News Update Times

Islamabad (Muhammad Yasir)  H.E. Mr. Arif Alvi, President of Pakistan, recently welcomed the opportunity to speak candidly with CEO of Bookme, Mr. Faizan Aslam. In the meeting, the two gentlemen had a substantive conversation regarding the complex nature of the e-commerce industry, their interests and priorities across a range of issues, the impact that startups are creating upon the tech sector of the country and the importance of managing competition responsibly.

Mr. Faizan accentuated the powerful impact that Bookme, as a startup, has originated in the e-commerce industry of the country. From being a comprehensive e-commerce solution for tickets booking to raising a prodigious 7.5 million investment, Bookme has made a splash in the tech sector of the country. The continuous determination of Bookme being the best solution for its customers was also communicated in the meeting.

As Bookme aims to engulf more verticals and services under its umbrella, it will be offering a supreme amount of job opportunities for hundreds and thousands of people. The two gentlemen also discussed the existential nature of competition in the economy that can be covered by reducing imports. And bringing foreign currency in the country would greatly help in escalating value towards the economy, and that Bookme has done just recently.

By bringing millions of dollars of investment in the country to be used for digitization of travel sector, it will be beneficial to cover the gaps in the grey economy and eventually will create a huge impact. Mr. President congratulated and strongly aided the multilateral efforts of Bookme for a great support towards the economy through the services of their business. And for upholding the commitments that the government made with the public.

Regarding this meeting, CEO of Bookme, Mr. Faizan Aslam quoted his thoughts, “I felt honored to meet The President and to share the emerging value that Bookme has anchored. I gratefully acknowledge the productive time that he shared with me. I found it really encouraging the way our government is showing interest in the developing startups of Pakistan and taking measures for e-commerce and tech sector. This ecosystem is beneficial for entrepreneurs and it will eventually be helpful for Pakistan’s economic growth.”

UNICEF and Telenor Pakistan hand over Digital Birth Registration system to Punjab government to scale across the province

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Leveraging innovation in technology, Telenor Pakistan and UNICEF have handed over the Digital Birth Registration (DBR) system to the Punjab Government. After its successful launch and implementation in 5 pilot districts, the local government in Punjab is now all set to take over the Digital Birth Registration project and scale it across the province. The project transfer took place at an event in Lahore, attended by officials from Telenor Pakistan and UNICEF along with Punjab Government officials.

Designed with the goal of birth registration for kids under the age of 17, with special focus on children under 5 years of age, the Digital Birth Registration system since its inception in 2016 has already helped recognize the identities of approximately 1.8 million children across Pakistan. The DBR project ensures that every child gets their basic right of identity which would lead to give them better access to education, healthcare, and basic human rights. Together, UNICEF and Telenor Pakistan have facilitated the creation of easy to access, convenient and real time mechanisms bringing birth registration to the doorstep in far flung, hard to reach area; thus, reducing the high opportunity cost and time incurred by the parents. This successful public-private partnership model has shaped regional collaboration in technology and best-practice sharing for the achievement of universal birth registration for children across South Asia. 

Commenting on the development, Irfan Wahab Khan, CEO Telenor Pakistan said, “Millions of children in Pakistan remain unaccounted for and without an identity despite birth registration being the fundamental right of every child. Our collaborative initiative Digital Birth Registration, has been instrumental in giving unnamed children an identity, thus bringing Pakistan a step closer towards socio-economic empowerment and the eradication of social inequalities. After successfully handing over the project to the Sindh Government, today, UNICEF and Telenor Pakistan are furthering this ambition by handing this flagship project to the Punjab Government to scale across the province and reach more families. Together with UNICEF, we are stretching the boundaries of inclusion while enabling the nation’s transition to digitalisation in every aspect.”

“Government of the Punjab is striving hard to translate the vision of Prime Minister of Pakistan of Digital Pakistan. Today we are advancing towards the realization of inclusive digital society. Local Government Department Punjab in collaboration with NADRA has launched Web based Application to have real time and authentic data for better planning”, said on the development Mahmood ur Rasheed Minister for Local Government Punjab. “Birth Registration is the proof of legal identity of children and is our responsibility towards international commitments,” Minister said.

