SHELL TAMEER AWARDS 2017
The biennial Shell Tameer Awards took place at the British Deputy High Commission in a ceremony attended by prominent industry and business leaders as well as young entrepreneurs of the country. The jury comprising established professionals judged the top 12 finalists in four categories.
Shell Tameer Awards is a nationwide competition that recognizes and rewards the entrepreneurial creativity and talent of young Pakistani entrepreneurs and provides them with a platform to further their business ideas. Hosted by Shell Tameer, the Awards recognize and reward the brightest business ideas. Since its inception in 2003, through the Tameer platform, over 1000 businesses have been setup, 12,000 aspiring entrepreneurs have been trained and over 800,000+ youth have been engaged on enterprise development to date.
At the event, Jawwad Cheema, Managing Director, Shell Pakistan Limited said: “Shell Tameer Awards are a fundamental part of our enterprise generation efforts in Pakistan, providing young Pakistani talent with a platform that highlights their achievement and elevates them as role models to spark socio-economic progress and change. If we hope to provide youth with meaningful career options, we must continue to create such opportunities for them to shine – and I congratulate our winners here today on their incredible achievements.”
British Deputy High Commissioner, Belinda Lewis also addressed the audience on the UK’s support for such initiatives that provide livelihoods and work towards the country’s economic development and progress. During her address she said: “The British Deputy High Commission is a strong supporter of entrepreneurship initiatives. We are honored to collaborate with Shell on the Tameer Awards competition. I would like to express how pleased I am with what I have seen and heard today. I commend Shell for its leadership role in raising corporate social responsibility standards in Pakistan and urge and encourage other private sector companies to follow this exemplary model.”
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ROTARY PAKISTAN “TOTAL LITERACY AND QUALITY EDUCATION IN PAKISTAN”
Rotary Pakistan hosted a fund raising concert with world renowned singer Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan at D.H.A. Golf Club Karachi for supporting Literacy and Education in Pakistan.
Rotary Pakistan Literacy Mission (RPLM) has adopted more than 100 government schools in Karachi in the first phase of their mission of “Total Literacy and Quality Education”.
These schools will be remodeled by undertaking extensive work on teacher training, child development and infrastructure development. They will be brought at par with private school to meet the ever evolving educational needs of our society.
In his opening remarks District Literacy Chairman Sindh & Baluchistan PDG Iqbal Qureshi emphasized the importance of literacy in the region and the objectives of Rotary International. He highlighted, Rotary’s achievements and the contribution in improving the lives of the people in Pakistan.
Chairman, Rotary Pakistan Literacy Mission, PDG Muhammad Faiz Kidwai briefed the audience on the RPLM T.E.A.C.H. program, its working, goals and objectives. He highlighted the importance of the fund raiser which is held to support the literacy cause. He thanked the audience for their support and appreciated the services of the organizing partner, Rapido by calling their CEO Syed Kashif Rafi and RCK Darakhshan President, Waqar Ahmed Shaikh on stage and acknowledged their efforts.
District Governor Nominee, Rtn. Irfan Qureshi delivered the appreciation note and thanked all the partners, sponsors, Rotarians, Rotractors, volunteers and especially the audience for being there.
The event was hosted by Mr. Salman Ahmed, CEO PME World and Ayesha Sana who emphasized the importance of literacy in Pakistan and also praised the efforts of the maestro Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan for supporting Rotary and literacy in Pakistan.
The maestro Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan mesmerized the audience who were present in thousands with his melodious performance.
Chairman RPLM, PDG Muhammad Faiz Kidwai, District Literacy Chair Sindh, & Baluchistan, PDG Iqbal Qureshi, District Governor 3271, Rtn. Saleem Rao along with District Governor Nominee, Rtn. Irfan Qureshi, RCK Darakhshan President, Waqar Ahmed Shaikh presented a shield to Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan for the all his support to Rotary Pakistan Literacy Mission.
