Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir)

Reiterating its commitment to promote financial inclusion, JS Bank hosted Financial Literacy Week camps in Jamshoro, Gujranwala, Vehari, and Karachi from March 5 to 7, 2024. In collaboration with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), JS Bank organized these camps to promote financial literacy and raise awareness of financial inclusion and its significance.

Aligned with the Global Financial Literacy Week, JS Bank aims to enhance financial awareness and inclusion nationally. Through engaging discussions, educational workshops, and community outreach initiatives, JS Bank endeavors to impart knowledge and understanding of financial concepts, banking products, and services to all consumer segments.

“At the heart of Financial Literacy Week lies our mission to empower individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary for effective financial decision-making,” stated Basir Shamsie, President and CEO, JS Bank. “Through a series of activities planned throughout the week, we seek to ignite a nationwide conversation on financial matters, reduce financial barriers, and inspire positive financial behaviors.”

During Financial Literacy Week, JS Bank conducted a range of activities across Pakistan, including financial literacy camps in 5 districts, awareness drives for students, webinars for employee awareness on digital financial inclusion, and promotional campaigns on print and social media. These initiatives aim to engage various segments of society and promote the understanding and usage of digital financial services.

The week-long event kicked off with financial literacy camps held at multiple locations, including Vehari, Jamshoro, Karachi, and Gujranwala. These camps served as interactive platforms for disseminating financial knowledge and encouraging individuals to open bank accounts and embrace digital financial services.

“We believe that financial literacy is the cornerstone of economic empowerment,” remarked Basir Shamsie. “By equipping individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge, we aim to create a financially inclusive society where everyone can make informed financial decisions and access essential financial services.”

Financial Literacy Week represents a significant milestone in JS Bank’s ongoing efforts to promote financial inclusion and empower consumers to exercise informed choices to build a financially resilient and prosperous Pakistan.

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir) Coca-Cola Pakistan with Rizq, a local non-profit organization will continue their shared vision of a hunger-free Pakistan for the fourth consecutive year. Starting from this Ramadan, the partnership aims to distribute over 8 million meals across 9 cities benefitting more than 150,000 people throughout the year. Additionally, through GroRizq- Kissan Dost Program, they are providing seeds to farmers to grow crops. In the previous years, together, the partnership distributed over 6 million meals to those in need, nationwide and helped over 1000 small farmer families and rehabilitated over 500 acres of land that were grappling with the effects of devastating 2022 floods. Coca-Cola Pakistan has also made it easier for the consumers to contribute to the cause with their ‘Buy One Donate One’ campaign which they can do simply by scanning the Donation QR code, available on Coca‑Cola’s bottles. Speaking about the partnership, Aisha Sarwari, Senior Director Public Affairs, Communications & Sustainability, Coca-Cola Pakistan & Afghanistan Region, shared, “No single person or institution can solve for the large scale of hunger we have in Pakistan, as we rank at 6th on global food insecurity. However, we can compound our efforts and impact by making strategic partnerships. In Rizq, we found the right grassroots institution that delivered incredible results in a dignified way to those in need. This is why we expanded our meals to a community kitchen and even a sustainable farming initiative called GroRizq.” Huzaifa Ahmad, Co-founder Rizq commented, “We ensure that the meals served are nutritious, hygienically prepared, and tasty. Our GroRizq – Kissan Dost Program has been consistently aiding the farming communities through provision of agricultural inputs and implements as well as capacity building and knowledge sharing. In all these initiatives, Coca-Cola has been an integral partner, and we thank them for all they help they have provided in making these programs a success.” You can be a part of this great cause, by donating, supporting, or volunteering for the Rizq Coca‑Cola Ramadan 2024 initiative. For more details, visit (Rizq Ramadan Appeal – Rizq).

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir)

Esteemed actor Faysal Quraishi is poised to redefine the landscape of style with the unveiling of the brand new FQ Collection in collaboration with renowned clothing brand Narkin’s. This highly anticipated collection will be presented from now until the culmination of Ramadan, offering a sophisticated amalgamation of elegance and refinement for discerning fashion enthusiasts. The official signing ceremony for the collaboration took place in Karachi at Koel Cafe on the 7th of March 2024.

