices will be available for purchase starting July 1, 2024.

 

UNDP, JS Bank and IBA Karachi join hands to finance Climate-resilient SMEs in Pakistan

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Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir)

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with IBA’s Center for Entrepreneurial Development (IBA-CED) and JS Bank conducted the finale of the SDGs Innovative Financing Challenge Cup to promote sustainable and climate-resilient businesses in Pakistan. In line with the United Nations Day of Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (UN MSMEs Day), the initiative also underscored UNDP, JS Bank, and IBA’s commitment to supporting MMEs in Pakistan.

The event welcomed a diverse audience of over 350 attendees, including students from IBA and other universities, vocational training institutes, startups, along with representatives from IBA-CED, JS Bank, UNDP Pakistan and Business Incubation Centers (BICs).

This first-of-its-kind initiative, the SDGs Innovative Financing Challenge Cup aims to pioneer a unique blended financing approach combining a public-private partnership to identify and support climate-resilient projects tackling social and environmental challenges aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The SDGs Innovative Financing Challenge Cup attracted over 200 applications across the country. Through a rigorous selection process, 30 SMEs and projects were shortlisted, and participated in capacity-building workshops. This workshop equipped participants with valuable skills in areas including product design, financial planning, and marketability and SDGs related blended financing.

The competition intensified as the 30 projects were further narrowed down to the top 10 finalists. The event finale culminated in the announcement of the winning projects, chosen by a panel of evaluators from UNDP Pakistan, JS Bank, and IBA. The top four SME’s & Projects received a unique blend of financial support – a combination of grants from UNDP Pakistan (10 million PKR each) followed by financing from JS Bank to propel their impactful solutions forward. The winning SMEs were adjudged in the following order: first place, Vitality Vehicles (Vlektra), which manufactures electric motorcycles to reduce emissions, second place, Concept Loop, which diverts plastic waste into building materials, third place, Knowledge Platform, which creates educational games to promote environmental literacy, and fourth place Davaam Life, which promotes refillable products to reduce waste. 

Ammara Durrani, Assistant Resident Representative, Development Policy Unit, UNDP Pakistan, said, “This initiative marks a significant milestone, as it is the first time that such blended financing is being offered. Our aim is not just to offer blended finances to these chosen projects but also help them build their capacities and foster meaningful linkages within the private sector for future cooperation”.

Dr. Lalarukh Ejaz, Director IBA-CED welcomed the guests and participants and briefed about the project. She stated that, “The collaboration between UNDP, JS Bank, and IBA-CED to organize an SDGs Innovative Finance Challenge Cup, aimed at encouraging entrepreneurs with SDG-aligned projects to pitch their innovative solutions”.

Syed Jafar Raza, Group Head Investment, International & Transactional Banking, JS Bank expressed that, “This collaboration between JS Bank, UNDP, and IBA is a powerful example of how public-private partnerships can drive positive change. By combining our expertise as a financial service provider and UNDP’s knowledge in sustainable development, we aim to empower and nurture creative solutions with a positive social impact and contribute to sustainable Pakistan”.

The SDGs Innovative Financing Challenge Cup marks a significant achievement, fostering a robust ecosystem for climate resilience, inclusive insurance, and groundbreaking social enterprises in Pakistan, therefore paving the way for a more sustainable future for all.

 

inDrive and oladoc Partner to Promote Health and Wellbeing in Pakistan

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Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir) 

