CURTAIN RAISER – – Nayi Awaaz – Dil Se Gao

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Lahore (NUT Desk)

Pakistan’s leading music platform, Bajao.pk, is launching a hunt for Pakistan’s “Nayi Awaaz”, through a nationwide online music competition. Bajao.pk is dedicated to promoting the voice of Pakistan, especially the undiscovered bundles of talent. The competition will start on Saturday, January 29, 2022. So, all you gifted people “Shuru ho Jao Aur Dil Se Gao”!

Artists will record and upload their songs on the dedicated web portal. After an initial screening the videos will be put up on the Bajao.pk App, Facebook and Instagram portals. People will vote for the top 10, then top 5, then top 3 and then the winner of the competition. The winner will not only get a handsome prize but also an opportunity to get the winning song produced by a renowned music producer.

Bajao.pk works towards supporting and promoting the music talent of Pakistan. It takes pride in unearthing unknown or lesser-known musicians and amplifying their voice for all to hear.

In the current atmosphere where artists struggle to get their musical expressions heard, Bajao.pk brings an opportunity to be recognized as a Voice to reckon with.

To stay updated about the event, follow Bajao on Facebook and Instagram.

Faysal Islami’s Shaheen Flies Even Higher

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Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Shaheen Shah Afridi, the Brand Ambassador of Faysal Bank Limited has been awarded the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year for 2021.
This is a proud moment for the entire nation and Faysal Bank Limited. The 21-year-old bowler is the youngest ever cricketer to receive the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy, and the only Pakistani to receive this honor.
“Swing, seam, sheer pace and sizzling yorkers – Shaheen Shah Afridi gave an exhibition of it all in the year 2021,” the ICC said in a statement, as it announced the 21-year-old as the winner of the award.
Faysal Islami, the Best Emerging and fastest growing Islamic Bank of Pakistan is proud to have Shaheen Shah Afridi, as its corporate brand ambassador.
Jaudat Hussain, Head Retail Banking Faysal Bank, said, “Faysal Islami & Shaheen Shah Afridi share common values of Excellence, Commitment to move forward and above all Belief in His Rehmat. Faysal Bank is proud of his achievement as much as we are proud of our own world’s largest conversion of a conventional bank to a full-fledged Islamic Bank”
Faysal Bank Limited firmly believes that its conversion to an Islamic bank is a step that will have a positive impact on a vast segment of society who want to bank with a fully Islamic institution and have limited choices available due to limited size and reach of most existing Islamic players.

Applications for Microsoft’s ‘GrowthX Accelerator’

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Applications for Microsoft’s ‘GrowthX Accelerator’ second cohort now open for Pakistan’s B2B startups

  • Initiatives by Microsoft for Startups and Abu Dhabi Investment Office progress tosecond phase
  • GrowthX Accelerator program– aimed at bridging the gap between large corporates and B2B tech startups – opens applications for second cohort
  • Highway to 100 Unicorns – designed to address issues faced by early-stage entrepreneurs across Pakistan, the Middle East and Turkey – now taking registrations for new virtual conference keynotes and workshops
  • This year’s GrowthX Corporate Partners include DHL, PwC, Koc Holdings, with more to be announced

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Microsoft for Startups Middle East today announced it has opened a second round of applications for Microsoft for Startups’ highly successful GrowthX Accelerator Programme and is accepting registrations for the next series of virtual conferences in the well-received Highway to 100 Unicorns virtual conference.

The GrowthX Accelerator and Highway to 100 Unicorns are part of a broader strategic partnership between Microsoft and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) to accelerate opportunities for startups across the region, including Pakistan. The GrowthX Accelerator, announced in January 2021 and officially launched in May, brings together corporates with challenges and startups that can buildfield-ready solutions. It empowers B2B tech start-ups with the commercial and technical resources and support they need to accelerate their growth.

H.E. Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, said, “Startups are the lifeblood of Abu Dhabi’s innovation ecosystem, bringing ingenuity, fresh ideas and ambition to drive progress across all sectors. The Abu Dhabi government is committed to supporting entrepreneurs and businesses through scale up programmes such as GrowthX Accelerator and Highway to 100 Unicorns. The progression of these initiatives to their next phases signifies the success they have achieved in helping startups. We will continue on this journey to ensure innovators have access to all the tools and resources they need to make impactful change in Abu Dhabi.”