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PSO LAUNCHES ITS “REFUEL” VENDING MACHINES AT PSO RETAIL OUTLETSÂ
The country’s largest oil marketing company Pakistan State Oil (PSO) has recently contracted to place vending machines at its retail outlet with the brand name “Refuel”. The state of the art vending machines have been currently installed at  PSO stations in Karachi; Ideal Service Station (Shahrah-e-Faisal), AB Ghazi Service Station, near Abdullah Shah Ghazi. Owing to the awesome response from customers, the company now plans to introduce ‘Refuel’ machines at its new vision retail outlets nationwide.
With the launch of “Refuel”, customers will now be able to purchase snacks and beverages such as cold drinks, energy drinks, drinking water, chips, chocolates, cookies and much more of their choice conveniently while getting their fuel tanks filled. The machine accepts paper money including coins. This non fuel retail initiative reiterates PSO’s commitment to bring about improvement in the lives of its customers that is not just limited to the realm of fuel.
With the placement of the easy to operate “Refuel” vending machines at PSO outlets, the company is striving to enhance the overall experience of its customers when they visit its retail outlet. The positive response from customers to this initiative affirms this. The company lays great emphasis on the needs of its customers in today’s rapidly changing dynamic environment and such initiatives in the non-fuel retail segment enable it to go the extra mile for its customers.
PSO values its relationship with its customers and this non fuel retail initiative comes after the recently signed agreement between the company and Allied Bank to install ATMs at PSO stations nationwide.
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NISHAT GROUP AND SOC FILMS JOIN HANDS TO SUPPORT SABA QAISER
Mr. and Mrs. Mian Mohammad Mansha, of Pakistan’s leading business conglomerate the Nishat Group, joined hands with multiple award winning film house SOC Films to lend support to Saba Qaiser, the subject of the Oscar award winning documentary A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness and a victim of an attempted “honour killing”.
Mr. and Mrs. Mansha worked with SOC Films to facilitate rehabilitative support to Saba Qaiser, who was forced to leave her family home after being made target of an attempted “honour killing” by her father and uncle. Mr. and Mrs. Mansha financially aided and facilitated the means to construct a new home for Saba in Gujranwala, where she along with her husband will resettle and start a new family.
Speaking about Saba, Chairman Nishat Group, Mr. Mian Mohammad Mansha said ” Saba’s story is very tragic and one that as a father and grandfather, affected me deeply on a personal level. In a country where it’s incredibly disheartening to see ‘honour killings’ become so commonplace, Saba’s story is one of resilience, perseverance and the ability to overcome. When we heard about her story, my wife Naz and I immediately decided that we needed to reach out to SOC Films and see how best we could lend our support to Saba and her cause. We are delighted to be able to support Saba in her new life and hope that she’s able to start afresh in her new home. “
Speaking about Saba and her collaboration with the Nishat Group, Oscar winning filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy said, ” Saba’s story is singularly unique as she is one of the few victims of ‘honour killings’ who survived her ordeal and lived to tell her tale, but not without being left scarred, both physically and emotionally. I am very grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Mansha for lending their valuable support to Saba and in assisting her in the construction and development of a new home where she can begin her life anew. Their support will go a long way towards helping Saba retake control of her life, allowing her the opportunity for a more hopeful and positive future.”
Mr. and Mrs. Mansha are committed philanthropists and provide regular support to numerous Pakistani charities and social causes. In the past they have lent personal support to Saleem Memorial Trust Hospital, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust, Lahore Hospital Welfare Society, Nawaz Shariff Kidney Hospital, Swat, Human Rights Society of Pakistan, Kidney Care Centre, the Citizens Foundation (TCF), Friends of Pakistan Institute of Cardiology Trust, Care Foundation and SOS Village among many others.
A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness charters the journey of Saba Qaiser, an 18-year-old Pakistani girl who fell in love with and married a young man of whom her family did not approve. For this “crime”, her father and uncle kidnapped her from the home of her new husband’s family, drove her to a riverbank, shot her in the head, placed her in a sack and threw her in the river. Saba was one of over 1,000 women targeted for “honour killings” every year in Pakistan, but unlike most of those nameless victims, Saba survived.
