Category: Business

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir)

It’s 2024, and you’re faced with a common dilemma: choosing between a flagship conventional phone or a dedicated gaming phone. This choice can be overwhelming, with both options offering impressive specs and features. However, understanding the trade-offs is essential. Let’s examine what makes a gaming phone exceptional, and what you sacrifice by not choosing a conventional smartphone.

Gaming phones are purpose-built for gamers boasting top-tier specs, including high-functioning processors, expansive RAM, powerful batteries, high refresh rate displays, and other specialized features for immersive gaming experiences. While gaming phones encompass all the functionalities of conventional smartphones, they go a step further by incorporating features tailored to meet the needs of avid gamers. This means they cannot only easily handle everyday tasks but also provide an unparalleled gaming experience that conventional phones might lack.

Dedicated gaming phones are equipped with the latest and most powerful chipsets, ensuring smooth gameplay even for the most demanding games. They feature at least 8GB of RAM, which handles multitasking and heavy applications with ease. Extended gaming sessions demand long-lasting power. Gaming phones often feature batteries of 5,000 mAh or more, providing enough battery to keep you in the game without frequent recharges. While many flagship phones boast good battery life, they might not match the endurance of gaming phones designed for prolonged use.

Modern games are filled with vibrant colors and intricate details, requiring high-quality displays to truly do them justice. Gaming phones excel in this area, standing out for their exceptional displays and high refresh rates exceeding up to 144Hz, while normal phones have refresh rates from 60Hz to 120Hz.

One of the benefits of gaming phones is their robust hardware and software, which enhance the overall gaming experience. Conventional smartphones may not have the same level of hardware and software optimization for gaming, which can result in lower frame rates.

Additionally, unlike conventional phones, gaming phones come equipped with advanced cooling systems, customizable gaming modes, and specialized software enhancements that optimize performance and provide an immersive gaming experience. However, on the other hand, conventional smartphones offer sleek designs and better cameras.

So, if you’re stuck between choosing a flagship conventional phone and a gaming phone, the Infinix GT 20 Pro offers a compelling solution. Infinix has set a new standard in gaming phones with the launch of the innovative GT 20 Pro. It combines the best of both worlds, providing superior gaming performance without compromising everyday smartphone features.

The Infinix GT 20 Pro boasts a strong hardware suite designed to deliver an exceptional user experience. The centerpiece of this device is the MediaTek Dimensity 8200 Ultimate 4nm 5G processor, which is complemented by a dedicated display chip. This combination ensures both smooth performance and superior visuals. The GT 20 Pro achieves a remarkable 120FPS refresh rate, resulting in seamless navigation and highly responsive gaming. Additionally, the phone features a stunning 144Hz FHD AMOLED display that minimizes motion blur and offers exceptional clarity, making it ideal for both everyday use and fast-paced gaming environments. To further enhance user experience, the GT 20 Pro is equipped with ample storage capacity (256GB) and generous RAM (12GB) expandable up to 24 GB. This combination empowers users to run demanding applications and store a significant amount of data without encountering performance limitations.

Moreover, the Infinix GT 20 Pro strikes a compelling balance between the high-performance capabilities of a gaming phone and the everyday functionality of a conventional smartphone, providing a balanced device for all diverse user needs.

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir)

easypaisa, is bringing ease and convenience to its users this Eid-ul-Azha for the sale and purchase of sacrificial animals through its very own in-app Raast-based QR code payment mechanism.

The initiative is part of the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) QR code payment system under the Raast instant payment service, aimed at facilitating the public and traders alike during the sale and purchase of sacrificial animals.

Eid-ul-Azha generates a wealth of economic activity in Pakistan each year, with around PKR 376 billion worth of animals sacrificed last year. Given the magnitude of transactions taking place during the Eid ul Azha time frame, easypaisa will enable customers to transact securely and conveniently through its in-app QR feature and support SBP in its mission to drive Pakistan’s digital financial space forward. 

Through this feature, all easypaisa users, along with all digital banking app and wallet users can send and receive money seamlessly at selected cattle markets across Pakistan. To send money, users simply need to tap the scan code option on the home screen, scan the receiver’s QR code, and enter the amount to proceed with the transaction. Similarly, to receive payments, users can tap the scan code option on their easypaisa app home screen and tap on receive money through either a static or a dynamic QR code.

