Easypaisa, the first and largest mobile financial service provider in the country has entered into an agreement with Haidri Beverages Pvt. Ltd. and Northern Bottling Co. Pvt. Ltd. for disbursement of retailer commissions through Easypaisa’s cashless distribution solutions. Haidri Beverages and Northern Bottling are the largest franchisees of Pepsi Cola International, covering the entire AJK region, KPK, Gilgit-Baltistan, Federal Capital and Northern Punjab.
The Easypaisa Retailer Commissions Disbursement Solution offers a convenient solution which is not only time efficient but also minimizes risks associated with cash handling. The solution will assist retailers operating in remote locations and also those who may not possess a conventional bank account. Retailers will now have the convenience of withdrawing their commissions from over 130,000 Easypaisa locations which will be instantly disbursed to their accounts. Furthermore, the solution allows them to withdraw commissions in any denomination and also transfer funds.
Sharing his thoughts on the development, Aslam Hayat, Acting CEO, Telenor Microfinance Bank said, “We are glad to extend Easypaisa’s Retailer Commissions Disbursement Solution to support Haidri Beverages and Northern Bottlers. Easypaisa, with the help of its extensive network of agents across the country, will be instrumental in facilitating smooth and convenient commission disbursement. The agreement comes in connection with Easypaisa’s commitment to facilitate everyday transactions as part of its long term goal of digitizing cash payments and
we will continue to build such partnerships in order to support interoperability and enhance financial inclusion in Pakistan.”
Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Qasim Jaffery – Group CFO, Haidri Beverages Pvt. Ltd and Northern Bottling Co. Pvt. Ltd, said, “It gives us immense pleasure to have partnered with Easypaisa for our commission disbursement, thus giving our retailers the ease and flexibility to access their commissions in a reliable and secure manner. Retailers are at the core of our business and as leading bottlers in Pakistan, we believe in connecting with our retailers by giving them greater accessibility to services by partnering with innovative financing solutions like Easypaisa.”
Since its launch in 2009, Pakistan’s pioneer branchless banking service Easypaisa has been instrumental in transforming the banking and finance outlook of the country through ground-breaking products and services. It has played a pivotal role in bringing the unbanked population into the fold of banking services through its initiatives aimed at strengthening financial inclusion in Pakistan.
Continuing his mission to support Pakistan’s neglected sport, Shoaib Malik – the former captain of Pakistan Cricket team – has launched “iBleedGreen” a national movement to empower all athletes, across all sports.
And to kick-off the campaign, Malik has announced to initiate funding to support Pakistan’s champion wrestler Inam Butt to ensure his participation in next year’s Olympics and this year’s World Beach Games.
“#iBleedGreen is a national movement to empower the Pakistani athletes across all sports, with a key focus on non-mainstream sport(s) in which we are heartbeats away from winning a World Title. Its core mission is to be a catalyst to help national athletes to live up to their full potential as public assets for Pakistan and Pakistani society – making a significant contribution to the development of youth, the well-being of individuals, and quality of life in our communities,” Malik said in a statement introducing #IBleedGreen.
“Our plan to launch #iBleedGreen was originally for July 2019, but due to the inspiring story of Inam Butt, we decided to launch a beta version to support his journey to the Olympics 2020 being held in Tokyo. Details here, please spread the word and support him as much as possible – the time is short. Imagine the inspiration an Olympic Gold medal can bring to our youth, who are 65% of the Pakistani population,” he added.
It is worth mentioning that #iBleedGreen is a portal to raise to fund through various methods which include crowdfunding as starters. 100% of the funds raised will go towards the athlete’s development plan to represent Pakistan for another chance at a World Title.
As the first step, the first target for the campaign is to generate 5 million PKR for Inam Butt. Details of expenditures are mentioned on this page https://ibleedgreen.org/InamButt/
Malik has offered his Cricket World Cup shirt, along with other items signed by Hasan Ali and Sana Mir for those who participate in this campaign.
