Author: admin

Huawei’s successful Y Series latest entrant

Posted on by admin

Huawei’s successful Y Series latest entrant – HUAWEI Y9s 2019 Goes on Sale

NUT Desk Reported on 7 Dec 2019 in Lahore: HUAWEI Y9s pre order is even more than Y9 prime. In just 5 days & continuing its relentless pursuit to becoming the number one smartphone maker in the world, Huawei’s successful Y Series’ latest entrant HUAWEI Y9s 2019 goes on sale at Huawei outlets nationwide and on its flagship store at Darak.pk. In response to the continued love and support received from the Pakistani market, Huawei has roadshows planned all across Pakistan to connect with its consumers and offer them an enjoyable experience.

The numbers speak volumes when it comes to the success of Huawei’s Y Series. With HUAWEI Y9 Prime 2019 becoming the best midrange in the market, HUAWEI Y9s makes the best even better thanks to the incredible features and flagship design it offers.

The HUAWEI Y9s packs powerful hardware that helps boost the overall user and gaming experience. At its heart, the HUAWEI Y9s packs Kirin 710F for powerful performance and power efficiency, supported by 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage.

Opening doors for all kinds of users to get the most out of their smartphone cameras, the HUAWEI Y9s’ intricate triple camera system consists of a 48MP main camera, an 8MP 120 degree Ultra-Wide Angle camera and a 2MP Depth sensor plus a 16MP pop-up selfie camera. Along with taking advantage of a powerful camera setup, the video recording experience is enhanced with the help of additional features and smart AI.

With a FHD+ resolution of 2340 x 1080 and a 91% screen to body ratio, the HUAWEI Y9s enjoys maximized viewing area complete with rich color reproduction for an amazing viewing experience. This display design is complemented by the premium finish of the HUAWEI Y9s’ glass body, available in the popular Breathing Crystal or Midnight Black variants. The 3D Arc design also creates a natural and seamless transition from the back to the front, making the phone not only stunning to look at, but also comfortable to hold.

The HUAWEI Y9s is a lot more than just a powerful camera and a stunning display. It also delivers in terms of design, performance and battery life, making it easily one of the most exciting smartphone to launch this season. The smartphone has gone on sale for an amazing price tag of PKR 42,999/- and is available in two colours: Breathing Crystal – inspired by the breathtaking natural salt flats and Midnight Black.

About Huawei Consumer Business Group

Huawei Consumer Business Group (CBG) is one of Huawei’s three business groups, providing a range of products including mobile phones, wearables, tablets and laptops. Huawei’s products and services are available in more than 170 countries, and are used by a third of the world’s population, ranking second in the world in mobile phone shipments at the end of March 2019.

Year-on-year growth was reflected in Huawei’s rise as a globally recognized premium brand. In 2019, Huawei has been ranked 47th on BrandZ’s Most Valuable Global Brands list, 79th on Forbes World’s Most Valuable Brands list and 25th on the Brand Finance Global 500 Most Valuable Brands list. Among the Fortune 500, Huawei climbed up the list to the 72nd place in 2018, up 11 places from the previous year.

Oxford University Press organizes teacher training workshops

Posted on by admin

Oxford University Press organizes teacher training workshops across pakistan

Lahore (NUT Desk Report on 7 December): Oxford University Presee (OUP) arranged teacher training and development program to organized workshops for teachers on ‘Computational Thinking’ in Lahore, Islamabad, and Karachi. It was designed for teachers using the Oxford International Primary Computing series published by OUP.

Oxford International Primary Computing is a comprehensive and practical six-level course developed to teach students the vital computing skills they need for today’s digital world. With a structured progression and a project-based approach to learning, the course builds digital literacy while giving students the confidence to apply their knowledge and skills to real life situations.

The workshops covered issues related to making students understand how modern technology works; enabling them to use a wide range of computer hardware and software for analytical and creative tasks; creating awareness among them about using the internet safely and selectively; and enabling users to write computer programs and develop computational thinking.

The training sessions were led by Alison Page who has more than 30 years’ experience as a computer science teacher in secondary and higher education in the UK. She worked for a leading UK agency on the promotion and integration of information and communications technology in education. Alison is the lead author of the Oxford International Primary and Lower Secondary Computing series.

