News Update Times

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Telenor Pakistan has announced the launch of its Super Intern Programme 2022 for students and graduates to get hands-on experience as they take the initial steps in their professional journey. The six-week internship programme will prepare the interns for the corporate sector and other professional endeavours through an enriched experience of working at Telenor Pakistan.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Telenor Pakistan offered the first ever virtual Internship Programme in the industry, which was welcomed by the youth, academia and many stakeholders. As the threat of COVID-19 subsides and businesses return to normal operations, this year’s internship programme at Telenor will see interns back in the office as the program goes back to a hybrid setting where they will experience both working from home and the office. During the six-week programme, the interns will get an opportunity to get dedicated career counselling, be part of a design thinking workshop, have access to mental health sessions, interact with group interns and alumni, as well as work with the senior leadership in the organisation. In addition, the interns will experience the fantastic work culture at Telenor Pakistan and explore the endless possibilities that a future at Telenor can provide.

“In today’s ever-changing, digitally fast-paced world, it is important that the next generation is equipped with the necessary knowledge of what is to come,” says Oystein Bakken, Chief Human Resources  Officer, Telenor Pakistan. “Our internship program offers students the opportunity to work at the hub of innovation, our Telenor offices while gaining first-hand experience and knowledge through our Super Intern 2022 Programme.”

Organisations like Telenor Pakistan act as future gateways for talent development and progression through innovative programs such as the Super Intern Programme. During 2020-2021, the IT and related services sector recorded a growth of nearly 18.85%, which no other industry could do, according to the Economic Survey of Pakistan. As a result, employment in these industries, in particular, is expected to grow significantly in the near future.

Lahore (Nut Desk) In a special ceremony held at Arfa Technology Park , Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) and Faysal Bank Limited (FBL) signed an MoU to facilitate freelancers across Pakistan. The MoU was signed by PITB DG e-Governance Sajid Latif and FBL Head CIBG Ali Waqar on behalf of their respective organizations.

Senior officials from both organizations including PITB’s JD Freelancing Wing Ahmed Islam, State Bank of Pakistan’s Senior Officer Ali Atta, and Payoneer’s Country Manager Mohsin Muzaffar and Partnerships Manager Affaf Noor were also present.

According to the MoU, PITB and Faysal Bank would collaborate to support endeavors and activities of mutual interest for the facilitation of freelancers by offering them a “Digital Freelancer Account”. 

In particular, FBL would provide the Digital Freelancer Account to existing and to-be PITB graduates as well as sponsor different events organized by PITB related to digital technology, youth empowerment, and freelancing ecosystem. Besides many other benefits, FBL would also give laptops to the top performer and mobile phones to the second and third top performers of each batch as an appreciation of emerging freelancers. Furthermore, FBL would market and give partner privilege to PITB owing to the organization’s large freelancers’ base across Pakistan (alumni and trainees).

PITB is committed to providing work opportunities and imparting digital skills to freelancers across Punjab through various initiatives. Over the last year, PITB has extended its support nationwide through endeavors for aspiring entrepreneurs and freelancers hailing from diverse social backgrounds. PITB’s freelancing initiatives are catering both men and women alike, training them to be economically empowered.

ISLAMABAD (NUT DESK) Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA) is building a world-class technology ecosystem in Pakistan, to enable the small, medium as well as large scale tech organizations, said the Chairman STZA Amer Hashmi. 

He was addressing the Freelance Fest 2022 organized in Karachi by the Pakistan Freelancers Association (PAFLA).

According to the World Labor Organization (WLO), Pakistan is rapidly emerging as a major source of digital labour for the global freelancing market. The country ranks as the 3^rd largest source of digital labour globally, a trend made possible by the burgeoning freelancing community in Pakistan.

At the fest, Mr Hashmi gave a strategic overview of the global innovation and technology ecosystem. He encouraged the young Pakistani freelancers to accelerate their efforts and pledged STZA’s resolute support to enable and empower the freelancing community across the country

“Despite enormous regulatory, infrastructure and financial challenges, the young Pakistani freelancers have demonstrated their prowess to disrupt the global freelancing trends in Pakistan’s favour” added Mr Hashmi.

Javaid Iqbal, the Chief Commercial Officer of STZA while speaking at the forum stated that the freelancers were a critical part of the innovation and technology ecosystem in Pakistan. He said that the freelancers were not only increasing Pakistan’s brand capital but also earning foreign exchange for the country and transforming the gig economy by identifying global market requirements. He called on the young freelancers to challenge barriers and accelerate their efforts, stating that they were living in a transformational era of a globally connected marketplace with infinite possibilities.

