SICPA collaborates for flood relief
SICPA Pakistan has partnered with the Rotary Club of Karachi Metropolitan for several initiatives under the club’s massive flood relief efforts in Pakistan.
The Rotary Club has been collaborating with Sahil Welfare Association (SWA). SWA is a non-profit organization and a joint venture of Pakistan Navy, Bahria Foundation and civil society and is engaged in philanthropic, rescue and relief operations in the flood-hit areas of Pakistan.
Mr. Asif Ikram, Managing Director and Ms. Serena D’Souza, CSR Coordinator, SICPA Pakistan, visited the Naval Head Quarters in Karachi to hand over a donation cheque of Rs. 1 million to the directors of SWA.
Since mid-June, Pakistan has experienced three times more rainfall than an average monsoon season. Flooding and landslides have destroyed homes, crops, health centres, roads and bridges. More than 33 million people have been affected and there is an elevated risk of the spread of malaria, dengue fever and other diseases.
In addition to the 1 million donation, SICPA employees through their own efforts donated items consisting of non-perishable food items, medicines, clothes, repellents and cash donations. Moreover, a team of volunteers from SICPA also assisted SWA in its efforts to reach out to far-flung villages and adjacent areas of district Sujawal, Sindh. They distributed ration bags among affected populace of old Said Pur, Sahto Goth, Lothio Goth, Jamali Goth, Mallah Goth and Panhwar Goth.
SICPA Pakistan has always remained at the forefront of giving back to communities with its dedicated CSR initiatives. It is times like these when SICPA Pakistan steps forth with fervour and extends humanitarian assistance during natural calamities. This partnership with SWA is a manifestation of SICPA’s resolve to extend all out support to men and women in the hour of great need. 
NBP donates Rs. 50 million for flood affectees
NBP President (A) and CEO Mr. Rehmat Ali Hasnie announced additional measures to provide relief to the flood victims by contributing PKR 50 million to the Prime Minister’s Flood Relief Fund. He mentioned that NBP has also launched a digital payments platform enabling people across the globe and within Pakistan to donate using their preferred payment method, i.e., Credit/Debit Card, International bank transfer, local bank Direct Debit, Wallets, ATMs, and 1Bill. The President (A) NBP has appealed to the nation to donate generously in these challenging times.
Former Tata chairman dies
Former chairman of Tata Industries, India, Cyrus Mistry has died in a road accident while en route from Ahmadabad to Mumbai. Mistry was 54.
PAA elects new
Chairman and CEC
The Pakistan Advertising Association held its General Elections recently. The PAA is the sole body representing the advertising profession and allied sectors at the national level.
The following members were elected unopposed:
Syed Jawaid Iqbal, President and CEO, CMC (Pvt) Ltd., was elected Chairman on the occasion. Other newly-elected office-bearers are. Brig. (R) Muhammad Zubair Rehan (Creative Junction) as Senior Vice Chairman and Mr. Jawad Humayun (Channel 7 Communications) as Vice Chairman.
Mr. Fahd Khan (Manhattan Communications) has been elected as Chairman, Zone “A”, Mr. Usman Attique Butt (Interlink Advertising) as Chairman, Zone “B”, and Mr. Nadeem Kabir Alvi (Oktopus 360 Media) as Chairman Zone “C” while Mr. Javed Qadeer Khan (Marksman Advertising) is the new Secretary Finance.
Those who were elected as members of the Central Executive Committee (CEC), are: Mr. Ahmed Jamal Mir (Prestige Communications), Mr. Numan Nabi Ahmed (The Brand Partenership) Mr. Khalid Rauf (Lowe & Rauf), Mrs. Seema Jaffer (Bond Advertising), Ms. Neesha Dara Khan (Manhattan International), Mian Mobeen Shafaat (Oak Media) and Ms. Faiza Nadeem (Vantage Media).
The newly elected Chairman, Syed Jawaid Iqbal thanked all members of the PAA for reposing confidence in him for the prestigious position. He assured that as a team and with the support of the PAA, members of the industry will witness positive change and growth in the coming times.
He said the PAA would play due its role to the fullest to overcome challenges and enhance the image of the advertising industry and the country.