About Oxford University Press
Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford. It furthers the University’s objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide. OUP is the world’s largest university press with the widest global presence. It currently publishes several education, reference and academic publications every year, has offices in around sixty countries, and employs nearly 6,000 people worldwide. OUP’s diverse publishing program includes scholarly work in all academic disciplines, school and college textbooks, children’s books, materials for teaching English, dictionaries and reference books, and academic journals. OUP also provides digital learning solutions designed to meet learning needs of the contemporary learner.

For further Learn more about OUP at www.oup.com

Pantene HUM Bridal Couture Week Powered By TUC

Posted on by admin

PANTENE HUM BRIDAL COUTURE WEEK POWERED BY TUC RETURNS TO THE CITY OF GARDENS WITH A STAR-STUDDED DAY ONE

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir (NUT-Chief Editor) The 17th edition of the country’s biggest and most sought-after bridal extravaganza, Pantene HUM Bridal Couture Week (PHBCW) unveiled its red carpet here in the City of Gardens on December 6, 2019. Organized under the banner of Pakistan’s numero uno entertainment network HUM Network Limited, launched in 2010 the Bridal Couture Week (HBCW), the large format event which is the most opulent and highest profile bridal event in Pakistan. It leads the bridal fashion industry through creative influence and has been strategically repositioning Pakistani bridal fashion in the global fashion economy for the last nine years. The event showcases latest trends and designs in bridal couture by leading as well as emerging fashion designers of the country. It has become the most aspired presentation for Pakistan’s top designers, couture lovers, influential individuals, buyers, celebrities, socialites, and legacy brands. This year, with Pantene as its title sponsor, PHBCW will be showcasing 29 designers on the runway.

Show one of the bridal extravaganza kicked off with Fahad Hussayn’s collection Labyagawachi trousseau bridal collection, followed by Aisha Imran’s Shadi Mubarik in romantic hues for the charismatic classic bride.  Next in line was Almirah with its collection Ethnic Seams which drew its inspiration from the splendour and intimacy of Eastern art, followed by Samsara Couture House’s Hayal, inspired by the tulip era in the Turkish Ottoman empire. Zonia Anwaar came next with her modern collection Zoella infused with traditional techniques with her signature cuts for the young millennial brides.

Pantene unveiled its new bottle at PHBCW’19 on the ramp at the end of a dazzling hair show where the models flaunted inspiring hairstyles alongside a mesmerizing performance by Maria Unera. The new Pantene advanced hair fall solution reduces hair fall in just 14 days making one enjoy more open hair days without worrying about hair fall. This segment was followed by Ziggi Menswear’s monochromatic collection Fana – ‘Annihilation of the Self’ which was created using luxe fabrics, rich embroideries and motifs inspired from Sufism.

Nitasha Bilal Haute Couture showcased Abooro incorporating the beautiful Mughal legacy and blending her presentation with revivalist techniques of kora dabka. She was awarded the Pantene Rising Star for her beautiful debut collection. Haris Shakeel was next who amalgamated embroideries with block and screen printing in his collection Ishq. Up next was Royal Tag’s very aristocratic menswear collection The Royal Ceremony, inspired by the majestic Syon House and Garden in London. Day one came to an end with globally acclaimed master couturier Nilofer Shahid’s collection Dastaan e Firdaus.

Day one of the three-day bridal extravaganza had an amazing line-up of celebrities walking for the designers – the bhangra king Abrar Ul Haq walked for Fahad Hussayn and Minal Khan walked for Aisha Imran. The veteran actor Aijaz Aslam walked for Almirah, while the undisputed queen of our entertainment industry, Saba Qamar walked for Samsara Couture House while Nausheen Shah graced the ramp for Zonia Anwaar. Noor Khan walked and Soch The Band performed for Nitasha Bilal Haute Couture while Kinza Hashmi closed the show for Haris Shakeel. The eternal Adnan Siddiqui walked the ramp for Royal Tag and Sarah Khan added allure to Nilofer Shahid’s timeless pieces.

