Tencent Launches Its “99 Giving Day” Annual Charity Campaign in Hong Kong
Cross-Industry Collaborations to Plant Seedlings of Goodwill via a Global Online Ecosystem
Tencent Launches Its “99 Giving Day” Annual Charity Campaign in Hong Kong
realme's Ultimate 828 Fan Fest Celebration Culminates in a Beachside Music Party for Loyal Fans
realme Pakistan concluded their Fan Fest activities with an exciting music party featuring Shamoon Ismail and Hussain Dossa
realme, being one of the most popular brand of the Gen Z marked its 4th anniversary celebrations with a fun-filled musical party at Fan Fest 828. realme music party was attended by its loyal fans, celebrities and lifestyle media at Turtle beach Karachi. With its “Keep It Real” brand philosophy, realme Fan Fest is a celebration of the brand to stay connected with its loyal fans community that continues to support the brand. Every year realme welcomes the month of August with the comeback of their annual Fan Fest. The most anticipated realme Fan Fest was filled with exciting activities lined up for fans to enjoy. Team realme also took the opportunity to announce the winner of the super fan award at the event.
On realme's very first Music Party at the ocean side, the stage came alive with musical performance by Youth Icon Shamoon Ismail and DJ Hussain Dossa. Truly embodying the saying “Music brings people together” the performances ended with the fans gathering on stage matching to the dancing beat. Aside from the thrilling concert event, the realme fan squad also got a chance to enjoy an experience zone which let them try out realme’s products, realme cocktail hub, photo booth, and a wide selection of buffet items.
Pakistan’s hip celebrities like Saboor Aly, Ali Ansari, Nabeel Zuberi, Adeel Chaudhry and Nimra Khan joined realme fans to enjoy the party to make moments memorable. Team realme did a special announcement of Super Fan Award which was won by Alisha Zaidi for showing her consistent loyalty towards the brand.
Making event a great success for fans, activities concluded with amazing never seen before special Fireworks. Fans were highly appreciative of realme for providing this experience to them until next 828 where they hope to bring something else new and exciting because realme always comes with new and exciting entertaining ideas for their fans.
Undoubtedly, there is always more to “Keep it real” than one could think of, it signifies how far realme has travelled, now providing a platform for the youth to take a leap and explore their passion. The message stands still- to be able to establish an unbreakable bond with its users, making them the true brand ambassadors.
Applications now open for third cohort of Microsoft for Startups’ GrowthX accelerator program
LAHORE: Microsoft for Startups Middle East has announced the opening of applications for the third cohort of its highly engaging GrowthX Accelerator Program. The organization has also opened-up free registrations for the latest instalment of its popular Highway to 100 Unicorns virtual conference series.
The GrowthX Accelerator and Highway to 100 Unicorns initiatives are part of a broader strategic partnership between Microsoft and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) to accelerate the growth of B2B tech startups across the Middle East, Turkey and Pakistan.
- The 10-week program is designed to support the growth of B2B tech startups
- Highway to 100 Unicorns virtual conference – designed to address issues faced by entrepreneurs across the Middle East, Turkey and Pakistan – will run from 29th August to 15th September
“Startups play a key role in driving economic growth, job creation and diversification. Tech startups in particular offer significant opportunities to accelerate innovation across the UAE and the region by bringing creative and unique solutions to various challenges. Abu Dhabi is committed to supporting and nurturing the growth of innovative businesses, and our ongoing partnership with Microsoft for Startups through the Growth X Accelerator and Highway to 100 Unicorns initiatives is a key enabler to us achieving this,” said Eng. Abdulla Abdul Aziz AlShamsi, Acting Director General at ADIO.
GrowthX Accelerator
The 10-week virtual accelerator program runs from 19 September – 25 November and equips founders with the essentials required to successfully scale their startups to Abu Dhabi’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Applications to join the program are open to B2B tech startups from across the Middle East, Turkey and Pakistan that are looking to establish operations in the UAE capital.
Primarily geared towards growth-stage startups ranging from the Seed to Series A spectrum, the GrowthX Accelerator empowers B2B tech startups by offering training opportunities that focus on enterprise sales and technical readiness for scale. Through technical and commercial acceleration, the program creates connections and brings innovators together to learn, grow, become investor-ready, and improve engagement with potential regional customers.
“After two successful instalments of the GrowthX Accelerator program, we are thrilled to open applications for a third cohort of innovative tech startups to be empowered to achieve more,” said Naim Yazbeck, General Manager: Microsoft UAE. “We recognise the potential that startups bring to accelerate digital transformation across the region. Through initiatives like GrowthX, we demonstrate our commitment to supporting their growth journeys and preparing them for scale. We look forward to harnessing these businesses and further strengthening the important role Abu Dhabi plays in the regional entrepreneurship ecosystem.”
Highway to 100 Unicorns
Microsoft for Startups Middle East also announced that free registrations for its popular virtual conference series, Highway to 100 Unicorns, are open. Hosted in partnership with ADIO via a series of live events on LinkedIn, Highway to 100 Unicorns unites thought leaders from across the region to address the issues faced by growth-stage founders in the Middle East, Turkey, and Pakistan. Some of the confirmed speakers for the upcoming series include Muneeb Mayr (Founder of Bykea), Hasan Haider (Managing Partner at Plus Venture Capital), Serene Shalan (Head of Strategic Partnerships at ADIO), and Dana Baki (Co-Founder of MunchOn).
“We’ve received fantastic feedback from startups and speakers who’ve participated in previous instalments of our Highway to 100 Unicorns series, so we look forward to hosting another series of virtual talks and driving further impact in the growth journeys of startups across the region,” Yazbeck said. “This time around, we are focusing on participants who are growth-stage founders and eager to succeed in a rapidly globalizing digital economy where success relies on the ability to make the right moves at the right time with the right technology. I have no doubt that attendees will gain exceptional value from the series.”
If you are a B2B tech startup based in the Middle East interested in scaling to Abu Dhabi, find out more and apply for the Microsoft for Startups GrowthX Accelerator program here.
To register for the latest Highway to 100 Unicorns virtual conference series for free, or to find out more, click here.
Muhammad Rizwan & Abwaab: Providing 100,000 Scholarships for Matric & Intermediate Students
Lahore: Pakistan cricket team’s talismanic wicketkeeper batsman and one of the nation’s most loved cricketers, Muhammad Rizwan has announced a scholarship for up to 100,000 deserving students across Pakistan who are studying in Matric and Intermediate classes. Earlier in the year, Muhammad Rizwan after winning ‘Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year’ by ICC and ‘Most Valuable Player’ by PCB announced to become the Brand Ambassador of Abwaab by taking the first step towards building a solid future for Pakistan.
Sharing his thoughts and motivation behind the scholarship Muhammad Rizwan said, “I dedicate this scholarship to my grandfather who played a key role in making me become what I am today. He always focused on my education and with this scholarship, we will be able to provide the highest quality education to 1 Lakh students across Pakistan through Abwaab’s platform. Abwaab is a game changer and I am honored to be a part of this great journey.’’
Speaking on the
occasion, Country Head Abwaab, Pakistan – Raja Ahmed Shuja said “For the past
one year, we have been building content tailored for the Pakistani student with
a focus on making learning fun and engaging through our product which offers a
gamified experience, allowing students to test themselves through the
assessments engine and learn from bite sized lessons with the biggest lessons
and assessments bank in Pakistan. Students have been giving us extremely
encouraging feedback and we intend to reach each and every corner of Pakistan.
