News Update Times

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Pakistan’s largest digital Bank, Mobilink Microfinance Bank Limited (MMBL) has once again clinched the Corporate Social Responsibility Award in the category of “Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) Leader” for advancing D&I through its flagship women empowerment and disability inclusion initiatives, Women Inspirational Network (WIN) and Humqadam program. The 11th Annual International Corporate Social Responsibility Summit & Awards 2022, were held in Karachi by The Professionals Network and are the first and only (CSR) Award of Pakistan registered with the IPO Government of Pakistan. The ceremony was attended by prominent business personalities and professionals from the industry, government organizations, NGOs, academia, and the media.

Under its flagship initiatives WIN and Humqadam, MMBL is supporting women and differently-abled individuals by facilitating them to overcome barriers restricting their access to financial empowerment. In line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030, the bank has been providing training opportunities to women and differently-abled individuals to strengthen their professional capabilities with a focus on improving their digital and financial skillsets in the rapidly evolving banking ecosystem of Pakistan.

Expressing her thoughts on receiving the award, Samiha Ali Zahid, Chief People Officer at MMBL said: “MMBL is honored to be recognized by The Professionals Network (TPN) for its efforts to become a catalyst of change for diversity and inclusion. This award is a reflection of MMBL’s commitment to uplift marginalized social groups, including women and differently-abled individuals by providing a platform and enabling them to grow professionally. As Pakistan’s largest digital bank, MMBL reinforces its commitment to roll out innovative financial products and services for everyone, leaving no one behind, by removing all potential barriers and building a truly inclusive digitally and financially enabled Pakistan.”

Through its expansive financial services portfolio, MMBL provides easy accessibility of its digital financial solutions, and has trained over 500 women, and onboarded over 9 differently-enabled individuals under the WIN and Humqadam program, respectively. MMBL remains dedicated to fostering inclusion and empowerment opportunities for all using the power of digital financial services. 

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Pakistan’s cellular and digital services frontrunner, Zong 4G, has been recognized as the most superior network of the country by Pakistan Telecom Authority’s (PTA) latest Quality of Service (QoS) survey (Q4), 2021.

In the recent Quality of Service (QoS) survey carried out by PTA in 18 cities and nine motorways, highways, intercity roads across all four provinces to measure the performance of the services of Pakistani Cellular Mobile Operators (CMOs). The survey gauged the CMO performances against the issued KPIs of voice, network coverage, SMS, and mobile broadband/data using a state-of-the-art automated QoS Monitoring and Benchmarking tool.

In the survey, Zong took the lead in major performance metrics including mobile network coverage, mobile broadband service, voice call quality, and overall telecom ranking.

“We’re delighted to have topped the PTA QoS charts for Q4, 2021, and are always in pursuit of service excellence on every single front,” shared Zong’s official spokesperson on the achievement.

“We will continue to find new ways of serving our customers better and drive the digital change that Pakistan needs at the moment. Moreover, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our customers for their trust in Zong as their preferred digital connectivity partner,” the spokesperson added.

Zong is Pakistan’s top connectivity and digital services provider that’s also leading the ICT-led digital transformation in the country. The company delivers best-in-class mobile telephony and digital services while striving to help Pakistan match its digital pace with the world and enter the 5G era.

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) In recognition of its successful corporate-community/nonprofit partnerships for uplifting social quality, Shan Shares, a corporate identity of Shan Foods, has been conferred an award in the category of “Collaboration Partnership” at the 11th Annual Corporate Social Responsibility Summit & Awards 2022 during a ceremony held at a local hotel in Karachi.

The Annual CSR Summit and Awards, organized every year by The Professionals Network (TPN), is the first and only nationally-recognized CSR awards of Pakistan, registered with the IPO, that honors leading corporations from across the country for their outstanding and innovative efforts for the wellbeing of individuals, communities and the environment.

Being one of the participants of the UN Global Compact, Shan Foods works with the United Nations Association of Pakistan to align its CSR initiatives in accordance with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Shan Shares, the CSR branch of Shan Foods that personifies the brand’s corporate citizenship, is founded on the same mission of creating socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable world. For this purpose, Shan Shares rallies partnerships with corporates and governments, and advocates for collective action for a healthy and equal planet. The accolade for “Collaboration Partnership” by CSR Awards 2022 underscores Shan Shares’ commitment towards community development as an integral part of its Corporate Responsibility initiatives.

Sharing her views on the achievement, Maria Rashdi, Head of Corporate Communications and PR at Shan Foods said, “As evident from the name itself, Shan Shares is rooted in the philosophy of sharing and caring and believes that it is up to all of us, from individuals to businesses and governments, to make sure that we leave behind a prosperous and sustained world for generations to come. This is why all our CSR initiatives are dedicated towards our focus areas such as quality education, women empowerment, gender equality, and community engagement and enhancement, and we have been tirelessly playing our role through various programs to reach out to a wider network and make meaningful contribution in the society. It is an honor for us to be recognized for our efforts by the CSR Awards. This not only shows our dedication towards development of our community but also motivates us further to continue our mission in line with our CSR objectives.”

In recognition of its efforts for the community, Shan Foods was also the recipient of “Community Impact Award” at the last year’s annual CSR Awards.

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Bank Alfalah, one of the largest private banks in Pakistan and one of the pioneers in the digital banking realm has partnered with Alchemative, a 1-Click Checkout Solution. The two innovative organizations have collaborated to facilitate digital payments for e-commerce businesses. Alchemative enables organizations to sell products globally through an integration with Alfa Payment Gateway. This platform will enable a robust digital payments collection mechanism.