Show director for PHBCW 2018 is Vaneeza Ahmed Ali. Hamna Amir is the official jewellery partner while Hair and Makeup is done by NPro and NGents. The red-carpet host for PHBCW 19 is Shadab Khan and Ahmed Godil is the digital host. Arsalan Ihsan is the emcee for the event and DJ Moazzam mixed the music for the shows. Backstage is managed by Salwa Rafique and her team and Faisal Farooqi at Dragonfly is the official photographer. All public relations operations and media liaison are carried out by Moiz Kazmi and his team at MK Digital PR and the in-house PR team of HUM Network Limited along with show production and execution by the special projects and events team at HUM Network Limited.

 Sultana Siddiqui – President HUM Network Limited

It gives me great pride to see how the Bridal Couture Week has evolved over the past decade and has become a benchmark of bridal fashion season, a platform where emerging designers get an opportunity to showcase alongside their illustrious peers. Apart from that the exposure given to all participants via HUM Network’s global reach and the response that the designers receive is unsurpassed thus making it not only a platform for creative expression but also a highly viable one from a business standpoint.

SPONSORS’ ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The 17th edition of the country’s biggest bridal extravaganza is presented by Pantene, powered by TUC, Beauty Partner Golden Pearl Cosmetic, Refreshed by Aquafina, Savoury Partner Kurkure, Food Partner KFC, and Tea Partner Tapal.

ABOUT THE DESIGNERS’ INSPIRATIONS

Fahad Hussayn – Labyagawachi : The chamkeeli edit, collection serves as an exclusive edit of Print Museum wedding essentials with a wide range of affordable wedding wear 

Labyagawachi is a musical journey into the vast sceneries of nature and the huge construction of intricately weaved beauty in all that exists around us. Where the voyage between day & night ties in with being found and lost, experienced in an all new dimension of identity. All in efforts to shed light on the process of exploration of the self and the brewing of a constant war between one’s heart, soul and mind. The brand Fahad HUSSAYN  celebrates a decade of decadence in revivalist embroideries, patchwork, signature 3d surfaces and the love of craft.

 

 

Aisha Imran – Lagan is traditions redefined with modern whimsy. The collection features romantic and graceful wedding dresses for the classic and charismatic bride. Crafted with breath taking detail, each design is a remarkable work of art with traditional craftsmanship. Fall in love with unique embellishments, modern silhouettes, and the graceful elegance we are known for.

Almirah – Drawing inspiration from the splendour and intricacy of eastern art, Almirah’s Ethnic Seams is the epitome of sophisticated men’s fashion. These heavily embroidered pieces are a mesmerizing integration of intense hues, pastel shades and digital prints. Featuring khaddar, jacquard, and pure fabric as the primary canvases, the exclusive range of kurtas, sherwanis, prince coats and waist coats is the closing fashion statement of the year.

Samsara Couture House – Samsara is about how art and elegance is translated into a womens’ style through clothing. Derived from the Sanskrit, staying true to our heritage of South East Asia, Samsara means circle of life, or rebirth. our latest collection, Hayal is inspired from a unique period known as “the tulip era” in the Turkish Ottoman empire. The Tulip Era, which marked a peaceful and prosperous period between 1718 and 1730, has become a term to describe mindless joy and pleasure. Symbolized by the Tulip, our latest collection uses the emotions of joy and prosperity mixed with intricate craftsmanship and attention to detail to bring something new and exciting to Pakistani bridal couture.

 

Zonia Anwaar – Zoella by Zonia Anwaar is her latest bridal and trousseau 19-20 collection.  Zoella is a modern take on majestic timeless silhouettes and rich textures, keeping bridal cocktail lehengas, concept festive attire and intricately embellished anarkalis in mind for practical wedding wear. Luxe fabrics, impeccable craftsmanship and elegant simplicity in traditional layered ghararas with straight shirts and super fun lehnga cholis to rock your festive season 2020.

Ziggi Menswear – Fana – ‘Annihilation of the Self’ is a collection of delicately woven fabrics in a palette of black and white silks, cottons, velvets and brocades. It focuses on exquisite hand-crafted embroidery and contrasts with a sophisticated classy design. The collection features extravagantly luxurious garments to humble and classy timeless designs. Regal and historical patterns are used in a variety of lengths, styles and cuts to make every outfit in this collection unique and desirable. The collection Fana is inspired by Sufism and the spread of this spiritual path across the world. The collection centres on a mono colour pallet of, simple blacks, whites and ivories, complimented with a gold accent colour. Ascending to the state of fana, the unparalleled beauty of our designs is unveiled.

