Category: Pakistan

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir)

In a remarkable step towards incentivizing sustainable agricultural and community uplift practices, Shan Foods has unveiled Growing Flavor, an initiative curated and developed within the Kunri Tehsil in Sindh to enhance environmental stewardship and drive economic benefits for the local communities.

Climate change and global warming are exacerbating agricultural degradation, diminishing food security and causing a significant impact on the livelihoods of professionals in the agricultural sector. Shan Foods recognizes that sustainability is integral to business resilience and growth and as a member of the United Nations Global Compact, aims to follow through on its commitment towards Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities & Communities.

Through its “Growing Flavor” initiative, the company is focused on revitalizing and enhancing ecological systems, ensuring that its teams, communities, and partners worldwide can thrive. By implementing sustainable farming techniques and educational programs, the FMCG giant further vows to combat environmental challenges and enhance agricultural yields, embracing innovative ways to propel its business as well as the planet towards a sustainable future.

Since the launch of its pilot program three years ago, the project has made remarkable strides in improving chili cultivation practices, enhancing community welfare and fostering development in relation to sustainable agriculture. With the focus being on sustainability, the framework focuses on uplifting local communities within Kunri Tehsil through up-skilling farmers by capacity building, skill transfer and trainings focused on globally accepted standards in relation to harvesting & post-harvest handling.

“The goal is to ensure holistic development models that benefit stakeholders across the economic landscape. This is in line with ensuring growth is sustainable and there is a tangible positive social impact across the company’s operations” said Sammer Sultan, co-chairperson at Shan Foods.

Fahad Patel, General Manager Supply Chain at Shan Foods, added, “Growing Flavor stands as a testament to Shan Foods’ commitment to agricultural excellence and community empowerment. By empowering local farmers with the knowledge and resources they need, we are not only enhancing their livelihoods but also ensuring the sustainable growth of the agriculture sector in Pakistan.”

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir)

At the Dragons of Pakistan event today in Karachi, Publicis Groupe affiliated media agency Brainchild secured the Young Dragon of the Year award for Shiza Imran, a member of the planning team. “I am truly grateful,” said Shiza Imran in her acceptance speech. I would like to thank the Almighty, my parents, my family network that supports the careers of working moms, and my supervisor Anum Matri. What sets Brainchild apart is our talented people, and I’m thrilled to celebrate the achievements of our leaders, particularly the women who are making strides in leadership roles across the company, many of whom are being recognized today.” The award comes on the fifth year anniversary of her tenure at Brainchild. “We are truly honoured Shiza has been recognised as the Young Dragon of the Year,” said Anum Matri, senior business director at Starcom. “This accolade reflects her commitment of going beyond just media solutions to partner with clients in an all-rounded way. Her market-first approach strongly benefits our clients by turning media questions into business answers. I’m excited to see her continue inspiring more impactful partnerships with our colleagues and clients in the years to come.”

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir)

Punjab Central Business District Development Authority (PCBDDA), also known as Central Business District Punjab (CBD Punjab), has achieved a significant milestone in the ongoing Walton Road Upgradation Project by commencing asphalt layering. This initiative marks a crucial step towards enhancing Lahore’s infrastructure and improving connectivity across the city. The Walton Road Upgradation Project, nearing completion, is poised to transform the city’s infrastructure landscape. The latest phase of asphalt layering has commenced from Defence Morr towards Major Ishaq Shaheed Flyover, almost 900 tons of asphalt is completed in first phase. This phase will extend further, covering the stretch from Ferozepur Road to Defence Morr, resulting in a complete six-lane carriageway. CEO of CBD Punjab, Imran Amin, has personally overseen the project’s progress, directing contractors to mobilize all necessary machinery for seamless execution of asphalt layering operations. Executive Director Technical, Riaz Hussain, affirmed CBD Punjab’s commitment to adhere to the project schedule, emphasizing that both carriage ways of Walton Road will be fully functional for traffic by the end of October 2024, in accordance with directives from Chief Minister Punjab, Maryam Nawaz. This development underscores CBD Punjab’s dedication to enhancing urban infrastructure, facilitating smoother traffic flow, and ensuring sustainable development across Lahore.

