Daraz Pakistan to host its first-ever offline Shopping Expo in Lahore

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir)

Daraz Pakistan, the leading online marketplace in the country, is all set to host its first-ever cross-category offline shopping event, the ‘Daraz Shopping Expo.’ Taking place in Lahore on June 10th and 11th, 2023, this ground-breaking expo marks a significant milestone for Daraz as it expands its horizons beyond the digital realm to offer customers an unparalleled shopping experience.

The highly anticipated Daraz Shopping Expo aims to bring together Pakistan’s top brands and 100+ marketplace sellers under one roof, showcasing an impressive array of products across various categories. From fashion and beauty to electronics and home appliances, the expo will feature an exciting assortment spread across 150+ stalls that caters to diverse customer preferences.

Visitors can expect unbeatable deals, exclusive discounts, and promotions on a wide range of products. Whether attendees are looking to revamp their wardrobes, upgrade their homes, or explore the latest gadgets, the Daraz Shopping Expo will provide an extensive selection at irresistible prices.

In addition to the exceptional shopping opportunities, the expo promises unlimited entertainment for attendees. Live performances by renowned artists, engaging activities including a fashion show, and interactive games will ensure a memorable and immersive experience for all visitors. The Daraz Shopping Expo aims to create a vibrant and dynamic environment that goes beyond traditional shopping experiences.

“We are incredibly excited to host our first-ever Daraz Shopping Expo in Lahore,” said Muhammad Ammar Hassan, Chief Marketing Officer of Daraz Pakistan. “This event is a testament to our commitment to providing exceptional shopping experiences to our customers. We believe that the Daraz Shopping Expo will be a one-of-a-kind event, bringing together the best brands, unbeatable deals, and memorable entertainment all in one place.”

Daraz Pakistan has consistently been at the forefront of revolutionizing the e-commerce landscape in the country, and the Daraz Shopping Expo is another milestone in their journey. By bridging the gap between online and offline shopping, Daraz aims to create a seamless and convenient shopping journey for its customers.

 

easypaisa Shines with Four Effies

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir)

easypaisa, Pakistan’s leading digital financial services platform, has once again solidified its position as one of the country’s most prominent brands, securing four Effies at the recently held prestigious Effie Awards, 2023.

 Out of the seven nominations received, easypaisa emerged victorious in four categories, reaffirming its leadership in financial services and marketing effectiveness. These accolades, including one gold, one silver, and two bronze awards, highlight exceptional performance in highly competitive domains. Notably, easypaisa stood as the sole nominee in the Finance category to achieve victory.

 The Effie Awards, renowned for recognizing outstanding achievements in marketing effectiveness, have acknowledged easypaisa’s exceptional campaigns and initiatives across diverse domains. These nominations and wins underscore the Bank’s unwavering dedication to delivering innovative financial solutions to millions of Pakistanis.

 Commenting on the achievement, Farhan Hassan, Head of easypaisa Wallet Business said, “At easypaisa, we are constantly striving to develop and innovate best-in-class digital financial services related to payments & savings, lending and platform services. Winning the Effie Awards is a true honor and a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team. We are proud to be recognized for our commitment to delivering exceptional products that meet the evolving needs of millions of Pakistanis.”

 Rifah Qadri, Head of Marketing & Communications, added, “Building a compelling narrative around our products and services is crucial in setting ourselves apart in the financial services industry. We believe in the power of impactful marketing and communications to engage our customers and showcase the value we bring. Winning multiple Effie Awards validates our approach and reinforces our position as a leader of the digital banking revolution in Pakistan.”

Throughout the years, easypaisa has remained steadfast in its commitment to revolutionize Pakistan’s financial landscape and drive the nation towards a cashless and financially inclusive society. These well-deserved accolades serve as a testament to the Bank’s vision, highlighting its ability to create and implement groundbreaking strategies that resonate with the needs and aspirations of millions of Pakistanis.