Abdul Rahim Ahmad, Chief Information Officer of STZA called for the development of a centralized, verified repository of freelancers in Pakistan. He stated that the regulatory support for the freelancers from the government and financial sector was necessary. Acknowledging the challenges faced by the Pakistani freelancers, Mr Rahim called for developing mechanisms for making it easy to open bank accounts, increasing high-speed internet coverage and availability of training and mentorship for the freelancers in Pakistan.

The STZA delegation later met the leaders from the financial industry, academia, PAFLA, state regulators and renowned freelancers at the event, and agreed to develop close cooperation and synergies, with a mission to remove barriers and enable the Pakistani freelancers to become globally competitive. These linkages are likely to open new doors of cooperation between the government, private sector, and freelancing community in the future.

The chairman STZA thanked the PAFLA for organizing an event which brought industry leaders, government regulators and young freelancers on one platform.

IBA Karachi and JS Bank signed an MoU to finance the acquisition of a Donor Management System for IBA

Karachi (Nut Desk) The Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi and the JS Bank signed an MoU to finance the acquisition of a Donor Management System for IBA.

The agreement was signed by Executive Director, IBA, Dr. S Akbar Zaidi, and President and CEO, JS Bank, Mr. Basir Shamsie. Participants included Ms. Malahat Awan, Director, Alumni Communications and Resource Mobilization (ARC), IBA along with senior team members from both the institutions.

JS Bank is assisting IBA in upgrading its technological capacity by donating a Donor Management System. The aim is to promote the adaptation and effective use of technology for IBA in its resource mobilization efforts.

JS Bank will provide PKR 1.4 million for the procurement of the Donor Management System.

Dr. Zaidi, on the occasion, said, “The signing of the MoU marks a long-standing partnership of IBA with JS Bank. Today, we have witnessed another significant milestone achieved. The Donor Management System will build our capacity and assist us in our mission of providing quality education to talented and deserving students.”

Mr. Shamsie said, “In continuation of our long association with IBA, we aim to improve the educational capabilities of the institution. This latest partnership will help IBA streamline its technological capability and enhance its foothold in the educational landscape of Pakistan.”

JS Bank is working to build an educated, healthy, and prosperous society by providing healthcare, and education to the underprivileged members of our society. With this system, the IBA will be able to produce more from its efforts to make quality education available to underprivileged students.

MMBL Champions the need to boost financial literacy in Balochistan at the Financial Literacy Gala 2022

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir)  Mobilink Microfinance Bank Ltd. (MMBL) – Pakistan’s largest digital Bank, set up a financial literacy camp at the University of Balochistan on Tuesday, May 31, 2022. The camp was organized under the State Bank of Pakistan’s National Financial Literacy Program for Youth. The gala had representatives from MMBL, SBP, RAAST, and other notable banks in attendance.

MMBL strives to provide financial knowledge and opportunities to the financially marginalized segments of society, with a prime emphasis on enhancing female participation in the financial and economic sphere. According to recent surveys, 15 million women operate mobile banking accounts in Pakistan, out of which only 3% reside in Balochistan, KPK, and Azad Kashmir combined. This shows that despite being the largest province in terms of geographical area, Balochistan is currently home to the largest unbanked population compared to other regions. MMBL aims to promote financial inclusion in this strategic province and help bridge this gap by organizing continuous financial literacy drives and providing access to convenient as well as secure digital financial products & services.

Sharing his thoughts, Ghazanfar Azzam, President & CEO of MMBL, highlighted MMBL’s efforts in promoting financial inclusion across the country with more concerted efforts in Balochistan going forward. He said, “MMBL operates through a unique hybrid setup with physical branches and branchless banking agents spread across the country. We are dedicated to further expanding our footprint in Balochistan and equipping our countrymen with financial knowledge, especially in underserved communities, to help them effectively manage their daily financial requirements and improve their standard of living. As an ambassador for promoting financial inclusion, MMBL and other financial institutions should continue with their efforts in minimizing the huge financial gap that currently exists in Balochistan.”

Through its diverse business portfolio, MMBL is expanding its outreach through the continuous introduction of innovative financial products & services to help increase the economic prosperity of Pakistanis. Events like the Financial Literacy Galas help level the playing field for underserved communities who want easy access to financial services but lack the awareness to make informed financial decisions. Through the power of digital financial services, MMBL is bridging the financial divide and promoting economic prospects with holistic and inclusive community-focused financial initiatives across the nation.