“As Pakistanis, it is our duty to support all those who make us proud by giving their blood and sweat in various sports fields,” Malik said.
Nothing represents the joy of cricket better than music. In Pakistan, cricket and music summon a combined power that brings the whole nation to its feet, heightens the senses, flaunts the identity and brings everyone together as one. With the World Cup starting soon, Junoon has managed to bring the passion of cricket to life with their liveliness, power, and dynamism. With the release of the much anticipated cricket anthem “Badleinge Jahaan” in association with Peek Freans Sooper, Junoon is back with a bang after 15 LONG years and they couldn’t have picked a better occasion!
The cricket anthem heavily draws its power from an emotional place – with the video featuring minorities and marginalized communities of the country who are an equal part of Pakistan, Peek Freans Sooper and Junoon manage to deliver a crucial message because there is nothing that binds us together more than our love for cricket. The Video showcases the authentic, unique and diverse representation of what people do, when this passion takes over the country.
“Badleinge Jahaan” is empowering and celebratory; it evokes a feelings of heritage and a sense of belonging. It isn’t meant to be just a World Cup song, rather it is meant to resonate with the Pakistani fans – of cricket and of Junoon. The lively energy of the song, the catchy tune, and the upbeat music has the potential to become a fond memory for the years to come.
Peek Freans Sooper has once again proved to be the brand that celebrates Pakistan and everything that is associated with it. It has always tried to make the country’s name shine in the world’s map, and “Badleinge Jahaan” is a proof of that.
Telenor Microfinance Bank and Pakistan Tobacco Company Limited to
Digitize Retailer to Distributor Payments
Telenor Microfinance Bank (TMB) and Pakistan Tobacco Company Limited (PTC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to digitize retailer to distributor payments. This understanding will go a long way in developing a safe, secure and robust cashless digital payments ecosystem for retail and distribution channels. Furthermore, in line with the bank’s financial inclusion goals, the MoU will eventually allow small retailers who lack access to credit to avail Easypaisa loans thereby encouraging the unbanked to become part of the formal banking system.
This project will be implemented in three phases: During the first phase, an implementation of a digital payments system shall take place for retailers and distributors; in the second phase, retailers will begin accepting digital payments from end consumers followed by the third phase in which Telenor Microfinance Bank plans to roll out a credit facility to eligible retailers.
Both TMB and PTC conducted a three-month pilot project in district Vehari near Multan, which proved to be successful in terms of realizing the immense value addition for both retailers and distributors. A key metric for success was the safety and security of the payments for distributors that led to increased transactions and a decreased exposure to the risk of cash handling. As a result, both institutions decided to extend the project for digitization of payments between retailers and distributors. The solution will eventually enable customers to digitally pay retailers via their Easypaisa accounts.
Commenting on the agreement, Aslam Hayat, acting CEO, Telenor Microfinance Bank, said: “This is an important occasion for us all, as we are aware that the digital landscape is shaping up to disrupt the way we do business. We are one of the pioneers of bringing innovation in the domestic industry and now aim to digitize the market for local players by acting as a catalyst for digital retail solutions in Pakistan”.
Syed Ali, Head of Trade & Activation, PTC, added: “Our objective is to help our business partners (distributors) and our customers (retail outlets) to overcome obstacles that hamper the growth of their business. In the pilot stage, this solution has helped us in securing their business transactions and increasing business throughput and providing peace of mind to sales reps”.
BankIslami Pakistan Limited and EFU Life Assurance Limited have entered into strategic alliance for distribution of EFU Life’s Hemayah Family Takaful products.
BankIslami is one of the leading Islamic banks operating through a network of 330 branches in 114 cities in Pakistan. EFU Life is one of the leading life insurance companies in Pakistan and is the first Window Family Takaful Operator licensed by SECP.