GROWTHX ACCELERATOR

Microsoft for Startups GrowthX Accelerator is designed to consolidate the progress the country has made by leveraging the benefits its government offers technology companies. Through intense technical and commercial acceleration, the programme engenders connections and brings innovators together to learn, grow, become investor-ready and better engage corporates in the region.

“Our second cohort of GrowthX follows a very successful first phase in 2021, where we saw massive interest from innovators across the region,” said Roberto Croci, Managing Director, Microsoft for Startups, MEA. “Microsoft customers, regardless of their industry or scale, are eager for solutions. Success in a rapidly globalising digital economy relies on making the right moves at the right time with the right technology. Microsoft for Startups exists to support the creators of innovative solutions and connect them with the technology and partners they need in order to grow. Our work with ADIO on the GrowthX Accelerator program lays the groundwork for that sea change in the regional entrepreneurship ecosystem.”

GrowthX includes virtual and physical workshops and training sessions, as well as a series of “demo days” and networking events where startups get the opportunity to showcase their visions to both venture capitalists and Microsoft’s regional enterprise customers. Microsoft will recruit 15 startups from across the region, including Pakistan, to solve a range of corporate challenges for its partners, over the course of the 12-week program. Corporate Partners in this year’s GrowthX cohort include DHL, PwC, Koc Holdings, with more to be announced.

HIGHWAY TO 100 UNICORNS

Microsoft for Startups also announced it will holdanother virtual conference series for its popular Highway to 100 Unicorns programme. Hosted in partnership with ADIO and LinkedIn, Highway to 100 Unicorns brings together experts from across the globe to address the issues faced by early-stage entrepreneurs across the Middle East, Turkey and Pakistan, and share with them the insights they need to build and scale. The latest virtual conference series will be hosted live on LinkedIn and Microsoft Teams between 24 Januaryand9 February. Over the three-week period, two sessions will be hosted daily, the first targeting idea-stage founders who are still developing their business models, and the second focusing on the issues faced by slightly more mature businesses as they consider scaling.

Confirmed speakers for this year’s Highway to 100 Unicorns conference include Mark Chahwan (co-founder at Sarwa), Brian Habibi (co-founder at Bayzat), Sarah el Saleh (Partner at Outliers), Yehia Badawy (co-founder at Rain), Joy Ajlouny (Fetchr), and Sarah Toukan (co-founder at Ziina). The conference will also include workshops and info sessions with ADGM and Hub71.

 

Paragon Constructors Pakistan chooses SAP as its digital partner

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Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) One of the largest construction groups of Pakistan, Paragon Constructors (Private) Limited, has chosen SAP, world’s leading digital solutions provider, as its strategic technology partner in pursuit of their end-to-end digital transformation journey.

Paragon Constructors is the flagship company of Paragon Group of Companies and is behind some of Pakistan’s landmark projects including Lucky one mall, Dolmen Mall, Habib University, EMAAR, UBL tower, Telenor, Ocean mall, Lucky cement plant. Through its 30 years of service in the industry, the Company has emerged as a premier construction brand, trusted nation-wide for its unmatched expertise, comprehensive range of services, and compliance with highest industry standards for safety and sustainability.

To better accommodate the needs of their expanding portfolio of clients and bring renewed efficiency to their services, Paragon Constructors is now transforming and digitising their operations with the aid of SAP S/4 HANA Enterprise Management, Core HCM, and Payroll solutions. Being one of the most efficient and multidisciplinary enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, S/4 HANA will enable the Company to easily manage all operations and strategic dealings, create and manage plans and schedules swiftly, simplify financial management and easily analyse data and generate reports. The Core HR and Payroll solutions will help the Company manage global benefits and payroll, improve employee self-service, automate HR processes, and strengthen compliance. Apart from this, all day-to-day processes and other functions of an enterprise can be easily managed through SAP’s solutions resulting in improved speed and performance of business as well as better services for customers.