He also thanked Mr. Ahmed Jamal Mir for his remarkable contributions towards the advertising sector and for the welfare of PAA members. Mr. Jawaid Iqbal looked forward to the continued support of the PAA team in the progress of the advertising industry in Pakistan.
HABIBMETRO launches Pakistan’s first business debit card
Business Debit Card To President & CEO, Mr. Mohsin Ali Nathani.
Powered by Visa, HabibMetro Business Debit Card is a Signature Business variant that provides hassle-free access to business funds anytime and anywhere, with global payment network coverage. The offering also allows flexibility of limits and built-in insurance for greater security and purchase protection against fraud and misuse. HabibMetro Business Debit Card also provides a host of benefits suited for business payment needs.
At the ceremony held at HabibMetro’s Head Office to launch the industry-first HabibMetro Business Debit Card, Mr. Mohsin Ali Nathani, President and CEO of HabibMetro, commented, “Our business ethos is to bring simplicity and convenience to the banking experiences of our individual and business customers. Innovative digital offerings like the HabibMetro Business Debit Card enable us to deliver upon this promise.”
Mr. Ahmed Shah Durrani, Group Executive Retail Bank and Chief Digital Officer said, “We are pleased to address a gap in the market with the introduction of this breakthrough offering that provides our business clients convenience with security and flexibility, that too without involving any credit scoring or rating unlike existing business credit card solutions.”
HabibMetro Bank is a subsidiary of Habib Bank AG Zurich, which operates in 10 countries across 4 continents. HabibMetro operates with 498 branches in 193 cities across Pakistan.
Nestlé employees donate PKR 6 million for flood relief
Employees of Nestlé Pakistan, through a company-wide donation drive, raised PKR 6 million in cash donations, which will be extended to Akhuwat Islamic Microfinance for flood rehabilitation efforts across Pakistan.
Nestlé invited its employees to make voluntary donations, which resulted in raising PKR 3 million. This was matched 1:1 by the company and a total of PKR 6 million was raised. This fund is named as the Nestlé Rehabilitation Fund in partnership with Akhuwat, to extend interest-free loans to the flood-victims for rehabilitation purposes.
Jemima sang classic Urdu song
F ormer British wife of PTI Chairman Imran Khan, Jemima Goldsmith, who is also a screenwriter, has revealed that she used to sing Urdu songs for her sons when they were younger.
A video of Jemima singing one of the most popular and classic songs of Pakistan, is impressing Pakistanis.
British journalist Emb Hashmi shared a clip from her interview with Jemima, where the latter sang ‘Aao bacho sairkarain tumko Pakistan ki’, a classic from the 1950s, at the host’s request.
Jemima tends to be patriotic toward Pakistan due to her strong affiliation with the country and the time she spent here. She has also been vocal in giving statements in Pakistan’s favour time and again.
MAP Dialogue Held
Business leaders stressed on the collaborated and sustainable efforts for economic growth at the inaugural launch and dialogue of Marketing Association of Pakistan (MAP) on the theme of “Imagining the Unimaginable”.
On this occasion, former Information Minister Javed Jabbar said Pakistan has immense potential to develop with various unique derivatives, lots of opportunities, and its geographical presence.
He further said the formation of Pakistan can also be attributed as imagining the unimaginable as not only the British Empire but the Congress and Muslim scholars were against Quad-e-Azam, the founder of Pakistan.
Muhammad Azfar Ahsan, President MAP said the prevailing economic situation in the country is short-lived but it has to be revived in the months to come.
Muhammad Aurangzeb, President and CEO Habib Bank Limited and Chairman PBA said Pakistan’s exit from FATF’s grey list is a prime example of united efforts. Ghias Khan, President OICCI and Engro Corporation said the government should devise a comprehensive policy environment that can give a boost to productive sectors.
Mehtab Rashdi Honoured
TV host, politician and human rights campaigner Mahtab Akbar Rashdi was paid tributes by her friends, colleagues and admirers at a smartly arranged gathering held under the aegis of the Besant Hall Culture Centre in Hyderabad recently.
Glowing tributes were paid to Mehtab Rashdi by Mustafa Qureshi, Khushbakht Shujat, Moneeza Hashmi, Sultana Siddiqui, Ghulam Nabi Morai, Prof Shabnam Gul, Dr Arfana Malllah and Hamid Akhund.