Careem grows Engineering Hubs across Pakistan, Jordan and Egypt

Careem grows Engineering Hubs across Pakistan, Jordan and Egypt;
with dozens of open engineering role.

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir) Careem, the region’s leading everything app, invests in its engineering hubs in Pakistan, Jordan and Egypt, with dozens of open engineering roles across Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Amman, Cairo and Alexandria.

More than 600 tech professionals already work in Careem’s engineering hubs to build technology to power Careem’s Super App services across the region, with 55 percent of Careem’s total engineering organisation based in Pakistan, Jordan and Egypt. Careem also has engineers in the UAE and Germany.

The open roles in Careem’s Pakistan, Jordan and Egypt engineering hubs include front-end, back-end, and full stack engineering, web engineering, mobile engineering (IOS and android), data & AI and infrastructure engineering. Since the start of 2023, Careem has hired nearly 80 tech-focused roles in Pakistan, Jordan and Egypt.

Careem’s engineering leaders apply experience from leading global technology companies to solve real-life regional problems and build innovative products across the Super App platform services, including Careem Rides, Careem Food, Careem Quik, Careem Pay, and partner services.

Stephen Kruger, Chief Technology Officer at Careem, commented: ‘Since Careem’s inception, hundreds of technology professionals have played a role in building the region’s first marketplace platform and leapfrogging the region into the digital future. Universities in Pakistan, Jordan and Egypt graduate around 90,000 software engineers annually but there are only a few regional mid-size tech companies for these graduates to join. This lack of opportunity can lead to a ‘brain drain’ from the region and Careem is trying to prevent and reverse this brain drain. We feel we have a responsibility to drive progress for the region by building a lasting institution that can provide meaningful opportunities for the region’s most talented minds.”

Selim Turki, Senior Director of Engineering at Careem, said: “Our engineering team is  growing rapidly and there are multiple exciting opportunities for tech talent in Pakistan, Jordan and Egypt to join Careem’s ambitious journey. Our first line of code was written in Pakistan, and Careem has shown for over a decade that globally-competitive technology can be built in our region. Now we’re creating even more opportunities for talented engineers in Pakistan, Jordan and Egypt to help us build the next generation of technology. We’re looking for candidates that feel passionate about our purpose of simplifying and improving the lives of people and driving progress across the region.”

Careem partners with regional and global academic institutions to conduct research on previously unsolved regional challenges to aid in the acceleration of the economic development of the region. Recently, Careem partnered with Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) to introduce STEF-DHNet, a demand prediction model that combines a convolutional neural network (CNN) and long short-term memory (LSTM) to integrate external features as spatiotemporal information and capture their influence on ride-hailing demand.

Careem’s ‘Next Gen’ programme offers valuable learning and employment prospects for young, ambitious engineers throughout the region. Next Gen engineers collaborate with the most senior technical experts in the organisation and gain hands-on experience in tackling real-world challenges through an embedded technical training programme that utilises state-of-the-art resources and cutting-edge technologies. ‘Next Gen’ learning opportunities are available in all of Careem’s engineering hubs.

Interested candidates can visit https://jobs.careem.com/?division=Engineering to learn more about the open roles in Careem’s engineering hubs.

Careem’s employee Investment Prospectus presents Careem’s purpose, strategy and colleague value proposition, including five reasons why someone may not want to join Careem: http://why.careem.com

Women Tech Quest 2023: Registrations Now Open for Pakistan’s Biggest Tech Competition for Women!

Pakistan (Nut Desk)

Women Tech Quest 2023, an initiative of 10Pearls University, is a platform for women to compete, network, and showcase their tech talents. The 7th edition of Women Tech Quest (WTQ) is scheduled to take place on June 17, 2023, and will be physically held in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. Tickets are now live, and participants can purchase them to book their spot.

