Category: Business

Lahore (Nut-Desk)

In accordance with Mobile Device Manufacturing (MDM) Regulations 2021, PTA has issued MDM authorization to Lucky Motor Corporation Limited for manufacturing of Samsung brand mobile devices.

The company had applied for authorization to setup mobile device manufacturing plant in Karachi, Pakistan where it will manufacture Samsung brand mobile devices. The authorization to manufacture Samsung Mobile devices in Pakistan is a landmark achievement and will further revolutionize the vibrant mobile manufacturing ecosystem in the country by ensuring presence of major local and foreign players in the market. This is possible only due to the conducive policies of the Government of Pakistan in its “Digital Pakistan” endeavor.

PTA has so far issued MDM authorizations to 25 foreign and local companies for the production of mobile devices (2G/3G/4G) locally. Mobile devices manufactured by these companies shall not only be sold in the country but will also be exported to other competitive markets of the region and beyond. The device manufacturing plants shall be instrumental in creating new job opportunities as well as enabling affordability of mobile devices for Pakistani users. The detail of all MDM Authorization holders is available on PTA website: www.pta.gov.pk.

 

Lahore (NUT- Desk)

The national carrier, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), has announced discounted fares for Canada to Pakistan flights.The national carrier announced to reduce fares up to 25 per cent for flights from Canada to Pakistan for a limited period.

According to the spokesperson, the passengers from Toronto could avail the discounted fares by August 15.

Earlier in the month, PIA had announced special flight operations for the Najaf pilgrimage starting August 11 where 11 flights will take off with pilgrims willing to visit Najaf ahead of Ashura.

The 11 Najaf-bound flights will operate from Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore starting August 11, while the return begins from August 21, the PIA chief Air Marshal Arshad Malik had announced.

CEO of the national flag carrier had said operating special flights specific to religious occasions has been PIA’s custom.

In order to facilitate the pilgrims, such operations are part of the flag carrier’s responsibilities, he said. Malik added that the flights are being arranged after instructions from the federal cabinet and aviation minister.

 

Lahore ( NUT- Desk)

Pakistan Post has opened Amazon Facilitation Centres in various major cities to boost online business in the country.

According to Pakistan Post, Facilitation Centres were established in Islamabad General Post Office (GPO), Peshawar GPO, Karachi GPO, Gujrat GPO, Multan GPO, Gujranwala GPO, Sialkot GPO and Faisalabad GPO.

The initiative was aimed to promote e-commerce in the country and boost exports. Pakistan Post will transport sellers’ consignments from their doorstep to various warehouses of Amazon.

These Facilitation Centres have all the facilities for collecting and scanning the sellers’ products and delivering ahead to various warehouses of Amazon in the world.

Pakistan Post office has been formally authorised as the delivery partner of the global e-commerce giant. It would promote e-commerce in the country, and help boost exports, making Pakistani products now available to millions of consumers globally.

It is pertinent to mention that E-commerce is the best opportunity especially after Covid-19 pandemic as online buying and selling is increasing rapidly.

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Lahore (Nut-Desk)

In an effort to raise one billion US Dollars for government, Pakistan telecommunication authority has begun the process for the sale of additional spectrum to mobile phone companies.

The citizens of Gilget Baltistan and Azad Jammu Kashmir will have better internet and call services as the new spectrum will be applicable for enhancing telephony and broadband services in Pakistan only as these frequencies will be applicable for the Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB).

PTA has issued the Information Memorandum (IM) to all the four mobile operators in country, offering each megahertz (MHz) in the 1,800 MHz band at $31 million and one mega hertz in 2,100 MHz band at $29m. The PTA is offering 12.8 MHz spectrum in the 1,800 MHz band and 15 MHz in 2,100 MHz band.

At the current base price the government is likely to get a minimum of $832m from the total sale of 27.8 MHz, if there is no competition among the four mobile operators.

The mobile operators will have to submit sealed bids within 35 days (mid-September). The whole process is expected to be completed in three months. The IM has also introduced an upper cap for the 1,800 MHz band on the mobile companies to restrict abuse of dominant position or giving advantage to any company with stronger financial position.

The limits on obtaining the spectrum of 1,800 MHz band has been set after taking into account each mobile company’s existing spectrum.

PTA has highlighted that Jazz will be able to bid on up to 5.2 MHz spectrum only as the company was currently using 24.8 MHz spectrum in the 1,800 MHz band while Zong will be able to bid on up to 7.4 MHz as it was currently using 22.6 MHz spectrum. Telenor and Ufone are not constrained by this spectrum cap as each of them currently holds less than 10 MHz.

