Fatima Group signs MOU with leading Chinese companies at the Pak-China Agricultural Cooperation Forum

Fatima Group signs MOU with leading Chinese companies at the Pak-China Agricultural Cooperation Forum

Lahore, October 31, 2019: The Fatima Group signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with renowned Chinese companies, China Machinery Engineering Cooperation (CMEC), specialised in construction and engineering and Xinjiang Tianye Group, a leading Chinese enterprise specialised in high efficient irrigation and water saving drip irrigation technologies at the ‘Pak-China Agricultural Cooperation Forum’, held in Islamabad on October 30. 

The high profile Forum was graced by H.E. President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi and the Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Mr. Yao Jing, as well as top ranking government officials from both sides and heads of leading private sector companies from both countries working in the field of agriculture. The event marked a mutual understanding amongst leading agri-based companies from Pakistan and China to promote bilateral cooperation with each other in the field of agriculture and to boost mutual ties and partnerships, to maximise Pakistan’s agricultural output through modernization of agriculture infrastructure and associated technical capabilities, with the adoption of latest irrigation technologies and farming methods.

Speaking about the MoU signing, Senior management official at Fatima Group stated, “This MoU has laid the foundation for establishing close collaboration and technology transfer of modern agri-technologies and production processes to Pakistan. It not only aims to bring latest irrigation techniques and technologies within the reach of local Pakistani farmers, but to also improve their overall yield productivity and most importantly to protect our precious natural resource being water to be used more efficiently for irrigation purpose.” 

This cooperation between the 2 countries is part of the CPEC, and the strategic alliance  is helping Pakistan to strengthen its technological and financial capabilities towards economic uplift and betterment. Pakistan being an agri-based economy puts the development and modernization of agriculture at the heart of this strategic alliance and it’s associated objectives. Agriculture is the most vital sector which can bring about revolutionary changes by increasing productivity and efficiency. It can also bring millions out of poverty and into the economic mainstream which is currently the most important priority for Pakistan.

Continue Reading

Pakistan Air Force’s No 11 Multirole Squadron wins inter Squadron Armament Competition

Pakistan Air Force’s No 11 Multirole Squadron wins inter Squadron Armament Competition

Karachi, October 30, 2019 : No 11 Multirole Squadron was adjudged the best squadron of Inter Squadron Armament Competition, which was held at Sonmiani firing range. The closing ceremony of this most anticipated contest was held at an Operational Air Base, today. Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force was the chief guest at the occasion.

Addressing at the occasion, the Air Chief said that PAF places highest premium on self-reliance through indigenization alongside modernization and expansion of existing combat capabilities. He added that PAF stands ever ready for the aerial defence of motherland and has always responded to nation’s call with full valour and commitment. Highlighting the Kashmir situation, he said that we stand by our Kashmiri brethren in their just struggle for self-determination and reiterated that the human atrocities must end immediately. He further said that we are fully alive to the situation and cannot lower our guards.

The competition, which commenced on 10 October, 2019 saw PAF fighter pilots from all weapon systems exhibiting highest level of professionalism through pinpoint weapon delivery. After a close competition, No 11 Multirole Squadron achieved highest score and was declared the winner of Inter Squadron Armament Trophy. First time introduced Best Armament Trophy (BAT) was shared by No 2 Squadron and No 8 Squadron, while No 14 Squadron won the Maintenance Trophy.

Wing Commander Noman Akram was awarded the coveted Sher Afgan Trophy for being the best marksman in the competition. All PAF Fighter Squadrons were evaluated for operational readiness and weapon system performance under competitive environment. The main highlight of the competition was exceptional performance by the JF-17 Thunder aircraft and it reaffirmed its position as the front line fighter of the PAF.

Continue Reading

Japan announces donation for Afghan refugees, Pakistani communities

Japan announces donation for Afghan refugees, Pakistani communities

Islamabad, October 29, 2019 : The Government of Japan has announced a contribution of USD 2.1 million to support refugees and their host communities in Pakistan. The new funding will strengthen UNHCR’s interventions in the areas of education, health care, and water and sanitation – benefitting 70,000 refugees and host communities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Islamabad, Punjab and Sindh. The Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, H.E. Mr. Kuninori Matsuda, and UNHCR’s Representative in Pakistan, Ms. Ruvendrini Menikdiwela, signed the agreement at a ceremony.

The project will be implemented under the Refugee Affected and Hosting Areas (RAHA) programme, which is being supported by the international donor community in the spirit of burden and responsibility-sharing and in recognition of Pakistan’s hospitality towards Afghan refugees. Through RAHA, a wide array of projects are implemented across the sectors of education, health, livelihoods, infrastructure, water, sanitation and social protection.

Speaking at the occasion, Ms. Ruvendrini Menikdiwela commended the people and Government of Japan for the contribution, which will allow UNHCR to continue assisting vulnerable refugees to access better primary health care and improve the condition of schools. She said the project will also help improve access to, and increase the availability of, potable water in communities currently hosting Afghan refugees as water scarcity, especially in Balochistan, has impacted the lives of people.

