Giving People More Control Over Their Facebook Profile Picture

Lahore – Today, Facebook is launching new tools that give people in Pakistan more control over who can download and share their profile pictures, and provide the ability to add a design to a profile picture to deter misuse.

Profile pictures are an important part of building community on Facebook because they help people find friends and create meaningful connections. But not everyone feels safe adding a profile picture. In our research with people and safety organizations, we’ve heard that some women choose not to share profile pictures that include their faces anywhere on the internet because they’re concerned about what may happen to their photos.

These tools are being used widely in India. We are expanding to additional countries where we’ve heard, similar to India, that people want more control over their profile pictures. In addition, we’re exploring ways people can more easily add designs to profile pictures, which our research has shown helpful in deterring misuse.
New Controls
People will start seeing a step-by-step guide to add an optional profile picture guard. When you add this guard:

  • Facebook’s download and share features will be disabled for your profile picture
  • People you’re not friends with on Facebook won’t be able to tag anyone, including themselves, in your profile picture
  • We’ll prevent Android devices from taking a screenshot of your profile picture on Facebook
  • We’ll display a blue border and shield around your profile picture as a visual cue of protection

Nashwa Aly, Head of Policy, Middle East and Africa, Facebook: “Profile pictures are an important part of building community on Facebook because they help people find friends and create meaningful connections. But not everyone feels safe adding a profile picture. In Pakistan, we’ve heard that people want more control over their profile pictures, and we’ve been working over the past year to understand how we can help. This launch is part of our ongoing commitment to keeping people safe online.”

Nighat Dad, Digital Rights Foundation: “Statistics from our Cyber Harassment Helpline, show that women are the most vulnerable when it comes to online safety in Pakistan. From fake profiles to doctored images to harassment, women face very real risks online. Facebook’s new Profile Picture Guard is a great tool to help women reclaim their online space. It will let women take control of their identities online and help them them to start a larger discourse of countering online gendered harassment.”

Last year we piloted new tools that give people in India more control over who can download and share their profile pictures. We are now expanding these tools to Pakistan.

 

 

Cinepax CEO makes it to the top 5 Women of Global Cinema 2018!

Lahore – Cinepax Cinemas, Pakistan’s favorite cinema chain’s CEO Mariam El Bacha, is featured on number 5th in the list of “Top 50 women of the Global Cinema” which truly showcases her hard work towards the cinema industry.

Mariam took the position of the CEO of Cinepax Cinemas in Feb 2018. She was previously working as the Director of Operations at MBO Cinemas Malaysia, She is also a very active speaker at the international events.

On making it to the top 5 Women of Global Cinema, Mariam states:

“I am extremely honored to have joined Cinepax. Bringing entertainment to the Pakistani people is our main goal and we will continue working relentlessly to ensure we reach every City in Pakistan with state of the art locations and a safe, family friendly environment where everyone can be a star.”

Shoaib Akhtar collaborates with Tang Pakistan

Lahore –  Shoaib Akhtar has recently collaborated with Tang Pakistan for its season’s launch and team building activities.

The former Pakistani cricketer, renowned for his fast paced bowling and unbroken world record of bowling at the speed of 161.3 km/hour[1] has endorsed the market leader in powdered beverages, Tang. As part of the activities aligned with the brand, Akhtar visited markets to acknowledge and support the sales teams in their daily chores and helped in stocking Tang’s various stock keeping units (SKUs).

The instant fruit drink brand has linked its association with Shoaib Akhtar through the integrated theme, ‘speed’ as Tang is quick and easy to make and is based on simple steps comprising of mixing and stirring. The mentioned theme has also been incorporated in the activities planned during the phases of the collaboration.

“Tang is the brand that comes to mind when we talk about an instant drink that can be prepared speedily. Being able to quench thirst instantly, it’s not just a summer drink but my preference throughout the year and is perfect for any other sportsman.’ said Akhtar while speaking about his association with Tang.

