Category: Pakistan

PICSS partnered with AAA Associates to undertake 1 lac tree Plantation drive to support Clean Green Pakistan

Islamabad (Muhammad Yasir) A tree plantation drive was undertaken at Punjab House Park as a part of AAA Associates and Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security studies (PICSS) 1 lac Plants drive under the Prime Minister’s call for awareness on tree plantation. H.E. Ms Androulla Kaminara was present on the occasion and spearheaded the Plantation drive along with the other dignitaries.

Director Marketing AAA Associates Usman Iqbal and MD AAA Associates Shahazad Ali Kiani, Senator Sehar Kamran, Chairperson mavi mountaineering society of Gilgit and Baltistan Mehwish Arif Baig, Mr Abdullah Khan MD PICSS were present on the occasion as well.

H.E. Ms Androulla Kaminara lauded the AAA Associates’ environmental cognizance and stressed on the significant of reforestation and its implications for the future.

Speaking on the occasion Director Marketing AAA Associates Usman Iqbal said, “This is an important afforestation initiative of AAA Associates to maintain the ecological balance of nature. Our future generations are going to benefit from our today’s conscientious decision. We have pledged to make the environs beautiful and green”

Emphasizing the need to protect and conserve the environment MD AAA Associates Shahazad Ali Kiani said, “AAA Associates has always considered green environment as a priority. It helps purify the air, prevent soil erosion, shelter for wildlife, and saves our energy through shading. We propagate sustainable ways in all our business practices that help our nature as well.”

AAA Associates is among the top Real Estate Companies of Twin cities. In August, under the monsoon plantation drive AAA Associates planted 100,000 saplings at the site near Simly Dam.

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir) Day three of the ongoing Young Leaders’ Conference (YLC) on Friday was all about highlighting the relevance of Pakistani arts and culture for the youth in the country for making them ready to assume a leadership role in the near future.

The theme of the day was “Arts, Culture, and Society-Aiwaan” and the Champ Arsal Fahim was the main highlight of the day. Different speakers of the day also shed light on the artistic and cultural diversity Pakistan possesses as the unique feature of its society.

The English Biscuit Manufacturers (EBM) was the sponsor of the day in line with its firm commitment and resolve continuing for near about 20 years to support YLC in the best interest of budding leaders of Pakistan. The EBM’s support this year has been especially noteworthy that it let the YLC takes place despite continuing coronavirus emergency that otherwise interrupted many such events all over the world or confined its proceedings to the digital medium only. A musical concert as a part of the day’s proceedings to enrich the cultural exposure of the YLC participants was also sponsored by the EBM. The YLC organizers expressed special gratitude to the EBM for its unwavering commitment every year to organize the event.

The EBM was also represented on the occasion by its Brand Manager Shayan Rasool who talked about the concept of Alif.

Through encouraging counter-narratives, cross-pollination of idealism, and self-expression, day three sought to create an intellectual space, promoting diversity and pluralism in Pakistan’s society and beyond its borders while providing an opportunity for the YLC participants to connect with the art, culture, society, and moral ethos of Pakistan.

One of the keynote speakers of the day, Yousuf Bashir Qureshi in his conversation with the YLC participants highlighted the importance of arts in today’s modern world driven by industrialization and technology. “Art beyond drawings and paintings is a shared experience and its most essential function is to express and make sense of the struggles and emotions of society. It is a way of bringing people together and the greatest form of storytelling,” he said.

Junaid Iqbal in his lecture highlighted the importance of family, culture, religion, gender, educational background as the compelling factors that influenced the thought process of a person and shape the way he or she sees the world.

“Developing individual thought empowers us to stand apart from the crowd and allows us the confidence to voice our opinions without the fear of being judged. Additionally, if you are in a position of power, it is also crucial to ensure that your voice does not overpowers others but instead encourages individual opinions,” he added.

Nida Kirmani spoke on the concept of gender equality while saying that as almost half of Pakistan’s population being women, the need for gender equality and representation in the home, workplace, media, and politics is crucial.