On the occasion, H.E. Mr. Kuninori Matsuda noted that “the Government of Japan greatly appreciates the tremendous efforts and commendable hospitality of the Government of Pakistan for having hosted Afghan refugees for four decades. I hope that this aid will not only provide access to education, health care, and water and sanitation facilities, to Afghan refugees and host communities but will also further strengthen the existing good relations between Japan and Pakistan.”

The Ambassador added, “The Government of Japan is also pleased to continue supporting UNHCR to assist the Government of Pakistan in its efforts to provide basic facilities to Afghan refugees residing in Pakistan.” The Government of Japan is UNHCR’s fifth largest government donor worldwide.

Continue Reading

SriLankan Airlines celebrates Diwali with passengers

SriLankan Airlines celebrates Diwali with passengers

SriLankan Airlines, the largest foreign carrier in to India, celebrated Diwali with all its loyal customers with a series of special events on Sunday 27 October at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) and on board many of its flights in the South Asian region.

SriLankan is known for going the extra mile to give its passengers a totally delightful experience, winning the prestigious ‘Asia’s Leading Airline to the Indian Ocean’ title for the third consecutive year at the World Travel Awards Asia & Oceania; the global ‘Best Marketing Innovation’ award from the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX), and a coveted PATA Gold Award in the category ‘Marketing-Carrier’.

Diwali, the ancient Hindu Festival of Lights is a holy day for Hindus throughout the world and celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance.

SriLankan’s Serendib Business Class lounge at BIA was gaily decorated for the occasion, with a traditional ‘kolam’ design at the entrance, jasmine strands, fairy lights, and Indian dishes that are traditionally served at Diwali for passengers to enjoy. Many of SriLankan’s counters at BIA also sported Diwali posters and the airline created awareness of its festive activities on social media.

Meanwhile, many SriLankan flights from cities in India were on the theme of Diwali, with cabin crew greeting passengers by placing a traditional colourful ‘pottu’ on their foreheads, mouth-watering Indian sweets being served as desserts and announcements with regard to the festival.

SriLankan Airlines has a route network of 109 cities in 48 countries, including codeshare operations in partnership with the world’s finest airlines. A member of the prestigious oneworld global airline partnership, SriLankan Airlines also connects travellers to over 1,000 cities in 160 countries through its oneworld partner airlines. 

Continue Reading

Emirates and flydubai enter 3rd year of strategic partnership

Emirates and flydubai enter 3rd year of strategic partnership

Over 5.27 million passengers have benefitted from seamless connectivity on the Emirates and flydubai network since both Dubai-based airlines begun their partnership in October 2017.

In addition, some 800,000 Emirates Skywards members have earned over 1.5 billion Skywards Miles on Emirates and flydubai codeshare itineraries in the last 12 months.

Marking the milestone as the partnership enters into its third year, Emirates Group Chairman and Chief Executive and flydubai Chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said: “The strategic partnership between Emirates and flydubai has been a success, generating benefits for travellers, for both airlines, and for Dubai. Moving forward, both Emirates and flydubai will continue to develop the partnership to deliver even better customer journeys and better value for travellers and all stakeholders.”

Today, Emirates passengers can seamlessly connect to 94 destinations on the flydubai network via Dubai International airport, and flydubai passengers can access 143 Emirates destinations. Globally, the favourite flydubai destinations for Emirates passengers are: Belgrade, Bucharest, Catania, Kathmandu, Kiev, Kilimanjaro, Krakow, Salalah, Tbilisi, and Zanzibar.

The strategic partnership between Emirates and flydubai goes beyond code-sharing in permitted markets, and includes initiatives that span commercial activity such as schedule co-ordination to offer customers more competitive prices, network planning and airport operations to facilitate the smooth flow of passengers between both airlines, and the alignment of frequent flyer programs to boost earning and redemption opportunities.

Better connectivity in Dubai

On 27 October, flights to seven more destinations have relocated from flydubai’s current operating base of Terminal 2 to Terminal 3 at Dubai International airport (DXB), offering travellers more seamless connections between the Emirates and flydubai networks with smooth and quick transit times. This move means connecting passengers can enjoy shorter minimum connecting times in Dubai at just 90 minutes.

Flights from Dubai to Almaty, Basra, Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, Nur-Sultan, Sofia, and Zanzibar now operate from Terminal 3, bringing the number of flydubai destinations operated out of DXB Terminal 3 to 22.

More benefits under common loyalty program

Emirates Skywards became the common loyalty program for both Emirates and flydubai customers in August 2018 – offering members greater convenience and simplicity with one loyalty currency, and a single metric for earning and redeeming Miles.

Flight benefits remain the most popular redemption option, with members spending some 500 million Miles on flydubai flights in the past year, with top destinations being: Dubai, Beirut, Karachi, Alexandria, Tbilisi, Sabiha Gokcen, Bucharest, and Baku.

