CM Punjab Laid The Foundation Stone Of CBD Punjab Boulevard & Remodeling OF Kalma Chowk Underpass

      

 Chief Minister Punjab, Chaudhary Pervaiz Elahi laid the foundation stone of CBD Punjab Boulevard & remodeling of Kalma Chowk Underpass on Sunday, October 30, 2022. CBD Punjab Boulevard is a project of the Punjab Central Business District Development Authority (PCBDDA), also known as the Central Business District (CBD Punjab). 

The ceremony was graced by the CEO of PCBDDA, Mr. Imran Amin, COO of PCBDDA, Brigadier (R) Mansoor Janjua, Directorate Heads of PCBDDA and staff members of the National Logistic Cell (NLC).

CBD Punjab Boulevard is a project worth Rs 4.2 billion which will be completed in 180 days. The 365-meter-long boulevard will provide a signal-free approach from Barkat Market to Jail Road and Ali Zaib Road and will give a hassle-free entry and exit to Pakistan’s first business district. CBD Punjab Boulevard will facilitate more than 250,000 vehicles daily.

During his address at the event, CM Punjab said that “We are stabilizing Punjab as a developed economic welfare province. Public relief and well-being are our utmost priority. PCBDDA has secured a prominent spot in the development of Punjab. That is the reason that we have expanded the jurisdiction of authority to all over Punjab”. He further added that Punjab Government is extending the working scope of public relief to all over the province and has ensured complete support for the projects of public interest. 

While expressing his views CEO of PCBDDA, Mr. Imran Amin stated that “We have achieved another milestone today. CBD Punjab Boulevard is another feather in the cap. We are not just paving a road we are opening new doors for the development of Punjab. This project will be a game changer in reshaping the development landscape of Punjab”.

The Technical Team of PCBDDA also explained the salient features of the project during the ceremony. The authority has awarded the contract of the project to NLC whereas the contractor has already assured high-quality work and completion of the project in the given time. CBD Punjab Boulevard will be an amenity for the residents of Lahore which will make their daily commute easy.

realme to Make its Fans’ Biggest Wishes Come True this 11.11 With the Largest E-Commerce Shopping Festival of the Year

 

This year, realme’s successful yearly 11.11 sale festival on Daraz will be marked as Wish Come True Day

realme, the world's fastest-growing smartphone brand, has always been committed to providing affordable products with leap-forward performance and trendsetting design to young people around the world, and has provided over 100 million users worldwide with an experience that exceeds expectations in the past. In the post-epidemic era, global consumption habits have shifted towards online consumption and Global e-commerce transactions exceeded $5.3 trillion in 2021, up 14% year-on-year, and are expected to reach $8.3 trillion in 2025.

Last year’s 11.11 sale event saw massive success for realme with the tech democratizer being awarded the best-selling phone (realme Narzo 50i) and the top 5G smartphone (realme GT Master Edition) during the event. Being aware of its customers’ purchase behavior, realme has officially announced that it will join hands with global e-commerce partners such as Daraz to start a worldwide shopping festival, and Southeast Asia and South Asia as the core strategic development market for realme, will invest the greatest efforts to start e-commerce promotions to further promote technology equalization.

realme is always looking to bring its fans something new so this year it wanted to bring them a special treat during the 11.11 sale event which is why the smartphone brand is introducing a brand new avatar for Realmeow inspired by the magical being from the famous legend of Aladdin’s lamp. Geniemeow is your blue, feline friend who possesses the power to make all of your realme related wishes come true. He’s prepared a mixed bag of magic tricks that is filled with deals, discounts, and bundle offers to delight eager realme fans. The realme fan community is invited to share their wishes and stock their online wish lists for the opportunity to get amazing offers on realme’s impressive product line. The aim with this enticing e-commerce sale is to make technology more accessible to the youth and help realme fans realize their dreams through the power of advanced technology.

Stay on the lookout for more exciting details about realme’s Wish Come True Day in the following days leading up to the start of the 11.11 sale event on Daraz.

TCL introduces Breeva Air Purifier that is needed in every office and home

 

Air quality has become a growing concern for people all across Pakistan. With deteriorating environmental conditions, it is the need of every individual to breathe clean and healthy air. TCL introduced Breeva Air purifier that will neutralize the negative consequences on health caused by air pollution, ensuring healthy breathing space in homes and offices.

 

Order now: https://bit.ly/3Ni5O5d

 

TCL's latest Breeva Air Purifier brings back comfort to your home with UV-C degerming function to remove most of the germs and other allergy sources from your home, ensuring a safer and healthier environment for you and your loved ones. The latest Air purifier comes with a Laser Dust and VOC Sensor, which removes more than 99% of all dust particles in your room. Breeva is suitable for rooms up to 246 sq. ft, which makes it ideal for larger halls. It has a 3-in-1 filtration system that should help against cigarette smoke, among other things, but also against exhaust fumes, dust, pet fur, pollen, allergens, and even odors.