Commenting on this development, Shahmeer Nadeem, Head of Product Management, TMB/easypaisa, remarked, “We remain committed to SBP’s mission of making Pakistan a financially inclusive society through our unique and customer-centric product offerings. The instant QR payment mechanism is the need of the hour and helps digitize the otherwise cash-intensive cattle market transactions, and ensures that our users can enjoy a hassle-free transaction experience during the Eid-ul-Azha festivities.”

The State Bank of Pakistan has taken a proactive and diligent approach to spearheading the digitization of Pakistan’s financial landscape. Aligned with the regulator’s vision, easypaisa has consistently demonstrated its position as a frontrunner, leading the charge to transform the nation’s financial services sector.

With over 40 million registered mobile accounts and counting, easypaisa remains dedicated to its mission of transforming Pakistan into a financially inclusive society through the power of collaboration and technology.

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir)

Did you hear about Shark Tank Pakistan revealing their logo? Not only that, they’re also launching their social media accounts. They’ve finally stepped into the playing field and are all set to play the game.

For the first time ever Pakistan is going to experience a revolution unlike no other in the business and startup landscape. As we know, New businesses and startups are bubbling over with awesome ideas that can change the game! They’ll be pitching these ideas to the Sharks, who are like super investors with mountains of cash to give away.

But not everyone can impress the Sharks – that’s where things get REALLY interesting! We know Shark Tank Pakistan is coming soon, but who the mystery Sharks will be is still under wraps! Everyone’s buzzing with guesses – who do YOU think will be swimming in the tank this time?

Be sure to stay tuned and follow their social media launch to be the first to find out!

Everyone’s buzzing with guesses – who do YOU think will be swimming in the tank this time? Be sure to stay tuned and follow their social media launch to be the first to find out!

• Instagram: Shark Tank Pakistan
• Facebook: Shark Tank Pakistan

Business lovers, this is one fin-tastic event you DON’T want to miss!

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir)

TCL, Pakistan’s No.1 LED TV Brand and the official associate partner of the Pakistan Cricket Team, proudly announces a special promotion in celebration of the T20 World Cup season. For the first time, TCL Pakistan’s logo is featured on the official World Cup jersey, marking a significant milestone for the brand and showcasing its strong commitment to supporting cricket in Pakistan.

To celebrate this momentous occasion and share the excitement with cricket fans nationwide, TCL Pakistan is offering exclusive discounts on two of its popular television models: the 55″ P635 4K TV and the 40″ S5400. These promotions are available until June 29, 2024. These limited-time offers are crafted to enhance the viewing experience of cricket enthusiasts, allowing them to enjoy World Cup matches in stunning high definition.

55″ P635 4K TV: Experience the thrill of the World Cup with exceptional picture quality and vibrant colours on TCL’s P635 4K TV. It features HDR10 technology, which enhances contrast and colour accuracy for a more realistic and vibrant picture. The TV also includes Dolby Audio for immersive sound quality, complementing the high-definition visuals. Additionally, it comes with Google TV, equipped with Google Assistant, and access to a vast range of apps on the Google Play Store. Now available at a special discounted price of PKR 109,900 from 140,900, this model provides an immersive viewing experience that brings every match to life.

The 40″ S5400 Google TV provides a crisp and detailed viewing experience with its Full HD resolution and HDR technology, which improves picture quality by enhancing colour and contrast levels. With access to the Google Play Store, users can download a wide range of apps and games to further enhance their entertainment options. Like the P635, the S5400 includes Dolby Audio for high-quality sound, enriching the overall viewing experience. Its compact design makes it ideal for smaller spaces while still delivering an impressive visual experience. Enjoy the World Cup action at a special reduced price of PKR 70,900.

“We are thrilled to see our logo on the official World Cup match jersey for the first time, symbolizing our strong partnership with the PCB and our dedication to cricket in Pakistan. To celebrate this historic moment, we are delighted to offer special discounts on our 55″ P635 4K TV and 40″ S5400 TV, allowing our customers to enjoy the World Cup season with the best viewing experience possible,” said Majid Khan Niazi, Director of Marketing, TCL Middle East and Africa.

The special discounts are available for a limited time only and can be availed through TCL Pakistan’s official website and retail partners nationwide. Cricket fans and tech enthusiasts are encouraged to take advantage of these offers while stocks last.