The combined base of over 25 million Skywards members is also more active than before as the loyalty program continues to enhance its partner portfolio and increase opportunities for members to earn and redeem Miles, and more quickly attain their next tier status and enjoy benefits such as lounge access and fast track lanes for immigration and check-in.

Network and schedule efficiencies

The partnership has enabled both airlines to optimise their network and aircraft utilisation, with successes in ensuring customers are served year-round on routes with “seasonal” patterns, and while opening up opportunities for both carriers to serve new markets.

An example is the seasonal handover on the Dubai-Zagreb route where Emirates operates its large wide-body aircraft during the summer schedule, while flydubai’s single-aisle aircraft is deployed during the winter schedule. On 10 December, the Dubai-Yangon route will be operated by flydubai instead of Emirates, enabling the latter to concentrate on developing the Thailand and Cambodia markets.

Successful network optimisation between both airlines on flights to Multan, Mashad, Bangkok, Dhaka and Male had also freed up capacity for flydubai to re-deploy to open new markets including Krakow, Catania, Helsinki, Naples, Sochi and Krabi.

Emirates and flydubai continue to work closely on flight schedule alignment, with the aim of improving customer connectivity and expanding the number of flight connection options between both airlines.

Continue Reading

COKE STUDIO: Episode 2 will feature Abrar Ul Haq, Shuja Haider, Rachel Viccaji and Zeb Bangash

COKE STUDIO: Episode 2 will feature Abrar Ul Haq, Shuja Haider, Rachel Viccaji and Zeb Bangash

Coke Studio is all set to release the second episode of Season 12 featuring Billo by Abrar Ul Haq, and Roshe by Zeb Bangash. This episode of Coke Studio Season 12 will air on 25th October 2019.

Abrar Ul Haq takes the stage this season in a whirlwind of rap and bhangra by opening a gateway to the past with a remake of the iconic song that started his musical career: Billo. Released in 1995, Billo took the country by storm with its quirky lyrics that talk about a young man’s infatuation with his Billo; a girl who is famed for her beauty, and whose house the young man is determined to visit. The young man declares his intentions of taking a marriage procession to her home and winning her as his bride, cursing everyone and anything that stands in the way of this pursuit. For Abrar, Billo was the song that changed everything. It brought him overnight fame and turned music from a hobby to a lifelong calling. Abrar has been wanting to take this visit into the past, to recreate this memory using the melodies, rhythms and instruments that now populate the world’s musical canvas. Coke Studio’s rendition of Billo stays true to the nostalgia of the tune, offering listeners a space where they can relive a time in which bhangra-pop enlivened Pakistan’s music channels.

“Music is spiritual. It comes from within a person. Sound can create such a strong impact; this is something you feel in music. You’ll hear something and get goosebumps. If you’re sad, a song can uplift your mood. In a way, it’s a cure. It has the power to induce nostalgic feelings and has a spiritual side to it that brings you closer to God ... There’s something extraordinary about music.” said Abrar Ul Haq

Zeb Bangash returns to Coke Studio this season with a Kashmiri ode to loss: Roshe. The song first caught Zeb’s attention when she came across a video of Ali Saifuddin’s version of it on YouTube. For Zeb, this was the fortunate outcome of an exploration into Kashmiri music that had been sparked when she met a group of Kashmiri students in Delhi, who requested that she perform a song in their native tongue. So began the process, nearly four years ago, of working on the song with house band member Zain Ali, who presented it to Coke Studio this season. For Zeb, this has been an experience of trusting the destiny of a song – that it was meant to happen when the time was right, and when the world was ready for it. The song speaks of love and loss. Its poetry was written by the Kashmiri poet Mahjoor, who lived in the early 1900s. Mahjoor was greatly inspired by the verses of Kashmir’s last empress Habba Khatoon – whose own verse has been used in the chorus of this song. Coke Studio’s rendition of Roshe offers an ambient space in which the poetic themes of nostalgia and separation are meant to be contemplated upon. Zeb encapsulates the song’s melancholy feel vocally, while she once again, takes on a language that is new to her repertoire with the sheer meticulousness she is known for.

“I decided to pursue music professionally when I saw how it enables you to connect with people. It’s a beautiful feeling. You can move people; you can talk to them. You sing a song and someone connects to it and you don’t even know about it. That’s really lovely for me. That someone is having their own relationship with a song sung in my voice.” said Zeb Bangash

Continue Reading

PIA launches two new services

PIA launches two new services

DUBAI: Dubai International (DXB) added more choice and connectivity for travellers flying to and from Pakistan with the launch of PIA’s twice weekly services to Faisalabad and Multan on Monday.

The launch of the new flights was celebrated at an inaugural ceremony at DXB’s Terminal 1, where H. E. Jamal Al Hai, the Deputy CEO of Dubai Airports, welcomed Ghulam Dastagir,

Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UAE, Ahmed Amjad Ali, the Consul General of Pakistan in Dubai, and senior representatives of PIA. Pakistan is the fourth largest country market for DXB in terms of passenger volume, with four airlines operating 268 weekly flights to eight destinations. Passenger numbers between DXB and Pakistan reached 2 million in the first half of 2019. 