Lahore (Nut-Desk)

Shehroze Kashif, world’s youngest climber to summit K-2, second highest peak in the world visited the Lahore Office of International Multi group of companies (IMGC) today.

Mr. Abid Rasheed Sheikh senior representative from IMGC, welcomed the young icon and congratulated him to becoming the pride of the Nation. Shehroze Kashif visited different sections of the office and passed some time with Office management and staff.

Shehroze Kashif is the youngest Pakistani to summit Everest on 11 May 2021. He climbed Everest at the age of 19.After the successful summit of Mount Everest, Pakistan sports Board made him the youth ambassador of Punjab , Pakistan.

He summited Broad Peak (another 8000-meter mountain) at the age of 17, after which he was called “The Broad Boy”. He started climbing mountains at the age of 11 with the first one being Makra Peak, followed by Musa ka Musalla and Chembra Peak at age 12, Mingli Sar in Shimshal age 13 and Khurdopin Pass at age 15 and Khusar Gang in alpine style at 18 years of age.

Lahore (NUT-Desk-PR)

Honda Atlas Cars Pakistan Limited (HACPL) has launched the All-new Honda City, the most anticipated car of 2021 in a spectacular ceremony at Royal Palm Lahore.

The HACPL Management comprising Chairman; Aamir H Shirazi, Presidenty & CEO; Hironobu Yoshimura, Director & Senior Advisor; Saquib H Shirazi & Senior Management of HACPL along with prominent Dealers & Corporates were a part of the launch event.

Addressing the guests at the event, Mr. Hironobu Yoshimura, President & CEO Honda Atlas Cars Pakistan introduced the most awaited car of the year while also highlighting Honda’s decades-long legacy of innovation in the automobile industry. He added that the All-new Honda City is the most evolved sedan in its category and perfectly embodies luxury, looks, comfort and safety. The All-new Honda City features cutting-edge technology with performance that signifies innovation making it a timeless work of art.“We hope you will enjoy the All-New Honda City just as much as we enjoyed making it.”

Amir Nazir, General Manager Sales & Marketing gave an overview of the car and highlighted the features of All-new Honda City. He also emphasized on how the new model outshines its predecessor in terms of design, performance and features.

The All-new Honda City comes in five variants, 1.5L ASPIRE CVT & MT, 1.5L City CVT and 1.2L CVT & MT and all variants carrying exceptional features.

All variants ensure maximum safety & security by features like Driver & Passenger Airbags, ABS + EBD, Impact Mitigating Headrest, ACE Body Structure, Pedestrian Injury Mitigation Technology, ECU Immobilizer and many more. In Exterior, all variants carry Premium Dual-Barrel Halogen Headlights with Daytime Running light, attractive rear lights with 15’’ tire size & high ground clearance. Interior color is Ivory, Newly designed meter, Tilt & Telescopic steering with audio switches, Driver seat height adjuster, Dust & pollen air filter, Trunk lid lining & comfortably spacious cabin along with bigger trunk space.

The new Honda City is designed to deliver a comfortable yet luxurious driving experience by incorporating sporty yet comfy seats. Honda City 1.5L Aspire incorporates CVT Transmission and offers advanced features like Smart Entry, Push Start, Cruise Control, Touchscreen 9” Display Audio System with a wireless Phone Connection via Bluetooth, a bigger Infotainment Screen, Auto AC along with rear AC vents.

The All-new Honda City offers a state of maximum comfort and safety with a gorgeous exterior showcasing an impressive performance on the road. It features Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) incorporating Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology that offers fuel efficiency.

Honda City 1.2L is tailored specially for the Pakistani market. It is an exceptionally fuel-efficient variant and offers an eco-friendly driving experience featuring a spacious cabin along with a bigger car trunk providing greater luggage capacity, infotainment screen as 7” Capacitive Touch Display and Auto Door Lock System offering a comfortable experience throughout your drive.

The All-new Honda City has been reimagined with stellar looks paired with modern features offering a pleasurable driving experience whilst making it one of the best works by Honda in recent times.

It is available in seven colors, which are: Modern Steel Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, Lunar Silver Metallic, Teffeta White, Modern Steel Metallic, Carnelian Red and Urban Titanium. The booking of all variants is open at all Honda 3S dealerships at initial booking price of 1 Million (1.2L CVT & MT, 1.5L City) & 1.2 Million (City Aspire 1.5L CVT & MT).

Lahore (Nut-Desk)

Abdul Razak Dawood adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce informed the parliamentary panel that Pakistan will start export of mobile phones by January 2022..

The senate standing committee on commerce, chaired by Senator Zeeshan Khanzada, also grilled the commerce ministry for various issues related to Pak exports including rice and sea foods ect. Dawood informed the committee that Pakistan will start export of mobile phones by January 2022 and two Chinese companies will take the lead. One Chinese company has set up industry in Karachi.