This partnership is the first step of doing that where we would be providing
scholarships to 100,000 deserving students and thus starting the journey of
unleashing the human potential of Pakistan.”
CEO and Founder
Saya Corporation Global Sports Group, Talha Rehmani added
"I am extremely delighted to announce this collaboration with Abwaab as it
gives us the opportunity to build a solid foundation for the future generations
of Pakistan. This is a very significant and impactful development that fits in
perfectly with Saya Corporation’s vision of investing into the education needs
of Pakistani youth.”
Abwaab is a
learning app that has the largest lesson & question bank for Matric,
Intermediate, Entry Tests & Cambridge curriculum, offering on demand video
lessons, full book tests, practice exercises along with a gamified learning
experience through Abwaab League.
Through strategic partnerships with development partners,
donors and the private sector, Abwaab aims to reach 10 lakh vulnerable children
across the region with access to its online platform, through its impact
initiative, EQUAL.
.jpg "Jazz pledge PKR 1 billion towards flood relief efforts")
Jazz pledge PKR 1 billion towards flood relief efforts
.jpg)
ISLAMABAD: Jazz, jointly with its digital financial services JazzCash and sister concern Mobilink Microfinance Bank, has pledged PKR 1 billion towards flood relief efforts through much needed emergency supplies and more significantly in kind telecom services. The support will include short to mid-term initiatives extending over 12 months.
As part of this immediate rollout, Jazz will work closely with NGOs and the government for distribution of emergency supplies including shelter, food items, and medical supplies. The relief response also facilitates Jazz customers to direct their charitable donations via SMS and JazzCash. Jazz employees will also be voluntarily contributing to the nationwide relief effort.
Aamir Ibrahim, CEO, Jazz said, "During this unprecedented time, while our thoughts and prayers are with the flood-affectees, we are also committed to ensure connectivity to aid relief efforts and extend a helping hand to our fellow citizens in terms of emergency supplies. For us it’s an obligation to respond to Pakistan’s time of need and we will go all the way in restoring the lives of those affected.”
Since connectivity is a lifeline during any crisis, a significant part of the support will be focused on continuing zero-rated and subsidized services for access to emergency care, rescue helplines. The company has also accelerated the sign-up process for JazzCash mobile wallets so that relief can be provided urgently by donors directly to local community members most impacted by the floods.
Jazz has been at the forefront of solving every crisis in Pakistan for the past 27 years and the recent flood is no exception in stepping up its national responsibility.
.jpeg "Ufone 4G provides free calls in flood affected areas to support people get in touch with their loved ones")
Ufone 4G provides free calls in flood affected areas to support people get in touch with their loved ones
.jpeg)
Islamabad: Pakistani telecom company, Ufone 4G is providing free calls in the flood affected areas to establish connectivity between the affected people, their loved ones and rescue personnel to facilitate relief activities.
Ufone 4G will provide free calls from Ufone-to-Ufone network and on PTCL numbers in the flood affected districts. This initiative is valid for both prepaid and postpaid customers. Ufone customer can avail the facility by dialling *4357#.
This initiative is currently accessible to Ufone 4G users in Barkhan, Sibi, Kalat, Matiari, Bolan, Jacobabad, Mastung, Naushahro Firoz, Ghotki, Shikarpur, Musakhel, Khairpur, Naseerabad, Kashmore, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allah Yar, Sukkur, Rajanpur, Jaffarabad, Larkana, Thatta, Dadu, Lasbella and Jamshoro for now.
Speaking on the development, Hatem Bamatraf, President & Group CEO, PTCL & Ufone, said: “We are aware of the natural calamity that has struck in various parts of Pakistan and believe that it is our duty to extend support towards the affected community. With the scale of devastation, we understand that a majority of the people using our network in the disaster-hit districts may not have access to mobile recharge and hope the free calls will help not only family and friends, but also authorities and relief workers to connect with people most pressed for rescue and relief.”
Ufone 4G, which is part of the PTCL Group, takes immense pride in its Pakistani identity and hence feels it is its national responsibility to reach out to the people in distress. The Group is undertaking multiple initiatives to facilitate flood affected communities in line with its commitment to fostering social wellbeing both in emergency and peace time.
Zonergy Participated in 18th International Trade and Industrial Fair to display wide range of innovative Solar Products
Karachi: Zonergy Solar development Pakistan has participated in 18th International Trade and Industrial Fair of Pakistan. The 3 days exhibition is organized by E-commerce pvt ltd which has witness leading traders and manufacturers from the industry who displayed their top-of-the-line products. Zonergy Showcased its Portable devices, Panels, On-grid and Hybrid Inverters for visitors to experience the products.
The 18th ITIF Asia & Solar Asia 2022 the Biggest Machinery Show incorporating Electric Vehicle Asia, Auto Transport & logistic Asia, Power and Alternative Energy Asia, Oil & Gas Asia, Machine Tools & Hardware Asia, Fluid Pump Asia, Engineering Asia ,Construction Machinery Asia & Mines Minerals Metal Asia, to commence from 20th March 2019 at Karachi expo centre. The exhibition inaugurated by Honorable Mr. Nisar Ahmed Khuro, Senator along with Dr. Khursheed Nizam President Ecommerce Gateway. They pay special visit to Zonergy Booth along with others booths to get brief about company products and technology being introduced in Pakistan.
ITIF Asia & Solar Asia International Exhibition is one such platform for local and international companies to discuss collaborations, joint ventures, investments and other possible avenues. The objective of 18th ITIF Asia 2022 is to develop the Trade industry by introducing world class products, services, machineries and state of the art technology.
The event, which is happening for the 18th consecutive year, is expected to have More than 125 + International Pavilion /Exhibitors from China, Belgium, USA, Italy, UAE and Germany participating In This Mega Trade Fair.
General Manager South Region Mr. Victor appreciated the E-Commerce for organizing Industry oriented Exhibition he further said “The exhibition played vital role in bridging the gap between end user and the industry. It’s a good omen in Post COVID Scenario and provide opportunity to give first-hand experience to end product users. Zonergy always believe in providing experience base products to its customers and welcome the client feed backs to offer best competitive solar solutions. We’ll continue our journey towards excellence to elevate the solar industry in Pakistan and ensure to raise the bar for highest quality standards with aim.
The Exhibition witness massive crowd from leading Industry producers and distributors. Center of attention is Zonergy Booth which has provided products experience and customer dealing to more than hundreds potential business Clients.The various renowned companies from Solar Energy Sector, SME, Engineering firms and existing customers approached Zonergy to extend business cooperation.Some of the leading firms senior representatives shown interest in collaboration with Zonergy.
The 3 Days Exhibition attracted 300,000 visitors from the industry to forge partnership and sign business deals. The Electronic Media channels provided extensive coverage to event in which Zonergy Sales Lead from Southregion brief the TV channels about Zonergy projects and company footprint in Pakistani Market. Zonergy Team have taken lead in the exhibition to represent Zonergy as leading Solar brand of Pakistan with largest renewable energy market share.
.jpg "Meezan Bank & Samba Bank collaborate with Embassy of Pakistan to celebrate the Success of Roshan Digital Account")
Meezan Bank & Samba Bank collaborate with Embassy of Pakistan to celebrate the Success of Roshan Digital Account
Meezan Bank & Samba Bank collaborate with Embassy of Pakistan to celebrate the Success of Roshan Digital Account – A Banking Service for Non-Resident Pakistanis
.jpg)
Karachi: Meezan Bank and Samba Bank in collaboration with the Embassy of Pakistan in Bahrain hosted a reception at the Gulf Hotel, Manama - Bahrain by inviting prominent Non-Resident Pakistanis and customers to celebrate the success of Roshan Digital Account (RDA) in Pakistan. Dr. Murtaza Syed – Acting Governor, State Bank of Pakistan virtually participated in the event and addressed the audience. Also present at the occasion were His Excellency, Mr. Muhammad Ayub, Ambassador of Pakistan in Bahrain, Mr. Irfan Siddiqui – President & CEO, Meezan Bank and Mr. Ahmad Tariq Azam – Acting President & CEO, Samba Bank Limited along with key team members.
