Category: Business

UBL organized the official launch ceremony of UBL Currency Exchange, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Bank on Monday, June 3, 2024 in Karachi. The event was attended by Mr. Jameel Ahmad, Governor, State Bank of Pakistan (front, third right), Mr. Muhammad Jawaid Iqbal, President & CEO UBL (front, third left) along with senior executives from SBP & UBL.

United Bank Limited (UBL) is proud to announce the official launch of UBL Currency Exchange, a wholly owned subsidiary of UBL, marking a significant stride in our commitment to reliability and customer satisfaction in financial services. Our aim is to offer seamless and secure foreign exchange solutions for individuals and businesses.

Strategically positioned with 58 outlets (48 Branches + 10 booths) across Pakistan, UBL Currency Exchange is well-equipped to meet diverse customer needs. The recent launch ceremony, held in Karachi, was attended by esteemed dignitaries, including Mr. Jameel Ahmad, Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP); Muhammad Jawaid Iqbal, President & CEO UBL, and senior team members of UBL

UBL Currency Exchange is proud to have met the State Bank of Pakistan’s directive of establishing 50 branches within a year, setting a new industry standard. Having acquired the infrastructure of the renowned WallStreet Exchange Company, and with a commitment to customer satisfaction and compliance, UBL Currency Exchange is dedicated to become a leading provider of foreign exchange and remittance solutions in Pakistan.

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir)

National Cheese Day got a whole lot cheesier this year thanks to Cheezious, a leading cheese brand known for its delicious products. As part of their dedicated Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, Cheezious partnered with EOTO School to bring joy and fun to underprivileged children in the community.

The day was filled with engaging activities designed to spark creativity and laughter. Children participated in arts and crafts sessions, were captivated by storytelling, and enjoyed friendly competitions, all fostering a spirit of inclusivity and excitement. Cheezious celebration is incomplete without delectable food! The children were treated to scrumptious pizzas, making it a truly memorable day.

Head of Marketing at Cheezious Zohaib Hassan said “Cheezious’ commitment to giving back to the community and spreading cheesy happiness He Further said that on National Cheese Day presented the perfect opportunity to share the joy of cheese with these deserving children.”

This heartwarming initiative highlights Cheezious’ dedication to social responsibility and their mission to spread cheesy Khushiyan to everyone.

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir)

Infinix GT 20 Pro, the official gaming phone of the PUBG Mobile Super League (PMSL), is now available. Targeted towards young gaming enthusiasts, the GT 20 Pro offers up to 120FPS gameplay for PUBG and other game titles.  The processing power of Dimensity 8200 Ultimate 4nm 5G processor paired with a dedicated gaming display chip ensures lossless frames delivering an immersive gaming experience. The GT 20 Pro is now available online on Xpark and in stores nationwide for 99,999/-

GT 20 Pro is equipped with an impressive array of hardware features crafted to offer an unparalleled user experience. At its core lies a MediaTek Dimensity 8200 Ultimate 4nm 5G processor, working in tandem with a dedicated display chip to ensure smooth performance and exceptional visuals. This translates to a buttery-smooth 120FPS, allowing for seamless navigation and ultra-responsive gaming. Furthermore, the GT 20 Pro incorporates a stunning 144Hz FHD AMOLED display. This high refresh rate display minimizes motion blur and ensures exceptionally clear visuals, ideal for both casual use and fast-paced gaming. Finally, the GT 20 Pro is equipped with ample RAM and storage, providing 256GB of internal storage, and 24GB RAM out of which 12GB is expandable providing users with the ability to run demanding applications and store a wealth of data without experiencing slowdown.

