 Likee and Telenor Pakistan Announce Data Bundles to Facilitate Mobile Entertainment in the Country

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Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Likee, one of Pakistan’s leading short video sharing platforms, is enabling a smoother path for users to enjoy high-quality content through a collaboration with the country’s biggest telecom company, Telenor Pakistan. With the introduction of exclusive data bundles that are both monthly and weekly, Likee users will be able to stream and upload content to the platform anytime, anywhere without any hindrances.

Short video sharing is gaining popularity in Pakistan quite rapidly, with both creators and audiences enjoying its breadth of benefits. Likee has risen to popularity amongst these segments for its diverse content and user-friendly features. Now, with a collaboration involving Telenor Pakistan, the application is showcasing its commitment towards enhancing excellence in quality entertainment to people while combining it with the reliability of high-speed 4G internet through cost-effective bundles. The partnership will serve as a mutually beneficial avenue for both parties with Telenor broadening its marketing reach and target audience through interactive influencer driven campaigns. The newly launched monthly bundle offers 2GB internet for PKR 40 while the weekly package provides 5GB data at PKR 80. All prices are inclusive of taxes.

Likee also introduced a #ShineWith4G to highlight the newly launched data bundles through a promotional campaign centered around this initiative. Creators shared in person introduction ultimately building repute and improving visibility for Telenor amongst a significant chunk of the Gen-Z audience in Pakistan.

Commenting on the development, Likee representative, stated, “Being one of the country’s leading social media platforms, Likee is continually focused on empowering audiences and creators with the means to make a lasting impact. Our collaboration with Telenor Pakistan signifies our efforts in creating an ecosystem where users can enjoy popular content without having to facing hindrances like buffering or lag. Together with a host of other mainstream partners like smartphone manufacturer Vivo and cosmetics brand Golden Pearl, the application is building a robust landscape for not just the brands but content creators as well. We plan to develop more conducive partnerships in the future to strengthen our reputation as a platform that bolsters high-value content.”

Likee has been taking the social media landscape in Pakistan by storm through its vibrant marketing activities and unique strategies that facilitate all types of users across the country.

Powering the Next Era of Cloud Services

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Lahore (NUT DESK)

Powering the Next Era of Cloud Services – Rapid launches Cobolt with exciting new features and limitless possibilities for your business.

Earlier this week RapidCompute, Pakistan’s largest local cloud service provider, announced the formal launch of Cobolt (Powered by OpenStack), a platform that is aimed to provide the customers with tools that manage core cloud-computing services of compute, networking, and storage in a much faster and efficient manner. With the launch of this new product, they have also introduced a new customer portal – Portal 3.0, which allows the customer to perform multiple operations that come with new product offerings as part of Cobolt.

Rapid has always considered itself to be a pioneer in cloud computing trends and services in Pakistan. Keeping in line with this approach, the organization has introduced some advanced features available on leading global clouds that enable the customer to manage their infrastructure through a simple and intuitive interface.

Portal 3.0 was developed with a very clear objective in mind; to provide users with complete control of their computing resources, the ability to create clusters and deploy multiple nodes in a complex environment with just one click. It is completely optimized for use on web browsers and iOS/Android tablets and phones – for ready access to critical services on the go.

The portal was built with a modular approach to provide flexibility and agility.  Integrating some of the globally used and locally sought products such as:

  • Kubernetes as a Service
  • Database as a Service
  • Load Balancer as a Service
  • Security Groups and KeyPairs
  • Multiple Volume Types
  • Live Chat Support
  • Data Center Overview

All of these products boost business agility, availability, and efficiency. It will not only give your IT staff better access to IT resources but will make it very convenient for developers to provision machines rapidly on-demand. Faster deployment of resources also means business units can roll out and complete projects earlier than before.

According to Mr. Shahzaib Khan, Commercial Head RapidCompute:

“The portal is an easy way to deploy resources in complete harmony to the needs of your business. It enables the management to drive transformations required for the business to innovate faster and build a sustainable competitive advantage. In the age of customer, it is not just the enterprise sector that can benefit from OpenStack but also startups that are working on bringing new and innovative products to the market”

He also mentioned how the company engages with the customers for feedback which allows them to understand better as to what the customers seek. He also highlighted the “cutting-edge features” that RapidCompute provides, unlike any other cloud provider in Pakistan.