State Bank of Pakistan, with the goal of achieving digitization is working towards providing technology-enabled banking solutions for everyone in Pakistan. As an extension of this goal, Non-Resident Pakistanis can also avail financial services digitally through RDA, which include account opening and investment in different sectors in the country even from outside Pakistan.
In his speech, Dr. Murtaza Syed – Acting Governor, State Bank of Pakistan briefed the audience on the current economic situation of the country and thanked the NRPs living in Bahrain for their support and contribution over the past two years, that has evidently resulted in increasing the inflow of foreign remittances to Pakistan.
In his welcome address, His Excellency, Mr. Muhammad Ayub, Ambassador of Pakistan highlighted the contributions of the Pakistani diaspora in the socio-economic development of the Kingdom of Bahrain and also Pakistan through significant remittances. He also underlined the vital contributions of the Pakistani community in strengthening the bilateral relations between Pakistan and Bahrain.
In his welcome speech, Mr. Irfan Siddiqui – President & CEO, Meezan Bank thanked the guests for attending the event and said, “Alhamdulillah, Meezan Bank is the only bank to have received One Billion USD in remittances under the Roshan Digital Account initiative. We are pleased to be celebrating this achievement with you on Meezan Bank’s 25th Anniversary, to honour the support extended by the Overseas Pakistani community who have raised the profile of the Bank in local and international communities. I would like to dedicate this celebration to our valued customers and employees whose trust and commitment has enabled the Bank to grow into one of the leading banks of the country.”
Mr. Ahmad Tariq Azam, Officiating President & CEO, Samba Bank Limited, while addressing the gathering of Non-Resident Pakistani diaspora accentuated on the national importance of the Roshan Digital initiative and highlighted that this digital platform has provided the all-important financial linkage to the Overseas Pakistanis with their homeland. It not only fulfills to their basic banking needs but also provides a complete lifestyle solution to the NRPs and their families. He asserted that Samba Bank Limited takes pride in extending world class banking services to its RDA holders and would continue to cater to their varied banking requirements through our state-of-the-art technological infrastructure.
Mr. Azam, in his closing remarks, further stressed that Pakistan and Bahrain have a long-standing relationship of bilateral cooperation and such events not only bring the Pakistani community closer but also strengthen the bond of coalition between two countries.
Over 200 guests attended the event including various industry leaders and professionals from the Pakistani community in Bahrain. The event also coincides with Pakistan’s 75th Independence Year celebrations.
After dinner, Meezan Bank and Samba Bank announced availability of their teams at the Pakistan Embassy on the next day for facilitation of Overseas Pakistanis living in Bahrain. Subsequently, the teams will be visiting various camp sites for two additional days to provide them with maximum assistance.
Mastercard SpendingPulse: Canadian consumer spending remained consistent in July, while navigating high inflation
Mastercard SpendingPulse: Canadian consumer spending remained consistent in July, while navigating high inflation
According to Mastercard SpendingPulseTM, which measures in-store and online retail sales across all forms of payment, Canadian spending excluding automotive increased +15.4% since pre-pandemic (YO3Y) in July, indicating consistent levels of spending despite current high levels of inflation. Mastercard SpendingPulse accounts for nominal spending and is not adjusted for inflation. While sales for e-commerce showed steady YOY growth, online spending compared to pre-pandemic saw a significant surge (+74.7% YO3Y). Notably, in-store sales also increased (+7.7% YO3Y) since pre-pandemic.
“While we’re seeing a slight acceleration in consumer spending, the latest retail trends clearly demonstrate the impact of decades-high inflation on consumer spending,” said Steve Sadove, senior advisor for Mastercard and former CEO and Chairman of Saks Incorporated. “As retailers grapple with excess inventory and supply chain constraints, it’s likely that promotional activity will continue to be an important strategy for retailers to continue to drive e-commerce sales. This will be especially important in the face of rapid price increases and consumers prioritizing necessities.”
Spending growth in July compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019, was the highest experienced thus far in 2022, reflecting increased prices as well as continued consumer demand. Of note:
Consumers continue to spend, with inflation’s impact varying across sectors: Despite high inflation, consumers continue to spend on wants. The Apparel sector, for instance, saw sales up +17.1% YOY in July while Restaurant growth (+4.3% YOY) showed demand for experiences as Canadians continued to visit restaurants during summer’s busy season.
E-commerce sales climb amid major summer sales events: E-commerce sales remain elevated, up +5.4% YOY/ +74.7% YO3Y, with major summer sales and promotions helping entice shoppers to splurge (and save) with online deals.
High season for vacation, with road-trippers continuing to spend at the pump: With gas prices still elevated across the country and summer vacation plans top of mind for Canadians, Fuel & Convenience spending rose +28.0% YOY / +40.4% YO3Y.
Pakistan Cricket Legend Shahid Khan Afridi Appointed Brand Ambassador for AAA Associates’ Grand Project AAA Octa Karachi
Pakistan Cricket Legend Shahid Khan Afridi Appointed Brand Ambassador for AAA Associates’ Grand Project AAA Octa Karachi
Islamabad:- AAA Associates, one of Pakistan's most leading and prominent companies, particularly among professional real estate associations, has announced that it has signed Shahid Khan Afridi, one of Pakistan's most prolific cricketers from the former national team, as its brand ambassador. The Mou signing was done on 22nd August, 2022 at the Main Head Office of AAA Associates. According to the MoU Mr. Shahid Khan Afridi will the exclusive brand ambassador of AAA Associates’ Grand project AAA Octa Karachi in the sought-after location in Bahria Town Karachi.
Shahid Khan Afridi popularly known as “Boom Boom” or “Lala”, because of his explosive batting style and magical spinner, is a former Pakistani cricketer and also the former captain of the Pakistan cricket team. He is the youngest cricketer holding the fastest century in just 37 balls. Shahid Khan Afridi currently holds the record for the most number of sixes in the history of ODI cricket. Apart from cricket, Afridi runs his own charity, the Shahid Afridi Foundation which aims to provide education and healthcare facilities. Shahid Khan Afridi was also nominated among the top 20 most charitable athletes of 2015.
Chairman AAA Associates Mr. Sheikh Fawad Bashir said, " 'Lala' is a living legend in Pakistan, not only for his work in cricket, but also for his humanitarian and patriotic efforts. AAA Associates is dedicated not just to Pakistan's developmental growth, but also towards raising the country's living standards. We welcome Mr. Shahid Khan Afridi to the team and look forward to working with him to bring about long-term change for the development of real estate sector."
While addressing the ceremony, the sportsman turned celebrity Mr. Shahid Khan Afridi expressed his delight on joining AAA Associates. He said,” AAA Associates has been offering exceptional services in the real estate sector, and I am honoured to be connected with one of the most reputable company in Pakistan whose profiles range from media to real estate to construction. It gives me great pleasure to be a member of AAA Associates since I am from Karachi and I have special fondness for the people of Karachi.”
