Sehat Kahani in collaboration with Health Services Academy

Posted on by admin

Closing Ceremony of “COVID-19 Immunization and Prevention” program by Sehat Kahani in collaboration with Health Services Academy, Sindh Education Foundation and UNDP,  supported by The Coca-Cola Foundation.

The purpose of the project was to train doctors, increase awareness of COVID-19 vaccines and safely immunize people across Sindh.

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir) Sehat Kahani, Pakistan’s leading National digital healthcare platform, aiming to democratize healthcare in the country for all using innovative tech solutions, organized a closing ceremony for its “COVID-19 Immunization and Prevention” program in Karachi. This programme was implemented under Stop The Spread project, in collaboration with Health Services Academy, Sindh Education Foundation, and UNDP and was supported by The Coca-Cola Foundation.

This project was designed to increase awareness regarding safe COVID-19 vaccination across Sindh. 3,000 women healthcare workers were trained virtually on safe and effective immunization. Furthermore, vaccination drives were conducted across Sindh especially in underserved and hard to reach areas in Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Sanghar and Thar with the help of the Sindh government to vaccinate thousands of beneficiaries[MI1] . More than 150 vaccinators and health care workers were also trained on safe immunization via an in-person training session in Hyderabad prior to the vaccination drives.

Dr. Iffat Zafar Aga, COO & Co-Founder, Sehat Kahani, opened the floor for the ceremony, introducing the company.  She said, “We started Sehat Kahani with the aim to help patients across Pakistan to get medical help whenever and wherever they need it. At Sehat Kahani, we want to democratise health in the country, ensuring that everyone has access to the help they need, especially during the pandemic. As of today, we’ve helped thousands of users access free consultations across Pakistan.”

Dr. Sara Saeed Khurram, CEO & Co-Founder, Sehat Kahani, presented the project achievements thus far,  “Despite 101 million people infected in Pakistan, there’s still a lot of misconception surrounding COVID-19. There was a dire need for a campaign to promote awareness regarding COVID-19 and its vaccines. The COVID-19 Immunization and Awareness program, which was executed in collaboration with the Health Services Academy, Sindh Education Foundation, and UNDP, and through the support of The Coca-Cola Foundation helped in increasing awareness and uptake of vaccines in areas where hesitancy was high.”

Mr. Syed Moin Haider Zaidi, Project Manager, Youth Education, Employment and Empowerment Project, UNDP Pakistan, a guest of honor at the event said, “Youth form the biggest segment of the population and need to be realized as one of the most important stakeholders in fighting the pandemic. Under this programme, we were able to train young women healthcare workers and mobilize youth volunteers who were able to encourage vaccination uptake in areas where vaccine hesitancy was high. We will continue to support and empower young people of the country and mainstream them in the development process of Pakistan.”

Dr. Faisal Hashmi, Head External Affairs and Stakeholder Management for The Coca-Cola Company speaking on behalf of The Coca-Cola Foundation said, “In the times of a global health crisis, we are proud to have used our resources to fund initiatives to help curb the spread of COVID-19 in Pakistan by creating awareness for millions and empowering over 7,000 health care workers.

CBD Punjab Gets Approval Of 750 Ft Height From Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)

Posted on by admin

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Lahore Central Business District Development Authority (LCBDDA) also known as Central Business District Punjab (CBD Punjab) gets another feather in its cap by getting an approval of 750 ft height for ‘Lahore Prime’ from Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Getting the approval of an iconic height is a milestone and history making achievement of the province of Punjab. Lahore Prime comprises of twelve mixed commercial plots and out of these, five plots were auctioned in September 2021 with the approval of 500 ft height.

An advanced aeronautical study was conducted by CAA with the support of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). In this advance level study, all the possibilities and constraints were deeply researched and analyzed for practical implementation of skyscrapers to be built in CBD Punjab. CAA has ensured the protocols of safe flight operations while giving the provision for 750 ft construction height.

