Category: Business

After being Picked as the First Smartphone Brand Partner by Arshad Nadeem, realme brings Industry-first 24-month warranty on realme C61.

The world’s fastest-growing smartphone brand, realme, is set to redefine the industry with the launch of the all-new realme C61 on September 4th, 2024. This cutting-edge device offers remarkable durability, superior performance, and an industry-leading 24-month warranty—setting a new benchmark for quality and reliability in the market.

This extended 24-month warranty is not just a game-changer but also a bold testament to realme’s unwavering commitment to quality. As per some reports, realme invests more than PKR 300 million annually on this warranty program, ensuring that Pakistani consumers receive the best possible smartphone experience, reinforcing its position as the nation’s No.1 Quality Smartphone Brand.

Adding to the excitement, realme recently announced its partnership with Pakistan’s national hero, Arshad Nadeem, who has chosen realme for his first-ever smartphone brand collaboration. Known for his record-breaking achievements in javelin throw, Arshad embodies the resilience and excellence that realme stands for. His association with the realme C61, dubbed as the “Hard to Break” smartphone, perfectly mirrors his strength and determination.

The realme C61 is more than just a smartphone; it’s a statement of ruggedness and durability; qualities that Arshad poses in abundance. Crafted with exceptional build quality, the device can withstand significant drops, and offers water splash resistance, and wet touch capability, ensuring that users enjoy unparalleled longevity and dependability in any environment. With an IP54 rating for dust and rainwater protection, this smartphone is designed to withstand the rigors of everyday use, making it the go-to choice for those seeking a device that performs flawlessly, no matter the conditions.

Under the hood, the realme C61 is powered by up to 6GB+12GB Dynamic RAM and 128GB of expandable internal storage, delivering a seamless and responsive user experience. Whether you’re launching apps, playing your favorite games, multitasking, or retaining background apps, the C61’s powerful combination ensures rapid performance and smooth operation. And with its ultra-slim profile and premium materials, this smartphone doesn’t just perform; it looks good doing it.

In addition to its impressive hardware, the realme C61 is equipped with advanced features such as AI Noise Reduction, AI Gestures, AI Boost Engine, Dynamic Button, and Mini Capsule 2.0. These innovations ensure that users experience smooth and responsive performance, whether multitasking, gaming, or navigating the user interface.

But what truly sets realme C61 apart is its exclusive 24-month warranty—something no other competitor in the market can match and a reported price tag of under PKR 35,000. Not even brands like Redmi, especially in the more premium bracket, have been able to offer this level of confidence in their products. This extended warranty reflects realme’s unwavering dedication to quality and user satisfaction, solidifying its position as the leader in Pakistan’s smartphone market.

Mark your calendars for 9.4 as realme C61 officially launches, bringing together unmatched durability, performance, and the inspiring partnership with Arshad Nadeem—ushering in a new era for the smartphone industry in Pakistan.

 

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir)

Pak-Qatar Group (PQG), Pakistan’s premier and pioneering Islamic financial services group, proudly announces its recent accreditation by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP) as an Approved Training Organization Outside Practice (TOoP). This prestigious recognition marks a significant milestone in PQG’s ongoing commitment to nurturing and developing Chartered Accountancy professionals.

The official accreditation ceremony was graced by senior officials from both organizations, including Mr. Farrukh V. Junaidy and Mr. Muhammad Kamran Saleem, Board Members of Pak-Qatar Group, and Mr. Farrukh Rehman, President of ICAP. The event underscored the importance of this partnership in advancing the accounting profession within Pakistan.

Mr. Farrukh Rehman, President of ICAP, highlighted the significance of this collaboration, stating, “ICAP is delighted to partner with Pak-Qatar Group in offering a comprehensive Chartered Accountancy Training Program. Our objective is to ensure that future chartered accountants are thoroughly prepared to meet the evolving challenges of the industry. Pak-Qatar Group’s designation as a Training Organization Outside Practice reflects their unwavering commitment to upholding the highest standards in training and professional development.”