 

One of the main USPs is the affordable maintenance cost; you won't be able to get it anywhere in the market. Not only does this purifier get rid of germs and dirt particles, but it is also a part of TCL's mission of a smart home. You can connect Breeva to Alexa and Google Assistant and the TCL Smart home app, through which you can give it a command from anywhere and anytime when it comes to the Ionizer. This device is safe and does not produce unauthorized amounts of ozone. This product meets the maximum permissible ozone concentration of 0.050 parts per million by volume (ppmv) over 24 hours. The Breeva is unique and distinctive because it has a beautiful night-time bright yellow color in addition to the sleep mode. This combination of sleep mode and night light is excellent for a bedroom or other darkroom, giving you nice ambient light and clean air.

 

The latest air purifier has outstanding airflow needed by every other consumer in the home or office. TCL is committed to ensuring the safety and health of consumers, and the efficient purification system in its air purifiers fulfills this commitment. If you are also struggling with poor air quality and deteriorating environmental conditions, Breeva air Purifier helps you breathe in pure and clean air. This is your chance to lift your living standard by filling your surrounding atmosphere with safe and healthy air through a TCL air purifier. 

 

Pakistani duo among ACCA’s global prizewinning students

     

Pass rates have been announced by ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) for students who sat their exams in September 2022. Two Pakistani students have made the country proud by scoring highest marks to qualify for the cash prizes.

‘83,630 ACCA students from around the world entered for the September sitting and It’s particularly pleasing to see Pakistani students shining in the exams and building a strong reputation for the country on a global level for top finance talent. It’s not about one or two meritorious students, we’re seeing a growing trend of ACCA students and professionals from Pakistan creating a global impact with their ability and ambition. This also proves how our people can compete and win globally if they’re offered right support and a global platform,’ said Rashid Khan, ACCA’s spokesperson for the Asia Pacific region.

The ACCA Qualification rigorously tests the skills, abilities and competencies that a modern accountant needs, with a firm grounding in ethics and professionalism. It prepares students for a rewarding global career as a qualified and ethical finance professional.

 

Malik Shahmir Pervez

Malik Shahmir Pervez earned the global position for demonstrating stellar performance in the Advanced Audit and Assurance (AAA) exam which is considered one of the most challenging of all ACCA papers.

Shahmir comes from a modest family and his father was a truck driver in Rawalpindi. He completed his early schooling at an Urdu-medium local school before joining the Army Public School (APS).

Despite the fact that he had to adjust to English-medium in his new school, he qualified for a scholarship after proving his mettle in exams at APS. He then completed pre-medical at Fauji Foundation College with an A-1 grade but was unable to continue his education after the sudden death of his father who was also his best friend.

For two years, Shahmir went through a severe mental trauma and would spend whole day in his room. With family’s love and support, he was finally able to come out of the emotional ordeal and ended the hiatus in his studies by opting to study the globally renowned ACCA Qualification. ‘I feel it’s important for everyone to talk about mental health more openly and the reason I’m sharing my struggle of coping with all sorts of anxieties is simply because I would like to tell those who’re currently going through a similar phase that it’s okay to be not okay and it’s never too late to press the restart button.’

After joining ACCA, this is Shahmir’s first global distinction and third national distinction.   

He loves studying with ACCA since he was never a fan of rote learning and would rather focus on understanding the concepts. ‘ACCA is the world’s most innovative professional body and the same is reflected in how it has designed its qualifications and assessments. With ACCA, you’re always ahead of the curve when it comes to the latest knowledge and most in-demand skills,’ said the AAA prizewinner.    

The 23-year-old who is only one paper away from becoming an ACCA affiliate sees his career at a big4 firm and would like to join the audit profession soon after qualifying with ACCA.

 

When not studying, Shahmir keeps himself active by playing sports such as Table Tennis and Cricket.

 

Noman Abbasi

Noman Abbasi who’s celebrating his 22^nd birthday this month is one of the two Pakistanis who also made the ACCA’s list of global prizewinners by scoring the highest marks in the Financial Reporting (FR) exam.

Listening to the news, Noman’s father, who is a doctor by profession, had tears in his eyes. He proudly admits that his son’s achievement is undoubtedly the highlight of his life and nothing else can ever come close to the feeling of seeing one’s son or daughter succeed in such a coveted exam.  

Originally from Kashmir, The Abbasi family came to Karachi in search for better economic prospects some five decades ago. Noman’s father completed his MBBS here and went on to serve in the army. He has been running his private practice since 1982, the year he finished his military service. With father being a doctor and brother an engineer, Noman felt pressured to study pre-medical in college but he always knew his interest lied elsewhere. ‘I wanted something more exciting to do in my career and travel the world. So, accountancy was a natural choice for me.’ 

Soon after passing Intermediate, Noman chose to start his ACCA journey and has shown exemplary performance in all his exams so far. ‘When in college, I never felt great studying due to the lack of interest. But now I get such an adrenaline rush analysing the financial data and preparing reports that I don’t need any other motivation to stay focused.’

Noman spends almost 6 hours studying every day, in addition to the time he spends attending his online classes. ‘Thanks to the flexibility that ACCA offers, I’m able to attend all my lectures online and don’t have to waste time commuting to and from my home in Baldia Town that would have taken hours otherwise,’ shared Noman. 