Her session was aimed at bringing forth the factual realities of gender inequality and bringing context by highlighting its relevance in today’s Pakistan in order to understand that gender equality is not just important for women but equally important for men and the development of Pakistan.

A Drum circle activity was also part of the day. The participants of the YLC were given the opportunity to present their different cultures in the Cultural Night.

The day ended with a captivating EBM-sponsored musical night featuring renowned Sufi and folk singer of Pakistan Sanam Marvi.

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir) The second day of Young Leaders’ Conference (YLC) on Thursday was all about emotional and mental well-being of the adolescent brains against the backdrop of coronavirus pandemic that has given rise to the psychological problems all over the world due to prolonged lockdown regimes.

The theme of the day was “Developmental Leadership-ALMIYA” as Waqar Ali was one of the keynote speakers of the day. The day started with an energizing session, briefing on the upcoming proceedings, and giving a wrap-up of the proceedings of the day one of the YLC.

The topics discussed during the proceedings included inclusiveness, psychological well-being, emotional intelligence, and mental health of the youth.

The proceedings of the day were conducted with strict adherence to the government-prescribed standard operating procedures against the spread of coronavirus.

The participants of the YLC were informed that Developmental Leadership is all about expanding one’s mind-set. It empowers us to come together and have difficult conversations, regarding subjects that may be considered taboo in our society, with an open mind and a greater will to understand.

With 64 per cent of Pakistan’s population comprising the youth, it is imperative that we address matters of emotional, physical and social well-being with great importance.

From mental health to social hygiene and from sustainable development to climate change, it is our responsibility to grow and take initiative, said the speakers of the day two of YLC.

The goal of the day was to develop a growth mind-set and get a conversation started among the participants. Even though our cultural roots encourage us to be accepting, it is often done only when convenient. With a day specifically about Developmental Leadership, the organizers hoped to equip the youth with tools to be informed about the world around them, empathize with others and encourage them to promote growth within and in the communities around them.

Other important speakers of the day included Nisha Rao and Taha Sabir who spoke on the issue of emotional intelligence.

Different sessions of the day were held on the topics of inclusive communities, self-defence, emergency medical services, sign language, emotional intelligence and its impact on mental health, defining fears instead of goals.

The day also had Asad Ibrahim’s session. He helped the participants understand the meaning of Alif on a spiritual level. He also did a meditation with the participants to make them feel relaxed and calm.

The day ended with Waqar Ali’s activity titled “Your dinner is locked until…”

 

 

 

Young Leaders Conference enters its 20th year with 225 participants coming together from more than 70 districts and cities across the nation

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) The first day of Young Leaders Conference (YLC) started with a very thought-provoking concept of self-realization. The day was all about decluttering our minds from everyday chaos and starting afresh. Waqar Ali, CEO School of Leadership introduced the concept of Alif with a new perspective and discussed the importance of diving within to see beyond what eyes can see. The day was led by Uzair Ausaf, CEO Cube Consulting who inspired the youngsters with his spellbinding stories and insightful experiences that made them believe that their dreams can become reality if they have faith within and are ready to take that first step. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

English Biscuit Manufacturers (EBM) and School of Leadership celebrated two decades of impact with hundreds of lives touched. Leadership from both organizations shared how they find YLC as a platform for youngsters to build confidence and get relevant exposure that can equip them with the mindset to transition from good to great. The 20th YLC displayed the true essence of Alif with youngsters reflecting to unearth their true potential, finding right questions to ask the universe and stitching it all together Attiyah Inaam, Senior Manager Corporate Communications, Sustainability & PR represented her company at the Conference on Day 1 and delivered a very powerful and motivational speech to the participants in which she talked about the 20 years of partnership between SoL & EBM. She also talked about EBM and how the company has empowered more than 600+ youngsters through sponsorships and support. “Whatever the mind of a man can conceive and believe, IT CAN ACHIEVE.”

Cake cutting ceremony took place in celebration of 20 decades of partnership between both the organizations.

Keeping in mind the recent pandemic, compliance with strict SOPs was ensured for everyone’s safety.