Faysal Quraishi, celebrated for his iconic performances on screen and now his burgeoning influence in the realm of fashion, has forged a partnership with Narkin’s to curate a collection that epitomizes modern luxury and timeless refinement. Drawing inspiration from his distinctive aesthetic and innate sense of style, the FQ Collection serves as a testament to Quraishi’s dedication to creativity and innovation in the realm of fashion.

Narkin’s, renowned for its commitment to exceptional craftsmanship and contemporary designs with reliable quality assurance, is honored to collaborate with Quraishi on this exclusive venture. Together, they endeavor to redefine the concept of style and offer discerning consumers a meticulously curated selection of apparel that transcends fleeting trends and celebrates individuality.

The FQ Collection, making its debut in conjunction with the sacred month of Ramadan, encapsulates the essence of grace and refinement, rendering it an ideal choice for those seeking attire that effortlessly transitions from day to night.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the collaboration, Faysal Quraishi remarked, “I am delighted to work on this partnership with Narkin’s to introduce the FQ Collection, a labor of love that reflects my personal style and vision for contemporary fashion. This collaboration represents a harmonious fusion of creativity and craftsmanship, and I am confident that it will resonate deeply with fashion connoisseurs across the region.”

Since 1991, Narkin’s has excelled in sourcing, manufacturing, and trading a comprehensive range of textile products. In 2015, Narkin’s established the Integrated Textile Foundations to ensure quality standardization. Specializing in high-end Cotton, blends, and conventional fabrics, Narkin’s offers a diverse selection of materials for men’s ethnic wear, including plain, textured, and jacquard weaves. Their expertise lies in American Supima Cotton, Egyptian Giza Cotton, and exquisite fiber blends. Additionally, Narkin’s presents a variety of women’s wear, including stitched and unstitched options for printed, fancy, and festive collections. Complementing their offerings, Narkin’s features a range of perfumes and footwear to complete the ensemble. With a nationwide network of over 5000 retailers and brand outlets, Narkin’s is renowned for its customer-friendly approach, boasting a Quality Guarantee, nationwide delivery, and a 30-day Easy return policy.

As the holy month of Ramadan approaches, fashion aficionados can eagerly anticipate the unveiling of the FQ Collection, available exclusively at select Narkin’s outlets and online platforms. Stay tuned for updates on the much-anticipated collaboration between Faysal Quraishi and Narkin’s, set to unveil a captivating fusion of artistry and elegance in the world of fashion.

Mashreq Global Network earns top honours at GDEIB 2024 for demonstrating exemplary standards in DEI global best practices.

• Awarded the ‘Best Practices’ recognition in the ‘Recruitment’ and the ‘Work-Life Integration, flexibility and benefits’ categories.

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir) Mashreq Global Network (MGN) Pakistan, an innovation-led global excellence arm of Mashreq, has been awarded the highest-level recognition of ‘Best Practices’ in the categories of Recruitment and Work-Life Integration, Flexibility and Benefits categories at the Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Benchmarks (GDEIB) Awards 2024. The GDEIB awards, hosted by HR Metrics, recognise and encourage progressive organizations which use global DEI standards for sustainable financial, human resource and social performance.

MGN Pakistan’s strategic operating model of a distributed workforce (DWF) and work from home policy, has been key in optimizing its operations, enhancing employee efficiency and delivering world-class innovation for its clients. The ‘Work from Home’ policy has provided greater flexibility to employees with familial responsibilities and other personal commitments, which has in turn enabled the onboarding and development of a broader talent pool from across 26 cities in Pakistan. This has significantly improved work-life balance for employees, leading to increasing job satisfaction and productivity.