When not studying, Noman loves listening to music and considers Drake, the Canadian rapper, his biggest inspiration in life. ‘Just like Drake who came from a modest background and made it big with his talent and ambition, I too would like to scale similar heights and make my family and country proud by proving how a person can achieve anything by working hard and making right choices,’ said the prizewinning student.

ACCA is world’s leading body for professional accountants with 241,000 members and 542,000 future members based in 178 countries and regions.

 

DEL WINS MULTIPLE AWARDS FOR ITS BENCHMARK HSE INITIATIVES

Pakistan’s leading large-scale engineering company, Descon Engineering Ltd. (DEL), has worked towards becoming a benchmark for the industry by achieving excellence in Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE). Recently, the company has been recognized for its safety standards by various clients. 

DEL received accolades from organizations across the Middle East and Pakistan. Some of them being: General Electric (G.E) and Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC) in UAE, Shell and Q-Chem in Qatar, OQ in Oman, Lotte Chemicals and OGDCL in Pakistan. The organization has also shown its commitment to prioritizing the highest standard of HSE and zero loss time injury (LTIs). While remaining dedicated to this by maintaining the safety and health of all stakeholders, internal and external; as well as, ensuring that there is a safe return for everyone through focused leadership, engaged teams, and effective communication.

Speaking about the achievement, DEL’s CEO Taimur Saeed said, “DEL is honored to be recognized for its focus and efforts on safety of its workers. It is never easy to manage safety and that is why our teams have strategically designed mechanisms to demonstrate personal ownership of HSE matters through visible leadership at every level. We want to continue empowering all employees to actively report unsafe conditions and actions so that the HSE culture improves and becomes more transparent. We are proud of the work we are doing and remain committed to maintaining the same momentum going forward.”

Globally, HSE is considered a top priority due to its significance in safeguarding human lives and properties, especially in high-risk industrial sectors. The organization has continued to work with this Dedication by integrating HSE and behavioral safety for sustainable growth in its business processes and has designed a specialized central framework that promotes accountability. The brand continues to participate in multiple certifications to encourage participation, consultation and behaviors on HSE-related matters.

Women Health prioritized through the Breast Cancer Early Detection Initiative of KP

       

Breast Cancer detection and treatment will be available in seven districts of KP through this program

The Public Health Association (PHA) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in collaboration with the Institute of Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine (IRNUM) held an awareness session on the Breast Cancer Early Detection Initiative of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa today.  

Taimur Khan Jhagra, KP Health and Finance Minister, who was the Chief Guest at the occasion, said the KP government is committed to provide high quality care to Breast Cancer patients with testing facilities in seven districts. 

Despite the fact that the World Health Organization Global Breast Cancer Initiative (GBCI) has set the target to reduce 2% Breast cancer related deaths per year worldwide, Pakistan lacks Breast Cancer control program. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is the first province to initiate Breast Cancer Control Program in Pakistan, which initiated in 2020. The program envisions to provision of modern Mammograph machines in seven divisions of KP namely, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Hazara, Kohat, Malakand, Mardan, and Peshawar.

Breast Cancer accounts for approximately 40, 000 deaths per year in Pakistan. It is one of the leading cause of cancer related deaths among female. Every woman can develop Breast Cancer. The disease also occurs in 1% of male population. Breast Cancer puts a lot of financial burden on the families while effecting them both emotionally and psychologically. Lack of awareness, and early detection, social barriers and inaccessibility to the health care system is detrimental to the survival of breast cancer patients.

The risk factors include genetic factors like BRCA 1, 2 & p 53 gene mutations, female gender, growing age, high estrogen exposure, obesity, lack of exercise, stress, early menarche and late menopause etc.

The speakers emphasized that majority of the women assume that Breast Cancer  will not happen to them, while the stats point that  1 out 8 woman is at risk of suffering from breast cancer in Pakistan.

Any women over 40 years, or having family history of breast cancer should go for the Mammography test, since early detection saves lives. Switching to healthy eating habits, regular exercise, maintaining normal weight, avoiding the use of over-the-counter medication, especially hormonal medicines are suggested by physicians. 

Public Health Association (PHA) KPK and  FATA which  focuses on  provision of Public health services and improve health policies initiated  the campaign struggle for Breast Cancer Control Program in the province, which was later joined by Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (IRNUM) and other high profile partners.

The event was attended by Secretary Health KP, Amer Sultan Tarin; Dr. Aakif Ullah Khan, Director IRNUM; founding President of Public Health Association, Dr. Saima Abid; Director Curative Health Department, renowned oncologists, surgeons, faculty staff and medical students.  

The realme C25Y is the Ultimate Budget-Friendly Solution to Your Everyday Needs

 

Boasting a massive 5000mAh battery and a fast Unisoc processor the realme C25Y delivers all-day performance 

We use smartphones every day to simplify our everyday problems and fulfill our needs. We use them to book a ride service to get from place to place, make cashless transactions through our banking applications, stay up to date with the news, and so much more. To make it possible to perform these daily tasks, your smartphone should have good battery life and processing capabilities to avoid a disturbed usage experience. The realme C25Y comes from a long line of successful C series smartphones, which are well-known for providing high value for money. Within the C-series lineup, the realme C25Y is known for being the first to introduce the 50MP AI Triple Camera module, shifting towards more high-end specifications. The various impressive specifications of the realme C25Y make it a true all-day performer that gives tough competition to other smartphones in its price range.

