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Thuraya Signs Strategic Partnership Agreement with Rockville Technologies (Pvt.) Ltd.

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Thuraya Signs Strategic Partnership Agreement with Rockville Technologies (Pvt.) Ltd. to Boost Satellite IoT & M2M Communication Services in Pakistan

 Lahore (Muhammad Yasir)  Thuraya Telecommunications Company, a subsidiary of the Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat), today announced it has signed a Service Partner agreement with Rockville Technologies (Pvt.) Ltd., one of the leading system integrators and IoT/M2M solution providers in Pakistan. The partnership will expand the availability of Thuraya’s products and services across key vertical markets within the country.

Headquartered in Islamabad, Pakistan with offices in Kuwait, UAE, KSA, Sri Lanka, Bulgaria and Turkey, Rockville has developed a diversified portfolio of technologies and telecom solutions since its founding in 2002. The company is already associated with more than 25 top telecom GSM operators and now its first-class integration capabilities complement Thuraya’s renowned satellites and network portfolio of M2M, IoT and Data services.

Shawkat Ahmed, Chief Commercial Officer of Thuraya, said: “Thuraya is pleased to welcome Rockville Technologies as a Service Partner. Nowadays, customers demand solutions that go beyond standard connectivity enabling seamless services without any coverage gaps. Pakistan is opening up to Foreign Direct Investment, with a number of important projects earmarked for the next 5 years in maritime, energy, transportation, tourism and logistics sectors. Offering uniform connectivity across 160 countries, Thuraya is best positioned to tap into this fast growing market. The partnership with Rockville will further enhance our commitment to key sectors, including M2M/IoT and Maritime.”

On this Agreement signing ceremony Abrar Ali Khan who is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Rockville Technologies said: “We have always tried to come up with unique solutions by using cutting edge technologies to address market need as well as solve day-to-day unique challenges faced by our customers. We are very positive that this collaboration will add significant value for our customers and will help us drive innovation in the Pakistani market. There is a dire need of satellite as well as hybrid (GSM-Satellite) monitoring and tracking based solutions in the region considering the scale of mega projects such as CPEC. By joining hands with Thuraya we will be able to tap this huge segment and become market lead solutions provider when it comes to provisioning of a Satellite based monitoring and tracking solutions.”        

The strategic agreement is a key milestone in Thuraya’s plans to drive growth in its M2M and IoT business. It will further expand market potential by offering bespoke satellite communication solutions to a diversified customer base.

Speech by Arshad Saeed Husain, Managing Director, Oxford University Press

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Speech by Arshad Saeed Husain, Managing Director, Oxford University Press

Speech by Arshad Saeed Husain, Managing Director, Oxford University Press, at the launch of Blood over Different Shades of Green–East Pakistan 1971: History Revisited by Ikram Sehgal and Bettina Robotka on Saturday, 28 December 2019 at 3 p.m. at the Marriott Hotel, Karachi. Let me welcome all of you to the launch and discussion of this important book. Pakistan is a demographically young country. The Age Profile in the Census shows that barely 11% of our present population were alive at the time of the traumatic events of 1971. That is another way of saying that, for the overwhelming majority of Pakistanis, the violent vivisection in which half the country was torn away is merely a chapter or so in the history books – something that occurred in the distant past.Worse, it is often hard to gain an objective view of the East Pakistan Civil War of 1971. Those events seem to be shrouded in clouds of confusion and misinformation, making it difficult to gain a valid perspective.

Chronicles of all that happened then seem to have been examined through the refracting prisms of many preconceived interpretations that it has become difficult to view things clearly. And it is still more difficult to derive any useful Lessons from what occurred.Let me assert that it is vitally important to derive those Lessons, to analyse such events as the Trauma of 1971 with a clear vision and without bias and to do this, it is necessary to go back to the events themselves and see them as they actually unfolded before the eyes of someone who actually lived through them and can describe them with a high degree of veracity. Only after an objective real life description of this kind can the task of developing an understanding meaningfully begin.

The book we are launching today seeks to do just that.  Blood over Different Shades of Green – East Pakistan 1971: History Revisited, expresses the purpose of the work accurately. “Shades of green” suggests the different perceptions of identity and destiny at the time, and “History Revisited” is exactly what this work comprises.  