Usman Muneer, Managing Director of Mondelēz Pakistan Limited said, ‘Tang has shown significant results in the last decade which is why we have been introducing new variants over the years. We therefore, devise campaigns and activities through which we can constantly engage our key stakeholders and instil top of mind recall for the brand while drawing a strong association with its functional and emotional attributes. The recently launched apple flavour is testament to the brand’s continuous development.”

Tang has been swiftly gaining momentum through its engaging outreach programmes over the span of time; as it recently won the Silver World Advertising Research Center (WARC) Media Award for the effective use of partnerships and sponsorships. The collaboration with Akhtar is another engagement strategy devised by the brand.

 

[1] Fastest delivery of a cricket bowl: http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/fastest-bowl-of-a-cricket-ball/

 

ThalNova Power Thar (Private) Limited (“ThalNova”) signed an agreement with CMEC ThalNova Power Investments Limited

The parties entered into a subscription and shareholders agreement pursuant to which CMEC Thal Nova Power Investment will hold 10% shareholding in ThalNova

Lahore –  ThalNova is pleased to announce that it has entered into a subscription agreement with CMEC ThalNova Power Investments Limited pursuant to which it will subscribe for 10% shareholding in ThalNova, subject to all the regulatory approvals of Pakistan. CMEC ThalNova Power Investments Limited has also executed a Novation Agreement with the existing shareholders of ThalNova.

ThalNova, incorporated under the laws of Pakistan in April 2016, has been awarded power generation licence for setting up a 330-megawatt coal-fired power plant at Thar coal mine mouth, Sindh. It is a joint venture between Thal Limited (“Thal”) and Novatex Limited (“Novatex”). Thal is part of the House of Habib, which has investments across banking, auto, retail, building materials and packaging sectors in Pakistan. Novatex is part of the Gani & Tayub group which is a player in the polyester and textile sectors in the country.

CMEC ThalNova Power Investments Limited is a Dubai based entity and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Machinery Engineering Corporation which forms part of the China National Machinery Industry Corporation (Sinomach) group of companies and specializes in construction of power projects in generation, transmission, and distribution. China Machinery Engineering Corporation is also the Engineering, Procurement and Construction Contractor for ThalNova’s 330 MW power project.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Khalid Siraj Subhani, CEO of ThalNova, highlighted the importance of this CPEC project and said that “the project will significantly contribute towards energy self-sufficiency of Pakistan and will exploit country’s indigenous coal resources, reducing reliance on imported fuel. He said that with the execution of Shareholder’s Agreement today, CMEC from China has not just become a shareholder in our project but actively participating in developing much needed infrastructure in Pakistan.  He said that the Financial Close of the project is expected soon post which the construction activities of the plant at Thar will start.”

On behalf of ThalNova, Mr. Khalid Siraj Subhani (CEO) and Mr. Murtaza Abbas Mooman (CFO) signed the agreements. On behalf of CMEC, the agreements were executed by Mr. Li Kan (Director of CMEC ThalNova Power Investments Limited).

 

“ZAN MUREED” By (Yasir Javed)

Produced under the banner of Moomal Entertainment, HUM TV’s latest play Zann Mureed is penned by the renowned novelist and playwright Amna Mufti and is directed by Ahmed Kamran. The serial has a stellar cast comprising the industry’s veterans Nadia Khan, Hina Bayat, Khalid Anum, Umair Rana, Shahim HiIali and others. The story revolves around the central characters Tabassum and Sajjad and raises curtain on domestic violence against women and the pros and cons of the recently enacted women’s protection bill. Tabassum is a working woman who diligently takes care of her job, two kids and the household with some help from her husband Sajjad but in societies like ours such husbands are often criticized by family members and friends, changing their attitude according to the norms of society. Zann Mureed is the journey of a woman who refused to live in fear rising above societal pressure to fight for her rights, but in doing so loses her loved ones due to the flaws in our justice system and social stigmas.

