Category: Business

Lahore (Nut Desk)

After massive success in the Pakistani Mobile market, TECNO is rumored to be preparing for a new addition to its Spark series. The globally eminent smartphone brand TECNO has been working tirelessly in Pakistan for quite some time now. The brand has brought forward some great phones over the years with advanced technologies, pocket-friendly prices, and stylish designs.

Spark is TECNO’s famous mid-range series, bringing you quality devices at lower prices. Spark 8C is an entry mobile that is expected to be around PKR 19,499 to PKR 22,999. The price is not confirmed yet but we are expecting it around this segment. The phone is going to be a stunner in this range with Stylish Design and great Battery.

According to sources, Spark 8C will be equipped with better memory and memory fusion features than any other phone in this range. Memory Fusion Technology is specially designed to channel RAM operations by using unused read-only memory (ROM). This means it can expand the memory of 4+128GB to 7+128GB and that of 3+64GB into 6+64GB maximum. The RAM can be updated or expanded from 3GB to 6GB and 4GB to 7GB depending on the variant. If this is true, then Spark 8C shall be the only smartphone to provide such an amazing feature with 128GB in such an affordable price range.

Moreover, the phone is anticipated to provide efficient performance with a powerful processor and big battery. The 90Hz refresh rate, great display, and handy body design will make it a user-friendly device. The phone is expected to launch somewhere in mid-March 2022. Furthermore, the phone is being assembled in Pakistan to make it economical and pocket-friendly for the local consumers.

So, fingers crossed for this new Spark device to be soon launched in Pakistan. Stay tuned for more updates and much more about tech!

The 5G popularizer shows no signs of slowing down as it continues its takeover of the global smartphone market.

As the youngest among the world’s top 6 smartphone brands, realme has emerged as the fastest growing smartphone brand globally for the first time. Its robust and sustained growth has allowed realme to land a spot in the Top 5 in terms of 5G smartphone shipments across 20 global markets and enhanced its position as an industry leader in democratizing 5G.

According to the latest research report by Counterpoint, realme’s 5G shipments have experienced the most growth among all major smartphone brands with a whopping 165% YoY growth percentage in the fourth quarter of 2021. realme’s rapid growth has been fueled by the company’s expansion into Western European countries such as Italy, Spain, France, the UK, and Switzerland, in each of which it is the fastest-growing brand thanks to its multiple 5G-enabled smartphones as well as the GT series.

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir) Meezan Bank, Pakistan’s first and largest Islamic bank held a learning session titled ‘The Glorious Role of Women in Islam’ for the female staff members of the Bank on International Women’s Day at its Head Office, Karachi. Alimah Sobia Hasan, Co-founder and Director at Maryam Institute – a non-commercial, non-political educational institute for women dedicated to classical Islamic learning and spirituality; conducted the talk on the importance of women seeking knowledge, spotlighting on the roles of great women in Islamic history. The event was attended by respective staff stationed in Karachi along with a live broadcast over Zoom across the country. Also present at the occasion were the organizing team headed by Mr. Khalid Zaman Khan – Group Head Human Resources and Learning & Development, Mr. Ahmed Ali Siddiqui – Group Head Shariah Compliance and Ms. Mehar Younus – Head Learning & Development from Meezan Bank.

Alimah Sobia Hasan has a B.Sc. Honors in Economics and Social Sciences from Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) and is a certified Islamic scholar. She has been into Islamic teachings for the last thirteen years across USA, Canada and Pakistan. During the session, she emphasized on the legacy of the female companions (R.A.) of the Prophet (PBUH), who held a powerful influence in the growth and understanding of the religion and held expertise in Islamic jurisprudence, medicine, nursing, education, etc. 