Nitasha Bilal Haute Couture – Nitasha Bilal new collection “Abooro” is her vision of beautiful heritage of Mughal era blending it with the power of authentic eastern craftsmanship. Simply for unique and beautiful rooted traditional bride, that lives and is an example of purely art, sensuality and femininity.

 

Haris Shakeel – With ishq, we bring back our traditions with gota, zardozi and mukesh worked on traditional anarakali, anghraka, and the basic shalwar.  We have used lots of block printing techniques and screen printing in our new collection, we also truely focused on the colour which are very festive and vibrant.

Royal Tag – For our Bridal Couture Week Collection, we wanted something that had value to it and a history so we looked for deep and rich cultural and historic content that took a modern turn and is still standing strong. We took inspiration from the SYON House and Garden in London, England that has a history of over 400 years. The historic events about this place, how Royals lived here and that it is still owned by the 12th Duke of Northumberland. We were inspired from the breath taking avenue. Its architecture and how the site combines of nature and man-engineered beauty, exactly what our collection will portray, an amalgamation of natural patterns derived from SYON Garden and intricate architectural prints and patterns driven from the SYON House. The colour palette will be a true portrayal of the beauty of the place when it lights up at night like a magical place.

Nilofer Shahid – Nilofer Shahid pays a poignant tribute to Kashmir.
“Agar firdaus bar ru-ye zaminast,
Haminast o haminast o haminast”
 


“If there is a paradise on earth,
It is this, it is this and it is this.” – Emperor Jehangir (talking about Kashmir)

Kashmir is the beautiful poetry of God! This Kashmir collection represents the dramatic periods in the history of Kashmir. The bold sartorial depiction is a testimony of Nilofer’s creative genius, the usage of the colour palette, the draping of the garments, the embellishments come together to tell the story of Kashmir.
                             
Kashmir, the Paradise, its valleys, high mountains and shimmering lakes take your breath away; it is the living poetry that evokes the highest form of ecstasy and deepest sorrow; it is poetry that is felt through heartbeats and emotions.

The romance of idyllic peace of the valley attracted the emperors to enjoy the beauty, and under the royal patronage flourished the creative arts; the pure and unblemished beauty of Kashmir has inspired musicians, poets, artisans alike.
 
Suddenly, darkness descended over the valley; tyranny, injustice and suppression reigned; the tranquillity of Kashmir was ripped asunder; raped and plundered, the valley burned, the inferno consumed life! The valley echoed with the cries of the helpless, and death walked through the valley.

 

Just living isn’t enough,” said the butterfly, “one must also have freedom, sunshine, and a little flower. – Kahlil Gibran

 

 

926 students graduate at IBA, Karachi Convocation 2019

Posted on by admin

First cohort of BS Economics and MS Journalism graduate

(Muhammad Yasir – NUT Reported)  The Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi held its annual convocation 2019 at the main campus to confer degrees to 926 graduates. The graduating batch included 673 undergraduate students from six programs, 252 postgraduate students from seven programs, and one PhD scholar.

The Chief Guest of the ceremony was Advisor to the Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh. Minister for Food and Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Nisar Ahmed Khuhro is ‘Pro chancellor all Public Universities and Advisor Universities and Boards – Government of Sindh’, Mr. Mushtaq Chhapra attended as Guests of Honour.

Executive Director IBA, Karachi Dr. Farrukh Iqbal congratulated the graduating students and their families and announced that 80 percent of the Institute’s current graduating batch has attained employment of their choice within three months of graduation. Addressing the audience, Dr. Iqbal announced that the first cohort of BS Economics and MS Journalism are graduating and will enter the job market. Furthermore, he said that the IBA is the first Institute to offer a specialized degree in Journalism.