 

Battery life is a concern of the past with the realme C25Y’s king-sized 5000mAh mega battery. The realme C25Y even features an efficient super power saving mode which can stretch your battery life even further. At just 5% battery, the realme C25Y can be left on standby for 59 hours, play music for 6 hours, chat on WhatsApp for 1.6 hours, and stay on call for 2.2 hours. This efficient battery usage is made possible in part thanks to the realme C25Y’s powerful Unisoc T610 processor, which helps reduce the strain on your battery that comes with heavy phone usage. The Unisoc T610 octa-core processor consists of 2 ARM Cortex-275 cores and 6 Cortex-A55 cores, which gives the realme C25Y a combined processing speed of 1.8 GHz.

Long waits for your phone to recharge can be very inconvenient which is why the realme C25Y comes equipped with 18W quick charging capabilities which allows your phone to recharge rapidly. The large 6.5” display of the realme C25Y allows you to have an enhanced viewing experience whether you’re watching a short video on YouTube or a movie on Netflix. The 50MP AI Triple camera module features a 50MP primary lens, a 2MP macro lens, and a 2MP black and white lens, which allow you to take artistic shots and explore the world through the lens of the realme C25Y. The 8MP in-display front camera is also capable of delivering high quality selfies. realme’s very own realme UI R edition is featured in the smartphone giving it the classic realme look and feel.

Those who are looking for a budget-friendly option that doesn’t compromise on performance should look no further than the realme C25Y. You can get the realme C25Y now for the price of PKR 29,999/- so grab yours while you still can.

PCBDDA Announces Contractor For Kalma Chowk Remodelling

 Punjab Central Business District Development Authority (PCBDDA), also known as Central Business District (CBD Punjab), has awarded the contract for the construction of CBD Boulevard and the remodelling of Kalma Chowk underpass to a government-owned contractor National Logistic Cell (NLC).

The Executive Director Technical PCBDDA, Mr. Riaz Hussain said, “After completing the documentational formalities, we have awarded the contract to NLC out of the three government-owned organizations invited for the bid including National Construction Company (NCC) and Frontier Works Organization (FWO)”. He further added that the contract was awarded to NLC at the quoted price of Rs 4.218 billion PKR. The authority has already allocated a budget of approx. Rs 5 billion PKR for CBD Boulevard and the remodelling of the Kalma Chowk underpass. 

The 365-meter-long boulevard will be constructed in two phases within a time span of 180 days. The project will provide a signal-free corridor from Barkat Market and Ali Zaib Road to Jail Road. The master plan is designed to give a hassle-free easy entry and exit to Pakistan’s first business district.

While expressing his views about the project CEO, PCBDDA, Mr. Imran Amin said,” this project will be a landmark of excellence in the infrastructure development of Punjab. There is a healthy working relationship with NLC, and with our mutual cooperation and efforts we will turn this dream into reality. NLC has the capacity to deliver this project within the deadline”.

DG NLC Major General Yousaf Jamal said that “winning this contract is a moment of immense pride that NLC has once again chosen to play its role in national development. We assure you that high-quality standards will be maintained and will complete the project on time”.

This project will be an amenity for all the residents of Lahore which will not only provide swift entry and exit from the adjoining areas but will be beneficial in different ways including modern infrastructure development, easy mobility, a green sustainable environment and traffic flow uniformity.

PCBDDA And Lahore Traffic Police Issue Traffic Plan For Kalma Chowk Underpass Remodeling.

       

The technical team of Punjab Central Business District Development Authority also known as Central Business District (CBD Punjab) had a meeting with high officials of Lahore Traffic Police to finalize the traffic diversion plan during the construction of CBD Boulevard and remodeling of Kalma Chowk Underpass.

In the meeting Executive Director Technical PCBDDA, Mr. Riaz Hussain, Director Project Management PCBDDA, Mr. Asif Iqbal and from Lahore Traffic Police  Mr. Asif Sadiq SP Traffic, Mr.Muneer Hashmi  DSP Gulberg,Mr. Rashid Hayat DSP Model Town, Mr. Azam Chohan DSP Ichra and Mr.Akhlaq Ahmed  DSP Defence were present.

The technical team of PCBDDA explained the diversion plan during the construction of CBD Boulevard. In the first phase of construction one side of Main Boulevard will be open for traffic coming from Barkat Market and going towards Liberty Market. Service Lane will be operational for traffic coming from Firdaus Market from Ali Zaib Road for Barkat Market and Ferozepur Road. Traffic coming from model town going towards Liberty will be diverted from Gaddafi Stadium. A clean passage is also suggested in the plan for the residents of  Falcon Society. 

Executive Director Technical CBD Punjab said that “SP traffic has principally agreed with the traffic diversion plan with minor changes. We will keep the people updated with the changes in the plan as there is any development”. 

This mega project will be an amenity for the residents of Lahore. The authority has ensured the safety, comfort and hassle-free travel for commuters during construction phases.