The talk was followed by a closing note by Mr. Irfan Siddiqui – Founding President and CEO, Meezan Bank, who highlighted the importance of women and re-emphasized upon following the footsteps of female role models of Islam while also emerging as true ambassadors of Islamic banking. He also thanked the audience for their hard work and dedication that has contributed to Meezan Bank’s success

• For the very first time, PEUGEOT launches operations in Pakistan through its exclusive partner Lucky Motor Corporation
• Partnership to facilitate the creation of state-of-the-art assembly facilities to boost employment, localization and local automotive industry in Pakistan
• The first step of the partnership will begin with the introduction of the locally built PEUGEOT 2008

 Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) European automotive manufacturer, PEUGEOT, has officially launched operations in Pakistan for the first time in its distinguished history with its exclusive partner Lucky Motor Corporation. The partnership commenced with the opening of eight 3S dealerships in six cities, as well as a state-of-the-art facility for the assembly of cars in Pakistan.

Lucky Motor Corporation is a subsidiary of the Yunus Brothers Group, and has a legacy spanning over five decades, thanks to its robust and aggressive approach gaining considerable market share in the Pakistani automotive industry, and setting new benchmarks in terms of product offering & customer service. With the introduction of PEUGEOT, the company now aims to provide the best mobility solutions the European Brand can offer its customers.

PEUGEOT is an inventive brand that has been a pioneer in the automotive industry for over 211 years guided by its brand values; Allure, Emotion and Excellence, which represent sharp design, intuitive driving pleasure and uncompromising quality. With its entry into Pakistan, these values will be upheld as the brand strives to provide the market with the latest innovations and mobility solutions.

Linda Jackson, CEO of the PEUGEOT Brand, said: “We are delighted with this partnership and what it means for the Pakistani market. This will be the first time a European car is assembled in Pakistan and we are excited to work with Lucky Motors to support employment, localization and the local automotive industry in the country. Internationalization is a key focus for PEUGEOT, with the B and C segment SUV growth representing a great opportunity for us. This is also bolstered by the evolution of the legislation of the country towards electrification which is in line with our own strategy.”

Samir Cherfan, Chief Operating Officer, Middle East & Africa Region, Stellantis, said: “We are excited to embark on this journey in Pakistan with our new partner, Lucky Motor Corporation. We see tremendous potential and opportunity for PEUGEOT in Pakistan, and are looking forward to serving customers in this exciting market. I would like to also take this occasion to thank Mr Muhammad Ali Tabba and Mr Asif Rizvi for making this partnership possible and I am looking forward to witnessing the growth of both parties in the country.”

Asif Rizvi, Cheif Executive Officer, Lucky Motors Company, said : “Lucky Motors is set to change the automotive landscape of Pakistan by introducing Peugeot, the first locally made European brand in the country. We are very excited to partner with Peugeot and look forward to being associated with Stellantis, a company that strongly believes in futuristic mobility solutions.

Pakistan, with its 220 million population, offers a great opportunity for someone to come in and disrupt the automotive market. And we have no doubt that the Stellantis with its 14 brand portfolio, will be the one to do so. Lucky Motors is proud to become the first company in Pakistan to have multi-brand manufacturing and dealers. We are delighted to embark on this adventure, bringing with it the best automotive solutions, while also making meaningful contributions and investments that will support economic and social development in Pakistan.”

The first step of this ongoing commitment to the Pakistani customer will begin with the introduction of the PEUGEOT 2008. The lauded 2008 has been a success story for the brand since its development and stands apart in the compact SUV segment with its distinctive design, advanced technology and efficient powertrains. It also benefits from The PEUGEOT i-Cockpit, which features a stimulating interior design along with a state-of-the-art digital cluster and touchscreen that amplifies any driving experience. With 26 international prizes, including the Red Dot Design Award, and its perceived quality and value, the 2008 is the perfect model for Pakistani families.

The e-2008 will be the next model launched, giving customers the freedom to choose between a 100% electric and a thermic version, thanks to the Multi Energy platform CMP. Together, with support from PEUGEOT, Lucky Motors Corporation will assemble various models locally at state-of-the-art facilities, and is currently exploring opportunities to distribute multiple models by early next year.