Date & Time: Every Friday at 8:00 pm

Total Episodes: 30

Zong 4G hits more than 6 million 4G subscribers

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) –  With more than 6 million active subscribers, Zong 4G has reached a new milestone.  Through unrelenting focus on the customer needs Zong 4G has continued to build its network and services to address the needs of customers, hence creating a unique blend between affordability and seamless connectivity.

The latest statistics indicates that the 4G supremacy of the company is the foremost preference of the customers. The company has been dedicated to deliver superior and stable network services to its customers. The state of art technology of the country’s largest 4G data network enables it to be at the forefront of Pakistan’s digital revolution.

6 million active subscribers is a testament that with an unmatched 4G experience in more than 400 cities Zong is no doubt the most preferred network.

The strategic focus of the company adheres to adding further investments in Pakistan and therefore, enriching the 4G ecosystem of Pakistan, through the technological prowess of the parent organization, China Mobile Communication Corporation. Thus, indicating the long term commitment for the prosperity of people of Pakistan.

All these initiatives & achievements, in essence, reflect perseverance on customer centricity, which is at the core of Zong 4G.

‘Tarang’ Tea-Whitener is safe for consumption with all regulatory approvals

Lahore – In recent Court-proceedings relating to; Tea Whiteners’ safety and formulation, the court has declared that Tarang – Liquid Tea Whitener is a completely safe product for consumption. It enhances the flavor of tea, while reducing the cost per cup, as it provides economies-of-scale,by making twice as many cups of tea for the consumers.

Engro Foods’‘ Tarang’ Tea-Whitener is produced in compliance with the directives of ‘Pakistan Standard Quality Control Authority’ (PSQCA), while it also meets allstandards of the ‘Food-Safety Regulations’. Tarang is formulated strictly in accordance with the current CODEX ALIMENTARIUS International Standards, issued by the World Health Organization (WHO).  

Keeping up with its tradition of delivering the highest quality standards, Engro Foods Limited (EFL) remains committed and plays a leading role for the health and safety of its consumers and the public at large. The company recognizes that customers are increasingly concerned about the safety and quality of products they consume. Hence, EFL is extra cautious in ensuring that all its products are sourced and processed through the best production-practices – ‘from grass to glass’.

With Engro Foods’ long experience and expertise in the Dairy sector, the nutritional and health-safety benefits of our consumers remain the driving force behind the company’s vision.Tarang has been created to add joy to the consumers’ lives, by giving them a refreshing experience, by enhancing the taste of every cup of tea it makes, while giving a more economical alternative for milk.

EFL engaged the regulators and legislators to clarify the false rumors circulating against the safety of consuming Tea-whiteners. After getting all the important regulatory approvals, the company is now creating more awareness, so that the public can trust the safety and better affordability of Tarang. Engaging the media, the consumers are being informed about the better safety and  lifestyles choices available to them. EFL’s collaboration with the global leader in food and dairy industry – Royal Friesland Campina, has enriched the Engro brand with 140 years of knowledge, expertise and credibility to comply with all international standards of production.

Speaking in this regard, Mr. Naveed Saeed, Chief Corporate & Regulatory Affairs Director of Engro Foods stated, “Engro Foods has always been an advocate for safe and healthy products. We ensure that our consumers receive the best product in the market. As a socially responsible organization, we are proud of being a part of a community that stands up for their rights of safe products.  

Ufone Balochistan Cup’s Second edition kicks off on 14th March

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) – Balochistan’s favourite brand Ufone is bringing back the second edition of the Balochistan Football Cup from 14th March. The championship signifies the company’s commitment in promoting sports and engaging the youth in healthy activities.  This year the event will take place in six cities, including Quetta, Pishin, Khuzdar, Chaman, Loralai and Noshki. Last year the championship was held in only four cities.