Continue Reading

Education Institutions of Punjab partner with Microsoft to highlight technological advancements in education

Education Institutions of Punjab partner with Microsoft to highlight technological advancements in education

Islamabad 30th October, 2019:-–Microsoft in collaboration with the Punjab School Education Department, Punjab TEVTA and Punjab Group of Colleges hosted a seminar in Education dubbed ‘Microsoft Edu Day’. The seminar brought together delegates from across the region to showcase the latest technology designed specifically for the education sector to promote immersive, inclusive and 21st century learning. 

The event was graced by Provincial Minister of Punjab for School Education, Dr. Murad Raas; Chairman Punjab TEVTA, Mr. Ali Salman Siddiqui;  Director Technical, Sindh Education Foundation, Ms. Shahpara Rizvi; Advisor to Education Minister Punjab; Ms. Aasiya Khurram Agha, Consultant Higher Education Commission, Mr Asif Shahid Khan; Microsoft Country General Manger, Mr. Abid Zaidi; Microsoft Country Education Lead, Mr. Jibran Jamshad & Microsoft Education Transformation Lead, Ms. Jaye Richards-Hill in addition to relevant stakeholders of the Education sector. The event provided a platform to explore possible partnership opportunities of empowering the growing number of youths in the country which is at an all-time high according to the 2017 Pakistan National Human Development Report.  The report highlights how the country’s youth can be a critical force for development, if they are empowered with education and knowledge. 

“Developing digital skills from primary school age has become a necessity, as youth navigate an increasingly technological world. With technology in the classrooms, learners can develop digital skills for the 21st century job market ,” says Provincial Minister of Punjab for School Education; Dr. Murad Raas“ While it’s essential that learners are up skilled, it’s also important that educators are empowered and provided with adequate resources to successfully carry out lessons in the classroom.”

Some of the technologies showcased include Office 365, Azure , Microsoft Imagine Academy Certifications and the Microsoft Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Campus Management Solutions, which are designed to drive better learning outcomes, more productive classroom time, and effective institutions. Artificial intelligence is powering majority of the solutions being used in education space, be it the use of cognitive APIs for safe campus management, or connecting billions of data sources to Azure IOT suite to drive statistical analysis, or to predict learning outcomes based on student performance all year around; insight driven decision making is only possible using the power of AI, built into the Microsoft platform. 

“Technologies such as Microsoft Teams, Minecraft and OneNote have played a big part in redefining learning through creating immersive and inclusive learning experiences that inspire lifelong learning,” says Abid Zaidi, Microsoft Country General Manager for Pakistan. “These tools are designed to make an educator’s job simpler so that they can devote time and resources to what matters most – teaching.  As Microsoft, we are committed to empowering every learner and educator by providing access to the best technologies in the classroom." 

In addition to the technology showcase, Microsoft also announced the E2 Educators Exchange competition for local Microsoft Innovative Educator Experts (MIEs). The competition will give local education leaders the opportunity to attend E2 in Sydney, Australia, in 2020, and meet with global educators to explore industry trends and emerging technologies. 

“We are really excited to provide local MIEs with the opportunity to engage with innovative educators from around the world,” says Jibran Jamshad, Microsoft Country Education Lead for Pakistan. “Each MIE will receive support and training on how to apply for the program. Overall, we are confident that delegates have left today’s event with new ideas, a revived hope in what digital transformation can do for the next generation, and a sense of belonging to an important global effort.”

Continue Reading

Lucky Cement records consolidated earnings of PKR 1.27 billion for the first quarter ended September 30, 2019

Lucky Cement records consolidated earnings of PKR 1.27 billion for the first quarter ended September 30, 2019

Karachi, October 30, 2019: On a consolidated basis, Lucky Cement Limited reported net profit after tax of PKR 1.27 billion after taking out PKR 0.25 billion attributable to non-controlling interests for the first quarter ended September 30, 2019, which translates into earnings per share (EPS) of PKR 3.93 / share as compared to PKR 9.14 / share during the same period last year.

Further, on a consolidated basis, the Company achieved gross turnover of PKR 34.43 billion which is 9.9% higher as compared to the same period last year’s turnover of PKR 31.32 billion.

On a standlaone basis Company’s overall sales volumes declined by 13.6% to reach 1.64 million tons during the first quarter ended September 30, 2019. The local cement sales volume registered a decline of 19.4% and were 1.12 million tons in comparison to 1.40 million tons during the same period last year, however, the export sales volumes of the Company improved by 2.6% to reach 0.51 million tons as compared to 0.50 million tons during the same period last year.