Imran Amin – CEO LCBDDA said that “Approval of 750 ft height is the epitome of grandeur in real estate and rather extraordinary in the construction sector. CBD Punjab has come another step closer to the dream of our honorable Prime Minister, Mr. Imran Khan of giving Pakistan its first business district. I would like to show my profound gratitude to the management of CAA and PAF for providing their professional support and taking swift action on the request of CBD Punjab for the 750 ft height provision”. The provision of 750 ft is a gateway to architectural masterpieces and iconic buildings.

Business community will avail all the pros of the extra height provision like more sellable area for commercial purpose, construction advancement and provision of helipad. Lahore Prime’s five mixed commercial plots were auctioned on the FAR 1:18-1:24 with the proposed approved height of 500 ft. Now the height is increased to 750 ft so the bidders would have to buy extra height of the auctioned plots and will be part of history in reforming the skyline of Lahore.

Every step of CBD Punjab is strengthening the oath of the authority to work for the betterment and economic development of Pakistan. The vigorous of approach of CBD Punjab has washed out all the myths and fears of economic instability and brushed up the image of Pakistan on world economic map.

PANDAMART GRANTED FULFILLMENT CENTRE HACCP CERTIFICATION

Posted on by admin

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Pandamart, the online groceries delivery service under the foodpanda umbrella has been granted HACCP platform / fulfillment centre certification, which covers fresh fruits, vegetables, meat & commodities receiving, processing, packing & dispatching.

HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) is a management system in which food safety is addressed through the analysis and control of biological, chemical, and physical hazards from raw material production, procurement and handling, to manufacturing, distribution and consumption of the finished product.

The HACCP certification for the first pandamart store was issued in November last year, after a 6 month process, by Bureau Veritas, a world-renowned company specialized in the testing, inspection and certification founded in 1828. Currently food safety audits are underway at several other stores for the certification of processes in these stores as well. The process to obtain the certification also requires specialized training of all staff handling the food items.

“Obtaining the HACCP certification is part of our commitment towards maintaining the highest international food safety standards, and ensuring that our customers purchase and consume the freshest and most hygienic food items. Research from Mintel suggests that 84%-86% of people do not buy groceries online because of trust issues around fresh fruits, vegetables, and meat quality. Through this certification, our goal is to develop a strong food safety culture throughout our network of pandamarts so that we can develop a higher level of trust in the q-commerce channel. People should be able to lay their minds to rest knowing that the freshest and highest quality produce is being carefully handpicked, packed, and delivered to them,” stated Ibad Ahmed, Director – Q-Commerce and New Verticals at foodpanda.

Grocery shopping on pandamart is accessible and convenient on the foodpanda app with stores stocking thousands of products. Customers can order online whatever they want from the nearest pandamart and their order, whether for a single item or the whole month’s groceries, is delivered at their doorstep within half an hour. The pandamart services are available 20 hours a day.

 

 

 

 

Descon Engineering wins a large turnkey project from AkzoNobel Pakistan Limited

Posted on by admin

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Descon Engineering Limited (Descon)has been awarded a large turnkey project by AkzoNobel Pakistan Limited – the leading paint and coatings company in Pakistan. Descon has begun constructing AkzoNobel’s 25-acre integrated paints and coatings manufacturing plant at the Allama Iqbal Industrial City in Faisalabad, Pakistan. The project is stipulated to be completed within 18 months.

Descon won this project following an intense bidding process against nine other local and international EPC companies. Designed to handle year-on-year increase in production volumes, once completed, the new manufacturing plant shall allow ANPL in realizing its growth ambitions.  

The Descon CEO Taimur Saeed, stated, “Our EPC division excels at enriching the value-chain with turnkey solutions tailored to meet the clients’ requirements. This win is another feather in our cap and solidifies Descon’s position as the country’s leading EPC company. We look forward to working with AkzoNobel Pakistan Limited to deliver world class variety of engineering services that this project has the potential to offer.

