News Update Times

Lahore – Oman Air, the national carrier for the Sultanate of Oman, has taken the initiative to embrace the Multi-Crew Pilot License Programme (MPL) in close coordination with the Public Authority for Civil Aviation (PACA) to issue the first Omani Pilot License. The programme is designed and customized for Oman Air training in accordance with PACA rules and regulations pertaining to the approved Pilot Training. Oman Air has achieved an important milestone in 2016 when the state-of-the-art Oman Air Flight Training Centre (OAFTC) was inaugurated.

There are currently over 20 cadets enrolled in the MPL programme, distributed in various batches on a full scholarship abroad. The cadets were assessed in accordance with Oman Air selection criteria that included theoretical and practical competency-based assessment.

Speaking about the momentous launch of the MPL, Captain Ali Sulaiman, EVP Operations, said: “We are delighted that for the first time in Oman, Oman Air has managed to obtain PACA approvals for this unique programme. The Oman Air Flight Training Centre (OAFTC) is one of the tools that the cadets will utilize post MPL graduation. The OAFTC is equipped with high standard training facilities that are required to continue the training of our cadets after the program. This really puts us at the forefront of pilot and cabin crew training and demonstrates how our state-of-art facility and commitment to excellence is resulting in innovative and effective new programs that will help shape the future of aviation”.

The OAFTC offers the very latest facilities and the highest levels of professional guidance and is playing an increasingly important role in Oman Air’s operations in line with fleet and network expansion. Oman Air places the highest importance on safeguarding and maintaining the safety of all its guests and crew. The development of the Flight Training Centre and subsequent launch of MPL underlines this commitment.

 

 

Lahore — Under the theme ‘Energy. Reimagined.’ GE (NYSE: GE) is showcasing industry-leading technologies that offer greater efficiency, flexibility, sustainability and savings for the power sector at the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) 2018 being held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center, from January 15 to 18. Taking center stage are GE’s record-setting H-class gas turbines; advanced ultra-supercritical steam technology; LV5 inverter technology; advanced portfolio of renewable technologies; leading battery storage solutions; grid solutions; digital industrial software applications; and much more.

GE Power announced at WFES that its largest and most efficient gas turbine, the HA, is now available at more than 64 percent efficiency in combined cycle power plants, higher than any other competing technology today. Efficiency matters as an additional percentage point of efficiency in gas turbines can translate to millions in fuel savings for customers globally.

The 9HA.02 can now be quoted at 64.0 percent net efficiency in specified conditions with total output of 826 megawatts (MW) in 1×1 combined cycle configuration. Customers can order HA-based combined cycle power plants quoted at 64+ percent in 2018, compared to the previous quoted limit of 63.7 percent efficiency for 2017 orders. In addition, GE Power remains on track to achieve 65 percent efficiency by the early 2020s, continuing the HA’s legacy as the most advanced H-class technology in the world.

Ghassan Barghout, President & CEO of GE’s Gas Power Systems – Sales for the Middle East, North Africa (MENA) and Pakistan, said, “GE’s HA technology is an excellent fit for the region’s power generation sector given the increasing focus on enhancing energy sector efficiency and performance. The turbine offers significant annual fuel savings in comparison to combined cycle power plants currently in operation across the region, and enables greater stability of the grid as the region increases investments in solar and wind power, the supply of which is intermittent in nature.”

The HA is a proven technology with over 70 orders to date and is being deployed by customers worldwide, including MENA and Pakistan.  Since the first HA unit was inaugurated in June 2016, more than 17 units have started operation.

Recently, in November 2017, the first of three HA units was delivered to and installed at Power Station 5 at Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba). Alba is the first customer in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, as well as the first smelter in the world to adopt GE’s HA technology. Electricity can make up to a third or more of the overall costs of running a smelter and adopting GE’s 9HA units will help Alba to deliver exceptionally low life cycle costs per megawatt, as well as to reduce the environmental footprint of its activities. In Pakistan, six HA units have been installed across the Bhikki, Haveli Bahadur Shah and Balloki projects, equipping some of the most efficient power plants in the country.