Further, with regards to Company’s standalone financial performance, the gross sales revenue declined by 13.0% to PKR 13.93 billion compared to PKR 16.01 billion during the same period last year. The decrease was mainly due to lower sales volume and cut-throat pricing on the back of lower demand and retentions on account of stringent `Axle load’ limits’ implementation. Furthermore, Lucky Cement recorded net profit after tax of PKR 955.85 million, which is 61.7% lower as compared to the same period last year. Similarly, the standalone EPS of the Company is PKR 2.96 / share as compared to the same period last year’s reported EPS of PKR 7.71 / share.

Lucky Cement shared progress on its brownfield expansion for cement production of 2.6 million tons per annum at its Pezu Plant and also informed that it has decided to further invest in setting up a grinding unit and have a fully integrated cement production capacity of 1.2 million tons per annum in Samawah, Iraq as part of the ongoing offshore joint venture project, with the existing local patner. In addition, the Company also reported progress on its investment project of 1 X 660 MW supercritical coal-based power project at Port Qasim.

Lucky Cement remains committed towards improvement in the society and the communities in which it operates. In this regard, the Company extended numerous scholarships to deserving students for various leading universities in Pakistan and abroad. Keeping in view the importance and impact of women empowerment in Pakistan, the Company in collaboration with Zindagi Trust continued its support for two leading Government girls’ schools in Karachi. Providing quality healthcare has always been company’s priority and in this regard the company continued its support to Aziz Tabba Foundation. Lucky Cement always takes serious responsibility towards the environment and in an effort to further highlight the importance of environment conservation, the company continued with its tree plantation drive in and around its manufacturing sites.

With the current economic challenges and macro-economic situation, Lucky Cement believes that in short to medium-term, the outlook of the Cement industry will continue to remain challenging. The cut-throat pricing and cost escalation due to `Axle load’ limits’ implementation has put adverse pressure on profitability. The cement industry is engaged with the Government to resolve the `Axle load’ limits’ issue and is hopeful for its resolution.

The Company is also evaluating to increase its logistics’ fleet size to mitigate the adverse impact of the `Axle load’ limits’ implementation.

Continue Reading

TPL Insurance signs MoU with UBL to introduce installment plans for auto insurance premiums

TPL Insurance signs MoU with UBL to introduce installment plans for auto insurance premiums

TPL Insurance signs MoU with UBL to introduce installment plans for auto insurance premiums

KARACHI: TPL Insurance, Pakistan’s first direct insurance company, joins hands with UBL, a leading player in the banking and financial services sector in Pakistan. An MoU was signed between the two organizations recently, at the UBL Head Office, Karachi.

The two companies have collaborated to launch ‘Assure Finance’, an insurance premium financing project for mutual customers of TPL Insurance and UBL. In the wake of a 42% reduction in automobile sales in Pakistan, this collaboration aims at providing convenient, affordable and easily accessible Auto Insurance solutions to customers.

Present at the signing ceremony, from TPL Insurance were, Muhammad Aminuddin – Chief Executive Officer, Syed Ather Abbas – Deputy Managing Director, Syed Kazim Hasan – Chief Operating Officer, Aurangzeb Javed Siddiqui – Head of FIG and Waheedullah Shah – Manager Sales, FIG. Representing UBL were Tauqeer Mazhar – Group Head Branch Banking, Shaheryar Saeed Khan – Head of Consumer Banking, Sharjeel Raza Khan – Head of Consumer Loans and Faheem Ahmed Haleem – Product Manager. 

This partnership is in line with TPL Insurance’s pursuit of providing seamless insurance services to customers through its 24/7 call center and digitally integrated insurance solutions. News Desk 

Continue Reading

Fly Emirates to Dubai and enjoy fun-filled holiday this winter

Fly Emirates to Dubai and enjoy fun-filled holiday this winter 

Enjoy exploring the vibrant city and its many attractive offerings this winter break 

Karachi / Dubai: 30 October, 2019: Fly Emirates to Dubai and enjoy a fun-filled holiday this winter break. Solo travellers and families alike will be awed by the city’s many attractive offerings including shopping festivals, traditional souks, stunning beach resorts, fine dining, adventure waterparks and much more. With year-round sunshine and eclectic landmarks – the city is an ideal holiday or stopover destination with something for everyone. 

See more for less with My Emirates Pass

Visitors can take advantage and see more for less with My Emirates Pass – a seasonal pass that turns an Emirates boarding pass into an exclusive membership package – allowing customers to redeem discounts and special benefits in over 500 locations across the UAE. Travellers flying to and through Dubai between 1 January until 31 March 2020* can avail the offer and enjoy up to 30% off on retail outlets and up to 50% off on leisure activities by simply presenting their boarding pass and a valid form of identification.* Fly Emirates and spend less on luxurious spa treatments, indulge in five-star culinary experiences, and embark on an adventurous outdoor activity. Families can also take advantage and enjoy thrilling waterparks across the city. 

Dubai Shopping Festival 2020 

Splurge on world-class shopping across the city’s many impressive malls including The Dubai Mall – one of the world’s largest shopping complexes. Visitors travelling to Dubai from 26 December 2019 until 1 February 2020 can take advantage of the Dubai Shopping Festival 2020.*The highly anticipated five week festival offers customers extraordinary discounts and rewards in various shopping outlets including unbeatable deals on fashion, jewellery, electronic items and much more.