Managing Director AAA Associates Lt. Col. Shahzad Ali Kiani (r) also expressed his sentiments by saying, “We are so excited to have Mr. Shahid Khan Afridi as our Brand Ambassador for our upcoming project AAA Octa Karachi. Shahid Khan Afridi embodies the honesty and dedication to excellence that we appreciate. His eccentric personality resonates with our ideas, making him an excellent fit for our upcoming Project, AAA Octa Karachi."
AAA Associates, an award-winning conglomerate, is the true pioneer of the concept of professional real estate development in Pakistan. It is redefining the real estate sector of Pakistan by providing unprecedented services, covering all property aspects and providing a complete legal cover to its customers. AAA Associates is one of Pakistan's most reputable and rapidly growing and developing conglomerates in the real estate sector. Recently, they have launched one of their mega projects at Bahria Town Karachi.
Logistics giant BlueEX partners with ABHI to offer the facility of Earned Wage Access to all their employees across Pakistan.
Logistics giant BlueEX partners with ABHI to offer the facility of Earned Wage Access to all their employees across Pakistan.
BlueEX joins hands with ABHI, Pakistan’s first financial wellness platform, to offer its employees the facility of Earned Wage Access, giving them the freedom to access their salaries whenever they want, saving them from financial distress.
On a mission to financially empower salaried individuals, ABHI is changing the landscape of the payroll in Pakistan and how an average employee spends/receives their salary by introducing the Earned Wage Access facility in the country. On the other hand, BlueEX prioritizes its employees’ financial wellness and understands that increased productivity in the logistics industry of Pakistan is imperative to the country’s future growth. Therefore, this partnership will help enable this growth, while building the overall financially empowered ecosystem.
In light of this collaboration, Omair Ansari - CEO & Co-founder of ABHI, explained that
“ABHI’s ultimate goal is to provide financial wellness solutions to all employees. You can only live a happier, healthier, and more productive life when you are not stressed about finances, which is the core of ABHI’s existence. This partnership with BlueEX to offer earned wage access to all its employees will bring some much-needed security and relief to them, enabling us to work towards a financially stress-free and productive Pakistan.”
Martin Dow provides relief to flood victims across Pakistan
Karachi: Martin Dow Group a leading multinational pharmaceutical company in Pakistan has set up medical camps across areas of Balochistan, KPK & Punjab (D.G Khan in Taunsa, Basti Lashari and Ahmadani, D.I Khan - Tank and Quetta - Pishin) to provide medical relief to people affected by the recent floods. The primary goal was to facilitate the victims with on-ground medical aid.
Expressing his views about these camps, Mr. Ali Akhai Chairman of Martin Dow Group, said “In this time of heavy challenges where floods have caused havoc and destruction across the length and breadth of Pakistan, it has always been our responsibility to come forward and help our countrymen”. Mr. Akhai further stated ‘’ The relief activities carried out by us are in line with our vision to be an active contributor to the social causes.’’
The Martin Dow camps managed over 300 patients daily and Females & children were being treated by specially assigned doctors to ensure convenience for the affected. Medicines were prescribed under the supervision of panel of doctors which comprised of specialists. To facilitate the victims, clean drinking water were made available at the camps.
K-Electric Removes over 5,000 Illegal Connections; Warns Stern Action Against Power-Thieves
K-Electric Removes over 5,000 Illegal Connections; Warns Stern Action Against Power-Thieves
Karachi, 23 August 2022: In furtherance of its commitment to eliminate power theft, K-Electric conducted as many as 762 anti-power theft drives across the city in the first two weeks of August and removed 5,384 illegal kunda connections from its service areas.
K-Electric conducted as many as 762 anti-power theft drives across the city in the first two weeks of August and removed 5,384 illegal kunda connections from its service areas. These illegal wires were illegally connected to KE’s infrastructure and were being used to steal electricity worth millions.
These kunda-removal drives that took place in different parts of the city, including Surjani, New Karachi, Gulistan-e-Johar, Orangi, Liaquatabad, Nazimabad, Bin Qasim, and Malir, among others, unhooked illegal wires weighing over 5,700 kilograms that were illegally connected to KE’s infrastructure and were being used to steal electricity worth millions.
Director Communications and KE’s Spokesperson Imran Rana commented on the matter, “K-Electric strongly condemns these miscreants who use illegal connections to energize their premises. Not only they are putting the lives and properties of the masses at peril but also trying to steal the right of our valuable consumers who access the electricity the legal way and pay for it.
We continue to conduct these anti-kunda drives every day and remove thousands of illegal connections but unfortunately these are restored within a few hours of removal. However, we would like to assure that we would stop at nothing to crackdown against these culprits. It is to make it loud and clear that K-Electric is dealing such lawbreakers with an iron hand, and any act of stealing electricity can lead to the penalty of PKR 10 million and imprisonment up to 03 years.”
The spokesperson further stated, “Power infrastructure carries dangerously high voltage electricity and is installed by trained personnel in compliance with rigorous safety parameters. Any tampering with the network by an unauthorized person can lead up to serious consequences, including fatalities. Kundas also weigh down and damage electrical utility wires, which make them prone to short-circuiting, fire-eruption, and faults in power supply system that cause inconvenience to the consumers.”
“Keeping in view the hazard and damage these illegal connections may cause, citizens are requested to support the utility in actions against them and report power theft.”, the spokesperson added.
Citizens in KE service territory can report power theft by emailing at speakup@ke.com.pk. The anonymity of the informers will be ensured.
Mastercard and LMKR formalize partnership to accelerate digital transformation across Pakistan
Mastercard and LMKR formalize partnership to accelerate digital transformation across Pakistan
Pakistan: Mastercard and LMK Resources Pakistan (Private) Limited (LMKR) have formalized a strategic partnership to oversee the implementation of the country’s first open-loop transit payment solution in a bid to further accelerate Pakistan’s digital transformation.
The solution can be implemented through the country’s entire transit infrastructure, including rapid transit bus networks and e-tolling systems. The collaboration will allow commuters to top up and pay for transit fares through their debit and credit cards or digital wallets without the need to buy separate tickets.
Affordable and accessible public transport systems is a crucial enabler of socio-economic development in Pakistan. Transport providers traditionally rely solely on cash or closed-loop payments such as fare cards, which hold only a prepaid amount that must be replenished when it runs out. Open-loop payments are connected to existing accounts and everyday payment solutions such as digital wallets, credit and debit cards, saving travelers time and effort.
“We are delighted to partner with Mastercard to upgrade and streamline Pakistan’s current payment infrastructure. Open-loop systems make universal payments a reality and bring us one step closer to a unified digital ecosystem. It is a milestone moment in Pakistan’s digitization journey” said Atif Rais Khan, CEO & Chairman, LMKR.
“As travelers increasingly turn to smart devices and electronic payments in their everyday lives, they are looking to transport operators to meet their digital demands. Using Mastercard’s innovative technology, our strategic partnership with LMKR will transform the commuter experience for people in Pakistan, providing swift, seamless, and secure payment experiences on their journeys. We are delighted to play our role in further accelerating the growth of Pakistan’s booming digital economy,” said J.K. Khalil, Cluster General Manager, MENA East, Mastercard.
Mastercard’s New Payments Index 2022 recently found that 89% of people in Pakistan have used at least one emerging payment method in the last year, while 12% of consumers indicated they used less cash during this period. The Index further shows that 68% of users in Pakistan increased their use of digital payments in the last year.
Mastercard Partners with Bank Alfalah to Accelerate E-commerce across Pakistan
Karachi: Mastercard has announced a strategic partnership with Bank Alfalah, which will see the bank’s online payment gateway infrastructure accept a wider array of cards, including the ability to make China Union Pay online payments in the market for the first time. The technology leader will power more than 13 million cards across Pakistan through the capabilities of its Mastercard Payment Gateway Services.