“Birth Registration is a fundamental right of a child recognized by convention on the right of the child (CRC). Registration of birth is the first legal binding at national and international level to incorporate full range of human rights. In addition to contributing to a country’s civil registry, birth registration also strengthens the quality of vital statistics, straightening planning and government efficiency. Moreover, a child who remains uncounted is less likely to be included in development policies and planning for the provision of social services. Ownership of the idea of digitization by LG&CD Department Punjab through the Launch of Baldiaonline Application is highly appreciated”, commented WilbroadNagmbi, Chief Field Office, Punjab.

“Local Government Department is focusing on Girl Childbirth Registration and due to socio cultural constraints, registration of girl child is low in South Punjab. LG&CD Department has formulated Birth & Death Registration Rules to facilitate the general public and enhance registration”, says Noor ul Amin Mengal, Secretary Local Government Punjab. “In future, the department plans to integrate with health sector for scaling up birth & death registration in Punjab”, the SLG shared.

The upscaling of the DBR project shall ultimately contribute to universal birth registration for children in Pakistan; an obligation that Pakistan upholds under the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the government’s commitment under the Asia Pacific Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) Regional Action Framework. The Digital Birth Registration project will also help Pakistan in fulfilling its commitment of fulfilling Sustainable Development Goals (16.9), particularly those relating to children.

Reckitt Pakistan and MOCC Partner to Ensure the Sustainable Provision of Clean Water To Control Water-Bourne Diseases By Installing Solar Panels

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Dettol Pakistan’s initiative ‘Hoga Saaf Pakistan’ has actively been working with the Ministry of Climate Change, and once again has joined forces itself with the Government of Pakistan and the Prime Minister’s initiative, ‘Clean Green Pakistan’ to achieve their targets primarily under three pillars; personal hygiene, sanitation, and solid waste management.

According to the latest stats, 53,000 Pakistani children under five lose their lives annually from diarrhea due to poor water and sanitation. The effects of climate change and rapid urbanization also contribute to challenges of improving access to safe water and sanitation.

With that in mind, and the support of MOCC, Reckitt Pakistan is working on renewable energy, unveiling a filtration plant in Attock made sustainable by installing Solar Panels. The purpose of the installation is to ensure the provision of clean water for the people to help control water-borne diseases.

Alongside creating sustainable change through renewable energy to improve access to facilities regarding better hygiene and sanitation, Dettol Pakistan continues its efforts on increasing awareness by conducting Dettol handwashing activities in schools across the nation. This awareness campaign aims to stress the importance of handwashing while instilling the habit amongst all kids.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is estimated that washing hands with soap and water could reduce diarrheal disease-associated deaths by up to 50%. A large percentage of foodborne disease outbreaks are spread by contaminated hands. Appropriate hand washing practices can reduce the risk of foodborne illness and other infections.

Mr. Kashan Hasan, CEO of Reckitt Pakistan stated “Every day, Reckitt’s brands are supporting people to lead cleaner, healthier lives through better health, hygiene, and nutrition. We put ‘purpose’ at the heart of the company and our brands. “Hoga Saaf Pakistan” is not just a movement but is our commitment to Pakistan through which we want to educate and instill responsibility amongst all Pakistanis to work towards a cleaner and healthier Pakistan. We believe access to the highest quality hygiene, wellness and nourishment is a right for people across the nation.”

Also in attendance was Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Climate Change, Malik Amin Aslam. During his stint as Special Assistant, Mr. Malik Amin has installed as many as 45 water filtration plants in different areas of Attock, Hazro, and Hassan Abdal at the cost of more than Rs. 60 million.

“An estimated 70 percent of households still drink bacterially contaminated water. Due to this, people in the area have been suffering from different water-borne diseases including Hepatitis and Diarrhea. These filtration plants will help control the spread of such deadly diseases by ensuring the provision of clean water for the people to control water-borne diseases,” stated Malik Amin Aslam while explaining the importance of the installation.

 

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Kotler Impact has recently launched its book ‘Essentials of Modern Marketing’ in Pakistan, written by the marketing guru himself Mr. Philip Kotler. It is for the first time that an international book has incorporated success stories of Pakistani organizations as case studies. Jaffer Business Systems is one of the 16 distinguished companies from Pakistan that are mentioned in this book. Students in Pakistan and other developing countries are used to studying the case studies/success stories of foreign companies as part of their textbooks, and they would hardly relate with their products and services.

