Category: Business

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Karachi (Muhammad Yasir) Mr. Moonis Alvi, CEO, K-Electric visited KE’s customer care center in Lyari to review the utility’s on-going operations to resolve customers’ queries. During his visit, he also interacted with customers to ensure their concerns are being timely addressed.

He appreciated the team at the center for guiding customers despite high volume of queries following the announcement of the Prime Minister’s FCA relief package. He also shared some valuable tips regarding energy conservation with the consumers.

KE serves its 3.3 million customers across the energy value chain in Karachi and its adjoining areas via an active network of 30 Integrated Business Centres (IBCs), 27 CECs, 26 CFCs and 11 IoWs. Using state of the art technologies, these physical customers touch points of KE handle more than 2 million interactions annually and provide facilitation to customers with their queries on new connection, billing service and billing complaints.

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir) Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) has always been in the forefront to provide relief and rehabilitation to severely hit communities during national calamities. The recent monsoon rains followed by river floods has resulted in huge loss of life and displacement in Sindh province.

As part of its ongoing efforts, the company has donated 4000 dry ration bags for severely hit population in four districts of Sindh, around its operational areas.

1000 ration bags, each containing flour (atta), rice, daal moong, sugar, milk and cooking oil, weighing 15 kg, were handed over to District and Assistant Commissioners in Sanghar, Matiari, Kashmore and Sujawal districts by relevant PPL Field Manager and staff for distribution amongst the severely affected communities.

Moreover, 200 ration bags of edible items along with 20 tents were distributed by PPL among flood affected community in union council Ghaibi Dero, District Qambar Shahdadkot, Sindh.

Lahore (Nut Desk) The integration of NADRA platform with 1Link network will usher in era of financial digital services through wide-spread NADRA e-Sahulat Network to achieve the goal of digital governance and economy. Chairman NADRA Tariq Malik and CEO 1Link Najeeb Agrawalla signed an agreement today at NADRA Headquarters Islamabad. NADRA Pakistan, the largest government database organization, and 1Link largest payment gateway officially collaborating together have entered into an agreement creating a strategic alliance to administer and evolve a strong robust e-Payment network in Pakistan through NADRA owned e-Sahulat franchise network. Speaking on the occasion, Chairman NADRA Tariq Malik said NADRA has been taking initiatives to enhance e-Governance by empowering both public and private sector organizations through its wide range of digital services and expertise. He said NADRA e-Sahulat was one of the most advanced digital financial service delivery channels reaching the grassroot level across country. Mr. Malik said, “We are enhancing state capacity to deliver digital public goods and move towards electronic financial transactions for transparency and accountability. This would enable financial inclusion as well.” Giving the details about the partnership, Chairman NADRA said, “Integrating NADRA platform with 1Link will enable aggregation of billers on both platforms enabling 17000+ e-Sahulat outlets to perform fund transfer, cash-in/cash-out and Public to Government (P2G), Government to Public (G2P) and Public to Public payments (P2P) payments. It will also enable citizens to implement national digital payment and financial inclusion objectives in the future. Cash in/ Cash out is an opportunity for more than 40+ bank account holders to transfer/withdraw cash pan Pakistan using secure biometric verification.” Introduction of 1Link services (1-Bill, Inter Bank Financial Transactions (IBFT)/Cash-In and Human ATM/Cash Out) on NADRA e-Sahulat (17000+ outlets) will facilitate citizens across country to avail the services with ease. With this partnership, 17000 e-Sahulat outlets of NADRA will double the capacity of more than 16500 1Link ATM machines across the country through which citizens will be able to deposit and withdraw cash easily and conveniently. This digital financial facility of NADRA will revolutionize the financial payments system in Pakistan.

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Telenor Pakistan, along with its parent company, Telenor Group, have pledged PKR 1.1 billion in cash and in-kind services to support nationwide flood relief efforts. Telenor’s cash donation comprises voluntary contributions from Telenor Pakistan and Telenor Microfinance Bank employees and funds from Telenor Pakistan and the Group.