Simon Feng, the CEO of Infinix Pakistan, recently made a statement regarding the launch of the newly released Infinix GT 20 Pro, “Mobile gaming is exploding globally, and Pakistan is no exception, the Infinix GT 20 Pro is our response to this growing demand. GT 20 Pro is designed to empower the next generation of gamers and push the boundaries of what’s possible on smartphone “

Beyond the core performance features, the GT 20 Pro offers a range of secondary features that elevate the overall user experience. The phone’s striking Mecha loop design offers a visually captivating aesthetic, while dual speakers tuned by JBL deliver immersive and powerful sound. A long-lasting 5000mAh battery ensures you can stay powered throughout the day, and for those who demand even more, the phone supports hyper charge mode. The software experience is kept clean and bloatware-free with Infinix’s XOS 14 built on top of Android 14. This commitment to a clean OS extends to software updates, with Infinix guaranteeing two major Android updates and three years of security patch updates, keeping your phone protected and up-to-date. Gamers will particularly appreciate the inclusion of an esports mode, which optimizes performance and prioritizes resources for a competitive edge. 

For those seeking a touch of personalization, the GT 20 Pro comes in three captivating color options: Mecha Blue, Mecha Silver, and Mecha Orange.
GT 20 Pro is available to order on Xpark and outlets nationwide for PKR 99,999/-.

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir)

Karandaaz Pakistan, an impact investment platform dedicated to driving sustainable economic growth and strengthening financial and social protection systems for inclusion, announced its partnership with PostEx, a leader in e-commerce logistics with over 20,000 registered merchants and a customer base of over 20 million. This collaboration aims to transform Pakistan’s e-commerce landscape by digitalising cash-on-delivery (COD) payments.

This partnership falls under Karandaaz’s e-commerce value chain digitalisation initiative, which seeks to revolutionise the e-commerce industry with a particular focus on converting cash to digital payments, fostering a vibrant digital economy with new opportunities.

Cash on Delivery (COD) remains the dominant payment method in e-commerce, accounting for approximately 90% of all transactions. This heavy reliance on cash presents a significant growth hurdle for the e-commerce industry, leading to operational inefficiencies and costs associated with managing liquidity.

Despite the demand for digital payments at the doorstep, there is currently a lack of available payment options for customers. This partnership aims to address this issue by introducing various digital payment methods, such as QR codes, pay-by-link, and software point-of-sale systems, at the customer’s doorstep.

The project will be rolled out as a pilot in six major cities to assess customers’ value proposition and willingness to adopt these payment methods, and to evaluate the business case for digital payments for e-commerce service providers. The goal is to drive cashless transactions and gather valuable insights that demonstrate the benefits of going digital, thereby influencing e-commerce industry transformation.

Waqas ul Hasan, CEO Karandaaz, stated: “This collaboration is a significant milestone in our mission to establish a cashless economy in Pakistan. By advancing our broader agenda of creating a digital nation, we aim to contribute towards economic growth and development through innovative financial solutions. Our partnership with PostEx is crucial in realising our vision of a digitally empowered Pakistan, where seamless digital transactions become the norm, benefiting both consumers and businesses alike.”

Jawad Mirza, CEO PostEx Logistics, emphasised: “To tackle one of the biggest challenges in Pakistan, cash, we need to come up with innovative solutions to unlock the real potential of Pakistan. It is partnerships like these that have the potential to really push the markets in the right direction. Understanding the unique needs of the consumers and building innovative solutions is the only way to digitise COD, which contributes to over 95% of total transactions in ecommerce. Having over 30% of the market share, PostEx is well positioned to reach the masses, and with the help of Karandaaz, will be able to educate and enable millions for digital payments.”

Sharjeel Murtaza, Director of Digital Financial Services at Karandaaz, commented: “E-commerce has been a crucial driver of economic growth globally. The dominance of cash transactions has been a significant barrier which has to be removed with innovative solutions. Our pilot program with PostEx targets one of the biggest barriers, that is lack of trust, in local context. Simply put, it is the fear of not receiving what has been ordered despite the payment being processed at the time of ordering and no credible pathway to dispute resolution. With this partnership, we will enable digital payments at the door step which will not only help resolve the challenges related to cash in circulation instantly, but also induce the required trust in digital payments. By leveraging the learnings, we aim to build a robust digital payment ecosystem that enhances the consumer experience and fuels the growth of e-commerce businesses in Pakistan.”

Karandaaz’s collaboration with PostEx marks a significant effort towards realising a digital ecosystem. This transformative initiative aims to revolutionise the e-commerce payment landscape, promote the digital economy, and foster sustainable economic growth in Pakistan.