Peshawar (Nut Desk)

Dawood Global Foundation LADIESFUND President Tara Uzra Dawood paid an official courtesy call on Governor Peshawar Mr. Faisal Karim Kundi at Governor house Peshawar. He commended her foundation’s efforts for women and girl empowerment and offered to host interactive sessions with dynamic Peshawar women and possibly an upcoming LADIESFUND awards at Peshawar Governor House.

• She’s Next Club, kicked off by Visa following the success of the She’s Next global advocacy program, is a country-wide initiative designed to bring a sustained series of activities, tools, resources and networking to female entrepreneurs in Pakistan.
• Alumni from the first edition of She’s Next are invited to a seven week-long training program in major cities of Pakistan, including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Faisalabad and Peshawar.
• Five women-led businesses in Pakistan won grants worth USD 50,000 in the country’s inaugural She’s Next program earlier this year, which was launched in partnership with HBL.

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir)  Following the successful launch of the first edition of She’s Next global advocacy program in Pakistan, Visa, a world leader in digital payments, will now initiate the She’s Next Club to further support women entrepreneurs.

She’s Next was launched earlier this year in partnership with HBL, Pakistan’s leading bank, to empower women-owned small businesses through funding, training, and mentorship. Five women-led businesses in Pakistan won grants worth USD 50,000 in the country’s inaugural She’s Next program. To initiate regular interaction and further support this important group, Visa will invite select alumni – including successful applicants to the program – to join She’s Next Club to provide hands-on training and networking opportunities.

According to Visa’s Women SMB Digitization Index survey, women entrepreneurs in Pakistan are eager to learn from their peers, with many women entrepreneurs requiring specific assistance on overcoming problems (61%), developing online sales (54%), and building a team of employees (43%). Nearly all (98%) women are keen on payment related training. A section of women (33%) seek advice on the types of payments accepted from customers and are interested in workshops on managing stress in crisis (46%), using social media for promotion (40%), and creating an online store (32%).

In recognition of these results, and in collaboration with Visa’s execution partners Katalyst Labs, She’s Next Club participants will receive extensive knowledge training on topics such as startup financials, team building and managing people, effective marketing and sales strategies and enabling digital payments for businesses from industry leaders, as well as experts from Visa and HBL. These sessions will be held over seven weeks in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Faisalabad and Peshawar from 22^nd August to 27^th September 2024.

Umar S. Khan, Country Manager for Pakistan & Afghanistan for  Visa, commented: “The response to She’s Next in Pakistan was overwhelming, with more than 2,500 applications received in its first year. This reflects the strong demand and enthusiasm among Pakistani women entrepreneurs for learning and networking opportunities that can help them grow their businesses. The program has also provided a platform for showcasing the success stories and best practices of women-led SMBs across various sectors, such as fashion, education, health, and technology. We wanted to ensure we stay connected to these bright minds and we believe She’s Next Club will help to sustain growth and support for these women entrepreneurs with the skills, resources, and connections they need. Such efforts will eventually contribute to Pakistan’s economic development and social progress.”

Since 2020, Visa has invested over $3.83M in over 380+ grants and coaching for women SMB owners through the She’s Next grant program globally including in US, Canada, India, Ireland, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt and Morocco.

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir)

Sports and Youth Affairs Department Government of Sindh is providing help to the youth for sports, recreation, new start-ups and also providing training in digital technology.

This was stated by the Secretary Government of Sindh for Sports and Youth Affairs Department Mr. Jalaluddin Mahar on the occasion of ‘’International Youth Day Festival’’.

Addressing the youth Mr. Jalaluddin Mahar Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs gave importance on the vital role of youth in shaping our nation’s future.

The International Youth Day Festival was organized by the Youth Parliament in collaboration with the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs Government of Sindh at Port Grand Karachi.