Additionally, a range of in-kind services is part of the total contribution. Earlier today, Telenor Pakistan made a cash donation of PKR 100 million to UNICEF Pakistan to support them in relief efforts by providing life-saving nutrition and hygiene packs in affected areas on an immediate basis.

Irfan Wahab Khan, Chief Executive Officer, Telenor Pakistan and chairman, Telenor Microfinance Bank, said, “In this moment of national tragedy and calamity, our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by the floods. With the support of Telenor colleagues from around the world, we are committed to supporting impacted families and communities through these testing times and will do all we can. The road of rehabilitation for the affected is long and treacherous, and we will continue to support to the best of our abilities.”

“The torrential monsoon rains that left one-third of Pakistan under water have destroyed the vital infrastructure children rely on to access essential services. More than 20,000 schools and 1,460 public health facilities have been damaged or destroyed, and 20 to 50 per cent of water systems in the hardest-hit areas,” said Abdullah Fadil, UNICEF’s Representative in Pakistan. “At least 3.4 million children need immediate, life-saving support. Telenor’s generous donation will enable UNICEF to provide flood-stricken children living out in the open with their families with immediate access to hygiene kits and therapeutic food supplements. We thank Telenor employees for their generosity and Telenor, a close partner which has been standing with us in support of the children in Pakistan for over four years.” 

UNICEF will use the cash donation to provide life-saving medical and other emergency supplies to support children and women affected by the floods. These include drinking water, water purification tablets, hygiene kits, medicines, vaccines, and therapeutic nutritional supplements for children.

Alongside this, Telenor has been helping to provide support in Pakistan since the beginning of the monsoon season through subsidised and accessible services, offers, and add-ons for telecom and banking consumers.

Telenor Pakistan has offered free calls in all affected areas supporting rescue and emergency services, recognising connectivity as a lifeline in these difficult times. Extra manpower and fuel have been mobilised to ensure continued service and connectivity. The organisation is facilitating access to emergency services such as 911 and encouraging donations to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund through 9999. In addition, Telenor Pakistan is working with Pakistan Telecommunication Authority to ensure the timely and speedy restoration of services in flood-affected areas.

Agriculture, a mainstay of Pakistan’s economy, has been seriously hit by the calamity. To better deal with the fallout, Telenor Pakistan’s Khushaal Zamindar platform will provide flood advisories, weather updates, emergency alerts and health services to the farming community that earns their livelihoods from agriculture. Telenor Pakistan will also provide internet devices and smart-office solutions for the next six months to organisations with rescue and relief efforts in flood-affected areas experiencing little to no connectivity. Additionally, Telenor Pakistan is providing Easypaisa customers to donate to flood relief efforts through the app.

Telenor Pakistan has a proud tradition of always stepping up when the nation is in need. Whether it is the devastating 2006 earthquake, the 2010 floods, or the recent COVID-19 pandemic, Telenor Pakistan has actively contributed to the relief efforts through cash contributions and subsidised and free telecom and banking services.