Infinix opens pre-order of the World's first 60MP OIS enabled front camera phone – ZERO 20!

 

Infinix, leading most smartphone brand of Pakistan is now taking pre-orders for World’s first 60 MP OIS + EIS based front camera phone – ZERO 20. Being first of its kind camera phone supporting Dual Image Stabilization in the form of Optical Image Stabilization and Electronic Image Stabilization, Infinix ZERO 20 fulfills videography and photography requirements within no time. Infinix ZERO 20 is priced at Rs 56,999 but upon pre-ordering from Infinix Official Ecommerce Store – Xpark between 14^th October to 20^th October, customers can avail a discount of Rs 2000 with a free gift of Infinix XE20 for the first 50 buyers only!

 

Infinix ZERO’s 60MP front camera is stable most and greatest Vlog camera offering hardware based Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS).  Users would just have to switch on Ultra-Stability mode in order to unlock Dual Image Stabilization for making videos and capturing photos. The front camera also being equipped with Auto Focus (AF) captures accurately every time with crisp details on the go. Not just the front camera, the rear camera of 108MP aids reimagine the mobile photography experiences altogether.  

CEO of Infinix Mr. Joe Hu expressed his views about ZERO 20 saying: “We are glad to introduce the ground-breaking and first of its kind camera phone in the world. By providing its devoted users all around the world with the most updated devices outfitted with cutting-edge technology, Infinix has once again set the standard for the industry.”

Also, being Pakistan’s first smartphone operating on the most powerful 6NM MediaTek Helio G99 processor, Infinix ZERO 20 offers industry leading performance altogether. The two octa core arm cortex of MediaTek Helio G99 outputs great intelligence ensuring non-stop usage and complete sync with all the features of Infinix ZERO 20. Also featuring 6.7’’ FHD + AMOLED display, Infinix ZERO 20 simply ensures all industry-leading features in the palm of one’s hand!

From 14^th Oct till 20^th Oct, Infinix fans can pre-order Infiniz ZERO 20 from Infinix’s Official Ecommerce store – Xpark  with a discount of Rs 2000 and a free gift of Infinix XE20 for first 50 customers as well!

Hotshot Esports, first two-time FFPL winner to represent Pakistan at the Free Fire World Series in Thailand

 

Pakistan’s first and largest esports league, Free Fire Pakistan League held the Grand Finale for its fourth edition, FFPL IV, on Sunday 16th October. FFPL II champions Team Hotshot Esports have reclaimed the championship narrowly winning FFPL IV and the ticket to FFWS in Thailand where they will be competing for a prize pool estimated at $2 Million.

Free Fire is the world’s leading mobile battle royale game with over 1 Billion downloads and has been at the forefront of the esports revolution in Pakistan. FFPL is the highest professional-level esports tournament in Pakistan hosted under the International esports giant Free Fire.

The final 12 teams competed for a piece of one of the largest prize pools for any Esports tournament in Pakistan valued at PKR 10,000,000 with Hotshot Esports claiming the lion’s share and the default qualification for FFWS. Agon Demons Pride and House of Blood finished second and third respectively, with Anas from Hotshot finishing the day as the MVP for the finals.

About Garena

Garena is a leading global online games developer and publisher. Free Fire, its self-developed mobile battle royale title, was the most downloaded mobile game in the world in 2019, 2020, and 2021, according to data.ai, previously known as App Annie.

Garena is run by passionate gamers and has a unique understanding of what gamers want. It exclusively licenses and publishes hit titles from global partners – such as Arena of Valor, Call of Duty: Mobile, and League of Legends – in selected markets globally. Garena champions social and entertainment experiences through games, enabling its communities to engage and interact. Garena is also a leading esports organiser and hosts some of the world’s biggest esports events.

Garena is a part of Sea Limited (NYSE:SE), a leading global consumer internet company. In addition to Garena, Sea’s other core businesses include its e-commerce arm, Shopee, and digital financial services arm, SeaMoney. Sea’s mission is to better the lives of consumers and small businesses with technology.

CBD PUNJAB ADVOCATES DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES TO PUNJAB ACADEMIA THROUGH DEV TALK.

  

   

Punjab Central Business District Development Authority (PCBDDA), also known as Central Business District (CBD Punjab), is committed in uplifting the economic well-being of Punjab and believes the youth to be the driving force of this commitment. The authority is working on the agenda of national development and the authority has initiated multiple projects for youth to polish their professional skills, as an affirmation of its commitment CBD Punjab, conducted its first-ever Development Discussion Forum called the “Dev Talk” at The Beaconhouse National University Lahore.

 

The reason behind Dev Talk was to Involve the academia of Punjab to become advocates for ongoing projects of CBD Punjab and provide them with sought-after insights behind the creation of Pakistan’s first business district and development landscape in Punjab. The keynote speakers for Dev Talk were Executive Director Commercial PCBDDA, Mr. Mohammed Omer, Executive Director Technical PCBDDA, Mr. Riaz Hussain and Director Business Development PCBDDA, Mr. Ali Waqar Shah and Director Architecture, Mr. Sameer Aftab.