Mr. Chhapra applauded the IBA’s initiative to start the Responsible Citizen Initiative (RCI) or Social Internship and many institutions of higher learning are following in the footsteps of the IBA. He highlighted the diversity at the IBA and mentioned that many graduates of TCF have obtained education from the IBA through its financial assistance program.  He also said, “Life is not about being rich, popular or highly educated, it’s about being real. It’s all about being humble and being kind.”

Mr. Khuhro said that the skillset which the graduates have learnt at the Institute will help them with the intricacies of life. He added that being graduates of the IBA makes them stand out from the rest and also endows them with a responsibility to perform well. He also said that, “With a legacy of more than 6 decades, the IBA has proven to be a hub of nurturing talents from which not only Pakistan but the whole world has benefitted. This esteemed Institution has produced nothing but the best leaders and professionals that not only lead but inspire.”

Chief Guest Dr. Shaikh appreciated the efforts of the IBA and asked the students to value the virtues this Institute has empowered them with and urged the graduates to strive for excellence and said that, “No great institution, and great achievement has been possible without one person saying I don’t care about the odds. I want you to be those people, who don’t care about the odds and on the course to greatness.”

The convocation ceremony featured the position holders in various degree programs who were awarded cash prizes, medals, shields and certificates of merit. Graduating students excelling in the field of sports were also recognized. Performance awards were given to staff and faculty members including the Best Teacher and Best Researcher awards.

Pakistani stars discussion to Promote peace in society by Cinema at Media Baithak

Posted on by admin

NUT News Desk Reported, Pakistani stars light up an evening a dialogue and performance session at Media Baithak.

The topic of cinema and how it can rejuvenate harmony and peace in the society was explored.

‘We cant remain fixated with the 70’s, we must learn to evolve with the times’ said superstar, Alyy Khan.

 

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir) Society is a reflection of film and film is a symptom of society, that is the message that actor and model Sana Fakhar led the conversation with. Pakistan was once a nation that had over a thousand cinemas and going to cinemas was once a favourite pastime in the country. Now however not only does the local film industry produce very few films, the audience for those films is almost non-existent. The dialogue and performance at Media Baithak discussed the reasons for this and how the art form of cinema can be harnessed to increase peace and tolerance in the people and the nation.

The session on the 5th of December, 2019 was attended by media persons, educators, civil society organizations and film enthusiasts. The panel was composed of Faheem Shad, filmmaker and countering violent extremism activist, Aamir Qureshi, actor and storyteller, Hajra Yamin, actor, Sana Fakhar, actor and model and Alyy Khan, actor and host. Their collective expertise and experience shed light on the reasons for why cinema is a struggling industry in Pakistan and the ways in which it can and is being used to bring values to the society.

Sana Fakhar was of the opinion that cinema is not being used as a form of art at all presently but more or less as a simple vehicle of entertainment and a means to provide the audience with escapism for a few hours. Alyy Khan stated that the reason that there is violence in films is so that the bigger evil is portrayed the more value the hero will have in defeating it. Additionally he said that due to the fact that Pakistani dramas cover every valuable social topic so impeccably, it discourages the viewer from paying for film, when they can simply enjoy better content on television for free.

“Cinema is not being run by filmmakers or people with training in media, it is being run by businessmen,” said Aamir Qureshi in light of the reasons why cinema is not producing the sort of contribution to the social narrative that can increase a sense of ethics and values in the community.  He also said that after having worked with film students of the newer generation, he is hopeful about the industry flourishing in the future. ‘The new generation will not be plagiarizing ideas from India the way the previous generations have been doing, they will be inspired by Hollywood and legitimate filmmakers.”

 

Hajra Yamin, one of the younger actors in the industry, was critical of how inaccessible cinema is for the average person “if the cinematic experience costs Rs. 2000, how can we possibly expect to revive the industry.” For the depiction of women being the stereotypical victim or succubus, Yamin said that the actor is the bridge between the producer and the audience and according to the audience they have begun to find this stereotyping of women to be tedious and demand a change. The producer however is reluctant and quite often the fragile male ego is unwilling to conform to the new age with new ideals. This has placed the entertainment media industry in a limbo where the artist and audience are not being heard and the producer and director are detached from the changing tides.