Lahore (Nut Desk)  Lahore Central Business District Development Authority, (LCBDDA) also known as Central Business District Punjab, (CBD Punjab) hosted a meetup in the honour of the business investors, developers and industry thought leaders in association with Ministry of Housing, Urban Development, Public Health and Engineering to strengthen the business relations and ties with existing & potential investors at CBD Punjab. Senior Provincial Minister, Mr. Mian Aslam Iqbal graced the event as Chief Guest. The event was attended by the Chief Executive Officer of LCBDDA – Mr. Imran Amin, COO LCBDDA – Brigadier (R) Mansoor Janjua, Mr. Mian Mehmood Ur Rasheed – Minister for Local Government & Community Development, Mr. Ahmed Javed Qazi – Secretary Industries, Commerce & Skill Development, Mr. Asif Jah – Chairman PBIT, senior representation of the business community, other government officials, foreign diplomats, real estate developers & industry thought leaders along with directorate heads of LCBDDA. While addressing the event Senior Provincial Minister Punjab, Mian Aslam Iqbal said that “The province of Punjab, has a pivotal role in the development of Pakistan. Our core focus is to provide a comprehensive business environment all across the province to attract more and more investment in Punjab. A business hub like CBD Punjab has its own unique significance in the development of the province. The project is fully supported by the Government of Punjab and we believe that this project will take Pakistan to new heights”. He further added that “the authority has achieved great milestones in a short time span which is the reason that we have expanded its jurisdiction all over Punjab”. He requested the investors to come forward and start their projects in CBD Punjab. Mr. Imran Amin, Chief Executive Officer of LCBDDA briefed about ongoing and future projects of CBD Punjab. He stated that “CBD Punjab is a celebrated success, and it is only due to the trust of the business community. We have already achieved our first-year target and have aimed higher for the upcoming year. The expansion of CBD Punjab to all over the province is the trust of the Punjab Government in the authority. This expansion will give new heights to the development pace of Punjab”. Speaking on behalf of the business community, Mr. Gohar Ijaz said that “CBD Punjab is a fully composed business hub that has all the traits of business ease. I foresee this project as a multi-million-dollar project because it has a room full of opportunities for a secure investment. Commercial hubs like CBD Punjab will prove itself as an economy booster for Punjab. The economic development potential of CBD Punjab has gathered government authorities and the business community on the same page to utilize the investment opportunities in Pakistan’s first business district to get maximum output. Punjab Government has ensured its full support and instructed that no stone should be left unturned for the completion of the project. The session was concluded with the distribution of recognition mementos among the business investors and directorate heads of LCBDDA.

Pakistan (Nut Desk) In the wake of the recent floods that have wreaked havoc across various parts of the country, Easypaisa – Pakistan’s leading digital payments platform is actively facilitating customers to make donations for the flood victims through the Easypaisa App to help people in flood-stricken areas during these challenging times.

A flood relief and donations box icon has been made available on the Easypaisa App through which users can make donations to various reputable charity organizations involved in flood relief activities. Easypaisa App users can simply click on the donations icon present on Easypaisa App’s home screen, select the organization they want to donate money to, enter the desired donation amount and confirm their transaction.

Various donation agencies and charitable organizations are playing a major role in flood relief activities across the country. These charitable organizations include the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund, Flood Relief Fund for Balochistan, Al Khidmat, Sahara Life Trust, Edhi Foundation, Red Crescent, The Citizens Foundation, Saylani Welfare Trust, Shifa Foundation, Akhuwat, Shahid Afridi Foundation, Comprehensive Disaster Response Services, Hands Pakistan, Pak Aid Welfare Trust. Easypaisa users can make direct donations to any of these organizations from their Easypaisa App and support relief efforts to help our fellow Pakistanis who are in need.

Charitable organizations/ funds or donor agencies who wish to integrate with Easypaisa and get access to Pakistan’s largest digital payments platform to collect donations or to send disbursements can send in their requests to partnerships@telenorbank.pk. Additionally, potential clients can drop enquiries for onboarding by filling in the form on the given link https://easypaisa.com.pk/corporate-disbursement-and-payments/

These tough times call for our generous contributions and support. Let’s join hands to save those who are affected and help them recover from this colossal catastrophe as soon as possible.

Lahore (Nut Desk) Pakistan China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) President Mr Wang Zihai expressed these views in a think-tank session held here at PCJCCI Secretariat on otherday. He added, “We have learned that Pakistan is the most important exporter and producer of dairy products in South Asia; whereas, Chinese technologies are low-priced if we adopt the techniques and technology used by China, Pakistan could advance in this industry.” PCJCCI president said that China is willing to explore more about Pakistani dairy industry to see if it has the opportunity to be part of Pakistan in this sector. From 2011 to 2022, China’s dairy imports rose at a compound annual growth of 12.3 percent, and the demand is still expanding. Milk powder, liquid milk, high value-added dairy products such as whey, cheese, butter and cream are also in high demand in the Chinese market.