Mohammad Al Hashimi, Emirates’ Vice President, Commercial Products Dubai, said: “Dubai is a fantastic city with an ever growing list of attractions and experiences our customers can enjoy year-round. The city is one of the world’s most preferred destinations for world-class shopping, sightseeing and fine dining. Passengers flying to and through Dubai can avail unbeatable offers through My Emirates Pass and the Dubai Shopping Festival 2020. We look forward to continue working closely with our partners and to ensure we always provide our customers the best Dubai has to offer.” 

Fly Emirates, Fly Better 

Fly better on Emirates to Dubai and enjoy over 4,500 channels of entertainment on ice – the airline’s award-winning inflight entertainment system. Passengers across all classes will enjoy regionally inspired meals, complimentary beverages and up to 20 MB of free Wi-Fi. With the airline’s generous baggage allowance – there’s no need to pack light. Economy Class passengers can enjoy up to 35 kgs, while Business Class passengers can enjoy up to 40 kgs and First Class passengers can enjoy up to 50 kgs. 

Emirates customers who go on a shopping extravaganza during their visit to Dubai can also enjoy additional baggage allowance on their return journey. The offer is valid on return Economy Class tickets purchased to Dubai between 15 October 2019 and 1 February 2020.* Customers travelling back from Dubai to Emirates destinations within North America, Central America, South America or 

Africa can enjoy one extra piece of baggage.* For those travelling to other destinations within the Emirates network can also take advantage of an additional 10kgs of excess baggage. The offer is applicable for travel between December 26, 2019 and February 5, 2020.* 

For more information on Emirates, including how to book flights and a complete list of terms and conditions, visit www.emirates.com, travel agent or through the local Emirates Sales Office. 

Continue Reading

➨ #Jobs - #Career_Opportunities - #Jobs in Government of Pakistan - Gilgit-Baltistan Scout - Last date is 3 November 2019

➨ #Jobs - #Career_Opportunities -  #Jobs in Government of Pakistan - Gilgit-Baltistan Scout - Last date is 3 November 2019

 - for details visit the ad...

#Vacancies_Jobs #Jobs_in_Pakistan #Search_Job #Job_Alerts #Newspaper_Jobs #Jobs_in_Dubai, #Hospital_Jobs #University_Job #Karachi_Jobs #School_Jobs #Pakistan_Army_Jobs #NAVY_Jobs #Government_Jobs #Govt_Job #Bank_Jobs #Jobs_in_Bank #Government Jobs

Continue Reading

Manipur leaders in London announce separation from India - Geo News

Manipur leaders in London announce separation from India - Geo News

LONDON: The representatives of State of Manipur’s King Leishemba Sanajaoba have announced separation from India, forming the Manipur State Council.

At a press conference here, Chief Minister of Manipur State Council Yamben Biren and Minister of External Affairs and Defence of Manipur State Council Narengbam Samarjit announced before media that they were speaking on behalf of the Maharaja of Manipur High Highness the Leishemba Sanajaoba to formally launch the exiled government – the Manipur State Council.

The exiled government will be based in Central London.

They produced a document showing that His Highness the Maharaja of Manipur had authorised them by the Order No. 12 of 2013 dated the March 15, 2013 to solve the political problems of the State of Manipur.

Both of them confirmed that they have already sought asylum in the United Kingdom in September 2019, fleeing persecution and repression by the Indian state as declaring independence in India would have led them to being arrested and killed arbitrarily by the Indian security forces.

They said: “We believe that now is the right time to make public the Independent Government of Manipur before the international community to announce our independent status and to seek recognition. We call on all the Governments of the sovereign states of the members of the United Nations for their recognition of the de jure and exile Government of the Manipur from today onwards.

The three million Manipuri people want recognition as one of the precious native nations. Our attempts to engage with the Indian govt were met with hate and hostilities.”

It was not possible for us to declare the independence of Manipur while in India because we, the Councilors of the Manipur State Council, would have faced arrest, torture and extra-judicial killings at the hands of the Indian government.”

They said that Narendra Modi’s government is intolerant and believes in physical annihilation of small nations and communities for the sake of Hindutva supremacy and therefore it was not safe for them to continue operating from India.

They declared: “The Manipur State Council is His Highness’s Government, the Maharaja of Manipur Leishemba Sanajaoba who is the Maharaja/King of Manipur. His Highness is the constitutional head of the State. Manipur is a constitutional Monarchy ruled State and the sovereign of the King of Manipur is Divine of God.”

They said that Manipur is being ruled through draconian laws by the Indian occupation government “under the Republic Constitution of India including Arms Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958”.

They said that thousands of people have been killed since the occupation of Manipur. Nearly 4500 have been killed unlawfully in the last 10 years and more than 1500 are in prisons in illegal custody. The total loss of life stands at around 15,000 in the last few decades, they said referring to a BBC report which had unearthed the scale of unlawful killings and human rights violations.