The collaboration between Mastercard and Bank Alfalah, one of the largest private banks in Pakistan, will offer enhanced value for merchants and consumers, and provide greater opportunities for people across Pakistan to benefit from the digital economy.
J.K. Khalil, Cluster General Manager, MENA East, Mastercard, said: “We are committed to driving financial inclusion by harnessing the power of technology. Mastercard Payment Gateway Services connects more people and merchants to the endless possibilities offered by the digital economy. We are delighted to build on our longstanding partnership with Bank Alfalah to accelerate Pakistan’s digital journey and create a more connected world as we unlock the potential of online payments for millions of people.”
According to Statista, the e-commerce market in Pakistan is expected to reach $7.6 billion in 2022 and should reach $9.1 billion by 2025.
Mehreen Ahmed, Group Head Retail Banking at Bank Alfalah commented on the occasion, "Online payments are vital for building the payment ecosystem in the country. We are delighted to be partnering with MasterCard to create yet another avenue for accelerating e-commerce in Pakistan. This initiative will not only add convenience to consumers for conducting e-commerce transactions, but more importantly, enlarge the market for SME and large merchants through acceptance of another form of payment.”
Mastercard continues to partner and innovate as part of its quest to build a growing digital economy that works for everyone, everywhere. The company has made a worldwide commitment to financial inclusion to bring a total of 1 billion people, and 50 million micro and small businesses into the digital economy by 2025.
82% consumers in Pakistan want to know how eCommerce site will protect personal data before paying online: Visa-Daraz survey
82% consumers in Pakistan want to know how eCommerce site will protect personal data before paying online: Visa-Daraz survey
- Eight in 10 consumers (82%) want to know how their personal information will be protected before sharing it with a merchant.
- One in three consumers struggle with identifying a scam
- Security of merchant sites emerged as the top reason consumers would choose to pay online with their cards rather than Cash on Delivery (COD).
Karachi: Seventy-six percent of consumers said security of payment facility offered on a merchant website was the top reason they would choose to pay online with their cards rather than Cash on Delivery (COD), according to the 2022 Stay Secure survey launched today by Visa and Daraz. Guarantees their payment data would be protected (maintaining privacy) was second (63% of consumers) while price of goods or services was not the most important aspect (13%) for choosing payment option.
The same trend was also observed in-store, wherein consumers ranked security of merchant’s payment facility (63%) as the topmost factor when considering digital payment options to pay for goods and services, followed by guarantees and return policies (44%) and convenience and speed (43%). Three out of four consumers surveyed have made a digital payment in the last month, and nearly half of respondents are using more digital payments in stores - especially contactless - and online since the onset of Covid-19.
Majority of consumers (85%) said they would switch stores or online shopping sites and apps, based on the payment methods offered, with most consumers indicating a strong preference for digital payments over cash. The survey found that 42% of consumers prefer using cash for tipping at hotels, restaurants or tourist locations and utilities.
And while majority of consumers (75%) say they are confident about recognizing a fraud or scam, a third surveyed in Pakistan still struggle in this area.
Data privacy and security is critical for consumers: What merchants can do
A majority (82%) of respondents want to know how their personal information will be handled and protected before providing it to an eCommerce site. Additionally, three in four (75%) stated that they would like to know how security technology works to be able to trust digital payment methods in general, reinforcing the importance of consumer education by payment industry stakeholders – financial institutions, payments companies and governments, to build consumer trust in digital payments.
Based on the survey findings, merchants can take the following steps to increase consumer trust and improve payment experience: disclosing measures to protect consumers' personal information, providing clear information about guarantees and refund options, and displaying logos/symbols of banking and payment partners.
Neil Fernandes, Visa's Head of Risk for Middle East and North Africa, commented: “That consumers value security and privacy more than price and transparency when it comes to how their personal data is handled are important insights for merchants looking to build and maintain consumer trust in their payment offerings. And the fact that a third of consumers are still unable to identify a potential fraud reinforces the need for all players in the payments ecosystem to continue to work together to ensure consumers are protected. Now in its seventh year, our Stay Secure campaign continues to be an important platform for Visa and our partners to help educate consumers about payment security and support merchants in meeting the increasing need for secure, seamless digital payments both in-store and online.”
Ehsan Saya, Managing Director - Daraz (Alibaba Group) said: “As more people begin to feel comfortable shopping online, privacy and security of their data remains a primary deterrent. The Stay Secure initiative helps counter this issue by educating merchants on how to implement a safe and customer friendly online payment system, and the customers on how to keep themselves secure when shopping online. The campaign will also help show consumers how to identify potential frauds. In order for financial inclusion to grow in Pakistan, it is imperrative customers understand the benefits of digital payments and how to keep themselves safe when transacting online and offline."
Consumers are inclined to shop at stores and sites that offer multiple payment options
BNPL:
Around two thirds of (70%) consumers are familiar with BNPL (Buy Now Pay Later).
An average of 65% said they would be likely to switch stores or online shopping sites or apps that offered a BNPL option, demonstrating the growing popularity of BNPL and the need for more retailers to consider offering new financing options.
The survey corresponds with the launch of Visa's seventh annual "Stay Secure" social media campaign on Facebook and Instagram (@VisaMiddleEast, @darazpk) in partnership with Daraz. The campaign reinforces safe digital payment practices and reminds consumers on how they can protect personal data even as they enjoy the benefits and convenience of eCommerce and contactless payments. The Pakistan Stay Secure webpage also includes fraud prevention tips for consumers and information on security features of digital payments.
Telenor Pakistan partners with Roche to create nationwide health awareness
ISLAMABAD: Telenor Pakistan has partnered with Roche Diagnostics Pakistan to raise health awareness across the rural and urban areas of the country. Under the partnership agreement, Telenor Pakistan will educate its Khushaal Watan app users via interactive voice response (IVR), SMS and live shows to create awareness about hepatitis and other diseases with high prevalence and burden in Pakistan.
Telenor Pakistan operates a suite of digital products and services that connect people to what matters most. The Khushal Watan portfolio is a rural lifestyle platform, focusing on m-Agri advisories, rural infotainment, and m-health. The network educates users through its flagship rural health service “Khushaal Sehat” and urban m-health service “Healthline”.
Millions of people in Pakistan lack awareness about life-threatening diseases and their prevention. Telenor Pakistan's partnership with Roche Diagnostics - a leading, global research-based healthcare company, will strive to create actionable advice and suggest preventive measures to the public about life-threatening diseases, including hepatitis, heart diseases, cancer, and diabetes.
"Telenor Pakistan continues to find avenues to connect its customers to what matters most to them. We are glad to make a meaningful impact towards sustainable, accessible, and affordable healthcare information for millions of Pakistanis, together with Roche Diagnostics,” Khurrum Ashfaque, Chief Operating Officer, Telenor Pakistan said.
Abdul Qayyum, Country Manager, Roche Diagnostics Pakistan & Afghanistan said, "For 125 years, Roche has been at the forefront in redefining the standard of care to improve health outcomes. At Roche Diagnostics Pakistan, our goal is to help increase public health awareness to support the prevention, early detection, and monitoring of diseases. In this regard, I am proud of our partnership with Telenor Pakistan that will enable us to jointly empower people to safeguard and manage their own health, thereby enabling patients to test early and treat right."