Expressing his enthusiasm, Mr. Muhammad Kamran Saleem, Director of Pak-Qatar Group, said, “We are honored to be recognized as an accredited Training Organization Outside Practice by ICAP. This accreditation is a testament to our dedication to fostering professional growth and excellence in accountancy. Our collaboration with ICAP represents a shared vision of empowering aspiring CA professionals with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their careers.”

The Chartered Accountancy Training Program is designed to provide hands-on training and real-world experience to emerging chartered accountants. By equipping them with essential practical skills and strategic insights, the program aligns with ICAP’s mission to enhance the quality and impact of accounting education and training in Pakistan.

 

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir)

Gallup Pakistan is pleased to announce the appointment of its Executive Director, Bilal I Gilani, to the Gallup International Association Board. This significant appointment was made during the last General Assembly held in Kuala Lumpur in May 2024.

Bilal I Gilani’s appointment to the Board is a testament to his extensive experience and dedication to advancing public opinion research in Pakistan and globally. His inclusion will bring valuable insights and perspectives to the Board, further enhancing Gallup International’s efforts to understand and represent global public opinion.

At the General Assembly, a new Board and President were elected to guide the Gallup International Association in its mission to provide high-quality global public opinion research. Michael Nitsche, the owner of Gallup Austria, was elected as the new President.

The newly elected Board comprises distinguished professionals from across the globe, including: – Johnny Heald, ORB International (UK), Bilal I Gilani, Gallup Pakistan (Pakistan) Arwa Daghir, IIACSS (Iraq), Torbjörn Sjöström, Gallup Nordic/Novus (Sweden), Ani Lortkipandize, GORBI (Georgia), Michael Nitsche, Gallup Austria (Austria), Kancho Stoychev, BBSS (Bulgaria) and Luis H. Cardona, SigmaDos (Spain).

These appointments reflect Gallup International Association’s commitment to fostering a diverse and experienced leadership team, capable of driving innovation and maintaining the organization’s high standards of research excellence.

New board members bring deep understanding of opinion polling to the table. Bilal Gilani has deep experience of conducting opinion research in Pakistan. He has served as the Executive Director of Gallup Pakistan since 2009 and has over 15 years of experience.

Gallup Pakistan looks forward to contributing to the ongoing success and strategic direction of the Gallup International Association through Bilal I Gilani’s role on the Board.

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir)

The Case of the Qur’an in Comparative Perspective’ by Professor Roberto Tottoli

Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi hosted a lecture titled ‘Printing Holy Texts: The Case of the Qur’an in Comparative Perspective’ featuring Professor Roberto Tottoli and organized by School of Economics & Social Sciences (SESS), at the City Campus. Students, faculty, historians and scholars attended the enlightening lecture.

Professor Tottoli, Rector of the University of Naples, L’Orientale, is an eminent Arabist, scholar of Islamic history and an expert in Arabic Qur’anic manuscript traditions as well as in the history of European Latin and vernacular translations of the Qur’an.

Executive Director, IBA Karachi, Dr. S Akbar Zaidi in his welcome remarks appreciated Professor Tottoli’s expertise and invited him to discuss his research. Professor Tottoli explored early European printing of the Qur’an. His research suggests that the first Qur’an was printed in Europe due to the technical expertise available and because of the strong European interest in the study of Arabic and Islam. The speaker argued that obstacles to early Qur’an printing in Europe had less to do with socio-economic and cultural factors, and more likely due to lack of familiarity with Arabic letters, with their system of vowel markers and pauses. The complex script and lack of Arabic literacy posed problems with the accuracy and quality of printing.

Professor Tottoli highlighted 19^th century lithographic production of Qur’ans, which he called a “mediation between manuscript work and printing”. After the middle of the 19th century, it became standard to have a normative edition in traditional calligraphy used for definitive dissemination through print. Professor Tottolli presented images of standardized examples from 19^th century Ottoman Turkiye, from early 20^th century Egypt and the Mushaf al-Muhammadi produced and officially disseminated in Morocco. Highlighting the richness and diversity of calligraphy traditions across the Islamic world, he showed examples of the sacred text written in a variety of distinct and attractive styles. He also discussed the notable example of the Taj Company Quran in the unique Indo-Pak style of calligraphy which is widely used in not only this region but also in other parts of the Islamic world such as Indonesia.

