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Press Releases
PPHI Sindh & ChildLife sign MOU to implement telemedicine services

PPHI Sindh & ChildLife Foundation have signed an MoU, to extend ChildLife’s telemedicine network to selected hospitals under PPHI’s control. This is another step towards the vision of “Every child within 30 minutes of quality, 24×7, emergency services across Sindh”. The MoU was signed by Mr. Javed Ali Jagirani, CEO PPHI Sindh, and Dr. Ahson Rabbani, CEO ChildLife Foundation, on behalf of their organizations.

“We are honored to partner with PPHI Sindh to improve the child healthcare services across Sindh. ChildLife introduced the telemedicine model of emergency care to reach out to the children in remote areas of Sindh. It bridges the gaps of access and improves quality as senior child specialists provide teleconsultation 24×7. Alhamdullilah, to-date ChildLife has implemented its telemedicine model across 87 district and tehsil hospitals of Sindh with the support of Sindh Government. Our aim is to spread the model across all secondary care public hospitals of Pakistan,” said Dr. Ahson Rabbani, CEO ChildLife Foundation.

As per the MoU, ChildLife will replicate its Telemedicine model at select public sector hospitals managed by PPHI Sindh, which includes installation of a high-resolution camera and an IP phone that will be connected to ChildLife’s Telemedicine Control Room. Through this model, ChildLife’s expert pediatricians based at the TM Control Room will assist the on-ground medical staff regarding the treatment of children.

“PPHI Sindh is pleased to join hands with ChildLife Foundation to treat children residing in remote areas of Sindh with the help of adopting ChildLife’s Telemedicine Satellite Center model. PPHI Sindh has deputed trained medical staff at its managed healthcare facilities and this partnership will further enable PPHI to treat patients with the expert advice of ChildLife’s pediatricians through Telemedicine,” said Mr. Javed Ali Jagirani, CEO PPHI Sindh.

PPHI Sindh is a non-profit organization, set up with the objective of revitalizing health services in rural areas of Sindh in partnership with the government. PPHI is focused on provision of primary healthcare services including mother and child health hence it has set up and manages 1330 health facilities in 25 districts of Sindh. These healthcare facilities have modern medical equipment, trained female doctors and midwives who are readily available 24×7 for the treatment of patients. PPHI also provides free medicine and lab tests to the patients.

ChildLife provides life-saving treatment to more than 1.5 million children annually – 247×7 and free of cost. It manages Children Emergency Rooms (ERs) & Telemedicine Satellite Centers in 130+ public sector hospitals across Pakistan, in partnership with the government. The organization is working to make free quality emergency care accessible to children across the country. ChildLife is a PCP & ISO Certified organization and is audited by A. F. Ferguson & Co.


MCB bank launches state-of-the-art ATM upgrade project

MCB Bank Limited (MCB), one of Pakistan’s leading banks, has launched a technology upgrade of its existing ATM network, with over 1,000 state-of-the-art ATMs to be installed across 500 cities nationwide. The upgrade is part of MCB Bank’s commitment to providing innovative and secure financial services to its customers.

The new ATMs are equipped with advanced features making transactions faster, more secure, and easier than ever before. The Bank celebrated the commencement of the project with an inauguration ceremony held at the MCB Bank principal office. President & CEO MCB Bank, Mr. Shoaib Mumtaz formally launched the project of ATM upgradation by cutting a ribbon. The event was attended by Chief Digital Officer, Mr. Shahzad Ishaq, Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Hammad Khalid, CEO Innovative Pakistan, Mr. Naveed Ali Baig, CEO Touch Point, Mr. Tabish Sabah, and other senior representatives from MCB Bank, Innovative Pakistan, and Touch Point.

On the occasion, Mr. Shoaib Mumtaz emphasized MCB Bank’s unwavering commitment to meeting the evolving needs of its customers. “Our customers’ satisfaction is at the core of everything we do, and this technology upgrade reflects our commitment to providing them with the best experience. We believe that this modern ATM upgrade will not only improve customer experience but also drive operational efficiencies and enhance security” said Mr. Mumtaz.


A.P. Moller – Maersk announces ‘Al Maha’ ocean service connecting the ME, W Africa markets   

A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk) announced ocean shipping service, ‘Al Maha’, that will commence its rotation in June 2023. The ‘Al Maha’ service will rotate between the important ports across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Egypt, and Morocco. As a result of this implementation, Maersk will discontinue the ME3 and ME4 services and serve all customers on those trade routes with the Al Maha service.

“Over the last few years, reliable and predictable supply chains that cater to the evolving consumer behaviours have emerged as the backbone of global trade. Having carefully studied our customers’ requirements arising out of the current market dynamics, we have designed the Al Maha service that will help our customers in driving value out of their supply chains”, said Bhavan Vempati, Head of Regional Ocean Management, Maersk Indian Subcontinent, Middle East and Africa.

