News Update Times

Karachi –  IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), the Port Qasim Authority (PQA) and leading private sector companies of Pakistan jointly launched Pakistan’s first Business and Biodiversity Platform (BBP) at a ceremony held at PQA.The Platform is a unique initiative focusing on nature conservation through the collective support of the private sector.The launching ceremony was organised at PQA and presided over by the Chairman PQA Mr. Agha Jan Akhtar. Attending the ceremony were the members of IUCN, leading businesses, the initiating members of the platform, environmental experts and representatives from Sindh Forest Department.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chairman PQA Mr. Agha Jan Akhtar said, “There are environmental issues associated with the industrial developments which are required to be addressed in order to avoid long-term impacts on the coastal ecosystems and people.” Being a regulatory authority, he added, PQA is mandated to ensure that business operations are undertaken in environment friendly manner in the port area through mitigation of negative impacts such as pollution, cutting of mangroves, degradation of fisheries resources and displacement of local communities.

“The establishment of Business & Biodiversity platform is indeed a positive step and a good opportunity for the private sector to step ahead to improve their brand image both locally and internationally with the support of reputable conservation organisations like IUCN,” the Chairman concluded.

In his welcome address, Mr. Mahmood Akhtar Cheema, Country Representative, IUCN Pakistan, touched upon the environmental challenges Pakistan faces and shared IUCN’s work over the last 30 years. He appreciated the efforts being made by several businesses in Pakistan that are taking a strategic view of the environment they are operating in. “The corporate sector has come together to invest a significant amount in CSR activities –so there is a realization that exists. IUCN in this regard serves as a technical partner to assist in platform in identifying key environmental issues and potential interventions,” Mr. Cheema observed.

Mr. Aman Ul Haque Head of Engro Foundation elaborated that this is a very important first step towards a greener Karachi, partnering with other private sector companies the PQA and IUCN is a great model to achieve common goals towards mitigating the effects of Climate change.Mr. Sharique A. Siddiqui, CEO of Pakistan International Bulk Terminal, underscored the need for such Platform, highlighting as extremely essential for addressing the chronic environmental issues along the Karachi coast. “We are fully on board, and we encourage more companies to join this initiative so that our collective efforts can lead to a greater impact,” he noted.Finally, the official ceremony of the Platform concluded with the annual action plan to be implemented during the first year by IUCN. The action plan included the concrete steps to be undertaken such that seminars, capacity building trainings and workshops, biannual meetings, awareness sessions and addressing the key environmental issues at Port Qasim area.

Masterpass Golf Classic 2017 demonstrates QR technology as part of a wider awareness drive

Karachi – In a step aimed at driving the wider adoption of Masterpass QR in Pakistan, Mastercard, a leading technology company in the global payments industry, recently hosted the  Masterpass Golf Classic 2017 in Karachi, highlighting the features of the country’s first interoperable digital payment service.

Masterpass QR from Mastercard is a quick response (QR) mobile payments solution that allows consumers to make simple and secure digital payments across devices and channels. To make purchases using this service, users simply scan a QR code displayed on the merchant’s device using a mobile app, without cash or cards. Similarly, the easy to deploy, mobile-driven person–to-merchant (P2M) payments solution enables retailers to accept immediate payments by reducing the exposure to risk.More than 100 golfers including top executives from companies across various industries and sectors as well as Mastercard’s key customers gathered at the Defence Authority Country & Golf Club in Karachi for the Masterpass Golf Classic 2017. Participants experienced the technology first-hand as they downloaded Masterpass QR-enabled mobile applications to engage in a range of QR experiences at the first-of-its-kind event.

“Since we introduced the solution in Pakistan, we have been working with a number of local industry players to roll out various wallets and solutions leveraging the power of Masterpass QR technology. The Masterpass Golf Classic 2017 is part of our broader campaign to raise awareness of the benefits of the hassle-free and innovative solution among tech-savvy consumers, to further drive the cashless ecosystem in the country,” said Aurangzaib Khan, Country Manager, Pakistan and Afghanistan, Mastercard.

Masterpass QR was first launched in Pakistan in 2016, and has subsequently been rolled out in various other markets across the globe.

Gujranwala –  Ufone has launched a special ‘Double Befikri Offer’ specially for customers of Gujranwala and Hafizabad enabling subscribers to consume 2GB internet in 7 days for just Rs. 76.94 inclusive of all taxes. Customers in Gujranwala and Hafizabad will be able to subscribe to this offer by dialing *02# or through a load from the nearest retailer.Customers may subscribe to this offer more than once and can check their remaining balance and resources by dialing *706#.This competitive market offer caters to the needs of the customers, without them having to worry about any additional charges and tax calculations.

The Double Befikri Offer proves Ufone’s continuing commitment to empower the people of Pakistan with the most convenient communication tools and services that enable them to remain connected, at a price that suits them the most.

[Lahore, 18^th December, 2017]: Oman Air, the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, has been awarded “World’s Leading Airline – Economy Class” at the World Travel Awards. The World Travel Awards were presented last week at a gala dinner held at Vietnam. The national carrier was also awarded the ‘World’s Ultimate Service Award in Hospitality’. The awards were received by Hamad Al Harthy, the Acting Regional Vice President – Far East, on behalf of Oman Air. 2017 has been a stellar year for Oman Air; the airline has been presented with a multitude of awards and accolades from renowned organisations around the globe, including four World Travel Awards.

Earlier this year, Oman Air was named the ‘Middle East’s Leading Airline, Business Class’ and ‘Middle East’s Leading Airline, Economy Class’ in the World Travel Awards Middle East 2017.