The festival was attended by the members and friends of the Youth Parliament. At the stage activity new members of the Youth Parliament contesting in the coming Shadow Cabinet Elections 2024-2026 of Youth Parliament, were given Membership cards by the Chief Guest. The members were given the opportunity for an introduction and to describe their vision for joining the Youth Parliament. After that some stage performances of dance and singing were presented arranged by the organizers for the entertainment of guests and visitors. In the end a cake cutting ceremony was also arranged.

Dr. Huma Bukhari Co-Chairperson New Ports Institute of Communications & Economics also attended the event as honorable guest and in her keynote speech she appreciated the motivated and energetic youth performing various tasks under the leadership of Mr. Rizwan Jaffar the founder of Youth Parliament.

Chairman Youth Parliament Mr. Rizwan Jaffar highlighted the incredible potential of our future leaders, he briefed the Chief Guest about previous achievements and upcoming projects of Youth Parliament, which are aimed to inspire and empower our youth. He later thanked all the participants for attending the International Youth Day Festival.

In a surprising video making rounds on social media, Hamza Sohail can be seen declaring, “Guys, mujhey shaadi karni hai,” which has gone viral. This statement has ignited a frenzy among his female fans, who are now eagerly speculating about his next move. Is Hamza genuinely searching for a life partner on the Muzz app, or is this an elaborate promotion? The buzz intensified when some fans claimed to have discovered his profile on Muzz. Muzz, renowned as the world’s largest marriage app, has made headlines for its impressive track record. With a substantial user base in Pakistan and a track record of facilitating over 500,000 successful marriages, Muzz is a significant player in the world of matrimonial apps. Could Hamza be the next success story? Only time will tell! In the viral video, Hamza is seen setting up his Muzz profile as part of the app’s new #FindMeOnMuzz campaign. As part of this initiative, he has announced that he will meet three fortunate fans who match with him on Muzz for a special ice-breaking session. The criteria for these lucky encounters? Hamza will choose the three fans based on the quality and creativity of their profiles. The excitement is palpable as many female users have already managed to locate Hamza’s profile on the app. Screenshots of his profile have been widely shared on social media, causing a surge in activity on Muzz as users scramble to make their profiles stand out. Adding to the buzz, Muzz has recently attracted other prominent personalities such as Pakistani footballer Otis Khan, Dua Hamid, and Saim Rehman, further boosting its visibility. The success stories and the growing number of users are driving more people to join the app in hopes of finding their perfect match. While female fans may be focused on finding Hamza, they could also discover other potential matches along the way. This strategic collaboration by Muzz aims to engage female users actively, presenting a unique opportunity for those seeking meaningful connections. With Muzz tackling the challenge of helping singles find their ideal partners, this campaign is set to bring exciting developments. If you’re hoping to meet your dream partner, now is the perfect time to download the Muzz app. Create an attractive profile and who knows? You might just catch Hamza’s eye and get the chance to meet him in person! Isn’t this the sweetest chance for love?

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir)

In an announcement on Pakistan’s Independence Day, President Asif Ali Zardari awarded the Sitara-i-Imtiaz to Dr Sulaiman Shahabuddin, Aga Khan University’s (AKU) President and Vice-Chancellor for his contributions to the advancement of education and quality of life in Pakistan. 

The Sitara-i-Imtiaz is the third-highest civilian honour in Pakistan and is conferred by the President of Pakistan to recognize individuals for their exceptional contributions in various fields, including the arts, literature, sports, science, and social services. The award aims to honor those who have made significant achievements that contribute to the progress and development of the country. Dr Shahabuddin will be conferred the award at an investiture ceremony in Islamabad on March 23, 2025.  

Since his appointment by His Highness the Aga Khan as President of AKU, the University has achieved remarkable growth, making significant contributions to education, research, and healthcare in Pakistan. This impact has positively affected millions of lives, positioning AKU as a beacon of excellence. During President Shahabuddin’s tenure, AKU has witnessed an increase in the number of students and fellows, and impact in research, education, and policymaking. Under Dr. Shahabuddin’s leadership, AKU has achieved the top position in Pakistan for research, evidenced by the prolific publication of highly cited studies on an international scale. The University is globally acknowledged for its academic prowess.