The function was hosted by Dr Sahar Gul Bhatti at Besant Hall.
Journalist Arshad Sharif Dies
Journalist Arshad Sharif died in Kenya reportedly after being shot, his wife Javeria Siddique confirmed early on Monday, Oct. 24. Arshad Sharif had left Pakistan and was reportedly visiting Kenya.
Alongside journalists and citizens expressing shock over his reported demise, there were also claims of murder and accusations of foul play involved in the death of the journalist.
Al Baraka Bank appoints new CEO
Muhammad Atif Hanif has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Al Baraka Bank (Pakistan) Ltd. from November 15th, 2022. He was previously at Bank of Khyber, where he has served as a SEVP-Group Head Islamic Banking and prior to that has been part of HBL, DIB and Bank Alfalah. While announcing this appointment, Dr. Jehad Al-Nakla, Chairman of the Board of Directors, said, “I welcome Mr. Muhammad Arif Hanif on board, and we are confident that he will help take the bank to the next level. Mr. Hanif is a results-oriented seasoned banker with 23 years of banking experience, including 16 years of Islamic Banking. We also would like to express our appreciation to the Interim Acting CEO. Mr. Mohammed Zahid Ahmed, Executive Management Team, and all employees of Al Baraka Bank (Pakistan) Limited for their continuing efforts in raising the bar”.
Mr. Muhammad Atif Hanif also shared his views saying, “It is indeed a pleasure for me to join Al Baraka Bank (Pakistan) Limited and I look forward to working with the Board and the team.”
IMC Wins Award
At the 37th Corporate Excellence Awards 2022 ceremony, hosted by the Management Association of Pakistan (MAP) in Karachi, Indus Motor Company (IMC) won the Best Corporate Excellence Award in the Automobile Assembler Sector category. The award presented by Federal Minister, Miftah Ismail, was received by IMC CFO, Mohammad Ibadullah.
On this occasion, Ali Asghar Jamali, the IMC’s Chief Executive said, “Excellence is more than a set of year-end results and it’s a journey of prevailing attitude. It is quite an honour to once again receive this much-coveted award from the MAP and for us, the biggest contributor in this crowning accomplishment has been the “Toyota Way”. This recognition signifies IMC’s will, commitment, and dedication to consistently deliver on the high expectations of all its stakeholders.”
The Illuminati reaches out to Meghan and Harry’s friend
Omid Scobie, the author of Meghan and Harry’s biography, shared a screenshot of a message he received from ‘The Illuminati” with a funny caption.
The message read, “The Illuminati is a non-religious organization that brings riches, wealth, fame and power to its members. We are reaching to certain people from billions of citizens to recruit and support them to their dreams. Are you interested?”
Scobie, who is also considered a friend of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, shared the message with caption, “My time has come.”
HBL Plaza Illuminated
HBL Plaza, Karachi, illuminated in pink to observe the Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October 2022) and spread awareness of this potentially fatal disease. HBL believes in creating a safer and healthier future for women. One of the most iconic landmarks in Pakistan, HBL Plaza remains a symbol of Karachi’s skyline.
Brainchild Communications restructures leadership teams
Brainchild Communications Pakistan has restructured its leadership teams to propel new avenues for growth.
Usman Qayam has taken over Starcom Pakistan as the new general manager. Saud Umar Khan has been named general manager for Publicis Media while Urooj Hussain has been made general manager, Mediavest.
Usman Qayam’s experience within the agency network covers P&G, National Foods, Dawlance, KFC, HBL, KIA, Engro, TikTok, and Mondelez.
Saud Umar Khan’s last assignment in Pakistan was heading brand communications at Warid Telecom before venturing to the UAE.
Urooj Hussain has worked in media planning, buying, digital, and e-commerce wiith core focus on FMCGs such as Procter & Gamble, Unilever, National Foods, Engro, Dawlance, EFU and more.
She has contributed an annual billing of over three billion rupees through long-tail SMEs to large multinational clients. This spectrum of experience and knowledge enables her to deliver customized, optimized, and business-relevant solutions to clients across the spect.
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