One service – Multiple benefits  

The Al Maha service aims to benefit exporters and importers in the region across different commodities.

The petrochemical exports from Saudi Arabia have traditionally faced challenges either from either a cost or capacity perspective with existing ocean transportation options. The Al Maha service will offer loading flexibility from Saudi Eastern Province, enabling customers to reshuffle between Dammam and Jubail, providing ample capacity to cater for customers’ needs and with more reliable schedules allowing better planning of their supply chains. The Al Maha service will offer further connections to European, Middle Eastern and Far Eastern markets for the petrochemical exporters out of Saudi Arabia.

Oman’s Vision 2040 focuses on economic diversification, including creating a world-class fisheries sector that is ecologically sustainable and a net contributor to the economy of Oman. The Al Maha service, with its enhanced capacity, will be in an excellent position to support the anticipated growth in fish exports out of Duqm. At the same time, it will continue to deliver unmatched reliability to Maersk’s customers.

Likewise, the UAE – West Africa market will also benefit largely from the enhanced capacity of Al Maha service. With the expectation of higher schedule reliability and predictability from this service, customers will be able to plan their supply chains well in advance and, in return, serve their end-users better.

Bhavan Vempati further added, “We remain committed to our customers and focus on responding to the needs of their end consumers. Our ambition is to play a significant role in the economic growth and development of our customers as well as the economies we operate in.”

The Al Maha service will include seven vessels with a nominal capacity of 8,500 TEUs per week and follow the rotation Port Tangier – Port Said – Jeddah – Salalah – Jebel Ali – Doha – Dammam – Jubail – Jebel Ali – Duqm – Salalah – Jeddah – Port Said – Port Tangiers.


Shell announces financial results for q1 2023

The Board of Directors of Shell Pakistan Limited (SPL) announced the first quarter results for the company on 4th May. The company posted a loss after tax of PKR 4,762 million compared to the profit after tax of PKR 2,079 million made in the same period last year.

The period witnessed devaluation of the Rupee, rising inflation and macroeconomic uncertainty. Continued economic challenges resulted in slowdown in economic activity, decrease in demand and risks to supply security for the company. Finances and profitability of the company also continued to be impacted. However, SPL was able to maintain its market share.

SPL remains committed to operational excellence, safety performance, to further strengthen its financial position, and play a responsible role in society.


Pakistan’s business costs unmanageable: Zahid Hussain

Chairman of National Business Group Pakistan, President Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum, and All Karachi Industrial Alliance, and former provincial minister Mian Zahid Hussain on May 3 said the cost of doing business is kept under control in every country which is necessary for development.

In the countries where the cost of doing business is left unchecked become beggars, he said.

Mian Zahid Hussain said that the business community of the European Union and neighbouring countries take cheap loans and concessions from the government for production, export and technology sectors, while in our country due to the continuous increase in the cost of doing business, planning has become impossible for the businessmen.

The local business community is suffering from extremely high costs of electricity and gas, governance issues and other factors, leaving them unable to consider long-term business planning.

Talking to the business community, the veteran business leader said that business has become almost impossible therefore many entrepreneurs are taking refuge in the real estate sector.

The industrialists of developed countries have the full capacity to compete with other countries in the global market, due to which the economy of their countries develops, while our business community is unable to compete in the global market.

Due to weakness in the system it has become increasingly difficult for our exports to boost exports and earn foreign exchange for the country, he said.

The business leader said that many businessmen know that Pakistan and the property sector cannot develop together but still our policymakers seem least interested.

Due to the investment in the property market by industrialists, acquiring a plot and building a house has become a dream for the middle class.

Mian Zahid Hussain said that in the current economic situation, the real-estate sector has become a haven for domestic industrialists and has become a very profitable business.

At present, the real estate sector is attracting most of the country’s capital and the production sector, which is a major source of employment and foreign exchange in the country, is becoming a loss-making business, unless this trend is changed, the country cannot develop and will always be in need of loans.

Mian Zahid Hussain further said that how can a country progress when people working in foreign countries earn more foreign exchange than the industrialists and send 30 billion dollars to the country annually?

The price of the shares of a well-known business organization in a neighbouring country has decreased by 108 billion dollars in a few days, while the personal wealth of the head of the group has decreased by 48 billion dollars, but it has not made any difference, while Pakistan is knocking on every door to arrange a few billion dollars since months.

He said that the culture of Pakistan and India is not much different but there is a huge difference in policies which has made India a global economic power and Pakistan has become a beggar.


JAZZ game now and freefire award RZX x legacy Rs1m for qualifying for the FFSI

Game Now, Jazz’s online eSports platform, in collaboration with FreeFire, a world-famous multiplayer battle royale mobile game by Garena, has awarded PKR 1 million to RZX x Legacy, the winning team from Pakistan to celebrate its qualification into the FreeFire SEA Invitational (FFSI) 2023.