The day put forward the thought of taking a break from the routine and getting rid of those self-created limitations that paralyzes ones’ growth. It expressed the importance of inculcating values and morals of Alif and carrying them as a guiding principle to their life.

The partners and sponsors for YLC 2021 are EBM (Founding Partner), ibex., Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, KIA Motors, PTCL – Ufone, KAPCO, KFC, nofea, HABIB METRO, J., Feroze 1888, HUBCO, Sightsavers, SOL Foundation, Catalyst Corp, Street17, UPSTAIR Solutions, Dreamworld Resort, Hotel and Golf Course, Carving Productions, Amwaj, Health Matters, SWVL. The Learning Partners are connectHear, Nucleus Consulting, Carnelian, Cube Consulting, Torque, and Bookmyspot. The official Media Partners are Jang Media Group, Geo News, and The News while the official Radio Partner for the event is Suno FM 89.4. 

 

 

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Philip Morris (Pakistan) Limited (PMPKL) provided financial support to Kashf Foundation, a non-profit micro-finance institution, in its project which aimed to empower women by providing them professional training in food catering (“Project”). 

Through this Project, women were taught how to prepare, package and market their own cooked food whilst maintaining standard hygiene practices. Four training centers were established in Multan, Lahore and Rawalpindi/Islamabad to train 250 women. The distinguishing feature of this program was inclusion of core skills training on how to run a successful business by addressing topics like client dealing, communication skills and techniques of business management and budgeting.

Andleeb Uroos Ahmed, Head of Communications, Philip Morris (Pakistan) Limited said, “Supporting and enabling the community we live in is one of our core values. By providing financial support to Kashf, PMPKL aims to uplift the oft-overlooked half of our population, so that they can live as empowered and independent members of society – and I have been following their journeys over the course of the project, and I am so proud to see how far they have come today.”

This program also focused on assisting these women to develop market linkages and join digital platforms to sell their products so that they can create sustainable business ventures and also reach a larger market. A few select trainees were also awarded grants to put towards their business ventures. Some of them have already started running their businesses and earning from them which has provided these women a means to support their families and become productive members of the society.

 

TVET Sector Support Programme organized a Media Exposure Visit of the Technical Training Centres in Balochistan

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) The TVET Sector Support Programme has arranged a comprehensive media tour of the Technical Training Centres operating in the Balochistan region. These Technical Training Centres have a vital role in providing industry-driven technical education and vocational training to the youth. The programme is being implemented by GIZ Pakistan and NAVTTC, which is being funded by the European Union and the governments of the Federal Republic of Germany and Norway.

A group of senior journalists from leading media outlets was invited to tour the facilities and to get a first-hand experience of the learning environment of a Technical Training Centre that uses the Workplace-Based Training (WBT) approach to develop skilled human resource in-line with market demands and increasing graduates’ chances of getting more employment opportunities. When the media delegates arrived at the institute, the Principal of the Women’s Technical Training Centre (WTTC) held a briefing session to provide a detailed overview of the institute’s working progress and in-house training facilities provided by TVET Sector Support Programme. Following the introduction, the media team was escorted to the technical training laboratories and other facilities in the institute, where they had one-on-one interaction sessions with trainees to discuss their learning experiences.

WTTC offers training for the occupations of Computer Operator, Office Assistant, and Cook. Boys Technical Training Center (BTTC) is preparing skilled labourers such as Computer Operators, HV AC Technicians, and Auto Electricians. A total of, 120 students (male and female) are enrolled in various training courses in the projects supported at WTTC and BTTC through the training fund initiative of TVET Sector Support Programme, which is working with NAVTTC, provincial TEVTAs and PVTC since 2011 for bringing reforms in TVET Sector. The second phase of programme has funding of 62.5 mn euro for implementation of reforms in the TVET sector of Pakistan on national, provincial and regional level. The Programme is funded by the European Union, Federal Republic of Germany and the Royal Norwegian Embassy. In second phase of its implementation, programme is supporting competency-based-training of 36,800 men and women on the indigenous and industry-demand-driven trades. The Programme has been commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and is being implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

These projects aim to introduce Workplace-Based Training and Cooperative Vocational Training in selected trades in Balochistan. This training opportunity also supports in increased engagement of private sector in Balochistan. It will also make the active participation and contribution of the partnering enterprises as priority from the inception to the end of the project.