Xx, xx Paragon Constructors Pakistan, while commenting on the successful implementation of the digital solutions, said, “Digitalisation has become the need of the hour, not just because it provides new and improved business solutions and revenue opportunities but also because it enables a business to better discern the needs of its customers and provide services accordingly. As one of the major stakeholders in the construction sector, the way we conduct our business and manage our clients and services is of utmost importance. We look forward to the promising and transforming results of SAP’s digital solutions.”

Saquib Ahmed, Managing Director, SAP Pakistan also expressed his pleasure at serving the biggest construction company of Pakistan and said, “SAP is committed to aid businesses in improving their capabilities and simplifying their operations. As numerous organisations across various industries shift towards the digital realm, SAP ensures that our solutions increase efficiency, resiliency and productivity of our customers’ businesses. We hope to see the fruitful results of this partnership in the form of our client’s success.”

Superfollow : likee offers value addition for content creators to earn more grow more

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Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Not too long ago, the idea that users would be able to pay to watch movies or listen to music on the go from the Internet was inconceivable. Entertainment needs were met by movie rental stores, complete with pirated music CDs and always up to date with the latest releases. It seemed challenging to accept the looming digital change despite the accelerated demise of the old model.

Today, however, entertainment has taken on another meaning with streaming services like Netflix, Spotify, Twitch, and even YouTube. Users now have the ability to fully customize their entertainment experience in exchange for monthly fees, payable directly from users’ smartphones. Subscription-based services are rapidly finding immense popularity in Pakistan, thanks to digital banking and payment gateway facilitation from network providers, especially in recent years.

With the shifting trends in entertainment consumption and the phenomenal growth rate of social media in Pakistan, and thanks to smartphone affordability, content is increasingly taking centre stage – and right there under the big spotlight is a rising star in social media, Likee.

Based in Singapore, Likee is a leading global short video platform that is quickly making its way to the top when it comes to mobile entertainment. In a very short period of time, Likee has made a permanent place for itself in the hearts and minds of content creators and consumers from all walks of life in Pakistan. Staying true to its commitment to revolutionize the way we create and consume content on our mobile devices, Likee has introduced yet another wondrous opportunity – SuperFollow – a subscription-based service for content creators to earn revenue through monthly subscriptions on Likee.

Content creators on Likee can now choose to create exclusive content that is available only to their paying subscribers. Creators in all niches are pioneering the way their audiences consume content on Likee, and rapidly filling the empty cultural space created by traditional media. With SuperFollow, local content creators now have the opportunity to create their own success as they build full-time careers on one of the most downloaded apps in the regional marketplace.

The new feature, as just started, is only available for handpicked creators and will expand to more creators soon in the future. After qualifying to create monetized content, Likee creators can make their application entry and set their desired monthly subscription price ranging from $0.99 to $49.9 (equal to 174to 8830 rupees)according to current rules. Creators can start publishing exclusive, monetized content for their SuperFollowers within 24 hours from the submission of their application, if approved. To attract more SuperFollowers, creatorsarealsoencouragedtocraft their greeting message, select attractive video covers and design the profile accordingly.

Pakistani content creators have displayed extensive appreciation towards the SuperFollow feature. Naintara, an influencer who posts a mix of entertaining content on her Likee account, expressed her views in the following words, “The SuperFollow feature is an amazing addition from Likee as it protects the creative rights of influencers. The response from my friends and followers has been amazing with them liking a lot of videos revolving around my daily routine. I plan to continue creating similar content for my followers so this momentum can continue.”

As the entertainment app of choice for millions of Pakistanis, Likee now is equipped with the tools necessary to challenge traditional television and media, offering the perfect solution in the form of free and paid content – it has something for everyone.

TECNO all set to bring RGBW Camera Sensor Technology to Smartphones

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LAHORE (NUT DESK)

The continuous evolution of technology has urged many brands to either excel at a fast pace or be left far behind. The globally eminent smartphone brand, TECNO has been seen bringing something new for its users from time to time. In a webinar last month, TECNO’s Global team announced to be working with Samsung to bring the latest RGWB Camera Sensor in their phones.