The author, Ikram Sehgal, was formerly, a young Pakistan Army Officer, hailing from what was then East Pakistan. He lived through the events he describes and was himself, a prisoner of war, who managed to escape Indian imprisonment. His co-author, Dr Bettina Robotka, is a historian and senior researcher at the department of South Asian History and Society, Humboldt University, Berlin. Together, they have authored a book explaining the background and causes for development of the secessionist movement in the former East Pakistan. Let me now welcome the members of our distinguished Panel today, who will help us to understand this important book from three separate points of view: a military perspective, a political perspective, and an economics/ business perspective. In addition to Mr Ikram Sehgal and Dr Bettina Robotka, our panel comprises: Lt Gen. Ali Kuli Khan Khattak (Retired), the highly regarded former Chief of General Staff of the Pakistan Army; Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed, the well-known former Minister, politician, and journalist; and Mr Sirajuddin Aziz, the CEO, Group Financial Institutions, of Habib Bank AG Zurich. The deliberations of the Panel will be introduced and moderated by the notable commentator Dr Huma Baqai, Associate Dean and Associate Professor of Social Sciences and Liberal Arts, IBA, Karachi. A warm welcome to the authors and the distinguished members of the Panel. Thank you.

Zulfi Bukhari invites Overseas Doctors to bring in ideas, technology and expertise.

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Zulfi Bukhari invites Overseas Doctors to bring in ideas, technology and expertise.

Islamabad (Muhammad Yasir)  The government of Pakistan will provide a platform to International doctors for bringing their ideas, expertise and technology in the country, said Mr. Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari, Special Assistant to Prime Minister of Pakistan for Overseas Pakistanis while addressing the 10th International Medical Conference organized by Medics International.

The government will ensure facilitation to the doctors for transportation of medical equipment in the country to provide advance medical services to the people. The Overseas Ministry has signed a joint venture with Federal Ministry of Health amounting 30 million rupees establish an institute which will provide best services to the overseas doctors in Pakistan. He further encouraged Medics International and the doctors to promote
Medical Tourism in the country to provide advance heath services to the people.

Another milestone has been achieved by the PTI’s government that, EOBI department has been shifted from the Sindh government to the federal government to ensure expansion and better facilitation to the pensioners. The federal government had enhanced the monthly pension to Rs. 8,500/- each and aimed to further enhance its value to Rs.
15,000/- in future.
The overseas ministry has included the names of overseas Pakistanis in the EOBI database to provide pensions because the overseas Pakistanis contribute 7 per cent to the GDP of the country.

Aimed to provide better health services to the overseas Pakistanis the overseas Pakistanis will get Sehat Cards next month so that they can get better healthcare facilities.
Highlighting the efforts of the PTI government, he said, the government can’t change the system in just 15 months, even we are still hard surviving, and we need support of Overseas Pakistanis to make new Pakistan.

He welcomed the international doctors and highlighted the Medics International efforts in promoting health services in the country. He encouraged the international doctors to bring in their expertise, ideas and best practices in the sectors of health, medicine and
education in Pakistan so that, we can enhance our capacity to bring health reforms in the country.

The other distinguished guests included Dr. Bagher Larijani, Deputy Minister of Medical Education of Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr. Haseeb Athar, Chairman, Federal Public Service Commission, Lt. Gen ® Dr. Imran Majeed, Vice Chancellor, National University of Medical
Sciences, Dr. Badshah Zaidi, Maj. Gen ® Former Director of Medicines
Armed Forces, Dr Wajih Rizvi, Founder Medics International, Dr Huma Naqvi, Global President, Medics International, Dr Shabih Zaidi, Global Summit Chair, Medics International presented their point of views on how to address the challenges being faced around the world around medicines, education and research. Dr. Bagher Larijani, Deputy Minister of Medical Education of Islamic Republic of Iran said at the inaugural session of the two-day 10th International Medical Conference 2019 organized by Medics International in Islamabad, that Medics International has expanded by the time and is going on the right direction for expansion, research, education and health services in the field of medicine. MI has the scope to engage with other nationals and groups to establish a strong network for expansion of medicines field and to support the people across the globe.