 

Faheem Shad, working from Lyari in Karachi spoke in great detail about how the state and CSO’s imagine that underprivileged and areas under conflict simply need food, water and shelter, but they neglect to provide art, culture and education. Aside from food, the people also need to be nourished spiritually and psychologically as well. Shad then relayed how his project to screen films in Lyari were met with enthusiasm and community involvement, since cinema, once a vibrant pastime of the region, is now almost non-existent. “Not everyone has a television, let alone smartphone, where I come from, so cinema provides relief and peace to ones soul, where finally the people can find respite.”

During the question and answer session, the audience seemed to be placing the responsibility of the entire society’s’ ills upon the acting community and film industry to which Yamin contributed that neither are actors law makers nor are they educators, they are people who reflect the society and the embody the characters that are the ingredients of said society. Qureshi encouraged the audience to pursue their own projects and bring the sorts of topics to light that the people wish to see highlighted upon the big screen.

Media Baithak serves as a community space for the cultural engagement of media and civil society representatives. It gives a platform to distinguished voices from the fields of journalism, politics, academia and other fields to discuss contemporary issues of the society.

The organization has previously conducted dialogue and performances on the significance of Sufism, poetry, theater and storytelling in preventing and countering extremist elements in society. Media Baithak also focused on the role of freedom of speech and social media when it comes to a cohesive and collective society.

 

SAFMA Journalists and intellectuals pay tribute to Zafar Iqbal Mirza

Posted on by admin

Lahore – Rich tributes were paid by senior journalists and leading intellectuals to late Zafar Iqbal Mirza (ZIM) and lauded his services for quality journalism at a Reference held at Safma. Imtiaz Alam, Secretary General of Safma, said Mr ZIM was a great professional journalist who kept higher professional standards while defying the restrictions employed by the dictators Mr I A Rehman, spokesperson of HECP, recalled his contribution to print journalism and for a free press in Pakistan. He called upon the younger generation to follow his example as a role model for maintaining high professional standards. Lamenting current state of a suppressed freedom of expression, Dr Akmal Hussain observed that a civilised society cannot be created without freedom of speech and flourishing of new ideas. He lauded ZIM for his civilised defiance and steadfastness against tyranny. Senior journalist Husain Naqi recalled ZIM’s services for Pakistan Times, Dawn, Viewpoint, Punjab Punch and Sajan. He said that ZIM was a flawless editor and columnist, who trained and helped successive generation of journalists. His colleague Masoodullah Khan taked about the versatility of his friend and recalled how he helped friends and the needful. Ms Saleema Hashmi expressed her admiration for his humanism, virtuousness and friendliness and as a lover of art. Mr ZIM represented the old tradition of clean journalism and was a praise worthy gentleman who was not only a distinguished journalist but also a very decent human being. In his dearth, We have lost an iconic personality of media, who had set high standards that are now missing in the mainstream media.

Telenor Microfinance Bank Receives Second Tranche Investment of US$70 million from Ant Financial

Posted on by admin

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Telenor Microfinance Bank (“TMB”), a subsidiary of Telenor Group, has received a second tranche investment of US$70 million as part of a strategic partnership agreement between Telenor Group and Ant Financial Services Group (“Ant Financial”), to further develop TMB’s mobile payment and digital financial services.

The strategic partnership agreement between Telenor Group and Ant Financial was announced in March 2018. As part of the agreement, Ant Financial would invest US$184.5 million for a 45% stake in Telenor Microfinance Bank. The closing of the second tranche completes the placement and further solidifies Telenor Microfinance Bank’s capital position to continue its growth in the digital banking space. 

Telenor Microfinance Bank is creating extensive opportunities for expanding financial inclusion in Pakistan. The country hasan unbanked population of approximately 100 million people,which causes inconvenience for both individuals and small businesses. The investment from Ant Financialis a sizeable international investment for any bank operating in Pakistan and it will further facilitate Easypaisa in expansionand diversification ofits services and provide inclusive financial services to more consumers and small businesses in Pakistan,includingdigital banking and credit services.

“With this capital injection Telenor Microfinance Bank now has an even more robust foundation and will continue its push to become the largest digital banking platform in Pakistan. Having served more than 30 million customers through Easypaisa, we believe that there is immense growth potential in this sector. We will stay committed to bringing best-in-class financial services to the Pakistani market.”,” said Mohammad MudassarAqil, President & CEO of Telenor Microfinance Bank.