He concluded the lecture by reminding the audience that the Qur’an is the most printed book in the world and that a contemporary history of the production of the printed Qur’an is a complex and rich topic of study.

Following the lecture an engaging Q&A followed. Dr. Zaidi presented Professor Tottoli with a memento of Arabic calligraphy as a token of thanks.

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir)

Conference underlines maximum exploitation of solar power potential to ensure Pakistan’s energy security Lahore. The concerned energy sector representatives have emphasised greater exploitation of Pakistan’s solar power potential to swiftly transition away from fossil fuel-based electricity production and end acute economic sufferings of masses due to heightened power tariff. They were speaking at a panel discussion held as part of Solar Power Conclave & Technology Excellence Awards-2024. The Energy Update organized the event in partnership with the Ministry of Energy (Power Division), Private Power Infrastructure Board (PPIB), and Pakistan Solar Association here at a hotel. The relevant experts who spoke on the occasion said that greater reliance on abundantly available solar power all over the country could guarantee protection of Pakistan’s energy security The speakers at the conclave also emphasised the need for proper regulation of Pakistani renewable energy market to prevent the fleecing of unsuspecting consumers at the hands of unregistered dealers who brazenly sell substandard solar power products due to lack of regulations. Speaking as the chief guest at the conclave, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said that Pakistanis were extremely worried over exorbitant electricity bills, which caused tremendous economic hardships to the masses. “The people of Pakistan are rightly distressed over inflated electricity bills and it is the government’s responsibility to be fully answerable before the people over this grave injustice,” he said. The KPK Governor said that the energy crisis has been deepening in Pakistan, which must be addressed at the earliest. It has caused huge problems for the people. The government must swiftly work towards resolving the energy crisis to provide relief to the masses. The Governor said that the government should responsibly utilise natural resources. It must use solar and wind energy to provide cheap electricity to the people, especially from the lower-income households. He said that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has always worked to provide cheap electricity to the people in the country. “The Sindh government has been producing electricity from natural resources from the Thar coal power plant and Jhimpir wind power plant,” he added. He emphasized the need to provide off-grid solar power solutions, urging the people to invest in the energy sector in the country. Earlier, Managing Editor, Energy Update and Chairman Organizing Committee Naeem Qureshi delivered a welcome address. During a panel discussion, Faizan Ali, Member of Prime Minister’s Solarization Committee, said the committee has prepared a proposal to induct 10 Giga Watt electricity through solarization into the system in the next 10 years. “The proposal will be submitted to the Prime Minister in the next few days,” he said while adding that the PM will then decide whether it will be generated through a distributed scale or at a utility-scale. “The distributed scale is the way to go as the least cost option with greater benefits,” he said, adding that the government would not have to invest as the private companies will invest and produce the electricity. Faizan Ali further said that the government needs to encourage people to self-consumption of solar power rather than exporting units through net metering. “The government may reduce buyback from Rs 27 to Rs 15 per unit, and instead incentivize the consumers in installing batteries,” he added. PPIB Managing-Director, Shahjahan Mirza, hoped that the conference organised by the Energy Update go a long way in achieving the government’s goal of maximizing clean power production to lessen reliance on imported fossil fuels for electricity production. He said the PPIB stood fully committed to promoting the solar power as the viable option to increase clean energy production and decrease the electricity tariff for the end-consumers. He said the PPIB would also support greater role of private sector in utilising Pakistan’s clean energy resources for establishing a multi-buyer electricity marker after transitioning from the current system where only government entities buy the electricity. Engr. Faiz Bhutta lambasted Independent Power Producers (IPPs) as the mode of power generation, saying that distributed solar systems must be embraced and implemented quickly. “At present, there is no concept of virtual power plant in Pakistan, which have been successfully functioning in developed countries,” he said, adding that it will help optimize usage and performance of batteries in the country. Muhammad Ahsan from Astro Energy and Usmaan Waheed from Sungrow, Waseem Qureshi CEO and CTO ENERCAP Holdings also spoke at the panel discussion, moderated by Waqas Moosa from the Pakistan Solar Association (PSA). Earlier, Engr. Agad Nazir, a representative of the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), presented a research study on Pakistan’s contribution to carbon emissions. “The public-private partnership (PPP) in the energy sector is good, but the roles of the government and the private companies have been overlapping,” he said, adding that the roles need to be redefined to perform the tasks effectively. He said that Pakistan has committed under the Paris Agreement to increase renewable energy to 30% in Pakistan by 2050, in addition to 30% of hydropower, which will combine to fulfil 60% of the total energy requirement through clean energy sources in the country. “At current pace, we are nowhere near the path towards achieving this target,” he added. Besides, Usman Siddique from Solis Pakistan, Engr. Mian Fahad, Country Director Growatt, Mubarak Hussain Country Manager Huawei, and Fahad Ali, Country Director Goodwe, spoke at length about their products and cost-efficiency. Later, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi distributed awards among representatives of 29 companies for showing excellence in various categories of domestic, commercial and industrial scale solar power systems.

