The Green Line bus rapid transit project is part of a grand scheme to give the city of Karachi a decent mass transit service. The project, launched in 2016 when the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz ruled in the center, was officially inaugurated by Prime Minister Imran Khan on Dec 10. However, a parallel ‘launch’ was also organized a day earlier when PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal and other party workers showed up at a Green Line station, only to be met by security men.
Karachi’s population is officially 15 million but politicians and urban experts claim that at least 25m people live here, deprived of a proper mass transit system for decades.
Irshad Hussain Bukhari, who heads the Karachi Transport Ittehad, a trade body of transporters, claimed that only 5,000 public buses are plying on the roads of Karachi. Reportedly, ever since the issues of ethnic violence that erupted in the city in 1986, more than 20,000 buses were either burnt or turned into trucks.
While the Green Line project has been launched to address Karachi’s chronic transport problem, the scheme has also been politicized, as was witnessed during the official launching ceremony. However, for commuters, all that really matters is a working public transport system
ISLAMABAD, Dec 17 (APP): Pakistani wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan would join Sussex following Australia’s tour of Pakistan that concludes in early April.
He would be available in both Championship and T20 cricket until the end of the Vitality Blast in mid-July. As well as being regarded as one of the most accomplished ‘keepers in the world, the 29-year-old from Peshawar also has a formidable batting record in all formats.
In 54 T20s, Mohammad averages a stunning 50.06 with the bat at a strike-rate of 126.6. He has enjoyed a stellar 2021, becoming the first batter to score over a thousand T20I runs in a calendar year and surpassed Chris Gayle’s six-year-old record for the most T20 runs scored in a calendar year.
He was also the third highest run-scorer in the recent ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, scoring 281 runs in six innings as Pakistan made it to the semi-finals, and is now ranked by the ICC as the world’s fourth best batter in men’s T20Is.
Rizwan was full of positivity after signing for Sussex, sending this message to the club’s supporters, “Dear Sussex Family, assalamu alaikum. I am absolutely honoured and excited to be a part of the historic Sussex County Cricket Club for the 2022 season. I have always heard great things about the Sussex community and this family club was always close to my heart.
“In my heart, I know our young team has the potential to beat any team. Our strength lies in our hard work, honesty, deep commitment, and self-belief: we can win, we will win, and we will play like champions, no matter what! In shaa Allah, I look forward to a great season,” sussexcricket.co.uk quoted him as saying.
Ian Salisbury, Sussex’s Championship and One-Day Head Coach, said, “Mohammad’s first-class and Test records speak for themselves and it’s a huge coup to welcome him to Sussex for a big chunk of next season’s Championship. As well as his playing credentials, it’s clear from speaking to people like Mushy (Mushtaq Ahmed) and Saqlain Mushtaq that Mohammad will also be a wonderful addition to the dressing room.
James Kirtley, Sussex’s T20 Head Coach, said, “Sussex are incredibly lucky to secure the services of Mohammad Rizwan. There is only a select number of players that have scored centuries in all three formats. On top of this he averages around 40 in all formats at an impressive strike rate. Couple this with his ability to keep wicket and he is one of the most exciting cricketers in the world.
He will be an excellent replacement at the top of the order and with the gloves in our Blast team and I am extremely pleased to be filling that gap with an international player of his calibre.
“As important as his performances are on the pitch, we needed to be sure Mohammad would be right for our environment. During our extensive research there was resounding support from those that know him. He is a natural leader and a player who will inspire.
I am very much looking forward to welcoming him to Sussex as the latest in a long line of successful cricketers that have played for Pakistan and Sussex,” he said.
Faisalabad: Zameen.com – Pakistan’s largest real estate enterprise – organised a three-day successful Property Sales Event (PSE) in Faisalabad. The latest PSE in the industrial metropolis was attended by a flattering number of families.
This month’s event showcased a total of 17 premium real estate projects for the perusal of potential buyers and investors. Some of the projects represented include Sitara Icon Tower, The Edge Mall, Orchard Homes, Lyallput Commercial Hub, Gulberg Housing, Executive Commercial Market, Chenab City, Prime City and Super City. In addition to these, Zameen.com’s sister concern – Zameen Developments – also made an appearance with its premium mixed-use projects; Zameen Quadrangle, Zameen Aurum, Zameen Opal, Mall 35, Zameen Homes and Zameen Ace Mall. All these projects are exclusively marketed and sold by Zameen.com.
The attendees of the PSE were guided by the expert sales team that used real-time market insights, statistics and authentic data research to help the buyers make informed decisions. As is the tradition of the event, the attendees were also given event-only special discounts.
During the event, Senior Director Sales (Central) Sheikh Shuja-Ullah Khan briefed the media and stated that Zameen.com has always brought the best and most promising projects of the real estate sector for the interested buyers. He associated the property sales event with the firm’s efforts to promote the national property sector.