To find out more about PEUGEOT’s operations in Pakistan,

please visit: (www.peugeot-luckymotorcorp.com)

40 winners from across 13 diverse categories – from Heritage & Culture to Sports, Social Service to Safety, and more – were recognized for their efforts in driving societal change in Karachi as part of their core mission.

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir) The Governor House in Karachi was host to a special celebration to honor the organizations which make Karachi a vibrant and thriving city with their social welfare contribution – the closing ceremony of KE’s 2nd KHI Awards, an initiative endorsed by NEPRA and launched in collaboration with #IAmKarachi.

40 winners from across 13 diverse categories – from Heritage & Culture to Sports, Social Service to Safety, and more – were recognized for their efforts in driving societal change in Karachi as part of their core mission. The chief guest of the event as Governor Sindh Imran Ismail, while Chairman NEPRA Tauseef H. Farooqi, and Muhammad Azfar Ahsan, Minister of State & Chairman of Board of Investment (BOI) were guests of honor for the event.

Following the pandemic, businesses across the globe were faced with increased risk and instability regardless of their size, but the utility observed that the sector most affected was the one tasked with addressing societal problems. While new initiatives primarily focused on food security, improved hygiene, and securing livelihood, many actors addressing pertinent challenges beyond these areas were left out of the mix.

The KHI Awards addresses this problem by providing an equitable and impartial avenue through which winners are awarded grants of PKR 40 million in the form of rebates on electricity bills. While highlighting the importance of Karachi, Governor Sindh Imran Ismail stated the Karachi’s dynamism is a key driver of national growth, and we must all play our role to continue enriching its vibrancy. He further said that the federal government had taken series of initiatives for the overall development of Karachi.

“In addition to Greenline BRT service, federal government pays special focus on development of the port city to overcome related challenges faced by the citizens”, he added. Appreciating the KHI Awards, he said that Karachi Awards has emerged as a perfect forum for encouragement for the organizations working to uplift the society at large. While lauding other initiatives of the power utility he further said “Another project of K-Electric that needs to be encouraged is Roshni Baji, through which women are empowered by becoming safety ambassadors and going door to door for electrical safety awareness.”

He also stressed upon other organisations to come up with similar initiatives to provide relief to the community and to bring betterment to the society. Muhammad Azfar Ahsan, Minister of State & Chairman BOI during his address at the event said, “We must appreciate K-Electric as it honors those organizations today which are playing a critical role in bringing betterment to the city and remain committed to making it more livable and sustainable. Karachi being the economic hub of the country has tremendous potential to attract further foreign investment, improved state of the city however, remains a pre-requisite.

Therefore, we need to make collective efforts to address this city’s challenges and prioritize its progress on every fronts.” Chairman NEPRA Tauseef H. Farooqi congratulated the winners and appreciated KE’s initiative. Addressing the audience, he said, “It is commendable to see that KE is finding innovative ways to take ownership of the communities it serves. We have to understand that creating meaningful relationships with customers and the environment is necessary to drive sustainable progress.

This is why NEPRA introduced the ‘Power with Prosperity’ vision to galvanize the power sector, and we have seen sizable investment and job creation across Pakistan through CSR efforts.” Launched in December 2021, the 2nd edition of the awards saw hundreds of applications that were screened through an extensive and rigorous evaluation process. An independent jury of 15 members, including notable names like Shehzad Roy, Sidra Iqbal, Jehan Ara, and others, led Saad Amanullah Khan, founder and current president of #IAmKarachi. EY Ford Rhodes Chartered Accountants, a member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited, served as the Official Award Auditors, overseeing the process and ensuring impartiality. Saad Amanullah Khan, President of the KHI Awards jury, was also delighted at the event, stating, “It has been a pleasure to be part of the KHI Awards for the second year running.