Game Now and FreeFire have collaborated to hand out a pool prize money of PKR 1 million to RZX x Legacy, which won the month-long qualification rounds in Pakistan from among 1,152 local teams and qualified as one of the 18 teams to compete globally in the FFSI.

The upcoming tournament will be hosted from 12th May to 28th May in Thailand, and the team will leave for Thailand later this week.

Speaking at the event, Kazim Mujtaba, Chief Commercial Officer at Jazz, said, “as a digital-first company, Jazz is committed to creating and bolstering avenues of digital growth in Pakistan. For Pakistan in 2023 alone, the revenue in the online gaming market is estimated to reach over $46 million, and by 2027 this value is predicted at nearly $73 million. These numbers indicate lucrative global opportunities for our youth and a tremendous potential for economic uplift, and Jazz is determined to help materialize this through Game Now.”

Expressing similar zest, Falak Gondal, Partnerships Manager at FreeFire, said, “The global online gaming industry is expected to reach a value of over $32.5 billion by 2027. We are delighted to host this celebratory event with Jazz Game Now, to recognize the brilliant gaming talent of Pakistan and help pave the way for future gamers in the country. This partnership is our token of support for the local gaming ecosystem and is aimed at fostering a thriving gaming culture where local talent is showcased on the world stage.”

Syed Arsalan Qamar, Stream Head Gaming and eSports at Jazz, also highlighted the immense potential of this digital segment saying, “The popularity of eSports in Pakistan calls for rapid development in the sector and Jazz is excited to play a trailblazing role in unlocking this digital achievement.”

Jazz Game Now has been instrumental in supporting online gamers in Pakistan to compete globally. Through this initiative, Jazz is delivering on United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.


IMF plan lacks confidence: Mian Zahid

Chairman of National Business Group Pakistan, President Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum, and All Karachi Industrial Alliance, and former provincial minister Mian Zahid Hussain on May 5 said Pakistan is between the devil and the deep blue sea over stringent IMF conditions.

One reason for delay is release of loan tranche by IMF is lack of confidence, which will hit the budget making exercise.

Mian Zahid Hussain said that the ninth review of the IMF and the staff level agreement should have been completed last year, but the previous regime violated the agreement with the international organization due to which the ninth review was stalled.

Talking to the business community, the veteran business leader said that the individuals are constantly being told that all the new conditions of the IMF have been fulfilled, and that the agreement will be concluded in a few days, but the IMF is changing the goalposts very frequently.

IMF is adding new demands to its list and asking Pakistan continuously to do-more, he observed.

Among the reasons for the unnecessary harshness on the part of the IMF is the fear of this institution that after receiving the loan, affairs in Pakistan will continue to be run irresponsibly and the expenditure will not be controlled, which will result in the country’s bankruptcy.

Mian Zahid Hussain further said that the IMF is also worried that billions of rupees will be wasted to please the voters before the elections, which will further weaken the country’s faltering economy and it will result in disrepute of the lender if Pakistan defaults.

The business leader said that China, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have assured loans to Pakistan.

Moreover, the government is discouraging imports, resulting in a fall of 68 percent in the current account deficit in the last eight months and is expected to further decline in the next four months. Import contraction is also reducing the revenue of FBR.

Inflation has crossed 36 percent, the highest level in Asia, due to which the IMF is demanding a two percent increase in the interest rates.

Mian Zahid Hussain said that economic instability is increasing rapidly due to continuous delay in payment of loan instalments by the IMF. The current agreement with the IMF was signed in 2019 and expires next month.

According to the agreement, Pakistan was supposed to get a loan of six and a half billion dollars, but so far only 3.9 billion dollars have been received. The government has already accepted all IMF conditions on exchange rate, tax rate, energy price, subsidy reduction and interest rate hike but could not convince IMF to release funds.

In this most difficult economic situation, if the nation unites and implements the emergency program of import substitution and privatization of failed government institutions, then this vortex can be exited, he said.


IIL goes green with installation of 1 MW solar power system

International Industries Limited (IIL), Pakistan’s largest manufacturer & exporter of steel and polymer pipes, proudly announces the successful commissioning of a state-of-the-art 1 MW solar power system at IIL Factory 1 in Karachi.

This initiative marks a significant step towards IIL’s larger commitment to sustainability and reducing its environmental footprint by installing a total of 4MW of renewable energy across all its factory locations.

“We are thrilled to unveil our new solar power system, which represents our strong commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship,” said Mr. Sohail R. Bhojani, CEO of International Industries Limited. “By harnessing renewable energy, we are not only reducing our carbon footprint but also demonstrating our dedication to responsible business practices and to contributing towards a greener future for Pakistan and the world at large”, he further added.

Aside from the significant contribution to carbon footprint reduction, the solar power system is expected to generate substantial cost savings for International Industries Limited over its operational lifespan. By relying on solar energy, the company will significantly reduce its dependence on conventional power, thereby mitigating the impact of rising energy costs and enhancing its long-term financial sustainability.

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