Now, they will study about the companies, the products, or services of which they either avail or see around them. This is a breakthrough for Jaffer Business Systems being the only tech company covered in Kotler’s Book – bridging the gap between the academia and corporate sectors.

“I am delighted that JBS was selected as one of the case studies, along with many other top companies from Pakistan. It is a great milestone for our country to have a book on local case studies as we badly lack local content for our students and readers in general. The case studies on JBS and other companies will now add more details from the local perspective for the students in Pakistan, which was an essential missing element in our business books all these years. I am sure it will help prepare them better for professional life. JBS has been making great strides in recent times with expansion in its existing businesses, we will be investing in creating more businesses like Hysab Kytab, JBS Incorporated (in USA), and via the acquisition of startups like Blutech Consulting and ENA. We will continue to remain focused on achieving both vertical and horizontal growth in terms of portfolio of products, customers, and territories” said Syed Ul Veqar Islam.

Expressing his views on the occasion, Mr. Sheikh Tariq, (Regional Sales Head of Jaffer Business Systems) said, “It’s a moment of great privilege for the entire Jaffar Business Systems after getting recognized in one of the top-tier marketing books. Our journey towards technological advancement, research and maintaining excellence in client services will keep growing magnanimously in years ahead.” He further added, “This recognition will surely play a great role in bringing Pakistan’s IT sector on the face of world map in the surroundings where techie giants are already on the leading position.”

An esteemed panel of speakers present at the event included Dr Fahim, CMO Kotler Impact, Fatima Asad Said, CEO, Abacus, Irfan Wahab Khan, CEO Telenor, Atif Sultan, Director Marketing Foods PepsiCo, Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi, VC GCU, Dr. Omair Haroon, Assistant Professor SDSB LUMS and Humayun Farooq, Director Marketing RB while the moot was moderated by Javaria Khan, Country Head Sales & Marketing, Chughtai Healthcare.

P&G Pakistan’s senior leadership team recently called on the Minister of Finance, Shaukat Tareen on the occasion of completing 30 years of successful business operations in Pakistan. During the meeting, P&G discussed about foreign direct investment into Pakistan by expansion of its local manufacturing footprint and significant investments in fixed assets in the country. The support received from the Government of Pakistan over the years has been instrumental to P&G’s successful operations in the country. Seen in the photo (L-R) is Adil Farhat CEO P&G Pakistan, Shaukat Tareen, Amar Abbasi, Head of Legal & Government Relations and Khalid Farid, Commercial Leader, P&G Pakistan.

Karachi (Muhammad Yasir) BankIslami, the country’s leading Islamic financial institution, has bagged two coveted accolades at the 7^th Annual Islamic Retail Banking Awards 2021 held in Dubai recently. The Bank won as the Islamic Bank of the Year for Growth and Strategy while the President and CEO of BankIslami was honored as the Best Personality of the Year for a second consecutive year. The international awards are a pinnacle of achievement for Sharia-compliant banking in Asia and receiving these showcases the extent of BankIslami’s performance throughout the region.

The Islamic Retail Banking Awards are organized by UK-based Cambridge IFN and within the last 7 years have become a gold standard within the industry. BankIslami has displayed exceptional performance in terms of customer servicing and revolutionizing the Riba-free sector through technological advancements, setting a unique precedent for others to follow. The organization has achieved significant milestones in operations with profits, number of account holders and assets witnessing substantial growth over the last few years despite challenging circumstances faced by global economies. Moreover, the President and CEO, Syed Amir Ali being honored for the second year running showcases his revolutionary potential and foresight in leading BankIslami to new heights of success and saving humanity from RIBA at the same time.

Speaking at the occasion, Syed Amir Ali, President and CEO, BankIslami stated; “BankIslami has displayed splendid performance during the year 2020 with the organization’s profits increasing substantially. Our scope of services is rapidly expanding to unexplored domains in order to provide state-of-the-art services to customers. I dedicate my award to the exceptional team at BankIslami that has been driving optimal growth and progress for the organization. We are honored to receive this coveted accolade and will continue to strive in providing all stakeholders with RIBA-free solutions for all their financial needs.”