Currently, Telenor Pakistan's IVR-based health service Khushaal Sehat offers health advisory services for users who dial in to talk to their general physicians. In live shows, speakers from Telenor Pakistan and Roche will educate users about different diseases. As part of the initiative, Telenor Pakistan will also promote its Khushaal Sehat helpline so that users can later dial in to get additional information when required.
Ordercall and Oware join hands to strengthen Pakistan’s B2B supply-chain
Karachi: Ordercall - one of Pakistan’s fastest growing B2B e-commerce startups, has joined hands with Oware - a supply-chain tech startup to accelerate last mile order delivery to Karachi’s retailers.
With the objective of streamlining Karachi’s B2B supply-chain network, Ordercall will adopt Oware’s strategic distribution solutions and fleet management capabilities to widen market coverage and improve accessibility. It will also expand Ordercall’s footprint and outreach to underserved localities of the metropolitan city, enabling kiryana store-owners to meet the fast-evolving demands of their customers, proactively.
A signing ceremony was held to mark the occasion, where Syed Atif Hassan – CEO of Ordercall commented, “Ordercall was founded with a vision to accelerate national progress by creating value for the retailer community. We are confident that this alliance with Oware will empower more and more retailers to multiply their livelihood and benefit from our highly dynamic ecosystem.”
Sharing his thoughts, Raza Kazmi, CEO, Oware said, “By offering real-time visibility and assistance, Oware aims to maximize Ordercall's last-mile deliveries through Oware's strategic distribution network.”
This integration is in line with Ordercall’s mission to create a complete ecosystem for Pakistan’s retailers. The company is driven to grow and evolve with the region’s rapidly growing general trade market and provide unmatched value to retailers through innovation and collaboration.
IBA Karachi and Aga Khan University collaborate for the quality of higher education
IBA Karachi and Aga Khan University collaborate for the quality of higher education
Two of the leading higher educational institutions of Pakistan, the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Karachi and the Aga Khan University (AKU) are coming together to take the quality of higher education to the next level.
In a meeting held at the IBA Karachi, Main Campus, the heads of both institutes, Dr. S Akbar Zaidi, Executive Director, IBA Karachi, and Dr. Sulaiman Shahabuddin, President AKU, discussed various avenues where their respective organizations can play major roles to create positive societal impact through their collaborative efforts.
Dr. Zaidi and Dr. Shahabuddin discussed the means of collaboration which includes research opportunities for faculty and students, along with enhancing cooperation in student trainings and developmental projects.
Dr. Zaidi emphasized on the importance of the academic engagement between IBA and AKU and was keen to see the positive contributions through the various projects both the institutions will partake in.
Elated by the upcoming collaboration, Dr. Shahabuddin said, “I am delighted to see the partnership between my alma mater, IBA and Aga Khan University growing in education, research and capacity building. We look forward to working together to increase our impact in these areas.”
The IBA team members included the Dean, School of Business Studies, Dr. Abdullah Zafar Sheikh and Dean, School of Mathematics and Computer Science, Dr. Shakeel Khoja and other members of the faculty and staff.
IBA Karachi and Aga Khan University collaborate to take quality of higher education to the next level
IBA Karachi and Aga Khan University collaborate to take quality of higher education to the next level
Two of the leading higher educational institutions of Pakistan, the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Karachi and the Aga Khan University (AKU) are coming together to take the quality of higher education to the next level.
In a meeting held at the IBA Karachi, Main Campus, the heads of both institutes, Dr. S Akbar Zaidi, Executive Director, IBA Karachi, and Dr. Sulaiman Shahabuddin, President AKU, discussed various avenues where their respective organizations can play major roles to create positive societal impact through their collaborative efforts.
Dr. Zaidi and Dr. Shahabuddin discussed the means of collaboration which includes research opportunities for faculty and students, along with enhancing cooperation in student trainings and developmental projects.
Dr. Zaidi emphasized on the importance of the academic engagement between IBA and AKU and was keen to see the positive contributions through the various projects both the institutions will partake in.
Elated by the upcoming collaboration, Dr. Shahabuddin said, “I am delighted to see the partnership between my alma mater, IBA and Aga Khan University growing in education, research and capacity building. We look forward to working together to increase our impact in these areas.”
The IBA team members included the Dean, School of Business Studies, Dr. Abdullah Zafar Sheikh and Dean, School of Mathematics and Computer Science, Dr. Shakeel Khoja and other members of the faculty and staff.
Security - How does end-to-end WhatsApp encryption work?
Privacy and security is in our DNA, which is why we built end-to-end encryption into our app. When end-to-end encrypted, your messages, photos, videos, voice messages, documents, status updates and calls are secured from falling into the wrong hands.
Personal messaging
WhatsApp's end-to-end encryption is used when you chat with another person using WhatsApp Messenger. End-to-end encryption ensures only you and the person you're communicating with can read or listen to what is sent, and nobody in between, not even WhatsApp. This is because with end-to-end encryption, your messages are secured with a lock, and only the recipient and you have the special key needed to unlock and read them. All of this happens automatically: no need to turn on any special settings to secure your messages.
Business messaging
Every WhatsApp message is protected by the same Signal encryption protocol that secures messages before they leave your device. When you message a WhatsApp business account, your message is delivered securely to the destination chosen by the business.
WhatsApp considers chats with businesses that use the WhatsApp Business app or manage and store customer messages themselves to be end-to-end encrypted. Once the message is received, it will be subject to the business’s own privacy practices. The business may designate a number of employees, or even other vendors, to process and respond to the message.
Some businesses1 will be able to choose WhatsApp’s parent company, Meta, to securely store messages and respond to customers. While Meta will not automatically use your messages to inform the ads that you see, businesses will be able to use chats they receive for their own marketing purposes, which may include advertising on Meta. You can always contact that business to learn more about its privacy practices.
Note: The encryption status of an end-to-end encrypted chat cannot change without the change being visible to the user. For more information about which chats are end-to-end encrypted, please read our white paper.
Payments
Payments on WhatsApp, which are available in select countries, enable transfers between accounts at financial institutions. Card and bank numbers are stored encrypted and in a highly-secured network. However, because financial institutions can’t process transactions without receiving information related to these payments, these payments aren’t end-to-end encrypted.
What's the "Verify Security Code" screen in the contact info screen?
End-to-end encrypted chats between you and one other person have their own security code used to verify that the calls and the messages you send to that chat are end-to-end encrypted.
Note: The verification process is optional for end-to-end encrypted chats, and only used to confirm that the messages and calls you send are end-to-end encrypted.
This code can be found in the contact info screen, both as a QR code and a 60-digit number. These codes are unique to each individual chat and can be compared between people in each chat to verify that the messages you send to the chat are end-to-end encrypted. Security codes are just visible versions of the special keys shared between you - and don't worry, it's not the actual keys themselves, they're always kept secret. When you verify a chat is end-to-end encrypted, this also verifies that you and your contact’s lists of linked devices are up to date.
To verify that an individual chat is end-to-end encrypted:
Open the chat.
- Tap on the name of the contact to open the contact info screen.
- Tap Encryption to view the QR code and 60-digit number.
Note: This feature is only available for a contact in an end-to-end encrypted chat.
If you and your contact are physically next to each other, one of you can scan the other's QR code or visually compare the 60-digit number. If you scan the QR code, and the code is indeed the same, a green check mark will appear. Since they match, you can be sure no one is intercepting your messages or calls.
If you and your contact aren't physically near each other, you can send them the 60-digit number using another platform. Let your contact know that once they receive your code, they should write it down and then visually compare it to the 60-digit number that appears in the contact info screen under Encryption. For Android and iPhone, you can use the Share button from the Verify Security Code screen to send the 60-digit number via SMS, email, etc.