“The edge we have of being a local cloud service provider is that our teams understand the needs of this market and are always working to bring the best practices and popular features used by international cloud providers.”

On Cobolt (Powered by OpenStack), companies can adjust their infrastructure according to the needs of the business. OpenStack enables you to provision machines on-demand; they can significantly reduce development and testing periods and having more freedom to experiment with ideas. It is a platform that suits businesses of all sizes; it is designed to be ready for scaling, whether that’s scaling up or down.

Imtiaz Ahmed Khan, Chief Technical Officer, Rapid, commented,

“Being the pioneer of Cloud Computing in Pakistan, Rapid is constantly working towards integrating new products and cutting-edge features. With Cobolt, we are the first Pakistani cloud provider to be offering Magnum (Kubernetes as a Service) and Trove (Database as a Service). The launch of Portal 3.0 is just the beginning. Soon, you’ll be hearing about the addition of many more products to the Cobolt ambit.”     

Rapid is currently the largest public and private cloud provider in the country and recently celebrated a decade serving Pakistani enterprises. It has been Pakistan’s trailblazer in offering cloud computing, networking services, and management tools for digitizing all areas of businesses and industry.

Rapid continues to be one of the largest providers of cloud services to the government, financial sector, and large-scale enterprises.

For procuring Rapid’s cloud services you can get in touch at sales@rapidcompute.com or info@rapidcompute.com.

IPR violations cause significant revenue loss – OICCI Survey

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Karachi (Muhammad Yasir) Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) has announced the key findings of its latest Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Survey. Overall, 37% of the respondents indicated that it takes 1 to 3 years to resolve a standard IPR dispute and 22% stated that it takes more than 5 years. Respondents also expressed concern regarding the penalty on IPR violation being insignificant and not sufficient to act as a deterrent. Moreover, the IP Tribunals were not fully functional in all three major cities of Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad.

The OICCI IPR Survey 2021 conducted in late 2021 reflects the assessment of the foreign investors, on the state of intellectual property protection in Pakistan. Effective protection of IPR comprising of Copyrights, Patents and Trademark is critical for attracting and retaining Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the country.

The foreign investors participating in the survey showed higher satisfaction (from 17% in 2020 to 37% in 2021) on  IPOP, the IPR regulator in Pakistan, and have urged IPOP for taking a more leading role in ensuring the effective IPR regime in the country. OICCI members have asked IPOP for support in strengthening IPR regime by automating and fast tracking the process of registering IP, massively promoting awareness on the importance of IPR and its impact for business/investment, and in improving the skills of LEAs to proactively stop the abuse of IPR.

Currently, all the OICCI members rely on their own resources for monitoring threat of IPR violations. However, there is a great desire for all the IP owners to work in partnership with the government authorities for a better IPR regime in Pakistan. Serious lack of awareness and appreciation about IPR, lengthy timelines for granting IP rights, long drawn judicial proceedings, inadequately trained staff at LEAs and low penalties prescribed under IPR laws for IPR violations, were some of the key concerns highlighted in the survey. Irfan Siddiqui, President OICCI, while commenting on the survey results shared that “Foreign investors’ concerns on the effectiveness of IPR regime are supported by the loss of revenue which as a percentage of organization’s three-year turnover ranges from 1% to 30%. This in turn is causing significant loss to national exchequer as well”. 

Concluding the OICCI IPR Survey 2021 results, CEO / Secretary General OICCI, M Abdul Aleem expressed his concerns on the low level of attention by key stakeholders being given to IPR. He added that “More than two-third (2/3rd) of the respondents feel that the issue does not fall amongst the top priorities of the Law Enforcement authorities (LEA), government, media and even the public”. He emphasized that IPR protection is a collective responsibility and called all the key stakeholders especially the media and government authorities for support in this regard.

LUMS celebrated its Convocation 2020 and 2021

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Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) LUMS’ first in-person Convocation ceremonies since 2019 were held on two days. Pro Chancellor LUMS, Mr. Abdul Razak Dawood, officiated the convocation for the Class of 2020 on Saturday, January 15, 2022, and the ceremony for the Class of 2021 on Sunday, January 16, 2022, at the LUMS campus in Lahore. Founding Pro Chancellor, Syed Babar Ali and member, LUMS Board of Trustees, Dr. Pervez Hassan were also present on both commencement ceremonies.