Not only did we receive a higher number of applications this year compared to last, the quality and innovation of the projects proposed by the applicants also demonstrate the commitment they have towards Karachi. We are very pleased to present this year’s winners who are impacting millions of people with their services and look forward to growing the KHI Awards further.”

Lahore (NUT DESK) The first day of the THAAP Seminar on Punjab Culture: Heritage, Conservation and Tourism took a successful start in Lahore on the 12th of March 2022. The Seminar is organized by THAAP with the initiative of addressing and promoting the central role played by the local communities in the process of conservation. Which would potentially, lead to the sustainable development of cultural and creative industries and ultimately uplifting and empowering the community as a whole.

The session was commenced by Ar. Mehreen Mustafa, Secretary to THAAP. She warmly welcomed the guests and the noteworthy speakers. Prof Pervaiz Vandal, the Managing Director of THAAP, delivered the welcome address. He began by highlighting what THAAP stands for and its approach to conservation. He stressed the need to see the tangible and intangible cultural histories as the core of our regional heritage. He urged to take notice of the ever-growing gap between the process of conservation and the local communities.

These notions were taken forward in the morning session by Mr. Maqsood Ahmad Malik, Director Archeology Punjab. He presented the various initiatives of the Punjab Archaeology department in the different cities across Punjab. And highlighted the important work done by the organization in protecting Pakistan’s heritage.

The second presenter of the session, Mr. Najam us Saqib, Director Conservation and Planning and Building Control presented WCLA’s extensive work done in the walled city of Lahore with the help of technical assistance as well as community participation. Thus, positively impacting the lives of the locals of the Walled city. Furthermore, architect Umair Ajmal and Ms. Mina Arham from AKCSP presented the detailed analysis and restoration of a few houses at WKC and the surface conservation of the north façade of Wazir Khan Mosque.

The efforts done by the AKCSP included employing various local artisans to keep traditional methods of architecture alive. Professor Sajida Haider Vandal, CEO THAAP, with the help of THAAP Heritage initiatives in Gurdawara Rohri Sahab, Gurduawara Sacha Sauda and Qila Kohna Singh; presented THAAP’s approach to conservation. The morning session was concluded with lunch and music interlude played by young boys from Gilgit Baltistan.

The book launch for the book titled “Flames Prefer to be Naked: Selected Poetry of Nasreen Anjum Bhatti and Sara Shagufta” translated from Punjabi into English by Naveed Alam was held on the second half of the day. He recited excerpts from the collection first in the original Punjabi and then his own translated English. This session was followed by a discussion panel composed of Nain Sukh and Zoya Sajid that discussed feminism in Punjabi literature and the relevance of Punjabi in contemporary times.

Thus, addressing the intangible heritage that THAAP emphasizes as a part of its ethos. The Seminar ended with an intense performance on the poem of Nasreen Anjum Bhatti by Sana Jafri and Abuzar Madho. The day ended with rousing closing remarks by Asad ullah Faiz, secretary tourism Punjab followed by tea.

With many accolades up her sleeve, Sajal Aly’s popularity goes aptly with realme being a trendy, cutting edge and one-of-a-kind brand.

Pulling out all stops, realme has just announced a collaboration with a heavy hitter of Pakistani film and television, Sajal Aly, as the brand ambassador for its new realme 9 Series. This is an exciting development as this marks the first time in Sajal’s illustrious career that she has ever partnered with a smartphone brand and realme is a brand that is passionate about collaborating with the movers and shakers of tomorrow much like Sajal herself.

The revelation of realme’s association with Sajal came at the helm of realme Design Studio’s collaboration with HELIOT EMIL – a Danish fashion brand that has designed a trendy leather satchel for realme 9 Pro+ which debuted at the Paris Fashion Week. Sporting the bag, Sajal is captured in a never-before-seen avatar that has her fans and the social media at-large go gaga on her look.

realme has become a force to be reckoned with since its entry into the market in 2018. The astounding line of products that the smartphone brand has in its arsenal has earned it the reputation of being a tech-trailblazer and tech-democratizer. With each successive iteration of the realme Number Series, consumers are given access to increasingly innovative technology but at an economical price. The commitment to performance that is so integral to realme is shared by Sajal as evidenced by her impressive body of work in the entertainment industry.