BankIslami Celebrates Completion of Umeed Digital Certifications Program Distribution Ceremony.

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Building on their dedication to youth empowerment, BankIslami, Pakistan’s leading Islamic bank, proudly announces the successful completion of the BankIslami Umeed Digital Certifications Program on May 31, 2024 where 50 students were awarded with certificates. A ceremony was held at the IBA, Karachi to honor the participants who completed the Diploma in Digital Marketing with AI.

The program commenced on September 25, 2023, provided participants with clear objectives, and the exciting opportunities ahead. This event marked an important milestone to empower Pakistan’s youth with essential digital skills. Fully funded by BankIslami, the program focused on the bank’s firm commitment to invest in Pakistan’s future leaders by offering them easy access to essential education.

Addressing the graduates, the spokesperson of BankIslami emphasized the transformative potential of their education, stating that BankIslami recognizes the importance of equipping them with the necessary skills to succeed in the digital age. 

CICT Officials at IBA Karachi, Ms. Mahwish Ahmed and Dr. Irfan Nabi, extended a warm welcome to the students. They also conveyed heartfelt gratitude to BankIslami for collaborating in this initiative and emphasized that the goal of this partnership is to empower the youth of Pakistan with cutting-edge skills in business and technology.

The event featured representatives from BankIslami and notable guests including Mustafa Shiraz from the State Bank, Dr. Shakeel Khoja, Riaz Soomroo, and Sadaf Anees from BBSHRDDB.

BankIslami’s partnership with IBA Karachi is designed to equip students with essential technical skills while fostering an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset. This initiative perfectly aligns with BankIslami’s commitment to shape a brighter future for Pakistan by equipping its youth with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to excel in the digital era.

realme Prepares to Launch the First Ever Premium Vegan Leather Back Smartphone, realme C63

realme, the fastest-growing smartphone brand globally, is gearing up to launch the realme C63 in Pakistan. The realme C63 is set to be the first smartphone in the realme C series, and in its current price range, to feature a premium vegan leather back cover. Additionally, the smartphone offers exclusive 45W fast charging, allowing 1 minute of charging for 1 hour of call time, and is packed with innovative AI experiences. The device also boasts a 50MP main camera, providing clearer details in photos and enabling users to capture stunning shots effortlessly.

The Only Flagship Vegan Leather Design

The realme C63 has been designed with a premium vegan leather back cover, a feature previously reserved for flagship phones. This design not only offers a superior texture but also boasts significant practical benefits. The vegan leather used in the realme C63 is resistant to scratches and abrasions, ensuring durability and maintaining its premium look over time. The coarse lychee pattern selected for the back shell enhances grip, providing both visual and tactile enjoyment. Furthermore, the realme C63 includes the only metal lens deco in its price segment, offering greater strength and a refined texture.

45W Fast Charge and 5000mAh Battery with Segment-only TÜV Rheinland Safe Fast-Charge System Certification

The realme C63 is equipped with the first 45W fast charger in its price segment, capable of charging the phone up to 50 percent in just 30 minutes and providing 1 hour of talk time with only 1 minute of charging. Additionally, the realme C63 has received the TÜV Rheinland Safe Fast-Charge System Certification, indicating that its charging system has undergone rigorous testing to meet the highest safety standards. Powered by an octa-core architecture chip, the realme C63 delivers exceptional performance and efficiency.

Flagship-Level AI Experience Accessible: Air Gestures, Rainwater Touch, and Mini Capsule 2.0

The realme C63 introduces groundbreaking AI features, such as Air Gestures and Rainwater Smart Touch, previously exclusive to the realme numbers and GT series. These features are designed based on user insights, enabling navigation without touching the screen. Air Gestures allow users to watch videos and answer calls hands-free while eating, exercising, or cooking. Rainwater Smart Touch ensures smooth usage even in wet conditions. The C63 also includes AI call noise reduction and the highly acclaimed Mini Capsule 2.0 function.

Stay tuned for more updates on the official release date and availability in the market.