We have gained deep insights on AkzoNobel’s vision for sustainability, as this Green-Field project must achieve minimal environmental footprint and also contribute towards the overall growing ‘Green Revenue’ of Descon.”

Descon’s President of Construction Division Abdul Moeed Syed, added, “We must ensure the commercial success of this unique venture, while mitigating its ecological impact. Descon is well-equipped to assist AkzoNobel in achieving its goal of reducing carbon-emissions across the full value chain by 2030.”

Descon has an illustrious track-record of executing many large-scale projects, on EPC basis, since the early 1990s. The company has the capacity to ensure world-class engineering-designs for achieving excellence in manufacturing/procurement, construction, commissioning and maintenance.

 

Xiaomi 12 Series Redefines Flagship Category

Posted on by admin

Lahore (Nut Desk)

Xiaomi today announced the launch of the all-new flagship Xiaomi 12 Series for local markets, featuring two groundbreaking devices: Xiaomi 12 Pro and Xiaomi 12. Designed to empower users around the world with a cutting-edge videography studio and entertainment powerhouse, Xiaomi 12 Series delivers impressive advancements in Xiaomi’s AI algorithm, flagship processing power, and an all-round elevated experience. 

Capture cinematic shots at any time 

Xiaomi 12 Series enables users to record studio-quality shots no matter the scenario, be it challenging lighting conditions or moving objects. Both phones boast a pro-grade triple camera array for versatile shooting, starring a massive 50MP main wide angle camera, with 8K recording capabilities on both Xiaomi 12 Pro and Xiaomi 12.  Xiaomi 12 Pro stands out with its state-of-the-art triple 50MP array, which features a cutting-edge Sony IMX707 ultra-large main sensor. This sensor is capable of catching large amounts of light and empowers advanced imaging capabilities with faster focus speeds and increased color accuracy. Xiaomi 12 features a 13MP ultra-wide angle camera, along with a 5MP tele macro camera, for filming life from different perspectives.  

Beyond impressive hardware, Xiaomi 12 Pro and Xiaomi 12 also advance Xiaomi’s proprietary AI algorithms. These innovations make it easier than ever for users to record every moment the way they want to, even in low-light or moving subjects. Xiaomi ProFocus intelligently identifies and tracks objects, preventing blurring or out-of-focus shots of moving or veiled subjects. These advancements also include eye and face auto focus capabilities. Ultra Night Video uses Xiaomi’s proprietary algorithms to record video even under extreme low-light, meaning moody, atmospheric shots are clearer than ever.  

Available on both devices, One-click AI Cinema offers numerous creative options for show-stopping video editing, such as Parallel World, Freeze Frame Video, and Magic Zoom modes. 

Flagship processing, unprecedented performance and power-efficiency  

Flagship experience requires flagship performance. Xiaomi 12 Series features advanced Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ mobile platforms. Xiaomi 12 Pro and Xiaomi 12 boast a Snapdragon® 8 Gen 1 processor – Qualcomm’s most advanced mobile platform. Built on a 4nm process, this processor also boosts GPU graphic rendering capabilities by 30% and energy efficiency by 25% when compared to the previous generation. Both three devices come with UFS 3.1 exceptional loading and data transfer speeds, along with LPDDR5 RAM for memory speeds up to 6,400Mbps. For optimal product experience, Xiaomi 12 Series packs a high-performing cooling system, bolstered by a super-large vapor chamber and multiple layers of graphite to offer a leading-cooling capability. 

All-around elevated entertainment experiences 

Xiaomi 12 Series not only lets users capture every moment in exquisite detail, but also allows them to relive those moments in astonishing detail via an exceptional entertainment experience.  Both devices offer vivid viewing on an AMOLED Dot Display rated A+ by DisplayMate, and with TrueColor support. For added peace of mind, the display features scratch-resistant Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus®, and supports Dolby Vision®, industry’s leading imaging technology that brings your content to life with vibrant color and details. Xiaomi 12 Series also supports HDR 10+. Xiaomi 12 Pro is SGS Eye Care Display Certified, showing care for users’ long-term visual health during marathon sessions.  