The Alfa Payment Gateway is a unique e-commerce payment gateway, allowing businesses to go online through a comprehensive e-commerce payments infrastructure. The platforms provide distinct opportunities for businesses that are moving with times and adopting digital payments for facilitation of customers. The partnership between Bank Alfalah and Alchemative is designed to provide solutions that enable online retailers to collect payments in real time and in a simple and secure manner from their customers via multiple payment modes e.g. Credit and Debit cards, Bank Alfalah Wallets and Alfa Bank Accounts.

Key features

Group Head Digital Banking Group – Yahya Khan was pleased to commemorate this business expansion partnership and stated “This partnership is another step towards our objective to offer seamless digital banking and payment services to customers in an efficient manner. It highlights our passion to work with Fintechs and Technology companies and invest in profitable business expansion partnerships to help Pakistani merchants access the e-commerce marketplace.” Some of the key features of Alfa Payment Gateway include:

• Instant and Digital Merchant Onboarding
• No setup/Annual/Maintenance fee
• Powerful Merchant Portal
• Merchant Financing and BNPL
• Pay by Link (Ideal for merchants without a website)

The CEO of Alchamative – Umar Rana stated, “Our aim is to connect the customers, merchants as well as financial institutions in order to fast track digital adoption in the country that results in transparency along with sustainable economic growth. We have built an entire eco-system of e-commerce and all things digital to help facilitate various industries. This partnership is another proud step towards our vision of transforming businesses, people and communities through the power of technology.”

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Lahore – Wednesday, 2nd March, 2022: The largest exhibition of automobiles in the country – The Pakistan Auto Show 2022 (PAPS 2022) is finally going to happen in Pakistan on 27th July, 2022 – 29th July, 2022 at the Expo Center Lahore, organized by the Pakistan Automotive Parts and Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM).

It is the most electrifying initiative of the ‘Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts & Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM), representing over 300 large, medium & small industries from all over Pakistan. The theme of this year’s PAPS show is; “MAKE IN PAKISTAN. The launching ceremony happened in Lahore and was attended by a large number of automobiles and parts manufacturers across the country.

The government had announced many incentives for the auto sector a couple of months ago, followed by the Prime Minister’s Visit to China especially focussing on new investors for this growing market of 220 million. The major auto brands (OEMs), auto parts manufacturers, and ancillary industries’ leading figures packed the hall on its launching ceremony for its forthcoming 17th edition of PAPS 2022.

The event was attended by the known personalities of the automobile industry like, Mr. Muhammad Akram, Former Chairman of PAAPAM. Mr. Syed Nabeel Hashmi, The Chief Organiser, said: “About 150 international and local producers of cars, tractors, buses, antiques, motorcycles, heavy bikes, rickshaws, parts manufacturers and toolmakers showed their interests to showcase a wide range of their products. He saw a major role which PAPS 2022 would play in the auto sector, service industries, and machinery producers.”

Talking to the charged participants Mr. Rehan Riaz, the Convener of PAPS 2022, said: “Agents of international Exhibitors from all over the world like Germany, China, the UK, Iran, Bangladesh, Japan, Taiwan, India, Malaysia were present on the occasion to secure the space for their principles. The Convener also informed about inducting a Virtual-Cum-Physical show for the foreign and national exhibitors, who wish to exhibit their products remotely in PAPS-2022.”

Mr. Abdul Rehman Aizaz, Senior Vice Chairman, said: “The previous event was visited by thousands of local and international visitors and buyers from Belgium, South Africa, China, Sudan, Nigeria, UAE, Sri Lanka, India, etc. They were anticipating an unprecedented footfall, much more than before, to this event at provincial metropolitan, he added.” Mr. Abdur Razzaq Gauhar, Chairman PAAPAM thanked the major brands like Suzuki, Honda, Millat Group of Companies, MG, and Proton to show their keen interest in exhibiting their new arrivals.

While stressing the significance of roadshows, he said they were the modern platform to bridge the business gaps across the globe. To him, exhibitions were the most effective tools of business promotions, investment, and connections. Pakistan being the 6th largest market, had a great space for the new players, and they were providing them the opportunities to enter into this potential market. Gauhar thanked the guests for an overwhelming response, which showed their confidence in this show.

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir) Recognized once again for its continuing success in empowering and making a positive impact on societies, Telenor Pakistan has won the 11th Annual International Corporate Social Responsibility Award – this time for its efforts in digital learning, environmental stewardship and child protection. The prestigious CSR Award, registered with the IPO, Government of Pakistan was presented to Telenor Pakistan at a ceremony held in Karachi on 2^nd March, 2022.

The award was presented to Head of Sustainability, Telenor Pakistan, Abdullah Abdur Rehman Khan. The event was attended by key stakeholders belonging to the corporate sector, government organizations, NGOs, academia, and a few media organizations. Last year, Telenor Pakistan was awarded recognition in diversity and inclusion for its Open Mind Pakistan program and the Disability Job Portal.

Commenting on the achievement, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Telenor Pakistan, Kamal Ahmed stated, “Awards like these validate Telenor Pakistan’s commitment to what matters most. Telenor Pakistan’s sustainability programs and initiatives are important steps in that direction, and play a vital role in empowering societies and bridging the digital divide.”

Whether it’s for leveraging on long-term partnerships for a digital future or empowering societies to create a better, sustainable Pakistan, Telenor Pakistan believes in conducting business with sustainability at its core. Telenor Pakistan’s award-winning programs and projects in sustainability include interventions for underserved and vulnerable communities, such as its Digital Birth Registration, Safe Internet, Taleemabad, and Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The network truly encapsulates the essence of togetherness and prosperity with programs like Open Mind Pakistan, Naya Aghaaz, Velocity and many more designed to create an inclusive, Digital Pakistan.