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir)

The Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) affirmed its commitment to advancing Pakistan’s IT and telecom sectors at ITCN Asia 2024, a Tech Festival being held at the Expo Centre Karachi from August 27th to August 29th. In a keynote address, OICCI President, Mr. Rehan Shaikh shared an optimistic vision for the future, underlining the significant potential in Pakistan for growth in IT and IT-enabled Services (ITeS), optimization of which can lead to a substantial boost in the domestic industry as well as export revenues.

In his speech, Mr. Shaikh underscored OICCI’s longstanding role as the oldest and most prominent chamber of commerce in Pakistan, representing 200+ multinational companies (MNCs) and contributing a substantial portion of the country’s economic growth. He emphasized the critical importance of a robust IT ecosystem, not just as a catalyst for business efficiency but as a cornerstone for attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) and driving sustainable economic growth in Pakistan. “What we need is a sustainable environment, and we need a platform that helps us to put those policies in place,” stated Mr Shaikh.

However, he also highlighted the challenges that need to be addressed to propel Pakistan onto the global stage in the IT sector. These challenges include bridging the skills gap in specialized areas like AI, cybersecurity, improving infrastructure, and ensuring consistent investment and policy support. He noted that investing in and prioritizing IT services sends a strong message to global investors that Pakistan is not only open for business but also ready to support complex, high-tech operations in a climate conducive to innovation and growth.

Mr. Shaikh projected that Pakistan’s IT/ITeS export revenues could expand to between $10-18 billion by 2028, while the domestic IT industry has the potential to grow to over $6 billion annually. Furthermore, he emphasized the transformative potential of digitalization, which could unlock an annual economic value of $35 billion by 2030. By digitizing key sectors such as SMEs and agriculture, which constitute nearly two-thirds of Pakistan’s GDP, the country could significantly increase its GDP, employment rates, and exports.

Additionally, Mr Shaikh praised the State Bank of Pakistan’s efforts, particularly in executing the National Financial Inclusion Strategy, which leverages technologies like digital onboarding to expand financial access. He cited the entry of five digital banks into the industry—many backed by foreign investors—as a testament to the country’s growing financial landscape. He noted the impressive progress Pakistan has made in internet and smartphone adoption, as well as the key role MNCs have played in bringing innovation and best practices to the country’s IT landscape.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Shaikh expressed confidence in the leadership of the Ministry of IT and Telecom under the Prime Minister and reiterated OICCI’s unwavering support. Mr. Shaikh called for continued collaboration between the government, private sector, and educational institutions to overcome these challenges and unlock the full potential of Pakistan’s IT industry.