Meanwhile, Xiaomi 12 Pro redefines flagship display with incredibly smooth viewing, scrolling, swiping, and sliding. The device’s highly power-efficient 6.73-inch WQHD+ display leverages AdaptiveSync Pro to intelligently adjust dynamic LTPO display between 1Hz and 120Hz based on content. 

Xiaomi 12 delivers Xiaomi’s most colorful smartphone display to date, with more than 68 billion colors on 6.28-inch full-HD+ displays. Both feature 120Hz AdaptiveSync, for an impressively high-definition, vibrant, and flicker-free display that conveys every detail.  

No cinematic experience is truly complete without pro-grade audio. Xiaomi 12 Series features SOUND BY Harman Kardon, and creates an immersive audio experience powered by Dolby Atmos®, delivering spatial sound with rich detail, clarity, and realism across all your favorite entertainment. Xiaomi 12 Pro’s quad speakers – in the form of two tweeters and two woofers – deliver clear details and cover an astounding range of sound. Xiaomi 12 delivers balanced stereo sound ideal for immersive gaming or video.  To optimize core user experience further, Xiaomi 12 Series incorporates MIUI 13, released globally earlier this year. The update includes faster storage, higher background process efficiency, smarter processing, and longer battery life. New features in the upgraded experience include Xiaomi’s proprietary Liquid Storage, Atomized Memory, Focused Algorithms, and Smart Balance. 

Next-generation charging 

Xiaomi 12 Series delivers pro-grade cinematic and entertainment experiences all day, the devices deliver next-level charging speed and safety.  

Xiaomi 12 Pro features an incredibly fast 120W Xiaomi HyperCharge. With a 4,600mAh battery fully charged in just 18 minutes using Boost mode, Xiaomi 12 Pro delivers next-generation charging capabilities that keep up with user demands.  Xiaomi 12 fits a 4,500mAh battery into compact body designs. Xiaomi 12 Pro and Xiaomi 12 also support 50W wireless charging and 10W reverse charging.  Both leverage Xiaomi AdaptiveCharge, a smart charging algorithm that learns and adapts to charging habits, which prolongs battery life. 

Flagship capabilities packaged in an iconic design  

These portable pocket-sized studios fit comfortably in the palm of your hand thanks to Xiaomi 12 Series’ iconic and user-centered design. Slimmer high-capacity batteries and a narrower ridge gap save precious space within the device. Xiaomi 12 Pro’s 6.73-inch display is encased in a sleek middle frame with sophisticated 3D curves. Meanwhile, Xiaomi 12’s 6.28-inch display measures just 69.9mm in width and is accented by smooth curves for a perfect fit. Both devices are available in Gray, Purple, and Blue. 

Market Availability   

Xiaomi 12 Pro comes in one variant 12GB+256GB, and recommended retail price starts from PKR 208,999/-.

Xiaomi 12 comes in one variant, 12GB+256GB, and recommended retail price starts from PKR 179,999/-.

Purchase these devices and get a sweet bundle deal where you get a Mi Band 6 and a bag with the Xiaomi 12. Similarly with the Xiaomi 12 Pro, get a Mi Portable Bluetooth Speaker and a 10000mAh Mi Power Bank 3.  Available at top distributor partners such as Phonezo, Airlink, Smartlink etc. For those looking to purchase these online, we’ve news for you  too as these are also available on MiStore and Daraz. 