Pakistan (Nut Desk)

Elevate, a fintech, based in London and Dubai, has secured financing of $5 million to expand further into South Asia. They’ve raised a total of $10 million in equity and debt from investors including Y Combinator, Goodwater, Global Founders Capital and VSQ and Since launching earlier this year, over 50,000 Freelancers and remote workers from Pakistan and more than 150,000 have signed up in total.

Having received unprecedented response from Pakistani freelancers in a very short span of time, Elevate is looking at registering over 500,000 Pakistani freelancers and remote workers facilitating them to increase their business share in the USA as well as other developed markets.

Elevate simplifies receiving USD payments by supporting free and fast deposits from US and international employers as well as platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, Paypal, Deel and Toptal. Online spending is enabled through a virtual debit card and for sending money home Elevate offers market leading FX rates.

When customers receive payments into their Elevate accounts the funds sit with Bangor Savings Bank, a 172-year-old bank located in Maine, United States. Bangor Savings Bank acts as the deposit taking institution and card issuer, and because they are an FDIC-member, customer deposits are FDIC-insured up to $250,000. This makes it the only service available for people in countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Philippines to open an FDIC-insured U.S. bank account.

Khalid Keenan, CEO of Elevate said that “Freelancing and remote work is going to be a key source of foreign income for emerging markets. Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr and Deel have empowered talent from countries like Pakistan to compete on a global scale and earn in USD”.

Existing platforms like Payoneer have not serviced the region well with excessively high fees. Our mission at Elevate is for freelancers and remote workers to quickly and easily get paid at minimal cost so they keep as much of their hard-earned earnings as possible, Khalid added.

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir)

Industrialists demanded the security, law and order
authorities to arrest the killers behind the assassination of
industrialists and students within 72 hours, otherwise, they will
initiate a movement of protest, sit, and strike until the peace is
restored in the city.

In a press conference held on Wednesday at the secretariate of Federal
B Area Trade and Industries (FBATI), representatives of seven
industrial zones expressed their anger at the lawlessness situation of
the city, which recently claimed the lives of 78 residents, including
industrialist Asif Bilwani, and gold medalist students.

They have decided to hold dialogues with IG Sindh and DG Rangers on
security measures immediately and plan to approach Chief of Army Staff
General Asim Munir if the lawlessness issue is not resolved in
Karachi.

President Federal B Area Trade and Industries (FBATI) Syed Raza
Hussain said that the poor law and order situation has taken a toll on
the city’s economic activities, leading to the closure of businesses
and the flight of capital to different countries.

He demanded that police personnel be removed from the protocol duties
of bureaucrats and politicians and deputed to protect citizens of the
city, contributing handsome revenues to the national exchequer.

The project of Safe City has yet to be commenced in the commercial
capital despite various cities have established this project to
control security challenges, he said and added. If police can’t
maintain law and order in the city, Rangers should be given the power
to control street crimes and lawlessness in Karachi like it was done
in the past.

CEO FITE Development and Management Company Babar Khan said the local
representation had been reduced in local police, which resulted in a
lack of interest in curbing street crime in the city.

He alleged that police officials are supporting street crimes and
organized criminal activities in Karachi, however, key officials such
as IG Sindh and DG Rangers are not taking any action against them.

The industrialists and businessmen in Karachi are already facing
multiple challenges of high cost of production and unavailability of
utilities, the bad security situation is adding to their miseries as
industrialists and their workers are not secure from the atrocities of
street criminals and decoits.

Faisal Moiz Khan, President North Karachi Association of Trade and
Industries (NKATI) demanded that industrialists vow to take up the
issue with higher authorities if the security situation is not
improved in the city, including industrial zones.

He added that industrialists are expecting a concrete security plan
from law and order authorities that will ensure peace across the city;
otherwise, they will launch a protest campaign against the concerned
departments.

Muhammad Kamran Arbi, President, SITE Association of Industries,
Muslim S Mohemadi, Vice President, Korangi Association of Trade and
Industries, Shaheen Serwana, President SITE Superhighway Association,
Naveed Shakoor, Former President, Bin Qasim Association of Industries
also spoke on the occasion.