Interestingly, the Adviser added that Samsung was asked twice to set up a factory in Pakistan and was also offered incentives but it refused. Now, when two Chinese companies have set up their factories, Samsung approached the government for incentives, said Dawood,  adding that now the company will have to set up factory on already available incentives.

Lahore (Nut-Desk)

Friesland Campina Engro Pakistan limited (FCEPL) have inked a strategic communication partnership with the Nutshell Communications Limited. Now, Nutshell communication will look after all the media communication work of friesland campina.

Photograph taken during the agreement signing ceremony shows (sitting form left to right) FCEPL chief financial officer Imran Husnain, Nutshell communication founder and CEO Muhammad Azfar Ahsan, FCEPL Chief Executive Officer Ali Ahamd Khan, Nutshell Communication Chief Growth Officer Rabia Ahmad.

FCEPL Marketing director Faisal, FCEPL Corporate Communication Assistant manager Ayesha Yousaf, Nutshell Communications chief operating officer Sadaf Mehmood, FCEPL Head of corporate communication sania sattar, Nutshell communication chief business officer Syed M Ayaz, Nutshell Communication chief strategy officer Amer Pasha, Nutshell communication head customer experience and new initiatives  sanya Shahid and head of media relations khurram zia.

According to the industry sources, this partnership deal will prove beneficial for both the groups as both are through professionals in their own spheres.

Lahore (Nut-Desk) Leading actress Sarah khan has been chosen as brand ambassador by emerging brand Mamia Baby & Adult Diapers. The signing ceremony in this regard was held in a private hotel in Karachi, in which Sarah’s husband singer Falak Shabier was also present.

Sarah tied knot with Falak Shabier last year and they are going to be parents very soon. Sarah looks very glowing and ravishing in the ceremony.  The  Televisoin commercial will be shown on all well-known TV channels. Mamia diapers have good quality and economical price, Mamia diapers are available all over Pakistan and online.

It may be noted that Molfix diapers selected Aiza khan upon their launch in Pakistan a few years ago, similarly another brand Mamia has approached another mom be actress Sarah khan for launch in Pakistani market and like Aiza & Molfix partnership, it will also prove a successful collaboration indeed.

 

Lahore (Nut-Desk)

Pakistan leading mobile network operator (MNO) Telenor closed the half-year ended June 30, 2021, on a mixed note. Telenor (Pakistan subsidiary) managed to grow operating profits by 17 percent year-on-year to Rs12 billion in 1HCY21, as per latest financial results announced by Telenor Group.The turnaround comes after this MNO recorded 11 percent yearly contraction in operating profits during CY20. On the other hand, average revenue per user (ARPU) continues to chart downward trend.

At the top, the total revenues reached almost Rs53 billion in the six-month period, showing a growth of 6 percent over 1HCY20. (Rupee figures are derived after conversion from the reported Norwegian Krone (NOK) data). At this pace, Telenor Pakistan is set to cross the Rs101 billion in topline that it scored during CY20. But it will still be shy of the level it reached in CY18, underscoring the need for faster revenue growth.

The ARPU is going down despite the operator reporting strong double-digit growth in revenues from data services (mobile broadband). It is likely that new users are pulling the average down amid existing users cutting back, necessitating the need to improve monetization of the subscription base. The operator is spending significant amount of capital on boosting its mobile broadband network – capex stood at nearly Rs9 billion in 1HCY21, up almost 9 percent over the same period last year.

As ARPU slides amid erosion of purchasing power in a price-sensitive market, operators in this sector have had to contain their spending in order to shield profitability from the effects of rising energy prices amid higher marketing spend due to stiff competition for data subscribers. In 1HCY21, Telenor Pakistan grew its EBITDA by 4 percent year-on-year to Rs29 billion, posting EBITDA margin of 54 percent (1HCY20: 55%).

Despite lower ARPU, Telenor Pakistan managed to post better operating performance in the analysis period. Yet, the group financials could have reaped more benefit had it not been for rupee depreciation negatively impacting growth in NOK terms. While the whole sector is feeling the pressure on the ARPU front, the latest budget also failed to excite (read: “Budget scare for digital economy,” published June 16, 2021). Operators need to beef up data monetization efforts in what remains a challenging environment.

Topline expansion is contingent on continued subscription growth and users spending more on connectivity. The revenue growth in the analysis period is driven mainly by the effect of addition of nearly 4 million subscribers, with the overall subscription tally reaching 48.8 million as of June 2021. This growth is healthy. But at the same time, the ARPU came down to Rs167 per month during 1HCY21, down 7 percent from Rs180 per month during 1HCY20.