DIABETES CENTRE
The Diabetes Centre – TDC, a Not-for-profit organization established to take the bold initiative of fighting Diabetes in Pakistan with international standards of quality care on a welfare basis. Currently, a site clinic which is providing medical services where 60% under privileged diabetic patients are being cured free of cost. Right now, 1 in 10 Pakistanis is diabetic and over 2 million Pakistanis are suffering from this disease and this number is on rise. For this purpose, TDC is frequently organizing diabetes awareness and screening caps in all metropolis and rural areas for timely detection of diabetes.
While The Diabetes Centre Islamabad’s State-of-the-Art comprehensive healthcare facility in nearing to completion with the help of philanthropists, The Diabetes Centre has initiated its 2nd State of the art Diabetes Centre in Lahore with the aim to gradually cured and curb diabetes from Pakistan.
A Fund Raising dinner has been held in Islamabad where the Chairman of The Diabetes Centre, Dr. Asjad Hameed briefed on the current situation of diabetes in Pakistan and measures to prevent diabetes. Dr. Asjad aiming in saving lives and protecting people from diabetes threats to have a more secure nation. At the end, he has requested the nation through media to play their important role in building and helping multidisciplinary medical facilities throughout Pakistan due to the severity of diabetes ailment.
Mr. Umer Kamal, Director Resource Mobilization and Mr. Shaiq Tanveer, Member Advisory Board also presented the updated status of Islamabad and thanked attendees & supporters for their cooperation to bring The Diabetes Centre at this level.
Chief Guest of the The Diabetes Centre Islamabad fund raising dinner, Mr. Sheikh Ansar Aziz, Mayor Islamabad, also addressed where he has assured his full cooperation and support to The Diabetes Centre. Mr. Sheikh Ansar Aziz also appreciated The Diabetes Centre efforts made in this regard.
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PMEX LISTS FUTURES CONTRACT OF NATURAL GAS AND PLATINUM
Pakistan Mercantile Exchange (PMEX), the country’s only multi-commodity futures exchange is relentlessly striving to broaden its product range by launching a diversified product mix. In this regard, PMEX has launched Cash Settled Futures Contracts of Natural Gas and Platinum. These Contracts have been duly approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and have been made available for trading from Tuesday, May 23, 2017.
With the introduction of Natural Gas and Platinum Futures Contracts, the Exchange’s cash settled product portfolio now offers a total of 13 different commodities of varied denominations.
The Natural Gas contracts are being offered in 1,000 & 10,000 mmbtu denominations, whereas Platinum contracts are being offered in 5 & 50 troy ounces denominations. Additionally, the price quotation for all contracts are in USD, however, margins are paid in PKR.
At the launch of the new Futures Contracts, Ejaz Ali Shah, Managing Director, PMEX said: “The Exchange is delighted to offer two more products and is confident that with their introduction, brokers will be able to cater another niche market and investors will also be able to diversify their investment portfolio. I am thankful to the Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) for their continued patronage to PMEX. The diversified product range available to market participants today would not be possible without the visionary resolve of the SECP.”
Natural gas is one of the most significant sources of energy in the world and is therefore critical for global economic growth. In Pakistan, natural gas is produced in significantly large quantity. Its main uses are in power generation, transportation and domestic consumption.
Platinum is a dense, malleable, ductile, highly unreactive, precious, and transition metal. It is used as a catalyst in laboratory equipment, electrical contacts and electrodes, thermometers and jewelry. In Pakistan, platinum is used in various manufacturing industries.
Market participants are encouraged to visit our website www.pmex.com.pk to view details of the product offerings and related information.
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MCB BANK & CSD SIGN MOU FOR RAMZAN CAMPAIGN
MCB Bank, “Pakistan’s Best Bank” (Euromoney & Finance Asia Awards, 2016), has entered into an alliance with Canteen Stores Department (CSD) for the facilitation of special discounts and product promotions during the Holy Month of Ramzan.
Under this agreement, MCB Debit & Credit cardholders and MCB Lite customers will be able to avail special discounts, complimentary beverages and gift vouchers from leading fast food retailers on every transaction made at any CSD store nationwide. This special promotion campaign will be valid throughout Ramzan till Chand Raat.
The MOU was signed between Mr. Imran Maqbool, President & CEO, MCB Bank and Major General (Retd.) Muhammad Tahir, MD – CSD at Pearl Continental Hotel Rawalpindi. Mr. Faisal Ejaz Khan, CIO, MCB Bank, Mr. Ali Naqvi, Business Head Digital Banking, and Mr. Farhan Baig, Business Head, RBG – North were also present at the ceremony, along with other senior executives from both organizations.
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PROSPECTS & CHALLENGES SEMINAR
Speakers at the Seminar on Emerging Digital Ecosystem – Prospects and Challenges, organized by Dellsons in association with JS Bank, have emphasized for the collective efforts to promote the digital Ecosystem in Pakistan by adopting the collaboration mindset.
Seminar featured some of the most insightful speakers from across Pakistan, Europe and the Africa. The seminar was attended by over 50 delegates including CEOs and executives of JS Bank and Group Companies
Syed Irfan Ali, Executive Director Banking Policy and Regulation Group, State Bank during his keynote as the guest of honor said that for the overall digital ecosystem development in Pakistan, a consultative and collaborative approach is required among different stakeholders.
He said that in line with the government’s vision for digital financial inclusion in the country, SBP is serving more as an enabler helping financial institutions transform themselves into digital service providers and creating awareness among the masses to fully capitalize this opportunity for the betterment for all.
Partnerships between banks and financial technologies firms or FinTechs and starts-ups are needed to succeed in this competitive banking landscape of the future. He also shared with the audience that currently SBP is working on the regulation framework for introducing Digital Bank Category in Pakistan which will be aligned with today’s customers’ expectations.