Additionally, Director Project Sales (Central) Muzaffar Majeed stated that the real estate projects presented by Zameen.com in the event are singular owing to their innovative technologies, luxury amenities, high returns ratio and security of investment. He went on to say that that the property sector is at the forefront of the national economy and this one sector is helping boost the growth of over 50 allied industries.
Zameen.com Regional Sales Manager (Faisalabad) Asad Saleem also addressed the ceremony and assured the attendees that all projects on display are 100% transparent and above board.
ISLAMABAD: The government is mulling over suspending mobile services in the capital for three days from Dec 17 to 19.
The decision is likely in the wake of the upcoming conference of the Council for Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) on Afghanistan.
Sources said that the mobile service is likely to remain suspended in the capital during the three-day conference.
In this connection, the interior ministry has issued directives to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), they added.
Moreover, sources privy to the matter said that the foreign ministry has proposed a public holiday in the federal capital on December 20 in order to ensure a safe movement and foolproof security of the dignitaries, foreign ministers, from multiple Muslim and other countries.
On December 04, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has announced that Pakistan will host the session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Islamabad on December 19.
ISLAMABAD, Dec 16 (APP): President Dr Arif Alvi on Thursday said the adoption of latest technology and gearing up for the fourth industrial revolution was the best pathway for Pakistan to achieve the goals of prosperity.
Addressing at the 7th International Conference on Aerospace Science and Engineering (ICASE) here at the Institute of Science and Technology, he said being the fifth largest human resource in the world, it was important for Pakistan to increase its technological footprint.
ISLAMABAD: December 16 – President Dr. Arif Alvi addressing the International Conference on Aerospace Science and Engineering (ICASE) 2021. APP
The event organized by the National Centre for GIS (Geographic Information Science) & Space Applications was joined by foreign and local scientists to discuss several topics including aeronautics, space sciences, materials science and engineering, avionics, remote sensing and geo informatics.
President Alvi said the study of space, galaxies, and various other astronomical phenomena was a centuries-old endeavour, that had been intertwined with the development of human societies.
He said resistance to new technologies hampered the journey of development and stressed the need for scientific research in cutting-edge space sciences to match the challenges of the contemporary world.
He mentioned the utility of space sciences in everyday life and added that improving the technical and professional capacity in climate change could help manage the adverse impact for Pakistan being one among the most vulnerable countries.
Also, he said, the areas including food security, agriculture, crop patterns, and environment could also benefit from research in space science and geoinformatics.
ISLAMABAD: December 16 – President Dr. Arif Alvi in a group photo with the participants of International Conference on Aerospace Science and Engineering (ICASE) 2021. APP
Dr Alvi said the past century had been host to many technological advancements resulting in a gradual progression towards the betterment of society.
He emphasized strengthening scientific and theoretical foundations to create professionals with the thorough capability of applying the knowledge for research, analysis, and design.
He expressed confidence that IST would equip its students with specialized education in the fields of engineering and space science to address the emerging national and global issues in the said fields.
Lahore: Pakistan’s leading real estate enterprise Zameen.com recently organised a Property Sales Event (PSE) at a private hotel in Lahore. A large number of people attended the event. Zameen’s Senior Director Laeeque Chaudhry was present on the occasion, and was accompanied by Zameen Project Sales Directors Basil Hafeez, Hafiz Usman Sarwar, and Ali Rehan.
The event featured 34+ real estate projects from Lahore, for which Zameen.com is the exclusive sales and marketing partner, including Zameen Opal, Zameen Quadrangle, Zameen Aurum, T Square, Pearl One Residencies, Zee Avenue, Amanah Noor Residence, Residence 15, Icon Valley Phase 2, J Heights, Grand Square Mall, Gulberg City Centre, DB32, Defence View Apartments, Sitara Serene Tower, Pace Circle, Icon Homes and Zaamin City. Special discounts were also offered to the attendees during the event.
Speaking on the occasion, Zameen.com’s Senior Director Chaudhry Laeeque Iftikhar stated that the point of the Property Sales Events was to present the public with the best and most trustworthy projects, and that the company would continue to do so in the future. The projects onboarded by Zameen offer potential customers the best facilities in the market and incredible investment opportunities with great returns. He added that the real estate industry played a vital role in the development of the country’s economy and that the success of over 70 other local industries was dependent on the growth of the property sector.
At the conclusion of the event, Zameen.com’s Sales Experts took the time to present a statistical overview of the current market situation, in addition to providing information on safe and secure real estate investment opportunities in the city and beyond.
Prime Minister Imran Khan has been named on the list of the world’s most admired men in YouGov’s international survey this year.