Acting CEO of Oman Air Abdul Aziz Alraisi said: “This is a fantastic way for Oman Air to conclude the year; winning four World Travel Awards, along with various other awards in 2017. These awards set the standards for the travel industry and it is testament of our quality services and product offering that we have consistently been voted the best. Oman Air is a successful, sustainable company and it is immensely rewarding to be recognised for our unique products and on board experience, in all classes.” 2017 award wins are not just limited to exemplary service; the airline was recently awarded the prestigious “Pay it forward” award by PAX International magazine for its Taiseer Initiative.

Other recent award wins include Oman Air being named “Asia’s Top Outstanding Airline” by leading travel magazine, NOW Travel Asia and “Inflight Retailer of the Year 2017”, together with Muscat Duty Free.

Islamabad – Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has emphasized the need of increasing bilateral trade relations between Germany and Pakistan. Pakistani industries can greatly benefit from German technological advancements and a growing middle class population offers great potential to any foreign investor in Pakistan. He expressed these views while inaugurating the newly established office and showroom by BSH Hausgeräte GmbH, a 100% subsidiary of Robert Bosch GmbH Germany, which has established its second official products showroom in Pakistan in Blue Area Islamabad. Speaking at the occasion BSH Home Appliances FZE CEO Mr. Tomas Alonso said that German companies consider Pakistan a preferred destination for trade and business and Pakistani market offers immense potential of bilateral trade between two countries. BSH Home Appliances FZE has established its showrooms and offices with local business partner Mega Home Appliances in Pakistan. Managing Director Mega Home Syed Adnan Shah was also present at the occasion. BSH Home Appliances aims to expand its sales and distribution footprint in Pakistan and working to expand its retailer/distributor network across country. “The country is now region’s one of the emerging economies. With annual population growth of more than % 2, Pakistan has one of the highest growth rates in Asia. This results in an increasing number of households, which have a need for home appliances”, said Mr. Alonso, BSH Home Appliances FZE CEO, who is in charge of all Middle Eastern and South Asian region. While addressing the local media he said that “We are targeting to become the Nr. 1 home appliances supplier in Pakistan by doubling the T/O year-on-year.” Mr. Alonso said that in a country like Pakistan which has been facing power shortage issue, its imperative that hundreds of millions of daily usage household appliances such as refrigerators, oven, dishwashers and washing machines etc. consume less energy to save the power and Bosch small and large home appliances are super efficient in terms of less energy consumption undoubtedly the best choice for Pakistani households. In a low inflation high growth economy like Pakistan, there is a growing affluent consumer base, which is forecasted to increase by around 6 % annually. Both factors are having an overall positive effect on local purchasing power. Pakistan is the sixth most populous country in the world, making it a very attractive market indeed for the BSH Home Appliances. “On account of the growing population and a young population with the low median age of 22, we see good business opportunities in Pakistan for Bosch in the medium and long term,” said BSH Home Appliances FZE CEO Mr. Alonso. Mr. Syed Adnan Shah, Managing Director Mega Home Appliances said that Pakistani consumers understand the value of German Technology and he is confident that Bosch Home Appliances and Mega Home will together make Bosch, Pakistan’s most preferred home appliances brand. Mr. Adnan Shah also thanked Bosch Home Appliances Management for their trust and partnership with Mega Home Appliances in Pakistan. The company will focus on the sale of home appliances products for growing Pakistani consumer base. “Pakistan has a growing percentage of an affluent, dynamic and future-oriented consumer base which is improving its lifestyle trends and Bosch is keen to offer its world class Home Appliances to consumers in Pakistan.” BSH Hausgeräte GmbH is the largest home appliance manufacturer in Europe, and the 2nd largest worldwide. BSH’s product portfolio spans the entire spectrum of modern household appliances that includes everything from stoves, ovens, extractor hoods, dishwashers, washers, dryers, refrigerators, and freezers to small appliances like vacuum cleaners, coffee machines, electric kettles and irons. This makes BSH the only full-range provider of home appliances globally. What distinguishes Bosch home appliances from other brands is quality, durability, performance, German heritage since 1886 and continuous innovation in technology and research. It is not coincidental that the brands advertising The launch of home appliances products in Pakistan is part of Bosch’s consistent and long-term growth strategy in South Asia. “Our customers in Pakistan will definitely benefit from our company’s innovations. Ultimately, we also contribute to improving quality of life for local people with our products and services.” About BSH: Founded in 1967 as a joint venture of Robert Bosch GmbH (Stuttgart) and Siemens AG (Munich), BSH has belonged exclusively to the Bosch Group since January 2015. Over its almost 50-year history, the company has grown from a German exporter into the world’s 2nd second-largest home appliance manufacturer. With more than 56,000 employees, BSH increased its revenue in 2016 to around

Lahore –  OMD Pakistan, a part of Omnicom Media Group, was named Pakistan’s ‘Media Agency of the Year’ by Campaign Asia-Pacific at its Agency of the Year Awards 2017, held recently. This is OMD Pakistan’s fourth consecutive award at Campaign Asia’s Agency of the Year Awards and the second consecutive year of winning the ‘Media Agency of the Year’ title. Furthermore, the agency also received a bronze in the ‘Digital Agency of the Year’ category, recognized among the country’s top three agencies for its advanced digital product. The accolades follow a resilient year for the media agency, in which it expanded its business while either retaining or enhancing existing client relationships. They also validate the agency’s commitment towards innovating its product offering and providing clients with ground-breaking media solutions in the Pakistani market.

“OMD Pakistan has maintained their momentum in 2017 and really delivered an impressive performance this year,” commented Stephen Li, CEO of OMD Asia Pacific. “We strive to be a dynamic network and this recognition not only speaks volumes about the agency’s performance, but also reflects the confidence and encouragement of our clients, which allow us to create some exceptional work.”