The championship has 30 teams, five from each city engaging 450 young footballers. In the qualifying round, four teams from universities and colleges from a city will compete against each other in a knockout phase. The winner of this phase will play the qualifier in each city against a football club.

The successful teams at the city level will compete against each other in an eliminator. The top four teams from the eliminator will play in the semifinals, with the winners facing each other in the final.

The teams will play knockout and qualifiers their respective cities starting from 14th March while the eliminator and the finals will take place in Quetta between 27 – 29 March.

Ufone’s brand ambassador and national football team star Fazal Mohammad is participating in the championship and will be representing Khuzdar Baloch Football Club.

Ufone believes this championship will help promote football in the province and prove to be a great platform for the emerging young players to learn and display their footballing skills. The initiative shows Ufone’s commitment to the people of Balochistan, which enunciates with the company’s tagline “It’s all about U.”

OPPO Delivers Double-Digit Growth and is Still Ranked No.2 in South-East Asia for 2017

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir)OPPO posted double-digit growth of over 29% in 2017 to rank second in annual smartphone shipments for the South-East Asia region, according to the latest report from market research firm International Data Corporation (IDC). The ‘Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker’ covers markets including Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Proving wildly popular among young people, the “Selfie Expert” F series and specifically the OPPO F5, are the industry’s first to feature ground breaking A.I. Beauty Recognition technology that’s designed to personalize beautification for users within a captured selfie. Other firsts include the advanced Full-Screen FHD+ display and convenient Facial Unlock technology. Looking ahead the forthcoming generation of products will continue to bring innovative user experiences and strengthen the company’s leadership position among the young smartphone users in the region.

Furthermore upon the upcoming era of more advanced mobile technology and 5G connectivity, OPPO plans to continue its commitment to South-East Asia with pioneering products that will inspire and excite in the years ahead.

OPPO is an ever-evolving global smartphone brand dedicated to delivering customers with the most extraordinary experience through innovative technology, meticulous design and camera expertise.

For the last ten years, OPPO has been focusing on manufacturing camera phones, while innovating mobile photography technology breakthroughs. OPPO was the first brand to launch smartphones with 16MP front cameras. OPPO was also the first brand to introduce the motorized rotating camera, the Ultra HD feature and the 5x Dual Camera Zoom technology.

In line with its deep insight of young people’s behaviour, OPPO first launched selfie-focused smartphones in 2016 – Selfie Expert F series in Pakistan. Its first batch of products received a warm welcome and the brand leads the trend in the industry. In 2017, OPPO was ranked as the number 4 smartphone brand globally, according to IDC. By now, OPPO provides excellent smartphone photography experience to more and more young people around the world.

Copyright©2018 OPPO. Any information contained in this press release may be subject to change without prior notice. For our products and services, the only provisions for guarantee are stated in the warranties that accompany those products and services. Content in this press release does not constitute additional warranties. OPPO shall not be liable for any technical and editorial errors or omissions contained herein.

Make-Up City Celebrated International Women’s Day with Make-Up Enthusiasts

Lahore –  Celebrating the spirit of International Women’s Day, Make-Up City organized a fun-filled 6-days long beauty buffet held recently in a shopping mall in Karachi.

Showcasing hot-selling products from various makeup, cosmetics and perfumery brands including Kryolan, Gosh, Janssen, Sweet Touch and Framesi to name a few, the event was attended by legions of makeup lovers, beauty bloggers and influencers.

What had set the Make-Up City’s beauty buffet apart was not just the availability of several International brands at one platform but the sales and discounts that came along with it. The luxury-standard beauty products were available for purchase at budget-friendly prices for the womenfolk.

The attendees had a ball of a time getting free hair consultations and makeovers from various beauty and hair experts. They also had the opportunity to try out different products for free. Other fun activities happening at the kiosk included makeovers, distribution of gift coupons and promo codes, etc.

To learn more about the event, please visit Make-Up City’s official accounts as follows:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MakeupCityPk

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makeupcitypk