Pakistan has significant opportunities for the expansion of digital banking services. Today, the country is still at a very lowlevel of financial inclusion, and Telenor Microfinance Bank aims to improve this by providing innovative solutions to better serve the needs of the users. 

PepsiCo-funded filtration facility inaugurated under the Clean and Green Pakistan program

Posted on by admin

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Mian Muhammad Aslam Iqbal, Minister of Industries, Commerce and Investment Punjab, inaugurated a rehabilitated water filtration facility in Lahore. The refurbishment was facilitated by the international non-governmental organization, WaterAid, with the financial support from global food and beverage company, PepsiCo.  It is expected that 3,500 people from the Millat colony, Lahore will directly benefit from the new facility, an additional 5,000 people from the Gaus ul Alam colony in the Gulberg area of Lahore will also take benefit.

This is the first project implementation under PepsiCo’s commitment to the Clean and Green Pakistan Initiative launched by the Prime Minister of Pakistan late last year. To support the ‘access to safe water’ pillar of the Clean and Green Pakistan Initiative, PepsiCo is working to provide safe water to 140,000 people in the country by 2021.

Speaking at the inauguration Minister of Industries, Commerce and Investment Punjab Mian Muhammad Aslam Iqbal said, “Water is essential for human survival and cannot be replaced. I appreciate this collaboration between PepsiCo and WaterAid in supporting the Punjab Government in ensuring access to safe water to marginalized communities in Lahore.”

Mr. Furqan Ahmed Syed, CEO PepsiCo Pakistan and Afghanistan said, “Access to safe water has remained a challenge for Pakistan. With our partners WaterAid, we are on a mission to enable access to safe water for underserved communities in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. This is in line with our global commitment to provide access to safe water to 22 million people by 2025.’

Mr. Siddiq Khan, Country Representative, WaterAid Pakistan commented, “WaterAid Pakistan is committed to supporting Clean and Green Pakistan Initiative by the Government of Pakistan and are happy that through this collaboration we were able to reach vulnerable populations residing in the urban areas. PepsiCo and WaterAid Pakistan will continue to take initiative to provide access to safe water as part of the Clean Green Pakistan M.”

Increasing access to safe water for vulnerable individuals is one of the most urgent challenges the world faces. Addressing this challenge has long been a priority for PepsiCo. Through partnerships funded by The PepsiCo Foundation, the company’s philanthropic arm, it has provided more than 22 million people in underserved communities around the world access to safe water since 2006. In the last year alone, PepsiCo and its partners expanded access for more than 6 million people, indicating the company is on track to exceed its goal to support a total of 25 million people with safe water access by 2025.

Shan Foods partners with Sui Southern Gas Company (LPG)

Posted on by admin

Shan Foods & SSGC (LPG) join hands for a cleaner, greener Pakistan

Islamabad (Muhammad Yasir) One of the leaders in the spice industry, Shan Foods has joined hands with Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC (LPG)) to work towards a cleaner, greener Pakistan.

With the help of SSGC (LPG), Shan Foods has successfully shifted its Lahore plant to a cleaner fuel. Through this partnership Shan Foods has switched its plant from High Speed Diesel (HSD) to Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). This switch will allow the company to reduce CO2 emissions from 2,640 to 1,665 grams per liter of LPG.

Speaking about the partnership, Haider Raza, General Manager Manufacturing & Engineering, Shan Foods said, “We, at Shan Foods, are constantly striving to improve our manufacturing processes. We not only aim to deliver quality products to our consumers; we also endeavour to produce them in the most environmentally friendly way possible. With the support of SSGC (LPG) this dream has now become a reality at our Lahore plant.”

Sikandar Tiwana, CEO, Shan Foods added, “I would like to extend my gratitude to SSGC (LPG) for all their support in helping us achieve this milestone. As a company which is committed to making Pakistan cleaner and greener, our team in Lahore has accomplished a great feat by switching our Lahore plant successfully to LPG.”

Shan Foods move to a cleaner fuel further solidifies the company’s commitment to a Green Environment which is also in line with the Prime Minister’s vision of a Green Pakistan.