Sharing her thoughts, Sharmeen Niaz, Head of Mashreq Global Network Pakistan, said, “As an equal opportunity employer, we are deeply committed to fostering diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace. We ensure everyone is valued with respect, equality and dignity. Mashreq has invested significant resources and efforts in creating this environment. Our policies have enabled us to attract and retain more women in the workforce and its impact is well reflected in our diversity ratio of 43%, which is much higher than the average industry ratio in the country. The award is testament to the success of our comprehensive DE&I strategy that spans the entire employee lifecycle, from recruitment to retention and beyond.”

Mashreq’s dedication to championing gender equality stands as a beacon of hope for talented women across the world. Through pioneering initiatives like the global ‘Reignite’ programme, Mashreq is not only advocating for women’s participation, but is actively working towards creating a landscape where women emerge as trailblazers and leaders.

Mashreq’s aim is to build a strong merit-based ecosystem that empowers talented women through progressive policies, equal opportunity, flexibility, pay parity and respect for differences.

Mastercard and CARE International in Pakistan unite women entrepreneurs for Strive Women launch.

 New program will focus on women as it aims to reach 1.5 million entrepreneurs in Pakistan

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir) To coincide with International Women’s Day, Mastercard’s Center for Inclusive Growth and CARE International in Pakistan are announcing the launch of Mastercard Strive.

Women — a new program that aims to strengthen the financial health and resilience of small businesses in Pakistan with a focus on those led by women.

Strive Women, a global initiative that will run in Pakistan, Peru and Vietnam, recognizes that women-led small businesses are critical contributors to economies, communities and households worldwide. The program will focus on strengthening the financial health of small businesses by working with local partners in each market to deliver tailored financial products and support services while addressing unique gender barriers that women-led businesses face.

In Pakistan, the initiative aims to reach 1.5 million entrepreneurs through campaigns while directly supporting over 100,000 entrepreneurs — the majority being women — to grow their businesses and increase their economic potential.

Held at The Marriott Hotel, Islamabad, the launch event for the Strive Women program brought together key influencers from government, the financial sector and business to discuss how they can build an ecosystem to better support women entrepreneurs in Pakistan.

Strive Women builds on the success of the Ignite program, funded by the Mastercard Impact Fund, which unlocked USD 49.6 million in loans in Pakistan and directly supported 50,932 Pakistani entrepreneurs (35% women). Following the program, 90% of the participants increased their sales, and 93% reported higher confidence in running their businesses.

“Mastercard has been powering the economy and empowering the people of Pakistan for more than two decades. We are proud to play our role in shaping the country’s ambitious digital future, driving financial inclusion and fueling its economy. We are also committed to empowering women-led businesses to launch, scale, and grow. The Strive Women program is an integral part of this commitment, closely aligning with Pakistan’s National Financial Inclusion Strategy. We are excited to build on the success of the Ignite program as we enter this next chapter in our journey with CARE International,” said.

J.K. Khalil, Cluster General Manager, MENA East, Mastercard.

 “Since launching Strive Women last year with CARE, we have seen how program participants have been able to pay it forward and scale their businesses, which helps their communities thrive,” said Shamina Singh, Founder and President of the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth. “We are excited to go deeper with the program, and find ways to create even more opportunities for women entrepreneurs.”

“We are thrilled to embark on the next phase of our mission to improve the financial health of women entrepreneurs in Pakistan through our partnership and collaboration with Mastercard. The Strive

Women program underscores our commitment to fostering a robust ecosystem that nurtures the growth of women-led businesses. Women entrepreneurs play a pivotal role in driving economic progress, and by collectively addressing the barriers they face, we can unleash their full potential for exponential impact on our economy. As we launch Strive Women, we reaffirm our dedication to creating pathways for women to thrive in the business landscape. Together with our partners, we aspire to cultivate an environment where women entrepreneurs can flourish, innovate and contribute meaningfully to our society,” said Adil Sheraz, Country Director, CARE International in Pakistan.

Since 2005, CARE has carried out more than 140 projects and initiatives in Pakistan, addressing challenges around women’s equal access to and control of economic assets and decision-making at individual and household level. CARE’s programming aims at enhancing sustainable life-skills and

vocational training opportunities, improving legal and regulatory protection of productive resources, and collaborating with the government and private sector to promote an enabling working environment in Pakistan. Women’s Economic Empowerment is one of CARE’s priority areas of work in addition to Humanitarian Action, Food and Nutrition Security and Resilience to Climate Change. CARE International in Pakistan (CIP) reached 36.6 million people through program interventions from 2005 to 2022.