 

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir) 

The 11th UBL Literature and Arts Awards were held in Karachi at a five-star hotel, attended in large numbers by writers, literary and media personalities, socialites, and celebrities. At every event, the celebrated awards recognize and celebrate the best of Pakistani writers and artists, honoring a longstanding commitment to arts and literature.

The various award categories received hundreds of nominations from all over Pakistan. The competition was open to all Pakistani authors who had published their original work in 2021 and 2022. Entries were shortlisted by an esteemed panel of judges. The jury members in the Urdu categories were Dr. Asghar Nadeem Syed, Dr. Arfa Syeda, Dr. Anwaar Ahmed, Ms. Kishwar Naheed and Dr. Nasir Abbas Nayyar, while jury members for the English categories included Dr. Naazir Mahmood, Dr. Aroosa Kanwal and Mr. Harris Khalique.

The winners in each category as declared at the Awards are:

• Children’s Urdu Literature presented to Ahmed Adnan Tariq for ‘Dastaan-e-Ameer Hamza’
• Children’s English Literature presented to Marzieh Abbas for ‘Nadia and Nadir Series’
• Translation into Urdu (joint awards) presented to Inam Nadeem for ‘Aaina Si Zindagi’ and Ms. Yasmeen Hameed for ‘Janubi Asia Ki Muntakhib Nazmein’
• Urdu Poetry award presented to Mohsin Shakeel for ‘Kuch Ishq Kiya’
• Pakistani Languages award given to Syed Wiqar Ali Shah for his work ‘Abdul Ghani Khan – Zhwand Au Zamana’ in Pushto language
• Online Literature award presented to Nayyar Mustafa for his work ‘Rangon Main Sochnay Wali Larki’
• Song Lyrics Award presented to Sabir Zafar
• Drama Script presented to Hashim Nadeem for his play ‘Parizaad’
• Urdu Debut presented to Ahmad Jahangir for ‘Shah Darya’
• English Fiction presented to Haroon Khalid Akhtar for his work ‘Liar’s Truth’
• English Non-Fiction award given to Tariq Rehman for ‘Pakistan’s Wars: An Alternative History’
• Urdu Fiction Award presented to Aurangzeb Khan Niazi for his book ‘Urdu Abad – Maholiyati Tanazur’
• Urdu Non-Fiction award given to Shaheen Abbas for his work ‘Leema Yakka Ban’

The awards also included a special category to celebrate the wide reaching impact of a celebrated artist who has produced exemplary work across a long distinguished career. The prestigious ‘Lifetime Achievement’ award was awarded to the exemplary Ms. Zaheda Hina.

The awards were interspersed by light entertainment and ended with a lavish dinner for all the participants. It was hosted by well-known celebrities Mr. Sajjad Hasan and Ms. Faiza GIllani.

Mr. Zia Ijaz, Deputy CEO UBL, in his message during the awards, said “As a responsible Corporate Citizen UBL has played its part in the betterment of society through many of its own efforts. The UBL Literature & Arts Awards have been a cornerstone of one of our initiatives of giving back to the society through the recognition of indigenous talent across the country.”

With each iteration of the award, the UBL Literature & Arts Awards support, motivate and celebrate talented Pakistani writers. The Bank recognizes the importance of arts and literature in helping society feel fulfilled, inspired and proud of its roots. It encourages budding Pakistani artists to continue producing their works in a variety of different genres, knowing that there are celebrated local platforms where they can be recognized. It is through such ventures that the literary tradition lives on and benefits the current and future generations.

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir)

TCL, Pakistan’s No.1 LED TV brand, recently held its highly anticipated launch at District 19, Karachi. This esteemed gathering provided an ideal platform for TCL to unveil its latest range of Mini and QD-Mini LED TVs, including TCL 115” X955 Max, the world’s largest QD-Mini LED TV. This new line of televisions sets a new benchmark in home entertainment with its state-of-the-art technology and superior visual and audio performance.