Next generation Nokia 2.3 brings powerful AI to everyone

Posted on by admin

An Android experience that just keeps getting better combined with feature-packed dual camera, two-day battery life and an immersive entertainment experience.  

 Lahore (Muhammad Yasir)  HMD Global, the home of Nokia phones, today announces the Nokia 2.3. Delivering a feature-packed camera fuelled by AI, helping you get the best shot, the Nokia 2.3 also features a large 6.2” HD+ screen and two-day battery[i] life for long-lasting and immersive entertainment. Plus, being Android™ 10 ready, the new Nokia 2.3 will receive guaranteed monthly security updates for three years and OS updates for two years, ensuring this smartphone gets better over time.

The Nokia 2.3 features a dual camera and comes with ‘Recommended Shot’, a brand-new Nokia phones feature helping you choose the best picture. Whether it’s the mid-air backflip, the family portrait where everyone is actually smiling or the winning goal, ‘Recommended Shot’ automatically captures alternate images before and after the shutter button is pressed and suggests the best one.  Alongside even more AI-powered features such as ‘Portrait Mode’ and low-light imaging, fans can capture creative images in a variety of settings.

Save precious time with the Nokia 2.3, which has a dedicated Google Assistant Button[ii]. Just use your voice to view upcoming calendar entries, commute times and other info. The Nokia 2.3 also comes with biometric face recognition, allowing you to unlock your phone at a glance.  

Juho Sarvikas, Chief Product Officer, HMD Global

“Consumers across the world have really appreciated the Nokia 2 family of products. The Nokia 2.3 is a step forward in our promise of offering you an experience that stays fresh longer – giving consumers access to two years of OS upgrades and three years of monthly security updates even in the affordable price tier. On top, it offers industry leading AI for this segment, large screen and our signature promise of two-day battery life – making it the ideal pick for those who rely on their smartphone as their primary screen.”

Bringing out your creative side

The Nokia 2.3 comes equipped with ‘Portrait Mode’, elevating your subject and subtly blurring the background, resulting in stunning portraits that pop. Simply use Google Photos to adjust the blur after you take the shot.  With a 13MP/2MP dual camera, fans can take unique portraits with a variety of exclusive bokeh – or blurred background effects such as Classic, Butterfly, Heart or Star-shaped styles. And feel like a professional by creating eye-catching photos by simply adjusting the focus when editing.

This device also combines advanced image fusion and exposure stacking (taking numerous photos in various lighting settings and blending them together), meaning you can shoot stellar images in vibrant detail, even in low-light conditions.

Long-lasting, immersive entertainment

Power through your day with the Nokia 2.3’s two-day battery life courtesy of AI-assisted Adaptive Battery technology. The device will learn your app usage habits meaning you can use your device for longer and get lost in your favourite series and movies. Sit back, relax and enjoy a large 6.2” HD+ screen from the palm of your hands, bringing your favourite stories to life.

Elegant design with everyday essentials

Inspired by its Nordic design heritage, the Nokia 2.3 delivers a timeless aesthetic that isn’t just built to look good, but to last. Featuring a 3D nano-textured cover that sits securely in your hand, this phone has a stunning finish that’s sure to leave a lasting impression. Advanced structural engineering made it possible to integrate the dual camera and flash into the rear of the phone without a camera bump. Inner high-precision diecast aluminium chassis makes the structure solid and rigid protecting all the components inside.

An experience that just keeps getting better

The Nokia 2.3 comes Android 10 ready, meaning guaranteed monthly security updates for three years and OS updates for two years to ensure the smartphone will get better over time and that the investment is future-proofed. The latest features of Android 10 will also give fans access to dark theme to save on power usage and improve visibility, as well as enhanced privacy and more, once updated.

Pricing and availability

The Nokia 2.3 comes in Cyan Green, Sand and Charcoal and will be available in Pakistan from December 20th for 18,300 PKR.

[i] Based on a real life usage test by HMD Global. See more info at www.nokia.com/phones/nokia-2 

[ii] The Google Assistant is available in selected markets and languages. Where not available The Google Assistant is replaced by Google Search. Check availability at https://support.google.com/assistant.