In his welcome speech on the occasion, Dr Shabih Zaidi, the MI’s Global Summit Chair, said that the MI had been providing health care-related relief services in such war-torn zones of Iraq and Syria where world renowned relief organizations like Doctors without Borders
had yet to get access. He said that the MI had already established a virtual university to
assist further medical education by deserving students all over the world.

MI’s Founder Dr Wajih Rizvi said on the occasion that the Medics International had carried out massive health care-based relief work in Pakistan whenever the country had faced a major natural calamity including earthquakes and floods in the recent past years.
He said this was for the first time that the MI had been organizing its international conference in Pakistan with the basic aim to provide guidance to the students of Pakistani medical colleges regarding their goal to pursue more specialized education to become expert physicians and dentists in different fields of medicine. He said that that the conference had different sessions over the period of three days related to specialized fields of medicine, pharmaceutical, and dentistry.

MI Global President Dr Huma Naqvi informed the audience that their organization had footprint of its relief work in 55 countries around the world as they would continue with their efforts to provide best of medical coverage to underprivileged communities living anywhere in their native land.

She said that relief and medical services were provided in the less-developed countries affected by poverty, civil war, and economic backwardness. Founded by a group of USA-based senior doctors of Pakistani origin, the MI, which has now emerged as the United Nations-accredited global health care relief organization, organized the conference to
commemorate the Silver Jubilee Jubilee of its foundation.

Peek Freans Introduces the Peek Freans Emerging Artist Prize

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Peek Freans Introduces the Peek Freans Emerging Artist Prize to Encourage Budding Artists at the Karachi Biennale 2019

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Peek Freans is dedicated to spreading joy among their consumers and they do so not only through their products, but also through other alignments and initiatives. Their latest award launched in collaboration with Karachi Biennale Trust this year, aims to recognize young artists who have shown exceptional talent and potential.  This year’s winner, Arsalan Nasir, was presented with a unique medallion at the inaugural ceremony of Karachi Biennale 2019 for his work.

The Karachi Biennale is held every two years to provide a platform for emerging artists to show case their work. This year, the event showcased multiple artists from all over Pakistan as well as several other countries. The theme for this year was the devastating ‘development footprint’ on ecology.

While speaking to the media, Arsalan talked about the dangers of rapid urbanization in our part of the world, particularly with regards to the environment. Through his art, he wanted to depict the first and foremost repercussion of rapid urbanization – the birds of our city. These birds are in danger every day due to the rapid increase in the prevalence of tall buildings, communication towers and wires around the city.

Speaking about the award, Dr Zeelaf Munir, Managing Director & CEO EBM, said “Art is the best medium to help raise social awareness and EBM wants to use that to help drive focus towards the most pressing issue of our time. Keeping in line with EBM’s history of nourishing the environment and championing positive change, we are doing our part by encouraging youngsters to use their creativity to help raise awareness about the environment.”

Karachi Biennale, termed as the largest international contemporary art event by its organizers, kicked off on 26th October, 2019.

Iranina “Ta’azyeh theatre” discussed at IAC

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Iranian Scholar Visits IAC

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir)  Eminent Iranian Scholar Mr. Morteza Rezvanfar visited the Institute for Art and Culture, Lahore to give a talk on Ta’azyeh Theatre and Persian inscriptions found along the silk route. The religious, historical and ancient play, Ta’azyeh, depicts the Iranian culture and the scene of Karbala. It is performed everywhere in Iran, both in large theatres and in streets and squares. The play does not just depict the grief of the event but depicts the whole story in a poetic and appealing manner. The main characters are divided into two groups, the ones that are the protagonists sing poems and song and are dressed in white and green, men act as female character and some women perform in veils.

The second group are the antagonists they appear in red and black clothes they speak in an aggressive style derived from the narration of Shahnama by Firdausi. Different animals and the supernatural appear in different forms. Music plays an important role in creating the drama. Ta’azyeh has a significant impact on Iranian culture and whenever it is played people collect around it in a social exercise. He also spoke about Persian inscriptions that are found throughout this region for examples some mosques in China have Persian inscriptions and different words from the Persian language have been added to the languages of this region. Some words have been encapsulated in their original meaning in Urdu as well, however those very words have changed their meaning in Iran. From China to Europe to Africa these inscriptions have been found throughout the silk route.