During crises such as the catastrophic 2022 floods, Dr. Shahabuddin’s supervision played a pivotal role. AKU, under his guidance, provided essential health, education and humanitarian assistance in flood camps to scores of affected individuals.

In only the first two years of his tenure as President, Dr Shahabuddin has forged a number of key international and local partnerships, including with Michigan University and the University of Washington in USA, McMaster University in Canada, Maynooth University in Ireland, University of Dar es Salaam, the Institute of Business Administration in Pakistan, and many others. These partnerships sustain AKU’s innovation and quality in research and education.

In addition, AKU is also celebrating Aniqa Bano, an alumna of AKU’s Institute for Educational Development (AKU-IED) for being awarded the Pride of Pakistan by the country’s President. After joining AKU-IED and facing the challenges of raising a daughter with a hearing impairment, Aniqa, along with her husband Afzal Rasool, co-founded the Narjis Khatoon Hearing Impairment School. She also serves as an instructor at the Government College of Education for Women in Skardu, exemplifying her dedication to education and support for differently abled children. 

Since 2014, eleven faculty members at AKU have received national awards. They include AKU’s first President Dr Shamsh Kassim-Lakha; Dr Zulfiqar Bhutta, Founder of AKU’s Institute for Global Health and Development and the Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health among many others. 

 

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir)

In celebration of Pakistan’s 77th Independence Day, CBD Punjab hosted a grand ceremony at CBD Punjab Quaid District, marked by a profound display of patriotism. The event was graced by Brigadier (R) Mansoor Janjua, COO of CBD Punjab, as the guest of honor. The ceremony saw the enthusiastic participation of senior officials and staff members of CBD Punjab. The event commenced with the hoisting of the national flag, accompanied by prayers for the nation’s continued progress and prosperity. In his address, Brigadier (R) Mansoor Janjua expressed his pride in Pakistan’s journey over the past 77 years, acknowledging the numerous challenges and triumphs the nation has faced. He highlighted CBD Punjab’s significant contribution to the country’s development, emphasizing the authority’s expansion beyond Lahore into the wider Punjab region. He also reiterated his hopes for Pakistan’s ongoing progress and prosperity. On the eve of Independence CBD Punjab illuminated the skies with a mesmerising display of fireworks at CBD Punjab Quaid District.The ceremony concluded with the distribution of prizes to the winners of speech and quiz competitions held among CBD Punjab’s staff, followed by the cutting of a special Independence Day cake.

VLEKTRA VELOCITY completes the journey with a remarkable range of 180 kilometers on a single charge and a cost of under Rs1/km Karachi, Pakistan.

In a pioneering moment for Pakistan’s electric vehicle sector, VLEKTRA has successfully completed the first-ever intercity journey on an electric motorcycle from Karachi to Hyderabad. This historic ride, which took place on Sunday, covered a distance of 166 kilometers and was completed on the VLEKTRA Velocity, an electric motorcycle boasting a range of 180 kilometers on a single charge. The journey, which was live-streamed on youtube, marked a significant milestone in the evolution of e-mobility in Pakistan. It highlighted VLEKTRA’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation and sustainability, demonstrating the practicality and reliability of electric vehicles on long-distance routes within the country. “I am incredibly proud of our Research and Development department, particularly our testing team, who have dedicated two years of relentless effort to bring this product to life,” said Syed Raza Mohsin, CEO of VLEKTRA. “This motorcycle was conceived, designed, and developed entirely in Pakistan. While a range of 80-100 kilometers suffices for 99% of use cases, range anxiety has been a significant concern for EV customers. With a remarkable range of 180 kilometers on a single charge and a cost of under Rs1/km, we are more confident than ever in our product lineup.” VLEKTRA’s achievement not only underscores the technical prowess of its motorcycles but also sets a new benchmark for the electric vehicle industry in Pakistan. By successfully navigating the diverse terrains between Karachi and Hyderabad, VLEKTRA has showcased the potential for electric vehicles to become a viable option for long-distance travel in the region. This milestone is a significant step forward in the country’s journey towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation future.