Quick Specs:

 

Xiaomi 12 Xiaomi 12 Pro
Display 120Hz +  AMOLED DotDisplay 120Hz 6.73” AMOLED Dot Display
Rear Camera 50MP main camera 13MP ultra-wide camera 2MP macro camera 5MP depth camera 50MP wide angle, ultra-wide and tele macro camera
Front Camera 32MP 32MP in-display selfie camera
Dimension & Weight 152.70mm x 69.90mm x 8.16mm – 180g 163.60mm x 74.60mm x 8.16mm

205g
Processor Snapdragon ® 8 Gen 1 Snapdragon ®r 8 Gen 1
Charging 4500mAH – 67W charge 4600mAH – 120W charge
Variant 12GB + 256GB 12GB + 256GB
Color Available Gray, Purple & Blue Gray, Purple & Blue

TVET Sector Support Programme and Punjab Vocational Training Council join hands to reintegrate returnees through skills development

Posted on by admin

Lahore (Nut Desk) TVET Sector Support Programme (TVET SSP) joined hands with Punjab Vocational Training Council (PVTC) today, to offer reintegration assistance to returnees and local population. TVET SSP is facilitating the reintegration of returnees under its new component, Reintegration of Returnees in Pakistan, which is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). TVET SSP is funded by the European Union, the Federal Republic of Germany and the Royal Norwegian Embassy and is being implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in partnership with the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC), provincial Technical Education and Vocational Training Authorities (TEVTAs), PVTC and several public and private sector organizations.

The partnership signing ceremony was attended by the representatives of several stakeholders from the development sector, including Punjab Skills Development Authority (PSDA), the Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Lahore Division), the Punjab Skills Development Fund and Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) Pakistan.

The ‘Reintegration of Returnees in Pakistan’ component of TVET SSP, aims to facilitate the socio-economic development of Pakistani returnees and the locals by offering them quick and effective start-up opportunities, especially in Punjab, as it is one of the regions most affected by return migration. The component will support 15,000 individuals, including 6,500 returnees from Germany and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries through various support measures including Career and Entrepreneurship Advisory Services, Competency-based Training & Assessments (CBT&A), Recognition of Prior Learning, and Employment Promotion.

The partnership agreement between TVET Sector Support Programme and Punjab Vocational Training Council will particularly offer reintegration assistance to 700 returnees and locals through CBT&A and Recognition of Prior Learning. In addition, 275 beneficiaries will receive toolkits in their respective trades enabling them to earn their livelihood through sustainable means.

The agreement was signed by Major Shahnawaz Badar, Chairperson, PVTC and Ms. Iris Cordelia Rotzoll, Head of TVET Sector Support Programme. Major Shahnawaz Badar, while addressing the audience, said, “Seeing initiatives like Reintegration of Returnees in Pakistan come to life makes us believe that we are heading in the right direction. People who emigrate for work, bring years of international experience back with them. Our partnership with TVET SSP won’t only be helping the returnees, it will be providing an opportunity for locals to learn from their transnational experience as well. PVTC remains committed to contributing to the economic development of Pakistani people, and such unique partnerships always push us to bring innovation to the work we do.”

Ms. Iris Cordelia Rotzoll was also of the view that this partnership was yet another significant success for them as partnerships with key players in the TVET sector is integral to the success of any initiative. ”A robust and thriving TVET sector provides pathways for the youth to become a part of the workforce, eventually contributing to the socio-economic development of Pakistan. The addition of the RoR component would also help the returnees benefit from the TVET sector interventions, enabling them to take a better charge of their economic situation” she said.

SAP accelerates digital skills build, tackles youth unemployment with SAP Young Professionals Program

Posted on by admin

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) In its commitment to address the pressing issues of youth unemployment and (digital) skills gap, SAP’s flagship digital skills build initiative, the SAP Young Professionals Program, is empowering tech talents in Pakistan with its comprehensive ennoblement plan, increasing their employ ability and driving economic growth while supporting digital transformation in the country.

The program recently conducted its sixth graduation ceremony virtually which was attended by SAP customers and partners. Syed Javed Hassan, Chairman National Vocational & Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC), also graced the event. The program was launched in Pakistan in 2014 and has since trained over 150 students. Globally, the SAP Young Professionals Program runs in a total of 37 countries, having trained more than 3600 students till date.