The event welcomed distinguished guests, including executives, partners, industry insiders, sports personalities, media moguls, and renowned celebrities, for an exclusive preview of groundbreaking technological advancements, featuring immersive demonstrations. Attendees had the opportunity to engage directly with the new lineup of the XL Collection, exploring the latest advancements firsthand and gaining in-depth knowledge from the experts behind the technology.

Experience the future of television as TCL unveils the world’s largest QD-Mini LED TV, the 115” X955 Max!

The launch event debuted the impressive 115” X955 Max QD-Mini LED TV, the first of its kind, marking it as the World’s largest QD-Mini LED TV, providing viewers with a cinematic experience right in their living rooms. With a peak brightness of 5,000 nits (unit of measurement for brightness) and over 20,000+ local dimming zones. This LED TV offers precise lighting and impressive contrast, ensuring crisper and sharper visuals even on such a large scale. Equipped with QLED PRO, a 144 Hz VRR and an ONKYO 6.2.2 Hi-Fi system, the TV delivers exceptional image quality and pulse-pounding audio with an ultra-slim design.

Experience the pinnacle of home entertainment with TCL’s latest range of LED TVs, where cutting-edge technology meets unparalleled visual excellence.

The latest Premium QD Mini LED TV C855, available in 65 and 75 inches, offers dynamic HDR performance up to 3500 nits. With QLED PRO technology and 2160 Local Dimming Zones, it provides vivid contrast and rich colors. The integrated ONKYO Hi-Fi audio system delivers premium home theater sound quality. Enhanced by the AiPQ PRO Processor and a 144Hz refresh rate with VRR, ensure seamless, crisp visuals for both cinematic experiences and gaming.

The TCL C755 Mini LED TV Google TV, available in 55, 65, and 75 inches, features a QLED 4K wide color gamut and Dolby Vision IQ for precise brightness and color control. Its 144Hz refresh rate and MEMC technology offer ultra-smooth picture quality, eliminating tearing and blurring in games.

The C655 QLED TV, available in sizes from 43 to 98 inches, boasts a 4K UHD display with Dolby Vision and HDR10+ for exceptional clarity and visuals. It also features DTS Virtual-X and Dolby Atmos technology, providing immersive, unparalleled audio quality.

“We are thrilled to introduce the TCL X955 Premium QD-Mini LED 4K TV ,the world’s largest QD Mini LED TV that combines cutting-edge display technology with user-friendly features,” said Majid Khan Niazi, Director of Marketing, TCL Middle East and Africa. “The X955 Max and our entire new range exemplify our commitment to enhancing home entertainment with high-quality, innovative products.”

The latest range of LED TVs is available to order to order on TCL Pakistan official website: tclpakistan.com

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir)

Meezan Bank, Pakistan’s Premier Islamic bank, has recently announced a strategic partnership with Legends Arena, a state-of-the-art sports facility in Karachi. The signing ceremony recently held at Legends Arena marks the beginning of a collaboration aimed at promoting sports, health & fitness, and community engagement.

Under this partnership, Meezan Bank cardholders will enjoy discounted access to various premium facilities at Legends Arena including cricket pitches, futsal fields, padel courts, tennis courts, badminton courts, and more This initiative highlights the Bank’s dedication to supporting the sports and physical activity sector, ensuring it remains vibrant and accessible. It will further enable the Bank to deliver opportunities for its customer base to get active.

Syed Iftikhar Ul Haq – Group Head Consumer Finance at Meezan Bank, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership and said: “We are committed to delivering exceptional value to our customers and encouraging them to lead a healthy and active lifestyle. This partnership with Legends Arena aligns with our goal of offering unparalleled benefits to our valued cardholders and promoting a healthy lifestyle through sports and recreational activities.”

Saud Ahmed, Director at Legends Arena, also shared his thoughts: “We are excited to partner with Meezan Bank and offer their cardholders access to our premium sports facilities at exclusive rates. Together, we are committed to fostering a community that values health, wellness, and active living.”

The signing ceremony concluded with a tour of Legends Arena, showcasing its extensive range of facilities and services. Both Meezan Bank and Legends Arena are confident that this partnership will bring significant benefits to their customers and the wider community.