Mr. Mohammed Omer Executive Director, Commercial PCBDDA, started the session by highlighting the core need for the establishment of Pakistan’s first and most anticipated business district. He told the attendees that CBD Punjab was formed by an act of Parliament in February 2021, to put Pakistan on the global economic map by attracting domestic and foreign investment for the development of Punjab.

In his address, he stated “CBD Punjab is working on the business model to use the barren government-owned land for wealth generation to raise capital for the development of Punjab. We have secured an investment of Rs 58.89 billion in a short time span. CBD Punjab is a room full of opportunities for a secure investment in Punjab, it is a business hub that will reform the urban regeneration and development landscape of the province.” He further added that the vertical expansion of cities is the future, promotion of vertical architecture and modern urban planning is the solution to many problems. CBD Punjab’s core mission is to transform the future for a better tomorrow.

Executive Director Technical PCBDDA, Mr. Riaz Hussain said “CBD Punjab is introducing new and modern construction practices. Infrastructure development is gaining pace day by day and soon we will witness some great architectural masterpieces in CBD Punjab. We have almost completed the base work for a state-of-the-art parking plaza along with that 25% of the infrastructure work is also completed. We have ensured that high-quality modern techniques are implemented in the district.” He also shed light on the issue of fire fighting in hi-rise buildings, water scarcity and the authority’s plan to counter them. He also told the audience that CBD Punjab is the only LEED-certified real estate project in Punjab.

While talking about investment potential opportunities in CBD Punjab, Director Business Development PCBDDA, Mr. Ali Waqar Shah said, “Authority has successfully registered the project as an epitome of secure investment in the region due to its unique, favorable and endless possibilities. We have promoted vertical construction and high-rise buildings which no other real estate project has done. CBD Punjab is the face of the city and the center of attraction for domestic and international investors, with the expansion in the jurisdiction of authority to all over Punjab, we are no more restricted till establishing business districts. We are working on new business models like JV, PPP and REIT to get maximum investment for the development of Punjab.

The session was concluded with a question-answer session which cleared many queries and ambiguities about CBD Punjab at the end of the session Executive Director Commercial PCBDDA, Mr. Mohammed Omer presented an honorary shield to Mr. Shahid Hafeez Kardar, Vice Chancellor Beaconhouse National University. The audience applauded this initiative taken by CBD Punjab and appreciated the steps taken by the authority for the development of the province. The attendees also emphasized that such informative sessions should be organized frequently as they are a fruitful source of passing on information about development projects in the region 

 

Enhance Your TV Experience with TCL Mini LED TV C835

 

If you are looking for a new TV set that features all the latest technology and makes a perfect centerpiece for your living room, you need to check out TCL 2022 new Google TV C835. With its superb picture and sound quality, the C835 is an excellent TV for anyone who wants to watch their favorite shows, movies, and sports. Also, it's a smart TV, and you can use it to browse the internet or stream content from your favorite apps.

TCL C835 - the ultimate TV for movie lovers

Thanks to its 4K HDR picture with Dolby Atmos and IMAX Enhanced certification, you will be completely immersed in your favorite movies. In addition to being stylish, this model also has many energy-efficient features: it consumes less power than other types of TVs. Here are some of its main features:

Embraced by the New Technologies:

Great Connectivity

C835 has all you need to connect it to your other devices. It supports Wi-Fi 5 (2.4G+5G) and Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless connectivity, HDMI2.1*4 for wired connectivity, and USB3.0*1 for wired device connection with the help of an adapter cable or dongle.

The picture quality is superior, with a resolution of 3840*2160 pixels and a contrast ratio of 7000:1. It also comes with a 4K TV tuner so that you can watch your favorite shows in crystal clear quality.

Mini LED TV with Local Dimming

The backlight of the TCL Mini LED TV is composed of 240-360 zones (which vary in size), enabling the screen to reproduce a surprising amount of detail. The backlight local dimming technology can significantly improve the blooming phenomenon of the edge and lets you see every hair in your favorite actor's beard.

Quantum Dot 

C835 has a neatly crafted screen that also utilizes Quantum Dot technology. Unlike regular LEDs, which emit light in all directions, quantum dots emit light only upwards, meaning they can be placed on top of a television screen without affecting its picture quality.

HDR10+

HDR10+ is a new HDR format that allows for dynamic metadata, unlike the static metadata of HDR10. Because it's an open standard, TCL's C835 can play HDR10+ files from any source: discs, streaming services (like Netflix and Amazon Video).

Dolby Vision IQ

Dolby Vision IQ is an intelligent video processing technology that optimizes the quality of your video. It adjusts brightness and contrasts to enjoy a richer, more vibrant picture with greater clarity, sharpness, and detail.

144Hz VRR

144Hz VRR: With this non-interlaced display, you can enjoy a fast refresh rate of up to 144Hz, which means smoother transitions between images. The faster your screen can refresh its content, the more fluid it will feel, and the clearer your visuals will be.

IMAX Enhanced

The TCL C835 series of TVs includes IMAX Enhanced technology. It is not a specific format but a set of technologies that improve the quality of the picture on the TV.