If the codes don't match, it's possible you're scanning the code of a different contact or a different phone number. If your contact has recently reinstalled WhatsApp, changed phones, or added or removed a paired device, we recommend you refresh the code by sending them a new message and then scanning the code. Learn more about security codes changing in this article.
Please note, if you or your contact use WhatsApp on multiple devices, you’ll need to verify the security code on all of your and your contact’s devices.
Why does WhatsApp offer end-to-end encryption and what does it mean for keeping people safe?
Security is essential to the service WhatsApp provides. We've seen multiple examples where criminal hackers illegally obtained vast sums of private data and abused technology to hurt people with their stolen information. Since completing the implementation of end-to-end encryption in 2016, digital security has become even more important.
WhatsApp has no ability to see the content of messages or listen to calls that are end-to-end encrypted. That’s because the encryption and decryption of messages sent and received on WhatsApp occurs entirely on your device. Before a message ever leaves your device, it's secured with a cryptographic lock, and only the recipient has the keys. In addition, the keys change with every single message that's sent. While all of this happens behind the scenes, you can confirm your conversations are protected by checking the security verification code on your device. You can find more details about how this works in our white paper.
Naturally, people have asked what end-to-end encryption means for the work of law enforcement. WhatsApp appreciates the work that law enforcement agencies do to keep people safe around the world. We carefully review, validate and respond to law enforcement requests based on applicable law and policy, and we prioritize responses to emergency requests. As part of our education efforts, we published information for law enforcement about the limited information we collect and how they can make requests of WhatsApp, which you can read here.
To learn more about your security on WhatsApp, please visit WhatsApp Security.
In 2021.
HBL, InfraZamin facilitates Multinet for greater digital reach and fibre optic network in Pakistan
InfraZamin Pakistan’s partial credit risk guarantee cover of PKR 1,575 million (US$7.6 million) on the Digital Infrastructure Facility will effectively de-risk the majority of credit risks of this project expansion. This is InfraZamin’s first transaction in Pakistan and paves the way forward for deeper market development via credit guarantees.
HBL will facilitate Multinet to access 7-Year long-term funding in expanding their fibre optic network to under-served cities and populations, enable a wider reach for internet access via fibre for Small and Medium Enterprises and reduce the cost of carrying broadband traffic from one city to the other thereby improving cost-effective data and broadband penetration in Pakistan.
In addition to these positive developmental impacts, the project is also expected to create additional jobs of which 20% will be allocated specifically to women. Multinet has also chosen to adopt best practices in Health and Safety standards and will work on a long-term basis with an independent Health and Safety advisor to ensure worker safety and protection during network rollout. The company will continue to engage with InfraZamin to ensure continued capacity building and training in this area.
Honor Malaysia Launches Honor 70 With 120Hz Display and Huge Camera Makes Its Debut
The project also envisages improved corporate governance, disclosure and transparency standards for Multinet which is a welcome step towards better governance standards in private unlisted companies.
Commenting on the occasion, Aamir Irshad, Head Corporate, Commercial & Investment Banking Group – HBL, said, “HBL is a strong advocate for technological advancements and has shown its continued support for the development of digital infrastructure by extending a Infrazamin credit guarantee backed loan facility of PKR 2.1 billion to Multinet. We believe this facility will go a long way in augmenting internet and data access to second and third tier cities of Pakistan along with improving the capacity and quality of internet for Mobile Network Operators, Internet Service Providers and SMEs.”
Commenting on the occasion, Maheen Rahman, CEO – InfraZamin, said, “The transaction is one step further towards mobilising investments from the private sector for boosting economic growth and covering the infrastructure gap in frontier markets. We are grateful to HBL Bank for their vision and support throughout this transaction process and look forward to seeing Multinet achieve their business expansion goals. This project caters to Pakistan’s dynamic and growing digital sector and we are happy to lend our support towards realising Pakistan’s vision towards greater digital access and inclusion.”
.
Commenting on the occasion, Adnan Asder, CEO – Multinet, said, “IZP credit guarantee facility played an instrumental role in obtaining PKR 2,100 mln long-term loan facility from Habib Bank Limited. The said funding will assist Multinet in doubling its data centres capacity, enhancing long-haul network transmission capacity, expanding metro footprint for tower fiberization and meeting SMEs ICT services requirements. This transaction will help Multinet in achieving its strategic goals by expanding the telecom infrastructure in the country. This would lead to enhancement of state-of-the-art facilities of fiber infrastructure to the customers and supporting other stakeholders for 5G inclusion in Pakistan. We are appreciative of InfraZamin for extending their support along with HBL Bank who share a similar vision for growth of the digital sector in Pakistan”
Honor Malaysia Launches Honor 70 With 120Hz Display and Huge Camera Makes Its Debut
Honor’s Malaysian branch launched Honor 70 at a massive launch event on 19 August 2022. The smartphone is an upper midrange device equipped with a Snapdragon 778G+ chipset and 66 Watt charging.
Design & Display
As displayed in the picture above, the phone comes in three glossy colors that include emerald green, icelandic frost, and midnight black, while the fourth color, crystal silver, comes with a prismatic pattern.
Meanwhile, on the front, the phone has a 6.67-inch OLED with Full HD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate that provides a smooth scrolling experience to the user. At the top of the display, it has a central-aligned selfie camera, whereas the optical fingerprint sensor is installed under the display.
Internals and Storage
It is powered by Snapdragon 778G+, which is paired with 8GB/12GB RAM and 128GB/256GB/512GB storage choices. However, it does not have a card slot.
The phone will boot Magic UI 6.1 on top of Android 12 (with no Google Play Services).
Cameras
The main camera of the phone is a triple lensed photo-shooting giant with a 54MP wide-angle, 50 MP ultra-wide, and 2MP depth sensor. The camera is capable of shooting 4K at 30fps and 1080p at 60fps.
The selfie camera has a wide-angle sensor with 32MP that can record up to 1080p at 30fps.
Battery and Pricing
The phone’s battery capacity is 4,800 mAh and a 66W fast charging with the company claiming 60 percent charge in just 20 minutes.
As previously mentioned, the phone has been launched in four different color choices, at a starting price of $447 in Malaysia, where it will be open for sales from 26 August.
On the other hand, Honor Germany had included an early reservation option for this phone on their website. Those who register will be able to reserve their phone with 10 percent discount before the launch on 2 September.
Honor 70 Specifications
Chipset: Qualcomm SM7325-AE Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6 nm)
CPU: Octa-core (1×2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3×2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4×1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU: Adreno 642L
OS: Android 12, Magic UI 6.1, no Google Play Services
Supported Networks: 2G, 3G, 4G LTE, 5G
Display:
6.67 inches OLED with 1080 x 2400 pixels resolution, 395 PPI, 120Hz refresh rate
Memory:
RAM: 8GB, 12GB
Internal: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
Card slot: No
Camera:
Rear (Triple): 54 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.49″, PDAF
50 MP, f/2.2, 122˚ (ultrawide), AF
2 MP, f/2.4, (depth)
Front: 32 MP, f/2.4, (wide)
Colors: Midnight Black, Emerald Green, Icelandic Frost, Crystal Silver
Fingerprint sensor: Under Display (optical)
Battery: 5,000 mAh, 18W fast charging
Price: $447
Plentys.pk is Filling Your Wishlist With a Thrilling Giveaway Worth Rs. 15,000
The current economic circumstances of the country mean shoppers aren’t spending freely, forcing them to make hard choices and skip on their wishlists to save money.