PCJCCI Senior Vice President Ehsan Choudhry said that currently, China’s dairy imports mainly come from New Zealand (40.44 percent), the Netherlands (17.15 percent) and Australia (7.38 percent). Pakistan’s government should support this industry to boost export and domestic production, especially to control the adulteration of loose milk. He asserted that the local farmers are facing many problems, such as a lack of education, latest storage facilities, transfer of milk, and cold storage; the government should come forward to train and educate them with the modern technology. In this way, Chinese consumers’ demands for high-quality dairy products will be satisfied. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s economic development, industrial upgrading and industrial chain extension can be expected in the process.

PCJCCI Vice President Sarfaraz Butt said: “Animal husbandry is one of the pillar industries in Pakistan. Specifically, Balochistan, where Gawadar Port under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is located in, is with unique advantages of breeding beef cattle and dairy cows.” He added that the construction of epidemic-free area in Gawadar Port is progressing in an orderly way. If the industrial chain of China can be extended to Pakistan, it is expected to achieve win-win outcomes for the dairy industry of both countries. The joint chamber’s Secretary General Salahuddin Hanif said that Pakistan is among world’s top five largest milk producers, with over 60 million tonnes of milk production each year.

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir) MINISO, a global lifestyle brand that has taken the Pakistani market by storm, has announced teaming up with JOMO – one of Pakistan’s fastest and most trusted e-commerce destination. The partnership gives JOMO.pk the online distribution rights for MINISO’s lifestyle and fashion products – including its very popular licensed Marvel toys and accessories.

MINISO has rapidly expanded to more than 70 retail locations in Pakistan since its launch in 2017. The brand offers consumers visually pleasing, user-friendly, and high-quality lifestyle products. Bags & accessories, electronics & appliances, cosmetics, scented products, stationary & gifts, toys, textile, household items, skincare & cleansing, makeup tools and health & beauty are the eleven category pavilions that they cover. MINISO regularly co-partners with popular brands such as the Bare Bear, Adventure Awaits, Coca-Cola, Mickey Mouse, Pink Panther, Disney and the Marvel series to delight its Gen Z customers and encourage “interest-based consumption.”

“This is a milestone partnership, where a global retail giant like MINISO has shown trust in JOMO to expand its online reach in Pakistan. This collaboration will not just offer our customer-base a whole new range of products across the lifestyle portfolio, but will further cement JOMO’s position as the most preferred and trusted online commerce platform in the country.” – commented Ali Khan-Bajauri, CEO and Co-founder, JOMO Technologies at the signing ceremony at Jomo Office in Lahore.

“We’re very happy to partner with JOMO to extend our reach to masses in Pakistan and be more accessible where we don’t have MINISO stores” – a statement said.

Miniso products go live on Jomo.pk in September, coinciding with Miniso’s 5^th Anniversary in Pakistan. 

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir) Government of Punjab appointed Mr. Atif Chaudhary as new Chairman Member board of Directors LWMC. Government of Punjab issued notification on 23rd August, 2022 and de-notified the five board of directors.

As per the issued notification five new Board of Directors have also been notified including Chairman LWMC Atif Chaudhary, Mr. Abdul Kareem Khan, Ms. Rizwana Iqtedar, Syed Raees-ud-Din Ahmed and Mr. Safdar Shaheen Pirzada. Chairman LWMC took charge and conducted a meeting with all the departments including Operations, Communication, HR, Procurement etc. Chairman LWMC gave standing instructions to improve cleanliness situation in the city on war footings, chairing the meeting he emphasized and gave directions regarding presence of officers in field and ensuring proper cleanliness in every nook and corner of the city.

Chairman LWMC added that Lahore is the city of gardens and no tolerance will be observed over any sort of negligence by anyone. Department should work as a team and every officer should own LWMC. It was also directed by Chairman LWMC to the officers for maintaining smooth relations with public, political and social sector of the society by resolving their complaints and maintaining regular cleanliness. Directing all senior staff of LWMC Chairman stated that department should focus on its vision of clean Lahore followed by vigilance in routine operations. During Monson season LWMC should strictly follow the SOP`s & must be prepared for any sort of hindrance, all officers should remain in field despite of any weather conditions.