The signing ceremony was held at BankIslami Head Office Karachi and the agreement was signed by Syed Amir Ali, President & CEO of BankIslami and Mr. Taher G. Sachak, MD & CEO of EFU Life. Mr. Bilal Fiaz, Head-Consumer Banking of BankIslami, Mr. Laeeq Ur Rehman, Head-BancaTakaful of BankIslami, Mr. Mohammed Ali Ahmed, Executive Director of EFU Life and other senior officials from both the organizations also attended the ceremony.
Speaking on the occasion, Syed Amir Ali, President & CEO of BankIslami said, “On this prestigious occasion, two of the leading organizations in their respective sectors have entered into a partnership. This strategic alliance will certainly help in providing better services to our customers. With this alliance, we are inking a new chapter in the success story of BankIslami’s BancaTakaful products.
Mr. Taher G Sachak, MD & CEO of EFU Life said, “We are delighted to have BankIslami on board as our Bancatakaful distribution partner. EFU Life and BankIslami share the same vision of creating value and convenience for their customers through innovative Shariah Compliant financial solutions for their saving and protection needs. There is a huge potential for Shariah Compliant takaful solutions in Pakistan and together with BankIslami we aim to penetrate further into this segment”.
This Ramadan will see the exclusive theatrical release of the feature-length documentary film, One Day In The Haram, in cinemas nationwide across Pakistan.
The theatrical distribution has been undertaken by Footprint Entertainment, the group which has been responsible for distribution of major foreign as well local content since 2005 in Pakistan.
From its world premiere at the Dubai International Film Festival, all the way through to its most recent premiere in India, One Day In The Haram has sold out cinema venues all over world. It is by far the most successful Islamic documentary film of all time.
One Day in the Haram is the extraordinary story of the Haram in Makkah, a place so revered that non-Muslims are forbidden from even setting foot in it. The film represents the first time in history that the Government of Saudi Arabia has allowed a film crew full access to the inner workings of the Haram.
British Pakistani director Abrar Hussain spent over a year researching different aspects of the Haram, to bring worldwide audiences the most complete and compelling vision of the Haram ever produced. Packed with knowledge and never before seen footage, this is a film that anyone with love for the religion of Islam must see.
This extraordinary film has already sold out cinemas in multiple countries all over the world, including Western countries such as the UK, USA, Australia, and Canada. In Islamic countries the film has been broadcasted in countries including Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Turkey, Malaysia and the UAE. The budget of the film was 50 million PKR.
In the UK the film was premiered at the House of Lords, the 1st Islamic film to ever receive this honour. The total viewership of the film now exceeds 32 million people worldwide.
The films multi award winning director Abrar Hussain said “It is a great honour to be able to share this important film with the audiences in Pakistan, especially at this spiritual time of Ramadan. Being of Pakistani heritage my-self, it really is a privilege to be able to showcase this film in my home country.”
The CEO of Footprint Entertainment, Mr Arif Baigmohamed, said “We are delighted to have secured the release of this spiritually uplifting film. This is a historic film in every sense, and we are pleased to be able to bring this film for Pakistani audiences”.
One Day In The Haram represents a cultural phenomenon that is showing no signs of slowing down. The film is commonly referred to as the most visually beautiful Islamic film ever made, has a current IMDB score of 9.2, and has struck an emotional chord with audiences all over the world.
Abrar Hussain is currently working on his next feature film project about Masjid Al Aqsa in Jerusalem, slated for release worldwide in September 2019.
All local Pakistani football teams will be getting a chance to represent Pakistan in Red Bull Neymar Jr.’s Five World Finals in Brazil, as the local tryouts for teams from Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad get ready to battle it out in the fields between 16th and 25th May.
The country qualifiers for Pakistan will kick off in Karachi, before moving on to Lahore and Islamabad. Once the tryouts are done, the top teams from each city will face-off in the national qualifiers in Lahore on May 25th, thus getting a chance to represent the country in the Red Bull Neymar Jr.’s Five World Finals in Brazil. To get a chance to enter this competition, the teams can simply sign up and register themselves by logging onto www.redbullneymarjrsfive.com any time till May 13th.