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Seed Out, Pakistan’s 1^st not for profit crowd funding platform has been conferred with Islamic Development Bank Award for Impactful achievement for the First time in 32 years of Islamic Economics prize history.

“This is the first time in the 32 year history of the ISDB prize, that the both winners are Islamic fin-tech start-ups.  The Islamic Development Bank (ISDB) has selected two crowd funding platforms as winners of the ISDB Prize for Impactful Achievement in Islamic Economics for the year 2021, in recognition of their innovative and impactful roles in funding projects that advance the principles of Islamic Economics.”

The award and citation along with a cash award of $70,000 for Seed Out will be exchanged at a special ceremony during the ISDB annual meeting on 28^th of August. This recognition is awarded to only 2 creative projects that are solving important development challenges in the 57 ISDB member countries across 4 continents.

In a statement on this occasion, ISDB President, Dr. Bandar Hajjar, congratulated the winners on their notable accomplishments, commended them for their contribution to the development of Islamic Economics, and wished them greater success in all their endeavors.

Seed Out was selected by the ISDB Prize Selection Committee, comprising eminent experts and scholars from within and outside the ISDB Group, through the coordination of the Islamic Development Bank Institute (ISDBI).

Mr. Zain Ashraf, Founder/President Seed Out on receiving the award said, “We are extremely proud of this highly prestigious impact award. I dedicate this one to Seed Out’s team, the people we have uplifted out of poverty and to all Pakistanis who are contributing their part for a poverty free Pakistan”. We also have a vision to establish Seed Out offices all across Pakistan to raise more potential micro entrepreneurs by providing them an access to asset based interest free loans.

Mr. Zain Ashraf has also been previously awarded with Common Wealth Youth Award for excellence in development work, UN Champions of Change Award and Forbes 30 under 30 recognition.

 

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) has released a video paying tribute to the families of the martyrs ahead of the Defence and Martyrs Day observed on September 06.

This is the second such video released by the ISPR ahead of the Defence and Martyrs Day in two days while paying tribute to the martyrs who laid down their lives to safeguard the homeland.

https://twitter.com/OfficialDGISPR/status/1431566593755172870?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1431566593755172870%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Farynews.tv%2Fispr-video-pays-tribute-to-martyrs-families%2F

DG ISPR Major General Babar Iftikhar also lauded the families of the armed forces who he said courageously face difficulties as their loved ones serve and guard the nation.

He said that a father who serves the nation in deep waters is no less than a superhero for his son.

It was on September 06 in 1965 that the Indian forces crossed the international border in the darkness of night to attack Pakistan but the nation foiled nefarious designs of the enemy.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1431566593755172870

Lahore (NUT-DesK)

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Sunday attended the funeral prayers of the martyred soldier, identified as Captain Kashif Shaheed, in Rawalpindi, a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations said.

Per the military’s media wing, Captain Kashif had embraced martyrdom last night when a security forces vehicle struck an improvised explosive device (IED) planted by terrorists in the Tobo area of Gichik in Balochistan.  During the incident, two soldiers had sustained injuries, the statement said, adding that the injured soldiers have been evacuated to a medical facility in Khuzdar.

Aside from the COAS, several other senior military officials, people from various walks of life, and relatives of the martyr offered the namaz-e-janaza. Captain Kashif shaheed has been buried will full military honour, the statement added.

 

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

The nikah of Junaid Safdar, the son of PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz and (retd) Capt Safdar Awan was solemnised on Sunday in a private ceremony at the luxurious Lanesborough hotel in London.

 

The first few photos of the event are out, showing the groom himself, his grandfather PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, the groom’s uncle Hussain Nawaz, and party member and former finance minister Ishaq Dar.

PML (N) leader Maryam Nawaz, who did not attend the ceremony, shared some photos of the occasion and wished the couple well.

“May Allah always keep you happy and prosperous,” she wrote.