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir)

As the country prepares for the joyous Eid-ul-Adha festivities, Daraz, Pakistan’s leading online marketplace, is giving more reasons to celebrate with its highly anticipated “6.6 Big Eid Sale”. This exciting campaign, running from June 6 to 12, promises the best prices, mega vouchers worth PKR 20 crore, free delivery, discounts of up to 75% and further bank discounts of 10%. These offers ensure that customers can fulfill all their Eid shopping needs from the comfort of their homes.

The “6.6 Big Eid Sale” presents the best opportunity for savings and convenience, including Free Delivery on orders placed through exclusive vouchers up for grabs via the homepage. Shoppers can take advantage of exclusive Mega Deals up to 60% off on over 2 million products, spanning various categories, such as Fashion, Beauty, Groceries, Mobiles, Cooling & Heating Appliances, and more. To further enhance the Eid festivities, there are special offers on Kitchen & Dining products, BBQ Utensils, and Qurbani Essentials.

Daraz remains committed to its promise of the Best Price Guaranteed by expanding its assortment to 200,000 items during 6.6 under this offering. This extensive range ensures that every customer finds exactly what they need at the best possible price*, making Eid shopping an enjoyable and cost-effective experience. Furthermore, for the duration of the campaign, the moneyback on products under the Best Price Guaranteed tag has been increased to 5X instead of usual 2X.

“We are thrilled to launch the ‘6.6 Big Eid Sale’ and bring incredible value to our customers during this festive season. Our goal is to make Eid shopping as convenient and enjoyable as possible, with unbeatable discounts, a wide range of products, and the assurance of the best prices. We hope our customers take full advantage of these offers and have a joyous and prosperous Eid, “stated Arusha Imtiaz, Chief Commercial Officer at Daraz Pakistan.

Don’t miss out on the “6.6 Big Eid Sale” at Daraz, where you can enjoy unparalleled savings and the convenience of online shopping during this festive season. For more information, check out the Daraz Pakistan’s Facebook page, or browse the Daraz app.

 

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir)

Pakistan Banks’ Association (PBA), in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), arranged a workshop on the benefits of green, resilient real estate investment, attended by participants from over 25 banks operating in Pakistan. A key area of focus was cooling for buildings, an area especially relevant to Pakistan given recent heat waves.

IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is a leader in investing and advising on green building practices globally. The workshop included sessions on the commercial value of green buildings for developers, the financial benefits for investors, and case studies highlighting the business case for green buildings across sectors including residential, offices, warehousing, and hospitals.

The workshop enabled participatory banks to expand their capacity to support green real estate projects in the country, which should help foster long-term economic stability and growth.

In addition, it addressed cooling options for green buildings, which is pertinent given that Pakistan has the fifth highest demand for cooling in the world. This included options for participants to leverage IFC’s recently launched Sustainable Cooling Initiative.

Commenting on the occasion, Ahmed Bozai, Vice President – Pakistan Banks’ Association said, “PBA’s partnership with the IFC in green real estate investment exemplifies our joint commitment to sustainability. This collaboration aims to identify potential solutions and investment avenues towards fostering a low-carbon economy, reflecting our dedication to creating a sustainable environment for our communities.”

 Participants also learned about other IFC programs supporting green building practices including two innovative free tools: IFC’s Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiency (EDGE), a green building certification system focused on making buildings resource-efficient, and the Building Resilience Index, an online hazard-mapping and resilience assessment framework. IFC’s Market Accelerator for Green Construction (MAGC) program provides concessional finance and technical training to partner banks.

“The combination of IFC’s advice and financing provides great investment potential for banks in Pakistan,” said Naz Khan, IFC’s Principal Country Officer for Pakistan. “Local banks can access green finance and create a new asset class in Pakistan, while reducing harmful emissions and lowering costs for their customers. We believe these programs are beneficial for banks, developers, consumers, businesses, and the government.”

According to the World Bank Group’s Country Climate and Development Report for Pakistan, energy efficient buildings represent a $5.5 billion investment opportunity until 2050, as well as reducing emissions and costs, and creating a more resilient building stock to mitigate climate change shocks.

IFC has invested and mobilized almost $14 billion in green building finance, of which over $4 billion flowed through local financial institutions. IFC’s EDGE green buildings platform has additionally enabled over $81 billion in green buildings finance.  