Dolby Atmos

Dolby Atmos is a surround sound technology that creates a three-dimensional sound environment. Dolby Atmos uses two or more overhead speakers to provide additional sounds, such as raindrops or birds chirping from above.

Dolby Atmos is also a high-quality audio format that allows you to enjoy surround sound for movies and TV shows like never before.

Because of these enhancements, you'll feel like you're watching movies in theaters again!

Intelligent Functions: Super Convenient!

The C835 has a built-in Google Assistant, allowing you to connect and control your TV with just your voice.

The integration allows you to take advantage of Google's vast ecosystem, making it easy to cast your content from a mobile device or laptop onto the screen.

This one is worth considering if you're looking for a new TV!

Conclusion

We hope this post has given you all the information you need to decide whether the TCL Mini LED TV C835 suits you. If it is, then we highly recommend purchasing one today!

Beaconhouse Partners with PCB for Pathway Scholarship Programme

 

Beaconhouse Group, Pakistan’s largest network of private educational institutions has entered a three-year partnership with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the PCB Pathway Scholarship Programme. Through this alliance, Beaconhouse will provide 100 academic scholarships annually, to aspiring professional cricketers aged 11, 14 and 16 years.

The initiative is aimed towards the education and development of the future stars of Pakistan cricket who will be provided access to free education at Beaconhouse campuses across the country, enabling them to become well rounded professionals.

The partnership further promotes Beaconhouse’s belief in providing the youth with diverse avenues to help them reach their full potential and promotes the holistic development of youngsters that will consequently enable them to become educated and skilled players on the national as well as international level.

Speaking at the event, Kasim Kasuri, Chief Executive Beaconhouse said, “We are delighted to work with the PCB in this important initiative. Beaconhouse strongly promotes sports at all its schools and believes in encouraging young people to explore their unique interests. Through this partnership, we hope to offer talented young cricketers the opportunity to pursue their passion and talent for cricket while also becoming accomplished individuals, equipped to take on the unique challenge of becoming future ambassadors of Pakistan.”

PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja said, “The PCB Pathway Programme has the potential to change the fortunes of Pakistan cricket. The partnership with Beaconhouse is a major milestone in our quest of providing a holistic platform to our players for their cricketing and educational needs and requirements. We hope to make them well-rounded ambassadors of Pakistan who can represent the country at international platforms with dignity and pride. It is an investment that will positively shape the lives of players.”

Beaconhouse places equal importance on academic excellence as well as extracurricular and physical activities. Through this initiative, the organisation is committed to shaping the future of young cricketers in Pakistan by providing them with educational opportunities of an international standard.

Standard Chartered join hands with IGI Life and EFU Life for Bancassurance

 

 

Standard Chartered Bank (SCBPL) signed a memorandum of understanding with EFU Life Assurance Limited and IGI Life Insurance Limited whereby these partner companies will deploy dedicated sales staff at Standard Chartered branches for cross selling of insurance solutions to the Bank's client base. This alliance is a response to the ever-evolving needs of the clients and is expected help support the Bank’s goal towards providing a full suite of wealth management services.

The signing ceremony was attended by Standard Chartered Pakistan’s CEO - Rehan Shaikh, Head CPBB - Saadya Riaz, and Head Wealth Management - Kailash Kumar, along with Taher Sachak, CEO EFU Life Assurance Limited, Mohammed Ali Ahmed, Deputy Managing Director EFU Life, and Ali Nadim Deputy CEO IGI Life Insurance Limited with their respective teams.

Rehan M. Shaikh, CEO Standard Chartered Pakistan commented, “Through the deepening of this relationship between the Bank and insurance providers, we aim to improve product awareness, especially among the financially marginalised segments of society. We believe in creating value and convenience for our clients and continue to provide cutting-edge financial solutions. We at the Bank expect synergistic enhancements to result from this deepened partnership and are optimistic that it will help drive the Bank’s insurance business into a new era.”

The CEOs of both insurance companies also emphasised the benefits of this partnership with Standard Chartered, and the potential opportunity available to all three organisations with the launch of this new sales model, and the learnings that have been possible for them through Standard Chartered’s global network.

Mr. Taher G. Sachak, CEO EFU Life Assurance Limited said, “Standard Chartered Bank was our first Bancassurance partner and we are delighted to have the Standard Chartered partnership take a new direction. EFU Life and SCBPL share the same vision of creating value and convenience for the Bank’s affluent customer base through customised offerings, targeted to the need of this segment. We admire the success of our existing Bancassurance relationship, and I am confident that this new initiative will further enhance the association and position Standard Chartered as a key player in Bancassurance”.

Ali Nadim, Deputy CEO IGI Life Insurance added, “We are gratified with our partnership with SCBPL in our mission to offer tailor made savings and protection solutions to our customers, and encourage a healthier lifestyle through our Vitality benefits. Vitality is a personalised program that helps our clients achieve their wellness goals by rewarding them for making better choices with a premium range of health, lifestyle and leisure benefits. With our new partnership with SCBPL, we look forward to enhancing the suite of wealth management opportunities available for our customers.”