Mr. Rezvanfar is the Advisor to the Minister of Culture of Iran, and is responsible for putting the unique for of theatre Ta’azyeh on the UNESCO list for Intangible Cultural Heritage. He has written several books on the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Iran. He is also the Director of the National Museum of the Holy Quran, in Iran. Currently he is researching on the Persian inscriptions found in different mosques and other places in Pakistan.

Iranian consul, Scholar make a snaps and institute of art and culture & its Team .

Prime Minister Imran Khan presents PSX Top Companies Award to Arif Habib Limited

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PM Imran Khan presents PSX Top Companies Award to AHL

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir)  Pakistan Prime Minister Mr. Imran Khan presents award to Arif Habib Limited (AHL), one of Pakistan’s leading and largest Brokerage and Investment Banking Firms has been recognised amongst the Top 25 Companies by the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX).

AHL is one of the six companies that have been recognised as a Top Company for all of the last three years (2016, 2017 & 2018). The PSX Top 25 Companies award is evaluated based on capital efficiency, profitability, free float of shares, transparency, corporate governance & investor relations, compliance with listing of companies & securities regulations and dividend pay-outs. Prime Minister

Imran Khan, graced the occasion as Chief Guest and presented the Awards to the winners. Mr. Arif Habib, Chairman, Arif Habib Group received the award on behalf of the company. Mr. Habib appreciated the team of AHL, praising their hard work and dedication which has led to this recognition for the fifth consecutive year. He also said that PSX’s recognition of AHL is a testament of the Company’s excellent financial and managerial performance.

PM Imran Khan presents PSX Top Companies Award to Mr. Arif Habib, Chairman, Arif Habib Group

OLX and Bank Alfalah partner to promote Auto and Home Financing

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OLX and Bank Alfalah partner to promote Auto Car and Home Financing

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir)  OLX, Pakistan’s number one marketplace has announced a strategic partnership with Bank Alfalah in the online car and real estate market with the aim to promote financing with the integration of a financing widget on OLX. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the two companies at the OLX head office in Lahore.

Through this partnership the OLX customers will be able to apply and generate quotations instantly on auto and home finance packages offered by Bank Alfalah.

The MoU was signed by Bank Alfalah’s Head of Consumer Finance, Arif Raza and OLX CEO, Bilal Bajwa.

This venture will expand the outreach of Bank Alfalah in the online car and real estate market and automate the purchase journey. The combined expertise of the companies will help save time, reduce hassle and create a seamless purchase & financing experience for customers.

The ceremony was also attended by Bank Alfalah’s Syed Muhammad Asif– Business Head, Unsecured Business Segment, Muhammad Waqas Rana– Head of Secured Product Management, Muhammad Shafique Nawaz– Head of Secured Portfolio, Javed Amir– National Sales Manager, Auto Loan, Ahmed Hassan– Manager Product Development, Auto Loan and Adil Zaidi– Manager, Auto Loan Product Management. Representing OLX were Farhan Khan– Head of Sales, Waheed Ibrahim– Monetization Manager and Muhammad Anwer Khawaja– Manager, Digital Sales and Partnerships.

Thar Foundation organizes Science Festival in Tharparkar

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Pakistan Space Science Education Centre organized a science festival in Tharparkar

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir) Continuing the mission to make quality education accessible for all, the Thar Foundation in collaboration with Pakistan Space Science Education Centre organized a science festival in New Senhri Dars, Jeewan Das campus, some 70 kilometers away from Mithi.

Thar’s 1st Maker & Science Expo is the culmination of a three-phased training through hands-on science and project-based learning using STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Art Math) methodologies. This collaborative effort of Pakistan’s leading corporations and public sector organizations, along with academia, is aimed at promoting critical thinking and enriching the learning experience of teachers and students of Thar Foundation schools in the region.

The expo was inaugurated by a girl student of Thar Foundation school, Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Syed Abul Fazal Rizvi, Tharparkar Deputy Commissioner Shahzad Thahim and Thar Foundation Manager Education Sabeen Shah.

The guests visited various science stalls and took keen interest in the presentations given by the students explaining their prototypes. The projects encouraged children to utilize their learning to develop sustainable and innovative solutions that could help solve some of Thar’s problems.