The brand discussed featuring a new Samsung image sensor that uses an RGBW pixel array for better quality images. TECNO mentioned Samsung’s Isocell GWB – an upcoming mobile imaging sensor that adds a white pixel to red, green, and blue pixels. The addition of the white pixel will improve the sensor’s overall sensitivity to light which will help produce better low light photographs. It claims lesser background glare in lit environments and more balanced contrast levels in darker backgrounds.

A few days back, TECNO Pakistan posted on its social media stating “We’ve launched the industry’s latest RGBW Camera sensor technology”. Fans seem to be overjoyed by the news but we still don’t know which phones could be coming with this feature. Can you guess which of TECNO’s phones will be the first to have this technology?

According to multiple sources, TECNO shall be bringing some of the greatest technological devices from its Camon and Phantom series in Pakistan. The brand brought its first Borderless AMOLED – Phantom X along with the Gimbal Technology Camon 18 Premier in 2021. Hence the expectations are too high and we hope TECNO will not make its fans wait too long and launch some amazing devices soon.

My Zong App becomes the fastest growing App of the country with 10 Million Active Users

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Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) 10 Million and still going strong- My Zong App’s family has grown and reached a remarkable mark of 10 million active users. With 1 in every 4 customer of the company using MZA, this feat makes My Zong App one of Pakistan’s fastest-growing apps with highest digital penetration rates in the industry. The new milestone is a testament to Zong users’ confidence in My Zong App in terms of system performance, useful features, convenience, and state-of-the-art user interface.

Moreover, My Zong App also offers exclusivity to its users in terms of offers and games, which has brought good engagement on the MZA app. “My Zong App is the gateway to a world of exciting opportunities not only for Zong subscribers but for users of other networks as well. The app has a lot to offer to the users, but that might just be the beginning of even bigger and more wonderful things. We thank Pakistanis for making Zong and MZA a massive success,” shared spokesperson of Zong 4G. Today, My Zong App has more value for Zong as well as other network users than ever before.

Enriched with countless features and designed with the intention to simplify users’ lives, MZA continues to serve Pakistanis in an unmatched way. Cognizant of its customer-centric approach, Zong 4G has dedicated its efforts to provide the best experience to its valued customers. Placing customers at the core, the company aims to continue capitalizing on innovation and new technologies to deliver cutting-edge products and services linked with the ambition of digitalizing Pakistan.

It’s important to note that besides many other offers, last year Zong also announced a long-term flash sale of up to 70% on My Zong App, giving Zong users all the more reason to make the most of the app that regularly brings incredible offers.

A Gaming Beast Like None Other – realme GT Master Edition

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LAHORE (NUT DESK)

The gaming beast realme GT Master Edition passed the AnTuTu test with a score of 541000 points, garnering 8.6 overall score – thanks to its Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 778G 5G Processor

For several months the country’s smartphone landscape particularly gaming pros had waited with bated breath for a device that had them talking even before it landed in Pakistan.

And yet, when the real gaming beast realme GT Master Edition arrived, it lived up to all the accolades it had earned in its stead, turning out to be #thereal5Gflagshipkiller.

The phone was put to test and the results were massively powering – passing the AnTuTu test with a score of 541000 points. The powerhouse performance is courtesy a Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 778G 5G Processor, that powers the device and keeps it cool for hard core gaming.

Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 778G 5G Processor

The realme GT Master Edition comes with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G processor for lightning fast processing and seamless performance at all times. It is best suited for heavy gaming and media processing. The 6nm chipset helps bulky graphics breeze through like air to give a smooth gaming experience to the player.

GT Mode – An Ace up the Sleeve

realme users will always have an ace up their sleeve in the form of GT Mode which can be activated to unleash peak CPU performance and lightning fast speed when required. The GT Mode is the ultimate weapon in realme GT Master Edition’s performance arsenal to unlock the fiercest mode in gaming or wherever the need emerges.

Vapor Chamber Cooling System

The realme GT Master Edition is best suited for gaming because it eliminates one of the most dreadful irritants for gamers; throttling, the unwelcome heating up and slowing down of the processor as it tackles heavy graphics in gaming. The realme GT Master Edition has the best answer to the issue in form of its ultra-modern heat dissipation mechanism.The realme GT Master Edition’s innovative Vapor Chamber Cooling System effectively cools down the processor to keep its performance at optimum levels. This feature makes the phone ideal for Pakistan, where we experience extended summers.