They said: “There are more than 1,528 cases of the extra-judicial killing which are pending in the Supreme Court of India. They victim were killed without trial of law. Indian army forces kill the people of Manipur with impunity. The Manipuri human right activist Irom Charu Sharmila, known as the ‘Iron Lady of Manipur’, started protest fasting for 16 years against the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act and human rights abuses. The brave women of Manipur staged nude protests in front of the Indian Army centres to condemn inhuman torture and killing of innocent people of Manipur.”

The state of Manipur is a de jure government formed in Manipur under the Manipur State Constitution Act 1947. It received independence from the British Raj on 14th August 1947.

They said that the sovereign State of Manipur was excluded from India [Indian Empire] by the Order in Council by His Majesty on 27 December 1946 and the Indian Government annexed Manipur State of India by violation of the Act 1949.

They said they believed in obtaining our objectives through peaceful and democratic means. There are many armed groups fighting the Indian forces for the restoration of independence of Manipur from India, they said, giving a long list of their demands including the rights of tribal people, removal of Indian forces from their land and restoration of sovereignty.

Read on Source

Continue Reading

Finja Wins In-Principle Approval for Electronic Money Institution (EMI) From SBP

Finja Wins In-Principle Approval for Electronic Money Institution (EMI) From SBP

Finja, the trail-blazing Pakistani fintech behind the popular SimSim mobile wallet launched in partnership with Finca Microfinance Bank, has announced today that it has received an in-principle approval from the State Bank of Pakistan for an Electronic Money Institution (EMI).

The EMI license will allow Finja to aggressively expand its operations by forging a fresh set of partnerships and interconnects with select banks and ecosystem partners in the rapidly evolving digital financial services landscape of the country.

“This in-principle approval will enable Finja to increase the speed of service delivery and accelerate scale to digitize Pakistan’s workforce and business transactions,” said Qasif Shahid, Co-Founder and CEO of Finja.

Finja has a special focus on salaried individuals and the businesses that employ them. In a short span of time, the company has digitized payroll disbursement, payment collections and instant loans for thousands of organizations and their employees. Finja has well over half a million mobile app wallets with the highest average balance in the industry. The company is backed by leading global venture capital funds including Vostok Emerging Finance, BeeNext and Quona Capital.

Continue Reading

Engro’s Enfrashare Partners with Telenor Pakistan for Infrastructure Development

Engro’s Enfrashare Partners with Telenor Pakistan for Infrastructure Development

Karachi, October 29, 2019: Leading connectivity infrastructure provider, Enfrashare Pakistan Private Limited and Telenor Pakistan, one of Pakistan’s top mobile network operators, have entered into a long-term partnership agreement.

Under this partnership, Enfrashare will help develop connectivity infrastructure and provide key services to Telenor, thereby upscaling connectivity and enabling them to focus on core business functions. This partnership aims to enhance Pakistan’s critical communication infrastructure network while allowing Telenor to meet its coverage and capacity requirements for rapidly growing data demands.

Owned by one of the largest groups in Pakistan – Engro Corporation Limited – Enfrashare was formed with the vision to help enhance digital connectivity throughout the country. While its expertise and investment in connectivity infrastructure allow mobile operators to reduce the cost of access to consumers, Enfrashare aims to engage with all stakeholders in the telecom ecosystem in order to realize a larger goal of digitizing Pakistan.

On behalf of Engro, company spokesman Aman ul Haque stated, “Engro firmly believes that connectivity is a basic human need and is the conduit that enables social and financial inclusion. We are very proud of what the Enfrashare team has accomplished in a short span since its inception last year. This agreement will allow Enfrashare to work with one of the most respected operators in the country to provide enhanced solutions. Enfrashare envisions enabling broader connectivity and encompasses all necessary components including towers, fiber, energy, and more. This partnership marks the beginning of a new journey, where two key corporates will bring together their expertise to better connect Pakistan.”

Deputy CEO and Chief Technology Officer at Telenor Pakistan, Mr. Khurrum Ashfaque, said, “We, at Telenor Pakistan, are driven by our vision of empowering Pakistan through enhanced connectivity and believe that telecom technology is a true driver towards bridging the socio-economic divide. We look forward to working with Enfrashare to provide innovative and advanced solutions, including fiber and energy optimization, that will be instrumental for network enhancement in years to come.”

This collaboration reaffirms Enfrashare’s commitment to enhance the connectivity infrastructure landscape in the country, as well as complements the Government’s efforts to provide access to modern communication to all across Pakistan.

Continue Reading

Pak-Qatar Family Takaful Signs MoU with Mawazna

Pak-Qatar Family Takaful Signs MoU with Mawazna

Karachi October 29, 2019: Pak-Qatar Family Takaful came into an agreement with Mawazna.com (a rapidly growing financial services comparison platform) after a signing ceremony held in Karachi. The agreement will allow Mawazna to offer Easy Takaful (a product of Pak-Qatar Family Takaful)  on their website for the convenience of users in search of Takaful plans.