Sajal Aly made her acting debut in the 2009 sit-com Nadaaniyan after which she has gone on to be a part of a plethora of  popular television projects such as Mere Qatil Mere Dildar and O Rangreza. In 2012, she expanded her repertoire to include telefilms when she appeared in O Meri Billi. Sajal is a perfectionist when it comes to acting as she fully immerses herself into each of her characters in order to give the best performance she can. She is also an incredibly versatile actress as her body of work consists of a variety of serious, thought-provoking roles mixed in with more conventionally entertaining or humorous roles.

It was only a matter of time before she found her way onto the silver screen with 2016’s Zindagi Kitni Haseen Hai. Her talent started making waves overseas and in 2017 she made her Bollywood debut in the social drama Mom. She is now set to step into the glitzy Hollywood lights with her upcoming release titled What’s Love Got to Do With It? Sajal has received many accolades in her career for her captivating performances. She was even recognized on the international stage in 2020 with the International Icon Award at The Distinctive International Arab Festivals Awards (DIAFA) for her outstanding contribution to Pakistani film and television.

Sajal Aly is a perfect fit as the brand ambassador for the realme 9 Series. Much like realme, Sajal is an unstoppable tour-de-force in her industry. She shares realme’s passion for activism and frequently calls out injustice and demands for the rights of women. Her perfectionism is mirrored by realme’s commitment to providing perfection to the consumer with every smartphone they release.

Sajal embodies realme’s key philosophy of Dare to Leap as both realme and Sajal have made bold, substantial contributions to their industries. As a skilled actress, Sajal is not afraid to take on challenging or unconventional roles. She takes the necessary leap to inspire her contemporaries to step outside their comfort zone. Sajal is also considered a local

fashion icon who can effortlessly turn looks in any category. A fashionable diva like her is a perfect reflection of the realme 9 Pro+’s signature trendy Light Shift Design, which changes color from Blue to Red when exposed to light.

realme has been working long and hard since its entry into the Pakistani market to expand its footprint in the country. Having a huge, devoted fan base across the country, Sajal Aly can really help magnify realme’s voice in the Pakistani market. The smartphone brand wants to be an agent of change in terms of the technological landscape of Pakistan. realme aims to spread the gift of technology in order to empower the lives of the average consumer which is why it targets a more economical price segment without compromising on the quality of technology. So, keep your eyes open for more exciting reveals coming from realme regarding its ever popular 9 Series of smartphones and watch out for more collaborations between realme and Sajal Aly.

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir) Terrabiz Conferences and Chainstores Association of Pakistan (CAP) jointly hosted the 1st Future of Retail Business Summit (FOR2022) in Karachi on March 8, 2022. A central objective was to bring Pakistan’s diverse retail sector onto one cohesive platform.

The sessions were chaired by august speakers such as Steve Dennis (Amazon Bestselling Author); Nadeem Hussain (PFN), Amir Paracha (Unilever); Saira Awan Malik (TCS); Faisal Riaz (Dolmen Mall); Seema Aziz (Sefam;); Shamoon Sultan (Khaadi), Ehsan Saya (Daraz), Ibad Ahmed (PandaMart), Guest of Honor M. Azfar Ahsan (Board of Investment) among the many industry leaders from retail, brands, e-commerce, fintech and taxation.

In a special video address at the summit, Commerce Adviser Razzak Dawood expressed his appreciation for the conference and how the event would play a critical role in shaping the future of retail in Pakistan. Minister Dawood explained, “The retail sector contributes 18% of the GDP, employ 16% of the workforce.” He added that the retail sector was critical to fueling supporting sectors such as construction and transportation. He further stated that the growth of the retail sector was a strong indicator of development and progress in the country. Industry stalwarts used the platform of cross-sector key stakeholders to identify areas where collaboration could be made and improvements could benefit growth.