Former US president Barack Obama has retained his position in the survey this year, having wrested the position from long-time incumbent Bill Gates last year.
According to a YouGov survey, Michelle Obama likewise holds on to her position as the world’s most admired woman for the third year running.
The top three spots for each sex have been unchanged since last year, with business tycoon and philanthropist Gates remaining second among men, followed by Chinese premier Xi Jinping.
Actress and humanitarian Angelina Jolie continue to be the world’s second-most admired woman, ahead of third-placed British monarch Queen Elizabeth II.
This year’s study surveyed more than 42,000 people in 38 countries and territories to compile the list.
Pakistani human rights campaigner Malala Yousafzai and Indian actress Priyanka Chopra have risen farthest in the ranks this year, climbing five places to 9th and 10th, respectively.
Among the men, Argentine footballer Lionel Messi has seen the greatest increase since last time, climbing four places from 11th to 7th – his highest rank to date.
Despite this record placement, as well as, his recent Ballon D’or win, Messi still lags behind Portuguese rival Cristiano Ronaldo in 4th place (also Ronaldo’s best showing to date).
Entertainers are more prominent in the female list, with 10 of the most admired women being actresses, singers or TV presenters (although some, like Emma Watson and Angelina Jolie, are also notable for their humanitarian work). By contrast, the list of most admired men contains more people from political, business and sporting backgrounds.
New additions to the top twenties this year include US President Joe Biden and his vice president Kamala Harris, Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, Thai rapper Lisa (of Blackpink fame), and New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern.
This year’s rankings also see the re-entry into the top twenties of investor Warren Buffett, Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan, Indian actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, and Chinese actresses Liu Yifei and Yang Mi.
The results are calculated from the combination of responses to two questions – whether a respondent admires the figure at all and then whether they are the figure the respondent admires the most.
Each nation’s results in the global compilation are also weighted to represent the country’s population size.
OLX Mall, the E-Commerce platform of OLX Pakistan, partners with Zero to offer customers exclusive deals on tech wellness products
Lahore, Pakistan – OLX Mall, the E-commerce platform of OLX Pakistan announced a partnership with Zero, a zero-illness and zero-stress lifestyle brand. With this partnership, customers would be able to benefit from exclusive pricing and promotions when they purchase Zero products from OLX Mall.
A formal signing ceremony was held at OLX Office in Lahore. In attendance were Asim Khan – Chief Executive Officer, Waqas Awan – Marketing Manager, Usaid Ahmad – Marketplace Manager from Zero and Adil Anver – Associate Director Commercial & Growth, Usman Zikria – Category Manager for Electronics, Badar Usman – Campaign Manager, Maha Athar Butt – Category Lead Lifestyle, Ayesha Akram – PR Manager from OLX Pakistan.
In-home health and fitness have been increasing in popularity, and it saw a steady rise during the pandemic as routines evolved with stay-home culture. More and more people are making self-care a priority while achieving their goals.
“We’re incredibly excited to offer tech wellness products on our platform,” said Associate Director Commercial & Growth, Adil Anver.
“These unique products are curated keeping the changing times in mind and a new market altogether. We’re hoping we’re able to welcome them with exclusive pricing and deals.”
“We are very much excited to list our healthcare products on the OLX Mall. Our sales started from day one & with the pace we are going, there is absolutely no doubt that OLX Mall will be the upcoming giant of the local e-commerce marketplace. Hopefully, we will grow together by offering exclusive deals and offers. Good luck to Team OLX,” said the Chief Executive Office, Asim Khan.
About OLX Mall:
OLX has been operating in Pakistan since 2009 and has built a leading destination for buying, selling, and exchanging products and services, becoming the number 1 marketplace in the country. Earlier in 2020, OLX Pakistan became a part of EMPG, valuing at US $1 billion, thus forming a proud unicorn of Pakistan.
OLX Mall is an E-Commerce platform under the OLX banner that provides consumers the opportunity to buy brand new products online, choosing from a wide range of categories including mobiles, electronics, appliances, gaming consoles, computers, lifestyle, health and beauty. It offers express delivery on a variety of products in key cities and an exclusive last mile solution employing OLX Move. Maximum customer convenience is ensured through customer support 7 days a week and a 14-day return option.
ZERO is Asia’s No. 1 Healthcare brand that provides you a zero-illness & zero-stress lifestyle. ZERO has made a great and deep impression in consumers’ minds. With the precise marketing strategy, excellent brand reputation and professional attitude, they won the ASIA PACIFIC TOP EXCELLENCE BRAND AWARD in 2012, and MALAYSIAN HEALTH & WELLNESS BRAND AWARDS in 2018, and GOLDEN BULL AWARD in 2019.
It looks like historically based dramas are dominating the Pakistani screens now with an other addition to it by the drama serial Jo Bichar Jaye. They sent out feelers for their historical drama with teasers that were silent but promised a gripping plot, which the trailer proved.