An initiative by the SAP Training and Development Institute, the program comprises of 2-3 months development plan that takes a blended learning approach and offers SAP software functional/technical knowledge as well as soft skill trainings. The program enables talented university students to gain SAP certification, graduating them as SAP Associate Consultants who are then immediately employable with SAP customers and partners. About 95% of all program graduates have already been placed into employment.

Sharing his views on the occasion of the program’s sixth cohort graduation, Syed Javed Hassan, Chairman NAVTTC said, “Pakistan currently has the largest youth bulge in its history which may prove to be one of our biggest assets if harnessed efficiently. However, the global shift towards automation and digitalization has evolved the skill needs and it is critical that we keep our youth up-to-date on skills needed to thrive in a digital landscape so as to ensure their economic wellbeing by expanding employment opportunities. The SAP Young Professionals Program is a commendable initiative by SAP and I encourage our youth to benefit from it as much as they can.”

Saquib Ahmad, Managing Director, SAP Pakistan, added, “Amplifying SAP’s efforts for bridging youth’s skills gap and creating sustainable work opportunities, SAP has a number of capacity-building initiatives running in the country that equip university students with a competitive edge in pursuing various career paths among SAP’s globally positioned customers and partners. It not only helps tackle youth unemployment and build skills, but also allows SAP customers and partners hire top talent, enhance the SAP ecosystem by expanding SAP-skilled consultant capacity for business growth, and further Government of Pakistan’s Digital Pakistan initiative by accelerating digitalization of the country’s economy and society.”

Murtaz Ali Khan, one of the recent graduates of the SAP Young Professionals Program from Pakistan said, “After successfully graduating from the SAP Young Professionals Program, I did not have to face any difficulty in finding the right job. Currently, I am doing my dream job – all thanks to SAP for making this possible.”

 

Ajoka observes World Theatre Day

Posted on by admin

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Ajoka Theatre, Pakistan’s leading theatre group, observed the World Theatre Day on 27 March by holding a special meeting attended by Ajoka members, students of theatre and invited guests. The theatre day is observed the world over under the auspices of International Theatre Institute (ITI).

The event started with a screening of World Theatre Day message by playwright Shahid Nadeem which he had written on the invitation of ITI. The message titled “ Theatre as a Shrine” wAs translated in over 60 languages and read out in nearly 90 countries. Speaking on the occasion, Shahid Nadeem explained his concept of Sufi Theatre which can combine the spiritual forces of Sufism with contemporary themes.

He cited the example of his internationally acclaimed play “Bulha” which inspired both modern theatre-goers as well as traditional audience with strong association with Sufi values. Actors including Naseem Abbas, Nirvaan Nadeem, Qaiser Khan, Usman Raaj, Usman Zia, Rizwan Riaz and Usman Chaudhry, who had performed various roles in the play, shared their experiences of touring with the play in Pakistan and abroad. Others who spoke on the occasion included Ajoka Chair Zara Salman, Madeeha Rasheed, Ishrat Shaheen and Aisha Khan.

Martin Dow Marker Ltd. joins hands with Servaid Pharmacy for ‘Patient Safety’

Posted on by admin

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir) Pakistan’s leading pharmaceutical company Martin Dow Marker Ltd. (MDM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a leading pharmacy chain of Pakistan i.e., “Servaid” today for Joint Patient Awareness, Access & Care (JPAAC) program.

The purpose behind this strategic collaboration is to increase patients’ awareness on disease and dosage compliance and the dissemination of reliable information to cater to the health issues of the public. To achieve this objective, both companies agreed on organizing and facilitating pharmacist training programs, pharmacy management skills trainings and educational awareness sessions to improve their capabilities in counseling the patients and to improve the access of medicines to the public. The collaboration will also aid Martin Dow Marker in providing greater access to authentic medication via Servaid’s E-Commerce platform to patients from the comfort of their home, so they stay safe.