Ali J. Siddiqui, Chairman JS Bank in his keynote said that there are various opportunities for the digital ecosystem in the country. He said that the payment system in the Pakistan is going to digitalize and Fintech companies are gaining space in those areas where banks have not invested or peoples are unbanked.
He went on to emphasize the importance of adoption and change, he highlighted that financial services industry is at the cusp of a digital revolution and incumbents financial institutes will not get a second chance if they do not act fast to transform themselves.
The emergence of the digital forces – Social, Mobile, Analytics, Cloud and the Internet of Things (IoT) – are creating new and valuable avenues and the means to do the cost effective business. The task at hand is certainly not easy. The digital shift is also a cultural shift, with new skills required to meet new “digitally aware” customers, he concluded.
Addressing the seminar, Nadeem Shaikh, Fintech Titan and Founder and CEO of Anthemis Group, an investment and advisory firm focused on digitally native financial services, delivered the international keynote on “Impact of Fintech’ s on Financial services industry”.
Nadeem said that there is a need that banks and financial institutions should prepare for the upcoming challenges of fast growing Fintech industry, he highlighted that incumbents banks needs to redefine their customer and more specifically the competition landscape, he observed that banks are not competing against their pair banks only the biggest threat will come from Fintech and tech giants.
He shared valuable insights about how the Fintech and Startups are reinventing the cost models based on emerging technology and Data, he observed that Fintech companies are looking to be platform companies rather than developing services and products.
Njuguna Ndung’u, Ex-Governor Central Bank of Kenya, in his keynote shared insightful perspective on the success of M-Pesa and the Impact on the Kenyan Economy and People, He went on to explain the M-Pesa methodology and Execution Strategy.
He emphasized that mobile financial services are now proven models, which can have a positive impact on the financial inclusion and need to be adopted in the emerging markets.
The basic aim of the seminar was to bring all the senior management of JS Bank and Group companies on one platform to make collective efforts for promotion of digital banking and highlight the importance of Digital Technologies in today’s digital world.
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IBA KARACHI AND SHANGHAI UNIVERSITY CHINA TO COLLABORATIVELY OFFER A MASTER OF FINANCE PROGRAM
Dr. Farrukh Iqbal, Dean & Director IBA and Dr. Nasir Afghan, Assistant Professor & Director MBA Program IBA, participated in ’The 2nd Belt and Road Initiative University Presidents’ Forum’ at Shanghai University.
Focusing on the theme, ’Innovative Talent Development in University’, the forum brought together eminent educationists and academics from the countries across the proposed belt; providing an excellent platform to exchange insights and to encourage collaboration on agendas, such as university development and innovative talent development.
During the visit, Dr. Farrukh Iqbal, on behalf of IBA Karachi signed an MoU with Prof. Jin Donghan, President Shanghai University China, to collaboratively offer a “Master of Finance” program between IBA Karachi and Shanghai University China.
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REMARKABLE CONTRIBUTION TO PHILANTHROPY
Ali Raza Siddiqui, Co-Chairman JS Group & Vice Chairman Mahvash & Jahangir Siddiqui Foundation (MJSF) received an award from Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, UAE for his remarkable contribution to Philanthropy at the annual award function organized by People’s Organization at a local hotel in Dubai.
He was recognized for his contribution in enhancing the dignity and quality of life of individuals, families and communities through his philanthropic initiatives in the areas of education, disaster relief, healthcare and social enterprise.
Commenting on the occasion, Ali Raza Siddiqui said, “It is indeed a very big honor for all of us at MJSF to get this award and being recognized for our efforts”
Founded in 1970, JS Group is an international investment and industrial conglomerate. It conducts Corporate Social Responsibility through a series of independent charitable foundations led by the Mahvash & Jahangir Siddiqui Foundation. MJSF was founded to tackle and challenge the issues of poverty through sustainable development in the areas of education, disaster relief, healthcare and social enterprise. Through these and other initiatives, MJSF aims to provide opportunities and provide support to empower disadvantaged members of the society.
People’s organization is a social organization compromising of Pakistani diaspora in the UAE. The aims and objectives of this organization are to support the Pakistani community through the promotion of entrepreneurship and other activities.
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NOKIA SMART PHONES IN PAKISTAN
Advance Telecom recently announced that it will be launching Nokia Smart Phones in Pakistan as the official distribution partner of HMD Global-The Home of Nokia Phones.
At a ceremony held to celebrate the placement of first smartphones order, Mr. Rizwan Majid, CEO Advance Telecom, reiterated the commitment that Advance Telecom has made to Nokia phones by voluntarily deciding to dedicate all its efforts and resources to Nokia smartphones. Mr. Rizwan Majid also encouraged all channel partners to buy legally imported stock available under Advance Telecom warranty. Mr. Kamran Khan, Head of Near East for HMD Global, appreciated the efforts made by Advance Telecom and thanked Mr. Rizwan Majid and Advance Telecom team for their commitment and dedication to Nokia phones. He expressed confidence in Advance Telecom’s ability to successfully launching Nokia smartphones in Pakistan. In response to a question, he recently confirmed that, since Dec 1, 2016 Advance Telecom has been HMD’s active distribution partner in Pakistan. Advance Telecom is a trusted name in terms of mobile phone distribution in Pakistan. The company is perceived to be amongst the pioneers in offering innovative solution and services to its customers. Headquartered in Espoo, Finland, HMD Global Oy is the new home of Nokia phones. HMD designs and markets a range of smartphones and feature phones targeted at a range of consumers and price points. With a commitment to innovation and quality, HMD Global Oy is the exclusive licensee of the Nokia brand for phones & tablets. Nokia is registered trademark of Nokia Corporation.