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir)

Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi hosted its first seminar on ‘Building a Sport Ecosystem: The Critical Role of Academia’, sponsored by Toyota, EBM, Jafferjees, and organized by School of Business Studies (SBS).

The seminar brought together executive members from leading companies to initiate a dialogue on building a sustainable sports Ecosystem through academics. The seminar was hosted by Dean SBS, Dr. Abdullah Zafar Sheikh; and Chairperson, Marketing Department, Dr. Nida Aslam Khan.

Dr. Sheikh initiated the seminar by emphasizing the significance of exploring new horizons of Sports through academia and the focus on the sports marketing knowledge cluster which is a growing opportunity. “In today’s dynamic society, sports marketing is a growing emergence. We here at IBA are keen to explore new areas of sports marketing from different angles and take this discourse to a new level. This has resulted in IBA broadening its horizons and considering creating a minor within its program and in the future, a proper separate degree. This demands quality research and academic support” said Dr. Sheikh.

The Keynote speech was delivered by Dr. Joseph Cooper (PhD in sports management), in which he devised strategies for building a sustainable sports ecosystem, different approaches and challenges to be considered. “To build a sports ecosystem, it is important to not only focus on the economic and marketing aspects, but also on religious, cultural, and spiritual aspects. There is great importance on how key stakeholders are taken into account which helps in achieving long-term success” said Dr. Cooper.

There was a panel discussion focused on building a sports ecosystem and how academia can play a vital role in it. Panel A was from the perspective of the corporate world while Panel B was from the perspective of the sports world.

Panel A comprised Ali Habib, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer of HBL; Ali Fahd, VP Marketing, Jazz; Dr Muhammad Imran, Group Head, Islamic Banking Bank Alfalah Limited; and Kiran Kohati, Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications, Millac Foods Private Limited; moderated by Salman Sever Butt. The panel discussion focused on the role of the corporate sector in building the sports ecosystem. Mr. Habib said, “Sports is a product and it should be delivered like a product. We have PSL as a sports product in Pakistan. The main challenge is that PSL is active for one month but for the rest of the 11 months, there is radio silence that needs to be worked on. The lack of investment is becoming a challenge and companies need to invest to grow this industry which has great potential.”

Panel B discussion comprised Haroon Malik, Chairman Pakistan Football Federation; Hassan Sardar, Former Field Hockey Player and Team Captain; Mahrukh Isa, IBA Alum, Former National Badminton Player; Rashid Latif, Pakistani cricket coach and former cricketer; and Yasmin Hyder, Chairperson, Softball Federation of Pakistan; moderated by Dr. Nida. The panel discussion focused on how academia and sports itself can help in building a sustainable ecosystem. Mr. Lateef said “Due to no facilities, poor infrastructure, no place to play, and no proper professionalism, there has been a challenge in the growth of the sports industry or creation of building sports ecosystem in Pakistan. The media needs to take account of every sport shown along with people, or the elite cannot control the people’s talent which is the main problem in Pakistan. There are areas like Landhi and Baldia where there is a great amount of talent not explored. We must create a proper Research and Development department and produce effective and combined solutions.”

The seminar emphasized that it’s important to work as a community and involve all the stakeholders which can help in building a sports ecosystem.  Moreover, it is time we explore other sports industries such as Esports along with improving the current sporting facilities in which institutes like IBA can play a vital role by initiating sports marketing programs and encouraging students to contribute to building the sports ecosystem.