Students felt overwhelmed and involved in rejoicing the celebration together as a community, noticing and marking its various aspects that they missed since the start of the pandemic two years ago. A warm address by the Registrar, Ms. Zara Fateh Qizilbash, welcomed students and their families on both days followed by exclusive talks by the Vice Chancellor, Dr. Arshad Ahmad, and the keynote speakers.

During his address, the Vice Chancellor, Dr. Arshad Ahmad, recalled notable moments from LUMS’ journey through 2020-21, calling them as the years of strength and resilience. While we are still emerging from the grip of this pandemic, the Vice Chancellor paid exemplary homage to all members of the LUMS community including the students, staff, faculty members, and parents who stayed connected through these challenging times and maintained uninterrupted learning through technology and innovation. He inspired the students to embrace the idea of quality and apply it in every aspect of their life. To propel growth, he advised the students to adopt the values of merit, integrity, and empathy. He also urged the students to serve society through research and purpose and recognise the power of change that has been vested within them through their academic endeavours at LUMS.

Dr. Arfa Sayeda Zehra, educationist, public intellectual, culture expert, gender specialist and human rights activist, addressed the Class of 2020 as a keynote speaker. She advised the students to look for possibilities in every aspect of life and while doing so embody the values of tolerance and compassion. According to Dr. Zehra, education is a force that triggers ingenuity and inspires new thinking. She also mentioned that empathy should drive the quest towards unveiling new prospects, since the true potential of one’s natural abilities can only be unlocked through good education and ethical values.

Mr. Shahid Abdulla, an acclaimed architect and Director, Arshad Shahid Abdulla (Pvt.) Ltd., addressed the Class of 2021 as a keynote speaker on the second day. He inspired the students to acquire practical skills and work towards realising their dreams through creativity and passion. He urged them to step out of their comfort zone and achieve their vision through bold and innovative thinking. He concluded his address on the importance of serving society and doing good to expect the same in return.

The above addresses during both convocations were followed by the award of degrees to all graduating students, robing of PhD graduates, and the presentation of the National Management Foundation awards and corporate medals to high performing students.

Recorded broadcasts of both ceremonies can be viewed at these links, Convocation: Class of 2020 and Convocation: Class of 2021.

Telescopic Macro Lens – TECNO Launches New Technology for users

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Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) The globally eminent smartphone brand, TECNO discussed its latest technologies and achievements at the webinar “Global Mobile Camera Trends 2022: Innovation Talk”. Many recent technology breakthroughs were discussed among which the powerful Telescopic Macro Lens became the highlight for the latest TECNO concept phone.

TECNO has been working to bring out the latest technology for its users globally. Among these, TECNO has been seen working the most on its Camera Technology. It continues to strengthen the power of mobile cameras through innovation and provides users with technology upgrades comparable to professional camera lenses.

The latest Telescopic Macro Lens features an industry-first 5x Telescopic Macro lens which will provide clear zoomed-in shots from a close-range distance, equivalent to the quality of the main camera taking pictures 20cm away. TECNO Telescopic Macro Lens is a 2.5 times upgrade compared to the average industry mobile camera zoom distance. This capability is an essential factor enabling users to capture beautiful candid images without interrupting nature’s flow and dynamics.

The TECNO telescopic macro lens will also enable users to “Dive into the Macro World”. Taking advantage of large aperture and continuous lossless zoom to explore the fantastic world of macro, the users will be open to wider avenues. Such as, the users can capture the crystals on a snowflake, the fur of cat, the bubbles from the frizzy drinks and much more.

Moreover, the compact design of the telescopic lens boasts both an elegant appearance and the quality of professional images. In addition, the compressed back focal length design with motorized stretchable lenses will significantly reduce the phone’s thickness, integrating consumers’ demands for simple appearance and high performance. 