Plentys.pk never wants its customers to make compromises in order to satisfy their desires, so it has found a way to be more affordable for its customers.
This eCommerce marketplace provides its customers with a not-so-ordinary giveaway worth Rs. 15,000!
We are sure you would be as thrilled as we are.
When it comes to inciting excitement amongst customers, no one can do it better than Plentys.pk, which is why it is one of the most authentic online shopping stores in Pakistan.
Their giveaway prize has just everything you want, from a wide grocery range to high-end beauty products.
Wondering how can you win the prize?
Your Gateway to The Rs. 15,000 Giveaway With 3 Steps!
So, let’s just skip to the good part, and here is what you can do to win:
Visit Plentys.pk and fill your cart with your desirable products.
Order and get it delivered the same day.
Keep ordering to double your chances of becoming the Grand Giveaway winner!
The surprise does not end here.
Amazon suspends 13000 Pakistani sellers’ accounts
LAHORE – bus, an American online shopping platform, has suspended thousands of seller accounts operated by Pakistanis over fraudulent activities, it emerged on Monday.
Amazon has gained massive popularity in the South Asian country in recent past as a huge numbers of Pakistanis joined it to make money by running their online stores and providing virtual assistance services.
Reports said that Amazon had suspended 13,000 accounts, which were operated from Mian Channu and Sahiwal, cities in the Punjab province.
The e-commerce platform has labeled the both Pakistani cities as fraud red zone, besides blocking all IP addresses of Mian Channu.
People, who operate from these two cities, are now conducting their selling activities from Dubai or by using IP addresses from other cities.
Last year, Amazon added Pakistan to its approved seller list.
Unfortunate loss of eight lives during current rain spell in Karachi, mostly due to faulty internal wiring - #KElectric
Unfortunate loss of eight lives during current rain spell in Karachi, mostly due to faulty internal wiring - #KElectric
Karachi: 19th August, 2022: Noting an alarming number of electrocution incidents reported from across the city amid the ongoing rainy weather conditions, Spokesperson KE confirmed that no company infrastructure was involved in any of the 08 reported unfortunate incidents occurred between 15 to 18 August, and the majority were observed to be taking place inside premises under construction, factory sites, or inside homes. The company extended its deepest and sincerest condolences with the affected families while urging citizens to take care and follow safety precautions to protect themselves and their loved ones during and after the rains.
Per the KE Spokesperson, “These unfortunate incidents only highlight the importance of ensuring that internal wiring for premises must follow safety and insulation guidelines to protect valuable life and property. Though KE has invested heavily in properly earthing and grounding our infrastructure to prevent untoward incidents, but the use of illegal kundas, unauthorized civil works, and encroachment are also phenomena which compromise these parameters and create a hazard for citizens at large. KE urges its citizens to follow safety guidelines within and beyond the rainy season to stay safe. For emergency complaints related to electricity, consumers are advised to use 118.”
On 15th August, 03 reports of incidents were received and investigated. A man identified as Adnan passed away in Landhi Bhains Colony while operating a water motor with faulty wiring inside the premises. In separate incident at Younus Chowrangi in Landhi, a 45-year-old laborer was electrocuted while working inside a factory. In the Manghopir Area, 2 laborers aged 45 and 27 respectively also sadly died due to an electric shock while working in an under-construction house.
One more incident was reported by rescue officials between 16th and 17th August. Abid, a 40-year-old laborer, was electrocuted inside a factory located in Orangi Town.
On 18th August, 04 unfortunate electrocution incidents were reported across the city. 40-year-old Muhammad Murad died while working at a construction site in the Defence View area. In the Zia Colony block 32-A in Korangi, 8-year-old Roshni regrettably passed away due to an electric shock received inside the home. Investigations into a case involving a 15-year-old boy from Manghopir also revealed that the deceased was attempting to connect a kunda at the roof of a shop which resulted in his death. In Akmal Para, a 9-year-old boy named Ali Dost received a fatal electric shock while flying a kite on the roof of his house, which came into contact with the house’s damaged outgoing wires.
realme Will Create 15 "1 Million Shipment" Markets Within the Next Three Years While Entering the Second Stage of Entrepreneurship
Sky Li, realme’s Global CEO and Founder detailed realme’s future plans in an open letter released ahead of the 828 realme Fan Fest
realme is fast approaching the four year anniversary of its debut as an independent brand in the smartphone market. The upcoming occasion of the realme 828 Fan Fest provides a wonderful opportunity to appreciate the long, arduous path the tech democratizer has taken to reach this stage and look forward towards what realme has in the pipeline. realme started off with the mission to empower the next generation of youth by providing them with access to leap-forward technology and trendy design concepts. Over 140 million loyal fans around the globe have been satisfied with the innovation, accessibility, and community that realme brings to the table. The task that realme had entering the market was an intimidating climb, with a highly saturated mobile phone market awaiting them and long-established players occupying the majority of the market.
Possessed by the “Dare to Leap” spirit, realme persevered in their quest to fulfill their mission, never faltering along the way. The desire to serve the youth with the innovative tech and design they need helped fuel the rising smartphone brand to keep going despite any challenges. As of now, realme still remains the only smartphone brand that is fully focused on the youth and empowering them to get ahead. With the complex and ever-changing market landscape that realme has found itself in, it is pertinent to ask whether the global smartphone brand can maintain its pace of growth, continue to surprise its user base, and mold itself according to changing times and economic conditions. After analyzing its global strategy, Sky Li is confident that they will be able to rise to the challenge.
Over time realme has gained confidence as a brand with its fan base sprawling across the globe. At present time realme has a firm foothold in the global smartphone industry and data shows that their comprehensive market rollout has been remarkable effective. While it is fun to recall the glory days of past, realme never dwells on them for too long as it has a forward-thinking focus. According to Sky Li, “realme is now entering its second stage of growth as a startup, and in this next phase of our journey we will further refine our focus on targeted, long-term growth. This means an added focus on product quality and market focus”. In order to better understand this new strategy, we have to delve a little further into what strategic changes realme is going to make going forward.
On the product side, realme is going to adopt the “Simply Better” strategy which will place a premium on product by increasing investment in R&D by 58% year-over-year in order to further advance its abilities of making essential tech innovations more accessible. With this strategy, realme is placing a greater emphasis on its number series of phones, which have famously been realme’s vehicle for tech-democratization in the past and are realme’s most essential product line. Number series phones pack high-tech features into a visually attractive design with an affordable price tag. In addition to an increased focus on improving product quality, realme will also be streamlining their operations by pooling their resources into global unified development to be more in line with the “Simply Better” strategy. Product improvement is seen as the cornerstone of realme’s growth moving forward.
The market side will be seeing positive changes as well. Now that its core markets have been defined, realme will place a new emphasis on stability over expansion. This new market focus goes by the name of “Market Cultivation” strategy, which will place particular focus on its two 10-million shipment markets while working towards building a core of fifteen 1-million shipment markets. Currently, realme has seven markets with annual shipments exceeding 1 million units with a spot in the Top 5 in certain markets. realme isn’t afraid of dreaming big and stands strong in its belief that it can climb even further to the very top.
The broad market uncertainty that the industry is currently facing does not phase realme. The smartphone brand is confident in their place in the industry and believes that difficult moments do not last forever so it is important to keep persevering even through stormy weather. In today’s age, smartphones have made us more capable than ever with AIOT expanding these capabilities even further. The future realme is working to build is one where technology brings youth around the world closer and inspires them to do great things in their lives. realme will remain to see this dream into fruition, no matter how many years it may take.
المشاركات