WTQ, launched in 2017, is a nation-wide competition dedicated to help women excel in their technology careers, and also win amazing cash prizes and exposure. Additionally, there are motivating speaker sessions and engaging workshops, in which leading professional women share their experiences to help other women grow.

According to Syeda Sana Hussain, Head of People & Programs EMEA, 10Pearls, “This will be our seventh consecutive year of successfully conducting Women Tech Quest. This event is closely aligned with our vision to create opportunities for women, add to the talent pool, and give back to the tech community. As strong proponents of gender diversity, WTQ is our flagship initiative to inspire, empower, and champion women in tech.”   

Multiple Competition Streams
The competition consists of three streams; Coding, Testing and Design. The Coding competition includes a series of problems presented to the participants; they can use any programming language to solve them. The Testing competition presents contestants with a set of objectives to test database and automation concepts; while the Design Competition requires participants to solve a UI/UX challenge, and their approach towards user research, persona building and user experience is gauged.

Participants can register for either Professional or Student category for each stream. Each city will have six winners (2 from each competition stream), and in total there will be 18 winners.

Invigorating Keynotes and Workshops
Apart from the Competition, WTQ will also feature inspirational speaker sessions by industry leaders, such as Meighan Newhouse (SVP Transformation and Enablement, 10Pearls); Humna Raza (Creative Director & Podcast Host, One8nine Media); Sadia Khan (Fintech Entrepreneur); Meenah Tariq (Co-Founder and CEO, Metric); Saba Kalsoom (Director of Ecosystem, Fasset); and Zartaj Ahmed (Director, PSSEC).

The event will also host an interactive workshop/energizer session by Mahlaqa Shaukat (CEO and Co-Founder, AimFit), focused on women’s health and wellness.

Endorsed by Leading Companies
As the event of the year for tech women, WTQ 2023 is endorsed by top names in technology and other industries. This time, our partners include renowned names such as CaterpillHERs, Figma Community Lahore, GDG Kolachi, MLSA Karachi, Lahore & Islamabad, WomeninTechPK, Bytewise Ltd, Growelle Labs, and CodeGirls.   

How to Participate
Candidates can purchase tickets via WTQ’s website:
www.womentechquest.com

For any queries or partnerships, email: wtq@10pearls.com

WTQ has limited slots, so sign up at your earliest to compete, win exciting prizes, collect cool giveaways, and benefit from invaluable exposure and networking!

 

SEED Ventures Launches “What’s the Alternative”: Inspiring Greener Lifestyles

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir)

SEED Ventures is pleased to announce the launch of “What’s the Alternative” (WTA), an online platform that empowers individuals to embrace greener living for a better planet and improved well-being. The platform, now live at www.whatsthealternative.pk, seeks to promote sustainability; with regards to our individual and collective choices and the impact they have on the environment, our wellbeing and lifestyles.

“What’s the Alternative” is an initiative by SEED Ventures aiming to question, raise awareness, spark debate and provide practical solutions to foster sustainability by focusing on the need for alternatives to harmful practices across three core areas of our lives that are indelibly linked to sustainability: the environment, wellness, and lifestyle.

The platform focuses on raising awareness about pressing environmental issues and raises questions on steps we can take in our individual and collective lives to mitigate climate change, reduce waste, conserve resources, and safeguard biodiversity. The platform also acknowledges that well-being encompasses physical health, mental equilibrium, and emotional harmony, and invites individuals to explore alternative approaches to self-care, providing insights and resources on mindfulness techniques, natural remedies, and holistic practices, while also encouraging people to make sustainable choices in daily life: from eco-friendly fashion to responsible travel and ethical consumption, WTA offers ideas and inspiration to embrace sustainable alternatives.

Ms. Shaista Ayesha, CEO of SEED Ventures, emphasizes the urgency of incorporating sustainability into our goals: “Current times require that we as citizens, consumers, and community members incorporate sustainability as an integral part of our long-term and short-term goals. This is no longer a choice – it is a necessity.”