Speaking on the occasion Group Managing Director and CEO, Martin Dow, Javed Ghulam Mohammad said, “We are consistently working towards patient safety and awareness with leading pharmacy chains of the country to cater to the health issues of the public.”

While also talking at the occasion Chief Operating Officer, Servaid, Arif Paracha, expressed his views that this is just the beginning of collaboration with Servaid and more initiatives will continue for greater good of patients and quality health service for the entire country.

President of Pakistan concludes the 2nd Annual International Conference on ‘Development: Discourses and Critiques’ at IBA Karachi

Posted on by admin

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir) The School of Economics and Social Sciences (SESS), in collaboration with the Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) at the IBA Karachi, hosted day three of the 2nd Annual International Conference titled, ‘Development: Discourses and Critiques’. The three-day conference was held from March 25-27, 2022 at the IBA Karachi, Main Campus.

Addressing the conference, Executive Director, IBA Karachi, Dr. S Akbar Zaidi welcomed the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, His Excellency, Dr. Arif Alvi and thanked him for coming to the IBA for the second time this month. Dr. Zaidi commended the conference participants for submitting around 350 papers on development and said that this was a beneficial step for Pakistan. He also said that to encourage diversity of thoughts, 150 students from across Pakistan were invited to participate and to share their papers on various themes. Dr. Zaidi also said that he was proud to say that women were adequately represented in this conference as per the essence of diversity. He appreciated the dynamic female participants and the women leaders at IBA for their contributions to the discourse and the community at large. Sessions on women empowerment and disability further added to the multifaceted theme of the conference.

Speaking at the concluding ceremony of the conference, Dr. Alvi said that effective communication plays a significant role in development as it helps us overcome the challenges faced in the development process. Appreciating Pakistani women, he said that they have immense talent and that 70 to 80 percent of them get admission into Pakistani medical colleges on merit. He also said that the art of communication is vital in empowering women and for placing them on the path of development. Dr. Alvi concluded his address with appreciating the conference for bringing together diverse discourses with an acknowledgement of its impact on future policy-making.

This year’s conference theme invited works from a wide range of disciplines to critique, question, and reconsider the experiences of transnational, national, and sub-national actors with the development process.

The conference hosted presenters and participants from diverse backgrounds, including Skardu, Malakand, Sukkur, Gilgit, Quetta, and Islamabad from Pakistan, and multiple professors from esteemed universities from the USA.

The first panel discussion for the day, and the sixth one for this conference, was titled ‘Advocating for inclusive development: a discussion on accessibility in Pakistan,’ with the following four panelists: Haris Rauf Jaswal, Business Planning Manager, Consumer, Rural & SME Banking, Habib Bank; Jawaid Rais, President Disabled Welfare Association (DWA) Karachi; Fatima Jaffry, Provincial Coordinator National Forum of Women with Disabilities (NFWWD); and Muhammad Atif Sheikh, Executive Director, Special Talent Exchange Program Pakistan. The panelists emphasized the need for development to be inclusive for differently abled people. This inclusivity was suggested through making space for their active participation along with structural changes to accommodate them.

The last panel for the conference, titled, ‘Just Transition,’ which included the following four panelists: Samantha Smith, Country Director of the Just Transition Centre; Humayun Azad, CEO of Ray Analytics; Haroon Sharif, Consultant of UNDP Pakistan and former State Minister of Investments; and Sadaf Abid, International Consultant. This panel focused on the clean and green energy agenda with an emphasis towards business opportunities. The need for collaboration between all agents of society towards meeting the green agenda requirements was also underlined.

The last day of the conference also included 37 presentations by undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students across a range of themes including employment and safety, state and development, literary and visual worlds, social psychology, and the work of some prominent economists.

The three-day conference attracted the presence of 5 international speakers, 150 student presenters, 58 out stationed students, and more than 1000 attendees.