Among its many benefits, the HA is capable of ramping up or down at 65 MW/minute while still meeting emissions requirements to help balance grid instability. The HA offers an excellent flexible complement to intermittent renewable sources as the UAE looks to generate 44 percent of its power from clean energy by 2050; Kuwait sets goals to increase the share of renewable generation to 15 percent by 2030; Pakistan seeks to increase the share of indigenous sources of power generation to over 50 percent, including through alternative energy; and other countries in the region turn towards a rising share of renewable energy in the overall generation mix.

GE has supported the development of the energy sector in the GCC for more than 80 years. More than 50 percent of the heavy-duty gas turbine fleet in the GCC comprises of GE units and GE-built technologies generated more than half of the region’s electricity in 2016.

GE has three offices in Pakistan – in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi. The company has supported the development of Pakistan’s energy sector for over 50 years and GE-built technologies can generate up to 25 percent of Pakistan’s electricity today. The company continues to play a vital role in the development of key energy and infrastructure projects through its advanced innovations and technologies in power, aviation, transportation and healthcare.

LAHORE –  Ufone remains true to its promise of It’s all about U, by focusing on the needs of its customers and empowering them with the most convenient communication tools and services enabling them to remain connected, at a price that suits them the most.

Ufone’s new incredible offer validates this claim as Ufone consumers can now call on all Etisalat Afghanistan numbers for as low as Re. 0.11 + tax/second. This is by far the most cost-effective rate offered by any telecom service provider in Pakistan for International Direct Dialing calls to Afghanistan. The new offer is applicable exclusively for Ufone’s sister affiliate network in Afghanistan (Etisalat).

Available by-default to the entire Ufone family, with no subscription and no daily charges, this offer is a limited time offer valid from January 9th 2018.

Ufone is also the only network in Pakistan to offer ‘Per Second’ charging for International Direct Dialing calls to Afghanistan. This deal combines convenience and affordability providing Ufone customers with a product that connects them to loved ones in Afghanistan.

Lahore –  The Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) partners with Destinations Magazine and Daewoo Express to promote the heritage, culture and splendor of the Walled City. Destinations Magazine has been announced as the official “Media and Culture” partner of WCLA working in tandem with Daewoo Express to support the cultural heritage of the inner city. The partnership is the result of similar visions for the walled city of all three parties, to show the world at large the rich beauty of the inner city: The majestic aura of the structures within, the long narrow alleys/lanes steeped in history of the British & Mughals and most importantly the preservation and restoration of our heritage which the WLCA is painstakingly has been working towards since its inception in 2012.

Through this partnership Destinations Magazine & Daewoo Express will promote cultural activities and tourism in the Walled City. They will also create opportunities to highlight the initiatives taken by WCLA, one of which are the Guided Tours specifically the “Royal Route – Shahi Gulzar Gah” where major rehabilitation work has taken place. Destinations Magazine will work with WCLA to create content showcasing the rich heritage and cultural activities within the Walled City.  Destinations Magazine will also sponsor WCLA’s quarterly newsletter providing them with editorial, design and printing support. Daewoo Express will be the transport partner for tours of the Walled City and highlight the renovation and restoration of the Walled City in its buses and terminals.

On joining hands with Destinations Magazine and Daewoo Express, Director General of WCLA Kamran Lashari said, “We look forward to a long and fruitful partnership with Daewoo Pakistan and Destinations with a joint aim to promote the heritage sites and vibrant culture of the Walled City of Lahore.”

On the collaboration with WCLA, Editor in Chief and publisher of Destinations Asma Chishty said, “Destinations is a platform that highlights the beauty of Pakistan, its rich cultural traditions and its warm and welcoming people. Through our collaboration with the WCLA, we hope that our shared vision of promoting the best of Pakistan, particularly of the historical Walled City of Lahore, will gain increased momentum.”

It is hoped through this partnership, the guided tours will get a much-needed boost and encourage individuals, families and friends across Pakistan and across the globe to experience the rich culture and heritage of the Walled City of Lahore.