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JS BANK WINS CSR SOCIAL IMPACT AWARD
JS Bank received a CSR award for the 5th year in a row for its Corporate Social Responsibility in the category of “Social Impact” in recognition of its efforts to empower and improve the lives of the disadvantaged members of society.
The award recognizes the overall positive social impact that JS Bank initiatives have had through its community programs especially in the areas of health, education, sustainable development and relief efforts across the country. JS Bank conducts its CSR activities through the charitable arm of JS Group, Mahvash & Jahangir Siddiqui Foundation.
JS Bank is considered amongst the fastest growing banks within Pakistan’s banking landscape and currently operates 307 branches in 152 cities with one overseas branch in Bahrain. JS Bank is part of JS Group, one of Pakistan’s most diversified and progressive financial services groups.
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IBA ALUMNUS MR. MUHAMMAD ZUBAIR TAKES OATH AS 32ND GOVERNOR OF SINDH
IBA Karachi is proud to announce that Mr. Muhammad Zubair, Alumnus of 1980 has been appointed as the 32nd Governor of Sindh. He was sworn in as the Governor of Sindh on Thursday in a ceremony at Governor House in Karachi. Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court Syed Sajjad Ali Shah administered the oath to Muhammad Zubair at the ceremony.
Mr. Zubair was serving as Chairman of the Privatization Commission at the time of his appointment as the Governor.
Mr. Zubair holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Institute of Business Administration, Karachi. During his IBA days, he was elected to the Board of Directors of IBA Karachi as the Student representative in 1980. He also taught Financial Management across 1981-1986 at the IBA. Mr. Zubair has also proven his mettle in the corporate sector, he has spent 26 years with IBM from 1981-2007. He has also served as the Chief Financial Officer, IBM, Middle East / Africa Region based in Dubai, and has worked for IBM, Pakistan rising in ranks to become the Chief Financial Officer.
Mr. Zubair is another addition to IBA’s long list of illustrious alumni. The IBA Karachi community would like to congratulate the new Governor of Sindh on his appointment and we hope that he serves Sindh profusely and elevates the province to greater heights.
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SECMC PARTNERS WITH IBA TO TRAIN THARI ENGINEERS
With an aim to produce high quality human resources from an area with the lowest human development indicators; Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC) and Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Karachi have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to impart high quality training to engineers hailing from Tharparkar.
Under the program, IBA Karachi will teach management related courses to Thari engineers in Thar Block II of District Tharparkar, these engineers have been selected through SECMC’s under Thari Trainee Engineers Program (TTEP).
A formal agreement signing ceremony was held here on Monday, signed by Mr. Shamsuddin Ahmed Shaikh, Chief Executive Officer of SECMC and Dean and Director of IBA Karachi Dr. Farrukh Iqbal. The MoU was also co-signed by Mr. Ahsan Zafar Syed, Chief Operating Officer of Engro Powergen Thar Limited (EPTL) and Mr. Kashif Ahmed Soomro, Director Human Resources, SECMC.
Thar Trainee Engineers Program is a unique initiative, launched by SECMC, Engro Powergen Limited and Engro Powergen Thar Limited for the youth of Thar with the objective of developing the local talent by providing them with the best 2-year-long professional training at Mine and Power Project at SECMC Block II, Tharparkar.
Trainees hired through this program will be provided trainings in managerial, technical and self-development skills. They will also receive on-the-job training and individual mentoring focused on preparing them for successful professional careers.
Speaking on the occasion, SECMC CEO, Mr. Shamsuddin Shaikh said that through this program, we aim to pave the way for future leaders and fill the talent pipeline for Thar Coal and future projects
“Development of quality human resource from Tharparkar is an integral part of objectives set under Engro’s Thar Coal project, which would help them to acquire senior managerial positions in future,” he added.
Dr. Farrukh Iqbal was of the view that these initiatives continue to be implemented in a way that generates sustained benefits for Thari students, belonging to the underdeveloped area of Tharparkar.
In recent years, he said, the Institute has launched new academic programs, the hiring of many more full-time PhD faculty, and the establishment of new centers and partnerships, which would be utilized to benefit Thari Engineers to build their career and serve Pakistan.