With “What’s the Alternative,” SEED Ventures aims to collaborate with businesses and individuals, fostering dialogue around green living. The platform encourages questioning norms and exploring innovative approaches for a harmonious coexistence with the planet.

Join the movement towards a sustainable world. Visit “What’s the Alternative” today at www.whatsthealternative.pk. Stay connected on Instagram (@wta.pk), Twitter (@wtalternative), Facebook (@whatsthealternative) and LinkedIn (@What’sTheAlternative). Share your journey using the official hashtags #WhatsTheAlternative, #WTA, and #Sustainability.

28th HVACR Expo and Conference to begin today till June 10th

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir)

The 28th Pakistan HVACR International Expo & Conference 2023 to begin today from June 08 to 10, 2023 in Expo Centre Karachi.

The 03-day Pakistan’s Largest HVACR Exhibition and Conference is being organized by Karachi Chapter of Pakistan Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration (PHVACR) Society in collaboration with ASHRAE Pakistan Chapter of American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). The event will showcase the latest technology and developments in local and international HVACR sector.

Around 15,000 professional visitors are expected to attend the event, whereas, more than 150 companies are putting up their stalls in the expo which will showcase their products through more than 13,300 square meters exhibiting space in 03 halls and 01 hall dedicated for international conference with this year theme “Sustainability through Energy Efficient Approaches”. A mix of international and local participants will be there to showcase the latest technology and innovations in the field of HVACR.

International participation is expected from several countries. The exhibitor’s categories include: Alternative Energy Power Solutions, BMS, Chemical Manufacturers / Importers, Air Device Manufacturers / Suppliers, Cables, Air Curtain Importers / Manufacturers, Ceramic Wool, Centrifugal Fan & Axial Fan, HVACR Green Products, Air Duct System, Boilers-Domestic / Commercial, Building Materials, Air Coolers, Air Filtration & Purification, Fans, Automation, Burners Oil / Gas, Absorption Chillers / Parts, Air Diffuser & Muffler, Air Conditioners / Refrigerators Manufacturers / Importers, Air Conditioning Equipment / Parts, Cooling Towers, Electrical Components & Panel Manufacturers, Condensers / Evaporators, G.I Sheet Manufacturers / Retailers, Fan Coil Unit, Refractory Material, Generators, Pumps Importers / Manufacturers, Filters, Humidifiers & Dehumidifiers, Insulation Material, Fire Fighting Equipment, Prefabricated Ducts, Heat Plate Exchanges, Heating Pumps, HVACR Green Products, Micro Processor Controllers, Pharmaceutical HVAC Equipment, Pipe-G.I / PPRC / PVC / MS / SS, Prefabricated PU Panels, Sealing Material, Solar Equipment, Support / Suspension System, Scaffolding, Temperature & Humidity Meters, Valves and Accessories, Vacuum Pumps and many more.

The expo shall be inaugurated at 10:30 AM today, whereas Conference is expected to commence by 02:00 PM, having distinguish personalities are expected to visit the Expo & Conference.

 

 

Karachi Skyline to Soar Higher with the Launch of AAA Octa by AAA Associates

Pakistan (Nut Desk)

AAA Associates, Pakistan’s premier real estate company, is proud to announce the highly anticipated launch of AAA Octa 2 Karachi. The grand ceremony is slated for June 17 and 18, 2023, in the luxurious vicinity of Bahria Town, Karachi.

AAA Octa 2, an architectural marvel overlooking the M9 Karachi Motorway, stands as a testimony to AAA Associates’ vision of creating spaces of extraordinary grandeur and comfort. It offers an experience of ultimate grandeur, with both residential and serviced apartments which will be maintained by a 5-star hotel.

The distinctive features of AAA Octa 2 extend to its unique amenities, including the captivating infinity pools which provides a spectacular view of the Karachi skyline, further enhancing the allure of this prestigious investment opportunity.