inDrive, a leading global ride-hailing service, is excited to announce a groundbreaking partnership with oladoc, Pakistan’s premier digital healthcare platform, to provide free healthcare subscriptions to inDrive users. This initiative aims to enhance healthcare accessibility and convenience, offering inDrive users complimentary medical benefits and exclusive discounts to support their health and wellbeing. inDrive: Committed to Safety and Wellbeing inDrive, with its presence in over 750+ cities across 46 countries, is dedicated to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of its users. As a market leader for the past 3 years in Pakistan with millions of users globally, inDrive continues to innovate and prioritize user experience by integrating essential services into its platform. The partnership between inDrive and oladoc represents a significant step towards transforming the healthcare experience for inDrive users in Pakistan. Both companies are recognized leaders in their respective sectors—inDrive in ride-hailing services and oladoc in digital healthcare. This collaboration leverages the strengths of both platforms to deliver state-of-the-art healthcare services to inDrive’s extensive user base in Pakistan. Starting from the 24th of June, 2024, inDrive users will be eligible to receive an oladoc subscription upon booking a ride. This subscription entitles users to a wide range of healthcare benefits, which can be conveniently accessed through the oladoc app. This partnership brings numerous healthcare benefits for inDrive users; with an oladoc subscription, inDrive users will enjoy up to 40% discounts on several medical services and can avail perks such as video consultations with top doctors in Pakistan. GTM Manager – SA, Hassan Zaman stated that; “This partnership empowers our passengers and drivers with top-notch digital healthcare services, reinforcing our commitment to safety and health. We strive to deliver the best value, making health a key focus alongside safety.” inDrive’s partnership with oladoc underscores its dedication to supporting the health and wellbeing of its users in Pakistan. By providing essential healthcare benefits, inDrive is taking a proactive approach to enhance the overall user experience and promote a healthier community.

Infinix Brand Power on the Rise: Makes Second Appearance in Kantar BrandZ Top 50

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Lahore (Muhammad Yasir)
Infinix, a trendy tech brand crafted for young consumers, has once again been recognized in the Top 50 Kantar BrandZ Chinese Global Brand Builders 2024 ranking by Google and Kantar. This prestigious ranking, often regarded as the “Oscars” of the branding industry, highlights Infinix’s continuous enhancement of brand power and global consumer recognition. Infinix climbed to the 44th spot this year, up one rank from last year.

“We are pleased to announce that for the second consecutive year, we have been recognized as one of the Top 50 Kantar BrandZ Chinese Global Brand Builders for 2024. This tribute underscores our unwavering commitment to innovation and technology, earning the trust of worldwide consumers. Our focus remains steadfast on delivering essential products, cultivating brand value, and establishing international influence through differentiation. Infinix has, over time, evolved into a trusted global brand through consistent global localization efforts. We are dedicated to furthering globalization through localization, deepening our understanding of user insights, delivering superior products, and crafting a brand experience that embodies profound value.'” – Lake Hu, Chief Marketing Officer at Infinix.

Kantar BrandZ, the global well-known consumer-focused brand asset insights provider, employs a widely acclaimed brand valuation methodology. This assessment evaluates brand attractiveness based on significance, differentiation, and prominence, ascertained through international user polling. The consistent inclusion of Infinix in this index corroborates its worldwide brand impact and robustness.

Leading with Innovation
Infinix is committed to equipping young individuals in emerging markets with state-of-the-art technology and elegant design. This year, the NOTE 40 series and the GT 20 Pro dual-core gaming flagship have attracted considerable attention. The NOTE 40 series features All-Round FastCharge 2.0, encompassing 100W Multi-Speed FastCharge, Wireless MagCharge, and the Cheetah X1 chip. On the other hand, the GT 20 Pro, powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8200 Ultimate processor and the Pixelworks X5 Turbo dedicated display chip, offers an eSports-level gaming experience with its robust cooling system and 144Hz FHD+ AMOLED display.

MSME Day 2024: Alibaba.com Commits to Scaling AI Tools for MSMEs

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Strategic plans for a diverse supplier network and enhanced trade opportunities unveiled.

 

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir) Alibaba.com, a leading platform for global business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce and a unit of Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group, today honored businesses in their pursuit of success and global growth ahead of Micro-, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise (MSME) Day on June 27. Reaffirming its dedication to supporting MSMEs, Alibaba.com said it has been rolling out artificial intelligence (AI) tools for global suppliers, which have so far attracted adoption by around 30,000 businesses on its platform.