Commenting on the exhibition, Abul Fazal Rizvi – CEO of SECMC and Thar Foundation said: “Thar Foundation has adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a model for inclusive development and creating broad-based impact across key sectors. The exhibition gels in with our strategy to enhance provision of a functional schooling experience for children and students of Tharparkar. The region of Thar is in need of such interventions given that the literacy rates stands at an abysmally low levels of 52% and 17% for males and females, respectively.”

Given the weak performance of Thar students in the standardized tests of Science and Maths subjects, educational campaigns and events such as Science Festival are playing a key role in bridging the gap between practical study and school curriculum.

 

JS Bank and Federal Government Join Hands

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JS Bank and Federal Government Join Hands To Fight Environmental Pollution

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) JS Bank and Federal Government Join Hands To Fight To support the federal government implement initiatives aimed at combating climate change and its impacts, the Federal Minister for Climate Change – Zartaj Gul, Islamabad Capital Territory Administration and JS Bank distributed canvas bags among the citizens as an alternative to polythene shopping bags.

The canvas bags distribution initiative was undertaken by Hamza Shafqaat, DC Islamabad, Noman Azhar, Head of Branchless Banking – JS Bank alongside their respective teams.

Hailing the ban on plastic bags, Noman Azhar said, “As a responsible institution, JS Bank wants to make a measurable difference in raising awareness to avoid the use of plastic for the sake of the environment and provide an alternative option to the general public.”

Hamza Shafqaat, DC Islamabad added “It is hard to get the general population to forgo plastic bags in Pakistan which contributes to ever growing waste problem. This initiative by JS Bank is an effective way to raise awareness among the masses and will help fight environmental pollution”

A normal plastic bag takes 400 to 1,000 years to degenerate and almost every piece of plastic ever produced still exists in some form in our environment.

The amount of plastic waste has been increasing by 10pc each year for the past 20 years, and its accumulation poses grave threats to the well-being of all people worldwide.

Committed towards its role as a catalyst towards the progress and prosperity of Pakistan, the Bank hopes to continue this journey of impact by driving sustainable growth at all forums.

Pearson opens PTE Academic test center in Pakistan

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Pearson launched Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE A) in Pakistan

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Pearson launched Pearson Test of English Academic in Islamabad,
Pakistan. Pearson, the world’s leading learning company, has also been awarded commercial agreements from the UK Home Office to provide Secure English Language Tests (SELTs) to people who need to demonstrate their English language skills to work or live in the UK.

The commercial agreements will be delivered through the Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic and PTE Home – a new speaking and listening test for family visa, settlement and citizenship applicants. Both these English language tests have been internally developed by
Pearson.

First PTE-Academic testing centre “Peach Testing Centre” was inaugurated in Islamabad, Pakistan by the Vice President of the Pearson Mr. Derek Richardson. The event was also
participated by Ms. Premila Paulraj-Director Asia, Mr. Waqar Shah-Business Head-BTEC & PTE-A, Mr. Omer Fazail-Business Head Resources, Mr. Faisal Mahmood-Business Head Academic, Ms. Aisha Farooq-Commissioner Regional Tax Office-Isb, and addressed by  Mr.
Ejaz Abassi VP Federation of Chamber Commerce & Industry of Pakistan and Mr. Muhammad Jamil-CEO JnS & Peach Testing Centre. Students and immigrants can now book their tests online for the test centre in Islamabad.

The fully digital test is delivered through Pearson VUE, the computer-based testing business of Pearson. The latest AI technology is used for scoring; biometric data collection provides enhanced security measures and voice recognition software is applied for the
speaking element of the test. These cutting-edge technologies ensure the provision of an impartial and highly accurate test of people’s English language proficiency.

Rod Bristow, President of Pearson UK, said: “We are proud that the UK Government joins the Australian and New Zealand Governments in recognising this test for visa applications, alongside thousands of leading universities across the globe who already accept it for study
purposes – including most UK universities.

This represents an exciting opportunity for PTE Academic that it will be one of four approved suppliers of UK Home Office.

PTE Academic currently has more than 250 test centres in over 50 countries, with its test centre network and global coverage due to rapidly expand to more than 110 countries during the early stages of the commercial agreements – and now including PTE Home.