The competition is based solely on the concept of survival of the fittest. Both males and females will be allowed to play together in a team, based purely on their skills and technique. A majority of the team’s players should be between the age of 16 and 25 years. The rules of the game include two parts: Two teams of no more than five players will play against each other for 10 minutes, without any goalkeepers, and every time a team scores, the opposing side would lose one of their players.
Red Bull Neymar Jr.’s Five is a tournament aimed to unite players from all around the world to celebrate football. In 2018, over 125,000 players from 62 countries signed up for the tryouts, and the tournament in 2019 is expected to be equally huge, if not a bigger deal.
Dubuzz, previously founded as Emax Media, organized a meet and greet yesterday on May 3rd, 2019 in Karachi, for all the hosts of different Ramadan transmissions that will be aired during the blessed month.
The event was graced by the striking presence of Reema Khan, who will be hosting the Ramadan transmission for Aaj News and Aaj Entertainment, produced by Emax Media, during the holy month. Among other anchors present at the event were Ali Rehman Khan – host of the Event, Reema Khan, Maya Khan, Sadiaa Imam, Amna Malik, Iqrar-ul Hasan & Sahir Lodhi.
The event was a huge success, where it was communicated how Emax Media is now open for services in Pakistan, after having provided innovative marketing tools to varying media partners in the Middle East, U.K. and Europe.
Emax Media is a content hub that provides customized content for different brands and Heads by CEO Farhan Gauhar. Their services include sales and marketing, content production, distribution, television and cable, etc. They provide technical support to operate and run television channels and are involved with broadcasting services. Emax Media have also globally partnered with Fox, Disney, Star and other networks. With the launch of their services in Pakistan, Emax Media is aiming to expand its horizons with the building of new clientele within the region.
. Transformers Roadshow winners receive seed capital and mentoring to realise their solutions to global development challenges
· Pakistan is third largest beneficiary member country of the IsDB with $12.43 billion financing received to date
· Health Minister Dr Zafar Mirza applauds IsDB’s contribution to the health sector in Pakistan. Awards winners of the roadshow.
Transformers Road show by IDBF
The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has awarded four Pakistani innovators, researchers and entrepreneurs seed capital and business skills mentoring as part of its fifth edition of the Transformers Roadshow competition, held in association with COMSTECH. The Roadshow is a global initiative in which applicants are invited to pitch ideas accelerating one or more of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Minister of state for health, Dr Zafar Mirza was the chief guest for the Transformers Roadshow. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Zafar Mirza said that, the current initiative, namely the Transformers Roadshow, is a very novel idea. He congratulated IsDB for providing this opportunity to young Pakistani innovators to pitch their ideas for addressing one or more of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. There is no dearth of innovative and creative ideas in our countries but there is a dire need of directing efforts towards providing indigenous solutions for the problems that we face, and secondly there is a strong need for connecting innovators with entrepreneurs, who can convert the ideas or prototypes into commercialized products or services.
Dr Mirza said that Pakistani innovators are using their skills in producing energy from renewable technologies, which can be linked with industry to eliminate poverty and generate employment. He said that with the help of IsDB we have started a project of mobile health clinics in Islamabad that will obviously facilitate people in providing basic health facilities in remote areas. Health minister said that IsDB and COMSTECH will provide support for providing health, education, food security and safe drinking for the poor of the society.
Addressing the gathering and during the press conference, President Islamic Development Bank Dr. Bandar Hajjar said, Pakistan is the integral member country of the IsDB group and is the third largest beneficiary of IsDB financing.