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir)

The Aga Khan University’s Institute for Educational Development (AKU-IED), in partnership with the School of Economics and Social Sciences (SESS) at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), hosted a pivotal dialogue on the future of undergraduate education. Held at IBA’s Main Campus, the event brought together esteemed scholars and educational leaders from renowned institutions including AKU, IBA, Habib University (HU), Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), and the University of Balochistan (UoB). The dialogue, spearheaded by Professor Asma Hyder, Dean of SESS, IBA and Professor Farid Panjwani, Dean of AKU-IED, centered on the evolving landscape of undergraduate education amidst global challenges and technological advancements. Dr Panjwani emphasised the importance of this initiative, stating, “Undergraduate students are at a stage of idealism and creativity, making it the profound responsibility of universities to nurture their potential through critically progressive and historically grounded education. This demands regular reflection on the nature of this education, ensuring it remains fit for purpose. Educators must rethink the purpose, relevance, and structure of undergraduate education to prepare students for an uncertain and complex future.” The dialogue featured several thought-provoking sessions. Dr Faisal Bari (LUMS) led a discussion on the delicate balance between skill acquisition and theoretical knowledge in undergraduate education. Dr Aaron Mulvany (HU) explored the interplay between specialisation, interdisciplinarity, and multidisciplinary approaches, urging institutions to break away from traditional academic boundaries. Dr Anjum Halai (AKU) examined the potential and challenges of joint degrees, courses, and co-teaching models, advocating for new perspectives to create a more integrated and enriching learning experience for students. Dr Aurangzaib Alizai (UoB) underscored the importance of inclusion and diversity, highlighting the need to teach students how to coexist, embrace diversity, and respect differing opinions as integral parts of their education. Dr Hyder stressed the significance of collaboration among institutions, noting, “In today’s complex society, the challenges we face demand that educators rethink the very purpose, relevance, and structure of education at all levels.” This dialogue marks the beginning of a series of discussions aimed at reimagining undergraduate education. Through shared insights and experiences, educational institutions can work together to develop academic structures that not only address contemporary challenges but also serve students in the best possible way.

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir)

Mondelez Pakistan is proud to announce that it has been honored with three prestigious awards, recognizing its unwavering commitment to sustainability, health, safety, and social impact. Sami Wahid, Managing Director, Mondelez Pakistan said, “These awards are a testament to Mondelez Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to integrate sustainability and social responsibility into our business practices. We remain dedicated to creating positive environmental and social impact, and we look forward to continuing this journey of excellence.” Environmental Excellence Award: The Hub Plant has been recognized by the National Forum for Environment & Health (NFEH) at its 21st Awards Ceremony. This accolade highlights the plant’s outstanding sustainable practices and dedication to environmental stewardship. Environment, Health & Safety Award: Mondelez Pakistan’s exemplary Health, Safety, and Environment performance has been acknowledged by The Professionals Network and Ethical Business Update at their 10th International Awards Ceremony 2024. This award underscores our commitment to maintaining the highest standards in workplace safety and environmental care. Social Impact Recognition: At the 2nd American Business Council ESG Excellence Awards 2024, Mondelez Pakistan was named the runner-up for its Employee Volunteer Program. This recognition celebrates our significant community initiatives, including Iftar with street children, beach cleanups, and support for coastal guard families, which continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of many. Mondelez remains committed to enhancing its commitment to sustainability in all its endeavors.

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir)

The Dawood Foundation’s MagnifiScience Centre has launched its latest exhibit, Ocean Odyssey, on the third floor of the Shahzada Dawood Building. The new section was inaugurated by Mr. Abdul Samad Dawood, Trustee of The Dawood Foundation and Vice Chairman of Dawood Hercules Corporation on Monday, 26th August 2024.

The Ocean Odyssey section showcases a range of interactive exhibits that explore the beauty and importance of our oceans. Visitors can discover the secrets of the five oceans, understand their role in producing oxygen and regulating climate, and experience the vibrant marine life in the Centre’s aquarium. The exhibit also addresses ocean pollution and the need for conservation efforts.

“We are thrilled to unveil Ocean Odyssey, an exhibit designed to inspire curiosity and a greater appreciation for our oceans,” said Mr. Abdul Samad Dawood. “This section highlights the beauty of marine life and the oceans’ vital role in sustaining life on Earth. We hope that visitors will leave with a deeper understanding of the need to protect these ecosystems.”

The MagnifiScience Centre, home to 408 diverse science exhibits, is designed to foster curiosity and learning. Ocean Odyssey is now open to the public, offering an engaging educational experience for all ages.