Lahore (Nut Desk)

On World Environment Day, CBD Punjab reaffirms its dedication to protecting and preserving the environment through a series of impactful initiatives. As the only LEED-certified project in Pakistan, CBD Punjab is setting new benchmarks for sustainable development in the region. Among its notable environmental efforts, CBD Punjab has successfully replanted trees with a remarkable 100% growth rate, showcasing their commitment to enhancing green cover and biodiversity. Additionally, around 20,000 plants have been planted near Kalma Chowk and in CBD Punjab Lahore Prime Quaid District, significantly contributing to the city’s green infrastructure. CBD Punjab has also dedicated 70% of its area to green spaces, ensuring a healthier, more sustainable environment for the community. In a bid to conserve water resources, the project has constructed rainwater harvesting tanks, supporting water conservation and helping manage urban runoff and mitigate flood risks. Furthermore, CBD Punjab has planted a Miyawaki forest in the CBD Punjab Bab District and developed special green spaces in Pakistan’s first and biggest IT city, CBD NSIT City. This year’s World Environment Day theme, ‘land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience,’ resonates strongly with CBD Punjab’s mission. Imran Amin, CEO of CBD Punjab, emphasized the project’s commitment, stating, “At CBD Punjab, we believe that sustainable development is not just an option but a responsibility. Our initiatives reflect our commitment to environmental stewardship and our dedication to creating a greener, more sustainable future for Pakistan. As we celebrate World Environment Day, we are proud to lead by example and demonstrate that economic growth and environmental preservation can go hand in hand.” CBD Punjab’s LEED certification underscores its adherence to global standards for sustainability and environmental performance, highlighting the project’s innovative approach to integrating eco-friendly practices into urban development. As part of the World Environment Day celebrations, CBD Punjab encourages the community to join hands in their efforts to protect the environment. By working together, we can ensure a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future for generations to come.

Partnership with The Business Year explores key themes shaping the industry

Dubai – UAE (Muhammad Yasir)   Real consumer spending in the UAE is projected to increase by 5% year over year – one of the highest rates globally, according to the Mastercard East Arabia Division’s Special Report, “Towards a Connected Future: Innovation Fueling Transformation”.

Developed in partnership with The Business Year, the report explores the impact of digital transformation across the financial services industry and beyond in the East Arabia region that includes countries as diverse as the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Pakistan.

“This special report marks a positive outlook following the establishment of Mastercard’s East Arabia division – a clear indication of the incredible growth we see in this dynamic part of the world. Recognizing the region’s immense potential, Mastercard’s recent divisional restructure is part of our refreshed organizational design that focuses on fast-tracking growth, strengthening stakeholder engagement and enhancing our multi-rail capabilities in key markets,” said J.K. Khalil, Division President, East Arabia, Mastercard.

 “With huge disparities in GDP, population, and size, it could be easy to overlook the commonalities between the region’s countries. The golden thread that connects them is an appetite for digital disruption driven by technology. These markets are all embracing a digital future, and a rise in fintech, bourgeoning SME landscapes and progressive governments are leading to a bright and connected tomorrow,” he added.

The report brings to life insights from global and local Mastercard leadership to map the state of the evolving payments landscape in the region and examine the key themes shaping its future – from geopolitical and economic trends to shifts in consumer behavior.

The report sets the scene with overall economic outlook for the rest of 2024 from the Mastercard Economics Institute, which reveals that most markets in East Arabia should see continued normalization in inflation rates. The report highlights tourism as a bright spot, especially in the GCC region, which has become one of the world’s fastest-growing destinations.

The document also takes stock of Mastercard’s achievements in advancing digital transformation, driving payment innovation and boosting financial inclusion.

Showcasing a shift in consumer expectations and an increasing need for more flexible payments, the report underscores high awareness of installment solutions as a budgeting tool. Last year, the technology giant marked the debut of the Mastercard Installments program in the EEMEA region with the launch of the SlicePay card in collaboration with First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) under its Dubai First trademark.

The report further emphasizes the importance of public-private partnerships in the development of the sector. Mastercard’s milestones in government collaboration include the launch of the Digital City Partnership with Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and the opening of the Center for Advanced AI and Cyber Technology in Dubai with the UAE Prime Minister’s Office. In Pakistan, Mastercard also signed a strategic agreement with the Punjab Central Business District Development Authority (PCBDDA) to turn the community into a cashless economic zone by deploying innovative smart city solutions.