This new TECNO concept phone launch with Telescopic Macro Lens technology is just the beginning. The objective of ‘TECNO Future Lens’ on camera innovation is to allow users to showcase their uniqueness via visual storytelling, filling in their world with diversified beauty through mobile camera innovation. So be ready, TECNO has much more for its users in stock!

The World’s First Cricket x Art Collaboration – Islamabad United joins hands with Pakistan’s most iconic Artist Imran Qureshi!

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Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Staying true to their tradition of bringing new and innovative ideas to the game of cricket, PSL’s most successful franchise and winner of season 1 and 3 of the competition, Islamabad United, proudly present the world’s first cricket x art collaboration in partnership with one of Pakistan’s most iconic artists, Imran Qureshi.

Under the project, AANideasLAB: IQ X IU, artist Imran Qureshi interacted with the Islamabad United players, conducting a visual art project, spread over several weeks. This collaboration aims to celebrate sport and art, two of the most universal languages we have today, bringing art to the Pakistani public through their love for the game of cricket.

 “Since its inception, Islamabad United has been focused on bringing innovation to the PSL and one of our missions has been to use the huge reach of cricket in introducing socially positive causes to a wider audience. I am especially enthused about this idea as it combines two of our passions – cricket and art – together, something not done before anywhere in the world. I have been thinking about this idea for a few years but Covid delayed its execution until this year. The project will help in mainstreaming visual and other arts to cricket fans in Pakistan as well as to a global audience. I am grateful to Imran Qureshi for accepting such a challenge as its inaugural artist and to the Islamabad United players who have shown flexibility for this totally new experience. Like all of you, I am keenly looking forward to seeing what creative forms this project takes” said Ali Naqvi, owner of Islamabad United.

“When Ali invited me to make a proposal for this project, it immediately clicked. I have always wanted art to be shared as widely as possible. Both arts and sports enable us to express ourselves physically, emotionally and even intellectually, allowing us to connect and communicate with each other around the world, crossing borders, cultures, languages and generations. If we blend these two languages into one, I believe we could create a powerful new vehicle and platform that could reach, and connect with, an even bigger audience. In Pakistan, Cricket provides a perfect platform for that objective. With my contribution I wanted to capture the energy of not only the sport and its players, but also the excitement and passion of the audience, the love for this game”, said Imran Qureshi.

The artistic output of the project will be used in the team’s official kit as well as other ventures this season.  

View the campaign video here: https://youtu.be/d-xZwtWVdtY

For more information, please visit:

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/IsbUnitedPSL/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/IsbUnited

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/islamabadunitedpsl/

 

Atiqa Odho tests positive for coronavirus

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Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Atiqa Odho on Sunday revealed that she has tested positive for coronavirus.

Taking to Instagram, the veteran actress posted her picture and said that she’s has been isolating due to COVID. Atiqa said during the isolation her dog has been great company. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CYyWP5BMSib/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

“Pets are such a joy during good and difficult times as they are there to make you feel cared for through anything. Cherish them,” she wrote.

Hundreds of fans and people from the entertainment industry have prayed for Atiqa’s swift recovery from COVID-19.

 

Ayeza Khan celebrated birthday with family.

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Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Actor Ayeza Khan thanked her fans for their birthday wishes in a series of viral pictures on Instagram which see her celebrating with family members.

Her actor-husband Danish Taimoor and her son Rayan and her daughter Hoorain made the occasion special. In the caption, the Mere Paas Tum Ho star wrote that there was could not ask for anything else.

“Can’t ask for anything else,” the caption read. “Thank you soo much for the love, support and all wishes you guys sent my way. And the gifts too!”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CYv0ZO8NvBo/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

The picture gallery of the Koi Chand Rakh star got millions of likes from the application’s users. Her fans and fellow celebrities felicitated birthday wishes and greeting to the celebrated actor.

It is pertinent to mention that the actor is one of the most followed Pakistani celebrities on social media platforms with at least 10.2 million Instagram followers.

Ayeza Khan is one of the most versatile actors in the entertainment industry. She is seen in many super hit projects and her performances received positive reviews by her fans and critics. She has been seen in serials Kahani Aik Raat Ki, Mera Saaein 2, Aks, Pyarey Afzal and Thora Sa Haq.

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Veteran actor Rashid Naz passes away.