Views on corruption drive attitude to tax systems across the globe: ACCA and IFAC survey

 

Trust in tax systems is at its highest when taxpayers perceive low levels of corruption and diversion of funds

Taxpayers’ attitudes about paying taxes correlate closely with perceived levels of corruption, according to a major new study, Public Trust in Tax, by accountancy bodies ACCA and the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC). A global survey focusing on 14 developing economies, including Pakistan, found that trust in tax systems is lower when taxpayers perceive higher levels of corruption and diversion of public funds. The survey was backed up by a series of roundtables to explore attitudes further.

Helen Brand, chief executive, ACCA, says: ‘Fighting corruption is such a central priority for the global accountancy profession because corruption has such negative implications for trust, tax morale and sustainable development more broadly. We know from research by the IMF that economic growth goes hand in hand with a consistent stream of tax revenues.’

Kevin Dancey, chief executive, IFAC, says: ‘The relationship between taxpayers and governments, and between businesses, society and tax systems is fundamental to the sustainability – and survival – of the economies that support us all, in both the short and long term. Our Trust in Tax surveys provide crucial insight into these relationships and can help global policymakers as they consider the best way forward.’

IFAC recently released its Action Plan for Fighting Corruption and Economic Crime, with broad support from the global accountancy profession. The plan outlines specific actions that members of the profession can take, individually and in concert, to engage in a meaningful way in the fight against corruption. ‘Given the correlation between perceived levels of corruption and citizens’ willingness to pay taxes, this plan is an important effort to help ensure that citizens see the benefits of their tax dollars,’ says Mr. Dancey. 

Assad Hameed Khan, head of ACCA Pakistan, says: “Broadening the tax base is key to achieving Pakistan’s inclusive and sustainable economic development. A significant shift and step change is required towards documentation of the economy, increased regulatory capacity and use of technology (data analytics). Contribution of the accountancy profession is critical to these focus areas, requiring concerted efforts by all stakeholders to bridge the gap between demand and supply of professionals.”

Key results

The survey's key findings are set out below:

Trust and corruption

Politicians are widely distrusted with a net trust deficit of -25%. In contrast professional tax accountants and lawyers are trusted (67.1% and 64.6% respectively). Attitudes to tax authorities are split with a significant minority – 27.9% – distrusting or highly distrusting them.

Roundtable participants saw lack of trust in politicians as a major barrier to tax engagement with the systems. Citizens don’t object to paying tax – they object to misappropriation.

Tax minimisation

In the survey 46.4% agreed that multinationals were paying a reasonable amount of tax. This contrasts with Public Trust in Tax surveys in G20 countries showing only 22.4% agreed.

Attitudes towards tax minimisation are more relaxed in developing countries with respondents more likely to agree that specific taxpayer groups were paying a reasonable amount of tax.

Incentives

People strongly support the use of tax incentives to target megatrends such as climate change (73.8%) and ageing population (72.8%).

Tax incentives were seen as a way of attracting multinational businesses to invest (73.9%) and build a more coherent international tax system through co-operation between countries (69.3%).

Author of the report Jason Piper says: ‘An efficient, effective and trusted tax administration is one building block in the sound structure of society. This survey shows that the problem lies not with the collecting of tax but what happens afterward. A lack of accountability in government spending fosters the perception – and all too often the reality – of corruption in government.’

Since 2017 ACCA and IFAC have been gathering data across the G20 on attitudes and opinions of the general public. The latest survey is the first to look beyond the G20 and comes at a crucial time for economies across the globe, given uncertainty following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the Covid-19 pandemic.

This year’s survey builds on previous research, and for the first time includes data from developing countries outside of the G20. With the UN predicting that the highest population growth up to 2050 is set to happen in non-G20 countries, this edition of Public Trust in Tax looks at issues impacting an increasing share of the global population.

This study is based on an online survey of 5,958 individuals from the following countries: Angola, Colombia, Cote D’Ivoire, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Guatemala, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, and Vietnam. The countries surveyed were selected based on a range of economic, political, geographic and cultural factors.

Read Public Trust in Tax: Global Perspectives 2022: https://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/professional-insights/global-economics/public-trust-tax-2022.html

 

Umar Khan aka UKHANO’s story is creating quite a stir online

   

At the starting of autumn, the bars are raising high as UKHANO is seen in his Instagram story sharing his experience of stability check while riding a horse. He mentioned “world’s first front camera with 60MP OIS & EIS”. UKHANO tagged Infinix Pakistan in his story a brand known for pioneering in a lot of innovative technologies such as world’s first 60MP OIS front camera in upcoming Zero 20 and 60X periscope zoom for moon photography in Zero X Pro from last year.

In a short story video UKHANO is seen riding a horse and shooting with other hand. The claim made by one of the top YouTube content crerators of Pakistan has left all the tech fraternity in amaze. Top tech geeks from across Pakistan are also seen excited to get their hands on the mentioned phone.  Tech KOLs started tagging Infinix and asking “where is mine?”. We are pretty sure that they will be testing out the product to it’s fullest and sharing their experience.

It is also rumored that Infinix a leading smartphone brand is working with UKHANO, RHS and Art by Wasif on some amazing project probably shot in northern areas of Pakistan for their upcoming Zero 20. Stay tuned to get more updates.