This grand launch ceremony is not just an event but an exclusive spectacle where investors get to experience the star-studded gala featuring the noted celebrities of Pakistan’s entertainment industry. The opportunity to witness this glamorous event is exclusive to those who invest in AAA Octa 2 Karachi, a unique approach to blend real estate investment with entertainment.

AAA Associates is also pleased to present an exceptional investment opportunity in the food court area of AAA Octa 2, where potential investors can invest from as low as 2.5 lac Rs. This offer has been designed to create affordable investment opportunities for all, making it a truly inclusive venture.

AAA Associates is a leading property developer known for its commitment to quality and innovation. They boast an impressive portfolio of projects that encapsulate luxury, comfort, and practicality, all the while providing lucrative investment opportunities. AAA Octa 2 Karachi is a testament to their persistent dedication to delivering nothing but the best.

 

Savvy to the Rescue: Savyour Becomes World’s First-Ever Cashback App with AI-Backed Shopping Assistant

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir)

Savyour, the pioneering cashback app from Pakistan, today marks a significant global breakthrough with the launch of ‘Savvy’; the world’s first AI-based assistant featured within the cashback app. This revolutionary feature adept at handling everyday shopping inquiries and directing users towards the most rewarding cashback options based on their location. It sets Savyour apart as a trailblazer in AI-assisted shopping experiences. Harnessing the power of advanced natural language processing and machine learning algorithms, Savvy offers seamless, real-time chat support in two languages – English and Roman Urdu: providing an unparalleled, human-like shopping experience. This pioneering technology stands as a proud testament to Pakistan’s innovation capacity on the global stage. Saad Gadit, Co-Founder and COO of Savyour, celebrates the landmark achievement as he states, “With the introduction of ‘Savvy’, our AI-backed shopping assistant, we’re embarking on a transformative journey in the realm of online shopping.” He further adds, “Savvy is a powerful innovation, and globally the first to help the consumers experience online shopping in an entirely new way. This significant stride isn’t just a momentous day for Savyour, but also a proud landmark for Pakistan in the global technology landscape. By blending local talent with global tech advancements, we’re demonstrating that with determination, creativity, and hard work, there are truly no limits to what we can achieve.” “Savyour’s AI-based shopping assistant will revolutionize the way our users discover cashback brands, providing a seamless, personalized experience of shopping and saving like never before. With Savvy, we are not only bringing a first-of-its-kind feature to our users, but we’re also empowering them to discover and engage with over 650 local and international brands across seven diverse categories,” Gadit added. Savyour users can now shop from a broad array of brands, including household names such as AliExpress, Foodpanda, Daraz, Etihad Airways, and Booking.com. Savvy’s groundbreaking integration significantly enhances user experience, making it easier than ever to navigate through different brands and promoting an immersive shopping journey. To experience this cutting-edge technology, users may tap on Savvy’s chatbot section while new users can simply download the app from their respective app store and become part of the revolutionary shopping experience. Since its launch in August 2020, Savyour is Pakistan’s largest rewards and cashback platform, partnering with more than 650 local and international brands, both online and in-store. Savyour continues to commit to enhancing user experience, persistently integrating new technologies and features into its evolving ecosystem.

Rs. 2.5 billion plus worth of deals finalized at ISEM & IREM Exhibition at Expo Centre Lahore

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir)

More than Rs. 2.5 billion worth of deals have been finalized at the second International Solar Energy Meet (ISEM) Expo and IEEEP IREM Expo, Pakistan’s Premium Solar Energy, Electronics and Electrical Exhibition, at Expo Centre Lahore.

The organizers of the prestigious event said that more than 12000 plus visitors attended the event, which was aimed at augmenting a serious debate on the available options of the renewable energy. It was also aimed at providing a unique platform to the industry players to get together and discuss and devise ways and means to help the government overcome the lingering energy crisis in the country.