Infinix Revolutionizes Esports with GT 10 Pro and HOK as the Official Gaming Powerhouses of 2024 S1 Tournaments.

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Infinix, a trendy tech brand crafted for young consumers, has announced its partnership with Honor of Kings (HOK), the world’s most-played 5v5 mobile MOBA. Infinix will provide its cutting-edge Infinix GT 10 Pro models as the designated gaming device for the upcoming HOK Invitational  S1 gaming tournaments. This collaboration comes hot on the heels of Infinix’s partnership with the 2023 PUBG Mobile Global Championship (PMGC), further solidifying the GT 10 Pro’s reputation as the ultimate esports smartphone.

The Honor of Kings Tournament

The HOK S1 tournament is scheduled to run from March 2nd to March 10th, showcasing six teams from Turkey, Brazil, Kazakhstan, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. Notable contenders include ALPHA 7 ESPORTS, FUT KAOS, Stalwart Esports, IW NRX, Besiktas Esport, Vivo Keyd Stars, TWISTED MINDS, and Major Pride, vying for a substantial prize pool of $300k US dollars.

Infinix’s Game-Changing GT 10 Pro

Born for professional E-Sports players, the Infinix GT 10 Pro features advanced 6nm technology powered by the MediaTek D8050 5G game chip, offering an immersive gaming experience with its all-sensory game engine and a clean, bloatware-free operating system. Through collaboration with game developers, the GT 10 Pro achieves remarkable frame performance not only with HOK but also boasts high frame and picture performances of 120 frames and 90 frames, respectively, on popular titles such as PUBG, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and Free Fire.

Previously, Infinix GT 10 Pro partnered with the 2023 PMGC as the only designated smartphone for the event and specially invited 20+ fans from all over the world to witness the birth of the 23rd World Champion and to give away exclusive co-branded hoodies. To let more users who support Infinix feel the passion of esports, Infinix has created exclusive viewing areas, mobile brand experience zones, cosplay photo areas, and other interactive experience activities.

Meezan Bank, Pakistan Microfinance Network Ink Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for promotion of Islamic Microfinance Services.

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir) Meezan Bank, Pakistan’s leading Islamic Bank, has recently formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Pakistan Microfinance Network (PMN) – the national association for retail players in the microfinance industry. Under this agreement, the Bank will provide financial and Shariah technical support to PMN member institutions for delivering Islamic finance to the under-privileged segments of the society.

The MoU was signed by Mr. Ahmed Ali Siddiqui – Group Head, Shariah Compliance at Meezan Bank, and Syed Mohsin Ahmed – CEO of PMN, at a signing ceremony held at Avari Hotel, Lahore. Notable figures present at the event included Dr. Muhammad Imran Ashraf Usmani – Vice Chairman Shariah Board, Meezan Bank, Syed Tanveer Hussain – Group Executive Corporate, Commercial & Investment Banking Group, Meezan Bank, Mr. Murtaza Khokhar – Vice Chairman, PMN and Mr. Ali Basharat – Head of Operations, PMN along with their respective teams.

Expressing his thoughts on the collaboration, Dr. Muhammad Imran Ashraf Usmani said, “This collaboration will make a significant contribution towards expanding financial inclusion and facilitating access to finance as per the precepts of Shariah to the underserved sector of society, meeting their essential needs.” He further emphasized the significance of leveraging technology to efficiently serve microfinance customers, outlining his vision to contribute to the sector’s growth and wealth circulation within the economy.

Speaking at the occasion, Syed Mohsin Ahmed said, “The financial industry in Pakistan is at a crossroads as it transforms from conventional to Islamic finance. This partnership between Meezan Bank and PMN will be a catalyst in promoting Shariah-compliant financial services and will promote financial inclusion in the country.”