In the trailer we see, Maya Ali and Wahaj Ali will be star lead with Talha Chahour and Nadia Jameel in smaller roles. Based on true events, the historical drama appears to be set during the 1971 war, with clashes leading to Dhaka’s collapse. With animosity on both sides, our main characters will find themselves in the midst of a struggle, each fighting for a cause they believe in, albeit they may not always be on the right side of history.
In the trailer, Maya Ali appears to be a performer of sorts from East Pakistan who opposes the revolution and is seen accusing a man of being a murderer for instigating the revolt in one scene.
Jo Bichar Gaye is directed by Haissam Hussain and written by Ali Moeen, will be releasing on this Sunday. While the drama is expected to be dramatic, it is also expected to be heartbreaking, as most historical dramas are.
New Launch | Jo Bichar Gaye | Starting on 12th December | Wahaj Ali | Maya Ali | Talha Chahour
OLX Mall, OLX Pakistan’s e-commerce platform, partners with Silkbank to offer credit card customers convenient installment plans.
KARACHI, Pakistan: OLX Mall, OLX Pakistan’s e-commerce platform has partnered with Silkbank Limited to offer users the added convenience of the ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ plan. With this alliance, Silkbank credit card customers will be able to shop online from OLX Mall and convert their transactions into installment plans with zero markup for up to 6 months.
The signing ceremony was held at OLX head office. OLX Pakistan Country Manager E-Commerce Mr. Umair Munir; OLX Pakistan Head of Partnerships Alliances Mr. Syed Salman Bukhari; Silkbank Head Alliances, Loyalty & New Initiatives Mr. Nouman Butt; and Silkbank Regional Manager Loyalty & Alliances Mr. Kaleem Sheikh.
“Witnessing the growing trend of online shopping in Pakistan, we found it imperative to align our strategic goals with the intention of providing convenience to our Credit Card customers. This promising partnership allows us to serve our customers better,” Silkbank Head Alliances, Loyalty & New Initiatives Mr. Nouman Butt commented.
“It is an absolute privilege to be able to strengthen our vision of providing unparalleled online shopping solutions by signing an agreement with Silkbank Limited, the bank that is a mark of innovation and excellence when it comes to credit cards in the country,” OLX Pakistan Country Manager E-Commerce Mr. Umair Munir said.
The agreement will allow the partners to deliver an integrated response to market requirements in order to facilitate the mass adoption of e-commerce.
“Efficient, secure, and easy payment solutions are the game-changer for the mass adoption of E-commerce in Pakistan,” OLX Mall Head of Alliances and Affiliates Mr. Salman Bukhari said.
“Only with such synergies and financial institutions integrations, we can develop a friendly and productive ecosystem that will drive Pakistan into the new retail revolution.”
About OLX Mall:
OLX has been operating in Pakistan since 2009 and has built a leading destination for buying, selling, and exchanging products and services, becoming the number 1 marketplace in the country. Earlier in 2020, OLX Pakistan became a part of EMPG, valued at USD1 billion, thus forming a proud Pakistani unicorn.
OLX Mall is an E-Commerce platform under the OLX banner that provides consumers the opportunity to buy brand new products online, choosing from a wide range of categories including mobiles, electronics, appliances, gaming consoles, computers, lifestyle, health and beauty. It offers express delivery on a variety of products in key cities and an exclusive last mile solution employing OLX Move. Maximum customer convenience is ensured through customer support 7 days a week and a 14-day return option.
Silkbank is a scheduled commercial bank listed on all stock exchanges in Pakistan with its Central Office in Karachi.
On March 31, 2008, a Consortium comprising International Finance Corporation, Bank Muscat S.A.O.G, Nomura European Investment Limited, and Sinthos Capital Advisors (led by Mr. Shaukat Tarin and Mr. Sadeq Sayeed) acquired a majority stake in Saudi Pak Commercial Bank Limited, which was subsequently rebranded as Silkbank Limited on June 1, 2009.
The Bank provides financial services via 111 branches located in 39 cities throughout the country and offers a range of retail, consumer, corporate, and Islamic products. As of today, Silkbank is one of the country’s most dynamic banks with a strengthened retail banking arm.
Excellence is what we aspire for, live, and deliver.
Silkbank recently received the “International Bankers Award” for Best Innovation in Retail Banking in 2020. As of today, Silkbank is proud to be one of Pakistan’s most dynamic banks with a strengthened retail banking arm. Silkbank has completed a decade in the banking industry and continues in our commitment to service quality, bringing the most innovative banking products and services to our customers. Excellence in service quality remains at the core of our business philosophy, while ensuring that our products and processes cater to the diversified financial needs of our valued customers.
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