This year’s MSME Day marks the seventh anniversary of the United Nations’ designation to recognize the vital role played by MSMEs in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the contributions of MSMEs to the global economy. On this meaningful occasion, Kuo Zhang, President of Alibaba.com, participated in a panel discussion on the topic of global trade during the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) bi-annual Global Review of Aid for Trade. Together with four MSMEs from Ethiopia, Vietnam, Italy and India, Zhang also joined a session held by the United Nations International Trade Centre (ITC) to celebrate MSME Day.

Emphasizing the importance of ensuring that no MSMEs in underdeveloped countries are left behind in the era of AI, Zhang mentioned that among the top 20 countries making the most frequent use of Alibaba.com’s AI tools, approximately 10 are developing countries.

“As a member of the private sector, we are honored to have worked alongside international agencies such as ITC and supported MSMEs worldwide over the past 25 years,” said Zhang. “As we promote wider adoption of our AI tools amongst MSMEs, we also hope to expand our global supplier base to cover 100,000 suppliers in the next three years. In a nutshell, we are building a global supply chain by and for MSMEs leveraging AI.”

‘South Asia’s first Neo Marketeer’

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This 18 years old neo marketeer from the most remote area of Pakistan is running a 5-figure dollar business.

This was another day of scrolling through social media, precisely Instagram! I stumbled upon a video of a fairly young lad talking about what freelancing means and how much effort freelancers particularly put into their work. I was quite surprised by how he was talking with a video background which seemed to be a village. It’s not normal nowadays that you see someone from a remote area, especially at a young age, talking about complex subjects like blockchain and NFTs (Which i actually saw after viewing his instagram profile). He made me google himself. ‘South Asia’s first Neo Marketeer’…. I was shocked!

The only thing I wanted to do at this point was to contact him and learn more about his career. And that’s what I did. I called him, Introduced myself and appreciated what he was doing. He sounded like a humble person. Conclusion, I asked for an interview and he agreed. I hung up the call and started preparing a questionnaire to understand what he was doing and how he had the knowledge that most people double his age do not acquire.

Freelancing and remote work has been an elephant in the room for quite some time and its adoption has increased among western nations. But we underestimate the skills and mindset of people living in a third-world country. Pakistan dominates most of the nations as a gig-economy. Coming back to our subject, I was even more shocked to hear what this young lad had to say about him and his career. He ran a Neo Marketing agency, which in his words is, ‘South Asia’s First’. Neo Marketing, unlike traditional digital marketing, focuses on data driven algorithmic approaches which tend to facilitate a search query on a search engine. Personal branding starts with Neo Marketing and Ameer Ali Salman, the person we are talking about, claims to be one of the few and youngest people to introduce this concept of Marketing.

Ameer Ali Salman, founder of Ameer& started back in 2018, not because he wanted to make money. But in reality he began algorithmic manipulation out of an interest, it was 4 years later that he started selling his services. According to Salman, ‘Any business, whether it’s online or physical, if not started as a pure interest, it won’t succeed. I had no idea at that time that my passion would become my profession’. He also quoted ‘Making money now is easier than ever with the invention of the Internet’. He also mentioned his other ventures which focus on news distribution.

‘As online agency owners grow within Pakistan there is a constant decline in appreciation from the government. There is no proper payment option for freelancers to receive their money from international clients which make them trust third party digital banks like payoneer which are not actually reliable as quoted by several freelancers over the years. A Pakistani-Government regulated bank which is affiliated with most of the providers internationally would solve the problem and generate more revenue which also converts to tax. It’s a win-win situation for both remote workers and the government.’ said Salman.

Salman has scaled from zero to five-figure dollar agency. Stories and people like Salman are actually trying to make a difference and it makes me wonder how our young generation is wasting time being influenced by western nations and going through an identity crisis. Starting a business would not be beneficial for you mentally, physically or financially but improving yourself as you grow and learning from your mistakes will be. All of these traits are by-product of Salman’s business.