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GIFT UNIVERSITY WITNESSES ITS 6TH CONVOCATION
GIFT University witnessed a landmark celebration on the occasion of its 6th Convocation at the main campus on Saturday, 28 January 2017. It was to commemorate the academic accomplishments of the students by awarding them with Medals, Degrees and Certificates.
The Governor Punjab, Mr. Malik Muhammad Rafique Rajwana, nominated the Rector GIFT University, Prof. Dr. Qaiser Shehryar Durrani to preside over the ceremony, while Prof. Dr. Muhammad Nizamuddin, Chairperson Punjab Higher Education Commission graced the event as the Guest of Honor. Chairman GIFT University, Mr. Muhammad Anwar Dar was also present on the occasion.
The Chairperson Punjab Higher Education Commission, Prof. Dr. Nizamuddin emphasized on the importance of higher education in Pakistan and urged the private sector to further support the rich potential of human resource in this region. He also ensured that PHEC is striving hard to award scholarships in collaboration with international universities for PhD students. He acknowledged the vital role of GIFT University is playing, in developing the region.
Addressing the occasion, the Chairman GIFT University, Mr. Muhammad Anwar Dar congratulated the students and their parents and wished them a prosperous future ahead. He said that this degree is only the first milestone of a very long learning roadmap that lies ahead of them. He also expressed pride that students had strived very hard to acquire knowledge and skills.
Earlier in inaugural address, The Rector GIFT University, Prof. Dr. Qaiser Shehryar Durrani said that the University is committed to spur the nation’s economic growth and development by converting knowledge into practical experience. He congratulated the graduates and advised them to always act in a dignified and ethical way, upholding the Islamic principles of honesty, justice and fair play.
GIFT alumni also addressed the graduating students, shared their experiences with them and wished them good luck for the future. After the formal ceremony students celebrated their success on campus with enthusiasm and fun filled activities.
The ceremony was marked with deep appreciation from teachers, parents, friends, high motivation by the Rector and best wishes for the future. The number of GIFT University alumni after this convocation has reached 2700+ students.
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DOLMEN CARES FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS PAKISTAN
Dolmen Mall, Pakistan’s first international standard mall, hosted the young athletes from Special Olympics Pakistan (SOP) at Dolmen Mall Clifton.
Under the umbrella of Dolmen Cares, Dolmen Mall partnered with SOP to host Young Athletes, prior to their annual marathon on February 5th at the Moin Khan Academy, for a guided tour of the mall, a fun visit to Sindbad, a chocolate surprise by Lal’s Chocolate and a scrumptious meal by McDonald’s at the food court.
“As a conscientious and disability friendly mall, we took this opportunity to understand how to improve access and facilitation for everyone, because Dolmen mall is for everyone,” said Naureen Altaf Khan, General Manager, Marketing Dolmen Real Estate Management.
Guests and onlookers shared their appreciation while the management of Dolmen Mall engaged with the children distributing goodies, taking pictures and sharing words of encouragement prior to their upcoming Special Olympics Marathon.
“The support from Dolmen has been fantastic. As a mall, Dolmen understands that public space needs to be accessible for people with disabilities, and it goes out of its way to open its doors to differently abled people. Dolmen is truly a pioneer in this and we are so grateful to the entire team at Dolmen for reaching out to us and making our athletes feel so welcome. This is the first step towards bringing people with disabilities into mainstream society and promoting inclusion,” said Ronak Lakhani, Chairperson, Special Olympics Pakistan
Dolmen Mall Clifton provides ease of access for people with disabilities or immobility through elevators and ramps, making sure anyone who wants to visit the mall can do so without hesitation or assistance. Additionally, wheelchair booking and facilitation service in the mall mobilizes not only the disabled but also the elderly. All floor levels within the mall have disabled-only toilets within the washrooms along with vigilant and trained facilitation staff.
For people with disabilities and senior citizens, the mall provides free of charge valet parking at the mall entrance and dedicated parking areas in the basement conveniently located next to the elevators. With a five year legacy of unparalleled personalised service and state of the art facilities, Dolmen Mall Clifton continues to establish itself as a mall with a heart.