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Veteran actor Rashid Naz passed away in Islamabad Monday morning at 4:00 AM. He was 73 years old.

Actor Hasan Noman’s better half, actor Madiha Rizvi took to Instagram early on 17th January to reveal the news of her father-in-law’s demise. She wrote, “Our dearest Baba Rashid Naz Has left this world peacefully this morning.” The actress went on to request her followers to recite Surah Fateha for the “departed soul.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CYz_1Q_P5o6/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Countless celebrities were quick to console Madiha Rizvi and to pour-in love and prayers for the deceased.

Mawra Hocane wrote, “Such a wonderful happy soul! May Allah bless him to be among his closest ones InshaAllah. Strength & love for all of you.”

Omair Rana penned, “Verily all come from Him and to Him all must return. You guys gave him loads of love and served him till the last. May Allah ease your pain and bless you.”

Born on September 9, 1948, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Rashid Naz acted in numerous dramas and movies. He started off his career in 1971 and acted in some spectacular projects including Dasht, Namos, Zama Jang, and Dakit, to name a few.

His acting in Shoaib Mansoor’s Khuda Kay Lian, Karachi to Lahore, and Verna won countless hearts. Rashid Naz also aced his character in the 2015 Bollywood movie ‘Baby‘, starring Akshay Kumar and Mikaal Zulfiqar, with complete mastery.

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COKE STUDIO OPENS SEASON 14 WITH SOULFUL “TU JHOOM”

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Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Following the launch of its season reveal video, Coke Studio releases the first song from Season 14, Tu Jhoom, featuring icons Abida Parveen and Naseebo Lal.

Two years into strange times, vocal powerhouses Abida Parveen and Naseebo Lal are here to confirm what we’ve suspected all along: control is an illusion. In Tu Jhoom, Season Producer Xulfi uses his musical sixth sense to create an atypical pairing so natural it’s borderline insanity it wasn’t done before. “I always like to bring an element of surprise, expected things have short lives,” he said. 

 

Tu Jhoom is a song as hypnotically nostalgic as it is new. Season Producer and Curator Xulfi defines it as the most honest representation of not only his journey, but the Collective’s. He developed the narrative of the song after realising he needed to own the turmoil within himself, playing the groove on an instrument and humming what would become the chorus on repeat. His mind, like a wheel in motion, needed a day to let the song arrive.

Associate music producer Abdullah Siddiqui calls the track “a perfect blend of traditional sounds – quintessentially desi but in an updated, almost postmodern way.”

Visually it comes through like a fever dream. It’s hard to say whether Tu Jhoom recalls a painting we once saw of a Mughal scene, or is an actual genetic memory passed down from our elders. Zeeshan Parwez’s video vibrates with warmth, with its floor-to-ceiling jaalis, earthy colours and romantic courtyard filled with bodies submitting to music. The words, moulded to perfection by Adnan Dhool, are so weighty and wise they feel penned by Abida Ji herself. Word on the street is that when the Grande-Dame was presented the song she started alaaping on the very first line! Naseebo Lal adds a street-wise edge with bold tonality that holds its own, tapping her Rajasthani roots. When she declares she is content, the authenticity in her voice tells us that she has truly lived the message of the song. Hearing the track is like being in on a secret. Both artists have complex personal journeys, and watching them confide in and root for each other feels right.

 

“Xulfi has made a unique song that epitomizes the Sufi transitional rhythms. I had heard a song that he had worked with Naseebo ji on and told him to work more with her and now we have come together to bring this combined effort.” said Abida Parveen

“I am coming back to Coke Studio for the second time, in a very different style. Abida Ji is an asset not just for Pakistan but the entire world. I am a huge fan of hers and it is an honour to be performing with her.” said Naseebo Lal

Tu Jhoom is more than a song; it’s a declaration. We’re still standing and we’re smiling through it all. Coke Studio throws the gauntlet down with its true-to-soul season opener. Tu Jhoom can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/7D4vNcK6D38The second song from Coke Studio Season 14 will be released on 21st January 2022.

In the meantime, be sure to listen to your favorite songs from Coke Studio on Spotify https://open.spotify.com and keep yourself logged on to www.cokestudio.com.pk and https://www.instagram.com/coke_studio to follow the Coke Studio journey.

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