White Paper Summits in a strategic partnership with the Institution of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Pakistan (IEEEP) also organized a conference where national and international expert speakers shared their case studies, technical presentation and latest insights on the problems and solutions addressing the power and renewable energy sector of Pakistan.

As many as 150 national and international companies and manufacturers and distributors had gathered under one roof to exhibit their products regarding solar and alternative energy options for the benefit of the end users. Local and international energy and power sector experts, primarily working in renewable power with focus on solar power generation, attended this event.

Pakistan is facing energy crisis as 60 per cent of country’s energy mix comprises fossil fuels which are imported and consume a major chunk of the national reserves in the form of international payments in dollar. The depleting rupee is making the matters worst for the government.

The share of solar or green energy in Pakistan’s energy mix is only 5 to 6 per cent which is extremely low given the resources and options available to leveraging clean energy.

The experts said that long term approach is needed to overcome the current energy crisis to ensure safe and secure future of the coming generations.

Earlier, Khurram Dastgir Khan, Federal Minister for Energy, while inaugurating the event, said that the renewable energy is the need of the hour and the government is allocating resources and putting in sincere efforts to mitigate the carbon footprint in the country.

The Federal Minister said that the government is encouraging the proliferation of the clean and green energy solutions. “This event is a step towards the future of the renewable and wind energy, which will reduce the power cost of the consumers,” he said, adding that government will soon launch a project for the manufacturing of solar panels in the country.

IEEEP IREM Expo focused on Power Transformers, Power Technology, Capacitors, Batteries, Heavy Duty Cables, Power Distribution Equipment, Wind Energy, Hydropower, Bioenergy, Bio Gas, BioFuel, Hydrogen, GeoThermal Energy, Solar Energy and more.

The IEEEP members and Technical Delegates attended the sessions. The conference included active Q&A sessions, networking programs and B2B networking to facilitate much needed access to a wealth of industry leading knowledge, information exchange and actionable takeaways.

The premium events are organized by White Paper Summits, one of the leading business Event Organizers (Summits, Exhibitions and Trainings) in the Middle East region with its headquarters based in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. The regional office of White Paper Summits is established in Karachi, Pakistan.

Pocket-Sized Entertainment: A guide to find the right smartphone!

Pakistan (Nut Desk)

Every now and then smartphones serve as a personal gateway to all sorts of entertainment outlets. Which is why it is quite important to choose a right smartphone that enables a power packed entertainment experience just like Infinix SMART 7 series.

While the series is about to launch soon, let’s quickly have a look on what are the important things to consider while finding the right smartphone:

Entertainment Preferences:

Rather it’s about playing games, watching movies, reading an e-book or making never ending calls; entertainment preferences differs from one user to another. Either identifying what has been keeping you entertained on your smartphone can help finding the right smartphone. Or a simpler way would be choosing a dedicated entertainment smartphone just like SMART 7 series which checkmarks all entertainment scenarios entirely.

Display type

A pre-requisite to all entertainment scenarios, smartphone display can make or break the whole viewing experience. For instance, 6.6’’ HD+ sunlight readable display enables users to use the smartphone in any given lightening condition thereby bringing out an immersive viewing experience altogether. It is yet also quite comfortable to watch content or use phone even in broad day light.

Performance and Power  

For a refreshing performance, it’s preferred to have a minimum of 4GB expanded RAM available such that multiple tasks can be achieved all at once. An extended RAM of upto 7GB in SMART 7 series aids in seamless multitasking whereas a 5000mAh bigger battery encourages a carefree usage experience altogether. Thereby making it an avid choice for users who are looking for a durable yet power packed smartphone.

Precisely, right smartphone can be found by identifying entertainment preferences, assessing display quality, evaluating performance, and ensuring sufficient battery life such as Infinix SMART 7 series which is the right most choice among entertainment smartphones available in the market.

So, it’s better to stay tuned in order to find more about Infinix SMART 7 series!