The IsDB group has provided a total financing of 12.43 billion USD to Pakistan, helping improve the lives of the people of Pakistan through a range of development projects. He highlighted that IsDB is financing Neelum Jhelum Hydro Power Project, Jamshoro Power Station, CASA 1000 project for improving energy needs of the country. Dr Bandar Hajjar said that he had a very fruitful and constructive meetings with the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan. He said that Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision of Road to Naya Pakistan will pave way for the economic prosperity of the country. He said IsDB has earmarked a 500 million USD fund for promoting science technology and innovation in the member countries.
The competition attracted more than 200 entrants from across Pakistan, with shortlisted 20 teams presented their innovative ideas and 4 finalists were selected by the esteemed judging panel, awarded $3,000 seed capital and a ticket to Transformers Roadshow final to be held in Senegal later this year. The initiatives were assessed in line with the SDGs agenda across factors such as innovativeness, impact and outreach, practicality, scalability, sustainability, potential for patenting and commercialisation.
Coordinator General COMSTECH addressing the press conference said that “We are committed to developing local talent and nurturing solutions to key challenges. We are delighted that this event attracted some of Pakistan’s top minds who have made it their mission to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.” He said that the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan is collaborating with IsDB for funding innovative projects by Pakistani scientists.
Dr Hayat Sindi, Senior Advisor to the President, Islamic Development Bank said: “The quality of the applications here in Pakistan has been exceptionally high, and I am delighted to see so many innovative and novel solutions proposed across such a diverse mix of development issues. Science, technology and innovation are at the heart of the IsDB’s strategy and through the Transform Fund, our dream is to support solutions designed by local entrepreneurs and innovators who understand their communities.”
Winners of the competition will receive an invitation to attend the 2019 IsDB Transformers Summit in Senegal. The winners were:
Dr Osman Hassan, Smart SIM (Health)
Dr Khawaja Arsalan Habib, Short Circuit Fault Localization System (Energy)
Hassan Bin Rizwan, Muse Lessons (Education)
Ms Rehana Balti, Appricot Processing Strategy (Agriculture)
Teams presented their ideas to an esteemed judging panel from public and private sectors including:
Dr Hayat Sindi, Chief STI advisor to the President of the IsDB
Mr Yusuf Hussain, CEO, Ignite
Dr Fil Randazzo, CEO and Founder, Leverage Science
Lars Kroijer, Founder, Allied Crowds
Launched in July 2018, the Transformers Roadshow is one of the initiatives led by the IsDB Transform Fund set up to support the IsDB’s strategic focus on capacity building and human capital development. Previous editions took place in Uzbekistan, Niger, Kazakhstan and Bangladesh, where the Bank has awarded nine innovators. The IsDB mission via the Transform Fund is to equip people to drive their own economic and social progress at scale, putting the infrastructure in place to enable them to fulfil their potential.
The multi-talented anchor, activist and public speaker, Sidra Iqbal is all set for her special Ramadan transmission by the name of ‘Baraan-e-Rehmat’.
The show is expected to be aired on Aaj News every day all through Ramadan, between 1 to 4 pm.
Talking about the show, Iqbal commented, “I am looking forward to hosting Baraan –e-Rehmat, Ramzan 2019 special show on Aaj News. My team and I have put in a lot of thought, love and dedication in designing this daily. It will cover socio-religious subjects and allow viewers to learn and reflect in this holy month. I believe it’s a month for inward reflection and spiritual growth, and that has exact been the central thought of this show and its thoughtful segments.
Sidra Iqbal has been a youth icon for many years now. She became the first Pakistani who was invited to take part in the International Leadership Program in 2016, by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of UK. She has been in the media industry since 2005 and is famed as a communication and media strategist, and a life coach for the youth. The only Pakistani to have received the GR8 Women Award for Journalism, Sidra Iqbal has successfully given a new face to our morning shows. With her graceful presence, Sidra Iqbal’s appearance this Ramzan on ‘Baraan-e-Rehmat’ can be looked forward to by her viewers.