Ajoka enthrals Islamabad audience

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Pakistan (Qasim Ali)

Islamabad Ajoka theatre festival in Islamabad has been a smashing success, with packed houses and prolonged applause every day. The festival at Pakistan National Council of Arts started on 25 June with “Teesri Dastak”, a play about residents of a dilapidated building who find a novel way of resisting eviction notice by a greedy landlord. On the second day, Ajoka’s iconic play “Bulha” was presented. The play tells the dramatic story of Sufi poet Bulleh Shah’s spiritual journey and his defiance of the intolerant clergy. On the third day,Shahid Nadeem’s international masterpiece “Dara” was presented. The play revolves around the ideological conflict between Mughal princes Dara Shikoh and Aurangzeb. The pkay included poetry by Dara, Sarmad and Amir Khusrau. “Dara” has been adapted and produced by National Theatre in 2015 to great critical and public acclaim. Ajoka will also give a special performance of “Bulha” at the Islamabad Club on 28 June. The festival, hosted by the PNCA, was held to commemorate Ajoka’s 40th anniversary. Speaking on the first day of the festival, Director General PNCA Ayub Jamali, congratulated Ajoka on its 40th anniversary and appreciated its valuable contribution to Pakistani theatre. Ajoka Executive Director Shahid Nadeem thanked PNCA support for the festival and socially meaningful theatre.

LADIESFUND Hosts Mango-Themed Eid Milan

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Karachi (Muhammad Yasir)

LADIESFUND Hosts Mango-Themed Eid Milan with over 100 guests from diplomatic circles, corporate sectors, ministries, developmental agencies, press, women SMEs, celebrities, fashion designers, all dressed in yellow and orange according to the mango theme. Spotted at the event were British Deputy Head of Mission Martin Dawson, Geneva-based UNOPS’s Moin Karim Khan, Washington, DC based Natasha Dossa of IFC, Shanaz Ramzi, Atiya Khan, Majyd Aziz, Pervez Madraswalla, Saira Saigal, Sana Sharifuddin Pirzada, Faisal Kachelo, Pir Saleh, Moneeza Butt, Haseeb Khan, Khursheed Hyder, Farrukh Shahab, DIG Police Quetta Ashfaq Alam, Samina Aslam, Uzma Soomro, Nasir Shekani, Sibtain Naqvi, and Ayaz Dawood, among others. Aatikah Hussain’s Melted by A created a special mango-themed LADIESFUND cake for the occasion, as well as cake prizes for Best Dressed and Best Mango Dish, which were won by Mariam Faisal Amin and Shazleen Vahidy respectively. Igloo Pakistan has made fresh mango ice cream with pulp for guests and Vital Tea served a variety of chai. Nighat Misbah’s Depilex was Beauty Partner for the Milan.

Tara wore C’est La Vie by Saba Khan.

 

SLB collaborates with OGDCL on geothermal resource development in Pakistan

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SLB collaborates with OGDCL on geothermal resource development in Pakistan Pilot project to evaluate geothermal potential of 25 fields across three basins.

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir) SLB (NYSE: SLB) is collaborating with Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), Pakistan’s largest oil and gas exploration and production company, to develop a strategy for exploiting geothermal resources in hydrocarbon fields across Pakistan.

As part of the collaboration, SLB will help OGDCL develop a plan for evaluation of the geothermal potential of 25 fields in the North, South and Central basins in Pakistan that have been pre-selected by OGDCL. SLB experts together with the OGDCL team will assess surface, subsurface, and well data for the fields to identify focus areas and estimate their geothermal potential using regional models and well productivity calculations.
The scope of the initial OGDCL pilot project includes screening, evaluation and selection of nine fields for detailed analysis, evaluation of geothermal potential, wellbore modeling and determination of next steps.

“OGDCL is committed to exploring innovative avenues for energy development in Pakistan, and our collaboration with SLB marks a significant step toward harnessing the country’s geothermal potential. By leveraging SLB’s expertise and technology, we aim to not only evaluate the potential of geothermal resources but also contribute to sustainable energy solutions for the nation,” said Ahmed Hayat Lak, MD/CEO of OGDCL.