The aggregate representation of business and technology allowed participants to envision how they could create the future of their retail brands and be part of this accelerating ecosystem. Retail legends such as Seema Irfan, founder of Bareeze and Founder of Al Fatah stores, Irfan Shaikh shared insights into the challenges they faced in building brands and serving customers in Pakistan. An underlying theme that was highlighted in addition to the future of retail, is how resilient brands survived the challenges of the pandemic and became more customer-centric upon their reopening.

The conference was supported by Pakistan Fintech Association, P@SHA and A.F. Fergusson & Co. As Knowledge Partners.

LCBDDA successfully auctioned Pakistan’s First Planned Downtown. 7 mixed used commercial plots for Lahore Downtown auctioned for Rs 34.89 billion.

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir)  Lahore Central Business Development Authority LCBDDA also known as Central business District Punjab CBD achieved another milestone by auctioning Pakistan’s first planned downtown The Downtown Lahore.

LCBDDA is committed towards modern urbanization, economic stability and growth of the country. CBD Punjab organized the grand auction ceremony in which international and domestic investors participated. Potential bidders showed keen interest in Lahore Downtown. Lahore Downtown comprises 7 mixed used commercial plots ranging between 12 and 14 kanals, providing very favorable bylaws and five years installment plan for the developers. Downtown has already has its own significance due to its ideal location in the heart of Lahore, Gulberg, Main Boulevard.

The auction committee to judge the grand auction of Lahore Downtown comprises of CEO LCBDDA Mr.Iman Amin, COO, LCCBDA Brigadier (R) Mansoor Janjua, Secretary Colonies Jamil Ahmed representing SMBR Government of Punjab from the Board Member LCBDDA Punjab Mrs. Sumair Abid, Mr. Ali Kamran Mr. Ali Rehman were a part of the auction jury . ASC Hasnat, Samama Khan Randhawa, Nova Group, Pothar Builders, HN developers, Kingdom Valley, Grand Arc Builders and Jalal Khan Bilal Khan Builders were the renowned builders and developers who participated in the auction. CBD Punjab insured openness and transparency of the whole bidding process. Talking on this occasion CEO, LCBDDA, Mr. Imran Amin said: “We have witnessed and overwhelming and far better response then Lahore Prime for Lahore Downtown, which is a bright sign that CBD Punjab is delivering what we have promised.

Lahore Downtown will be a sign of inspiration and a class of new beginning in the field of construction and real estate. Favorable bylaws, height 500+ft and FAR of 1:15 are the significance and uniqueness of this project. Team CBD is striving to put every effort for the success of this project and hoped that it will benefit the brighter future of all the stakeholders This is not only a land auction, we are setting up history.

Lahore Downtown is a stepping stone for our future generations to witness economical stable welfare state. Lahore Downtown is a pledge of CBD Punjab to work immensely for the betterment of the country. CBD Punjab has become a pivot of attention of world economic giants. Lahore Downtown will change the canvas of Lahore.

Soon we will see a better and broader change in the skyline of Lahore.” Lahore Downtown One was sold to Pothar Developers for Rs 6.5 billion, Downtown Two was sold to Nova Group for Rs 5.1 billion, Downtown three was sold to Onyx Developers for 4.08 billion, Downtown four was sold to Kingdom Valley for 3.6 billion, Downtown 5 was also sold to Kingdom Valley for Rs 4.2 billion, Downtown 6 was sold to Grand Arc Builders for Rs 5.28 billion and Downtown 7 was sold ASC Constructors for 6.14 b to .

The grand auction has vigorously contributed to the economic growth of Pakistan billion. The grand auction of Lahore Downtown secured a staggering investment of 34.89 billion rupees.