The agreement was signed between Mr. Azeem I. Pirani, Head of ADC & Bancatakaful, and Mr. Waqar Asghar, CEO of Mawazna along with other officials from the organization.

Continue Reading

PTCL Participates in NIC Peshawar’s Graduation Ceremony of 1st and 2nd Cohort Startups

PTCL Participates in NIC Peshawar’s Graduation Ceremony of 1st and 2nd Cohort Startups

Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), in its endeavor to provide support to startups incubated at National Incubation Center (NIC) Peshawar, participated in a graduation ceremony for their first and second cohort.

Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecom, was the guest of honor at the graduation ceremony. The event was also attended by Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui, Federal Secretary, IT & Telecom, Syed Shahzad Shah, Executive Vice President, Marketing & Corporate Communication, PTCL, Yusuf Hussain, CEO, Ignite, Atif Rais Khan, CEO LMKT, senior members of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government, as well as prominent leaders from Pakistan’s startups ecosystem.

Operated by LMKT in collaboration with PTCL, NIC Peshawar is an initiative funded by Ignite and Ministry of IT and Telecom. NIC Peshawar is a platform to support technology-driven disruptive startups and entrepreneurs in the field of health, AR/VR, gaming, education, transportation, etc. in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The 14 graduating startups have created more than 470 direct and 1900 indirect jobs, raised over PKR 192 million in investment and increased their revenue exponentially to more than PKR 120 million.

On the occasion, Murtaza Zaidi, Director NIC Peshawar, said:-

I would like to congratulate the graduating startups, who have played a monumental role in the development of KP’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. We are happy to have partners like PTCL, who have supported us throughout our journey. Moreover, I am proud to be part of NIC Peshawar that has added significant value to the province’s economy by enhancing the growth potential of the region’s local businesses and entrepreneurs.

Syed Shahzad Shah, Executive Vice President, Marketing & Corporate Communication PTCL, commented,

It is an honor to be part of this event, where we have seen the making of the future leaders of Pakistan. On behalf of PTCL, I would like to congratulate the graduating startups and the management of NIC Peshawar, LMKT and Ignite. The potential displayed by these young entrepreneurs incubated at NIC Peshawar is truly outstanding. I believe that these local startups will take the country to the next level of economic growth and prosperity.

PTCL believes in providing an enabling environment for youth and developing their talents for the future of Pakistan.

Continue Reading

EasyTickets Partners With NS Technology to Provide Better Online Bus Ticketing Service

EasyTickets Partners With NS Technology to Provide Better Online Bus Ticketing Service

EasyTickets, one of Pakistan’s top online ticketing platforms, has announced an exclusive strategic partnership with NS Technology to accelerate the digitization of bus tickets. NS Technology is the leader in retail bus management software servicing 25 leading bus operators across the country with a collective fleet of 480 buses and throughput of more than 40,000 customers monthly, for the past 20 years.

With bus services like Niazi Express, Shahid Coach, Waraich Express, Shahzad Bus Service, Pakeeza Travels, Ali Express, and so many more, NS Technology is playing an important role in helping people travel in rural and urban areas.

 

Through this partnership, NS Technology will upgrade its offline software deployments with the EasyTickets’ cloud-based bus management software, EasyBus. This partnership will digitize ticket sales for all of NS Technology’s existing and future customers by connecting them to EasyTickets’ online ticketing platform.

With over 75 million internet-connected smartphones in Pakistan today, the demand for online ticket purchasing and cloud-based software deployment is rapidly increasing. “EasyTickets and NS Technology share a common DNA — to deliver the best possible user experience to our customers. By deploying EasyBus management software for our bus operators, we will accelerate their sales and increase their efficiency simultaneously. There is no better solution available in the market today”, said Aamir Awan, CEO of NS Technology.

“Bus tickets in Pakistan represent a $1.2 Billion market,” said Monis Rahman, co-founder and Chairman of EasyTickets, “Our mission is to continue digitizing offline ticket sales to bring them into the new economy. We could not have picked a better partner with more experience than NS Technology. This partnership solidifies our position as Pakistan’s leading online bus ticketing platform beyond movies and events”.

The EasyBus cloud-based bus management software is custom designed for harsh Pakistani environments with spotty internet access. It can operate in offline mode and uses custom-built socket synchronization to provide real-time functionality. Along with the cloud software, EasyTickets provides ticketing kiosks, mobile apps and cashless payments through integrations with all mobile wallets and banks. EasyBus is currently deployed with five bus operators and will grow substantially as a result of this partnership.

With the addition of 25 new bus operators and 89 inter-city routes, EasyTickets’ customers and banking partners will have unprecedented access to digital bus tickets purchasing from the convenience of their mobile phones.

You can download the EasyTickets app and get one free bus ticket on your next purchase of bus, movie, or event tickets using the promo code MADEINPK.

Continue Reading