“Governments across the region are seeing the potential of geothermal as an alternative clean energy source that can support their net zero initiatives,” said Karim Badawi, MENA development director for SLB’s New Energy business. “This geothermal pilot project study encompassing fields across the country’s three basins is an important first step in Pakistan’s journey to develop its geothermal resources and we are excited to work with OGDCL on exploring renewable, lower carbon energy sources.”

Mashreq Pakistan Approval to Launch Islamic Banking Operations in Pakistan

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Mashreq Pakistan Secures Landmark In-Principal Approval to Launch Islamic Banking Operations in Pakistan.

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir) Mashreq Pakistan, a part of Mashreq which is the leading financial institution in the MENA region, has announced a significant milestone in its foray into Pakistan. Mashreq Pakistan has been granted In-Principal Approval (IPA) by the State Bank of Pakistan to commence its Islamic Banking operations within the country. This is a pivotal moment that reaffirms the Bank’s commitment to providing ethical, innovative and robust banking system that aligns with the principles of Shariah, thereby contributing to the nation’s financial landscape and becoming a catalyst for its future growth. Mashreq is actively progressing towards acquiring a restricted license from the State Bank of Pakistan to initiate pilot digital retail banking operations in Pakistan.

To mark this momentous occasion, Mashreq Pakistan organized a celebratory event with its leadership team and employees. The event also celebrated Mashreq Al Islami’s recent global recognition as the World’s Best Islamic Digital Bank by the Euromoney Islamic Finance Awards 2024, for the second year in a row that has further solidified Mashreq’s position as a leader in Islamic banking innovation. Mashreq continues to invest in and improve its digital offerings which has enabled the creation of near 100% digital customer experience – setting new benchmarks for digital Islamic Banking globally. To add to its global laurels in Islamic banking, Mashreq was also recently recognized as the ‘Most Innovative Islamic Banking Product – Nature Saver – UAE 2024’ at the 2024 International Finance Awards.

On the occasion, Fernando Morillo, Group Head of Retail Banking at Mashreq said, “Our goal is to provide enriching experiences that go beyond traditional banking services, ensuring every interaction with our customers is meaningful and rewarding. We are not just adapting to technological advancements, we are driving them. Our advanced digital capabilities have set a benchmark in the global Islamic banking industry, and we are excited to bring the same level of excellence to our operations in Pakistan.”

Muhammad Humayun Sajjad, CEO of Mashreq Pakistan, said, “Receiving the IPA for Islamic banking operations is a pivotal step towards realizing our vision of offering innovative, customer-centric banking solutions that cater to the diverse needs of the Pakistani market. We are poised to be an Islamic-first digital bank in the country, aspiring to deliver the best Islamic Banking solutions to not just meet Pakistani’s expectations, but to exceed them.”

G.M. Abbasi, Director of Islamic Finance Policy Department at the State Bank of Pakistan, remarked, “SBP has worked proactively over the years to promote and develop Islamic Banking in Pakistan through introduction of comprehensive legal, regulatory and Shariah compliance framework, different training & building capacity initiatives, and creating awareness drives for various stakeholders on Islamic banking & finance. These efforts are part of a SBP’s strategy to foster a more inclusive financial environment in Pakistan, which will include digital banks like Mashreq’’.

Mashreq Pakistan’s advanced digital platform is set to revolutionize the banking experience, offering unparalleled convenience, security, and customer service for Pakistanis. Moreover, the bank’s innovative digital solutions, such as Mashreq NEO, NEOBIZ, NEO NXT and NEOPAY, are poised to set new benchmarks in the banking industry. It is worth noting that NEO has been recognized by Brand Finance as the strongest digital banking brand in the UAE. The bank aims to leverage advanced technologies such as AI and blockchain to provide intuitive, seamless, and personalized banking experiences.

The bank’s strategic vision aligns with the broader national objectives of financial inclusion and economic empowerment, aiming at integrating seamlessly into the fabric of Pakistani society, particularly focusing on underrepresented segments and demographics such as women, youth, and SMEs.