In addition, the processor supports all mainstream 5G networks globally. With the new realme GT Master Edition, we will be ever ready to embrace the upcoming technological transformation all for PKR 66,999/-.

realme has quickly established itself as one of the fastest growing brands in Pakistan as well as around the world. Its extensive smartphone line-up caters to various price segments but has a strong focus on delivering top quality, innovative tech and the best user experience to its customers across all price segments.

Find My Doctor raises Pre Series A from TPL at $5 million valuation, Tesla alum to lead its tech

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Karachi (Muhammad Yasir) Find My Doctor announced today that it has raised a Pre Series A funding round from both TPL e-Ventures, investment arm of TPL Corp and TPL Insurance at a $5 million valuation. The funding will be used to open dark stores, improve technology and hire new talent. Find My Doctor currently offers its services in 7 of the largest cities of Pakistan namely Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Multan, Peshawar, Hyderabad while plans are in place to enter 10 more by the end of 2022.

Apart from core tech, the Healthtech App will be improving upon its insurance-related services, supported by TPL Insurance, which is Pakistan’s leading Insurtech and one of the largest retail insurance providers in Pakistan. Although insurance is critical to healthcare services around the world, in Pakistan it is yet to cover the wider population, leaving room for substantial growth for any entity which can offer reach and affordability. Find My Doctor, aims to offer innovative features to the general public as well as the corporate sector to make insurance easier to enroll and benefit from.

Healthcare sector continues to experience an exponential volume of traffic due to Covid19 but the nature of the pandemic highlighted various inefficiencies of physical infrastructures, one of them being the inability to cater to a large crowd in a safe and quick manner. Telehealth and doorstep services on the other hand, proved to be quick, safe, convenient and, efficient. With 250,000 satisfied customers, 90,000 lab tests, 400,000 doctor visits and, more than 150 partnerships, Find My Doctor is considered a leader amongst Healthcare Apps in Pakistan.

“We are thrilled to achieve this milestone and will be scaling our operations significantly while experimenting with new products and services. Luckily, we now have the team in place as we have hired our leaders from Tesla, Bykea and an insurance startup” said Saad Siddiqui, Founder & CEO Find My Doctor.

“Being Pakistan’s leading Insurtech, TPL Insurance continually utilizes the digital paradigm to disrupt the insurance industry. Our efforts are singularly focused on making insurance easier and accessible for all, as we look forward to building upon the same vision, set forth by Find My Doctor” said Muhammad Aminuddin, CEO TPL Insurance.

The transaction is subject to a successful completion of certain conditions and regulatory processes.

Distribution of 100 wheelchairs in Islamabad, given through Dawood Global Foundation’s

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Islamabad (Muhammad Yasir) Chief Guest First Lady of Pakistan Begum Samina Alvi presided over the distribution of 100 wheelchairs in Islamabad, given through Dawood Global Foundation’s #LFWheels, LADIESFUND 10,000 wheelchair drive to make Pakistan and Pakistanis more mobile, in collaboration with donor IFWA Islamabad Foreign Wives Association (founded by wives of ambassadors posted to Pakistan brings together expat spouses temporarily based in Islamabad since 1995). “I want to appreciate Tara Dawood and Dawood Global Foundation LADIESFUND for arranging these wheelchairs and hope in the future we work more and more together. I really appreciate this effort to distribute throughout Pakistan. It’s a very good step,” said Begum Samina.

“IFWA I really welcome you and it is so nice to see you contributing wherever there are such charity activities. Thank you!” In addition to the First Lady, President of LADIESFUND, IFW President Irena Smetankova (Czech Republic) and IFWA Vice-President Ursula Keller (Austria), present at the ceremony were IFWA executive committee members Charles Aleya (EU Ambassador), Mariam Shenaaz Vanker (South Africa), Marie-Charlotte Deichmann (Germany), Ludo van Vooren (Belgium/Norway), Ariane Dossche (Belgium), and from LADIESFUND, Dr. Awais Siraj, Mirza Munawar Shikoh and Shafaqat Mehmood. The recitation was performed by the talented Gulzar Irfan, while seated in the #LFWheels IFWA wheelchair she had just received.