LCBDDA Receives 700 Million USD Investment Proposal of Pakistan’ First LNG Based Power Plant

 

Lahore Central Business District Development Authority (LCBDDA) also known as Central Business District (CBD) Punjab receives 700 million USD investment proposal from an engineering giant, Techno Engineering Services (TES) to build Pakistan’s first LNG based power plant.

The captive power plant is an embedded generation of uninterrupted power supply for Pakistan’s most anticipated business hub. The engineering firm tends to install 150 MW LNG plant which will use "waste heat recovery" process by reusing heat energy.

CBD Punjab has always backed cost effective and ecofriendly initiatives and LNG power plant fulfills theme of CBD Punjab ecofriendly approach. LNG is considered to be the cleanest fueling source which doesn't emit soot, dust or fumes and produces insignificant amount of sulfur dioxide making it very environment friendly.

Imran Amin – CEO LCBDDA stated, “Our aim is to provide best possible ecofriendly utilities to residents across CBD Punjab. Acquiring investment proposal from renowned engineering firms like TES is laudable. It is evidently visible that CBD Punjab has paved the road to enlist Pakistan in first world countries. CBD Punjab is dynamic in contributing to country’s economic growth. Keeping insight the deteriorating air index these ecofriendly utilities are a step towards a greener and breathable Punjab’’.

The canvas of CBD Punjab is massive which will be colored by sky scrapers, ultra-high-rise buildings and architectural masterpieces. Considering the weather conditions of Lahore, District Cooling System (DCS) is also proposed in the proposal.

Egyptian Government Delegation Visits Central Business District Punjab.

 

 

For building new business friendly ties, the Egyptian Government Delegation visited CBD Punjab’s project site. CEO Lahore Central Business District Development Authority (LCBDDA) Mr. Imran Amin, COO Brigadier (RTD) Mansoor Janjua, LCBDDA Board Members and directorate heads of LCBDDA welcomed the delegates. Delegation was given a detailed visit of CBD Punjab sites and were briefed about the ongoing and future projects. Delegation was led by General Ahmed Hamed, accompanied by Dr. Hany Shaheen and First Secretary of Egyptian Embassy, Mr. Amr Essayed Nassredin Elsayed.

 

Mr. Imran Amin CEO (LCBDDA) while visiting the site area, briefed the delegation that CBD Punjab had already auctioned 5 mixed use commercial plots for Lahore Prime, has successfully generated an investment of Rs 24 billion PKR and now, the authority is preparing for auction of Lahore’s first planned Downtown. This Downtown comprises of 7 mixed commercial plots. Lahore Downtown is themed on existing downtown in the first world countries.

 

General Ahmed Hamed said that ‘’business districts like CBD Punjab are door openers to new opportunities that can be materialized for the betterment of any state. Our visit to CBD Punjab has wiped out all the myths of economic instability”.

 

Mr. Imran Amin – CEO (LCBDDA) while expressing his views on Egyptian Delegation visit said “Visits of foreign delegations are a blatant proof that CBD Punjab has made a positive impact on economic map. People want to know more about CBD Punjab and its project. We are not only a business hub, we are a beacon, designed for the well-being of our future generations. Every step which is taken by CBD Punjab whether it is urban development, building better business relations with other countries, economic development and job creations, it is directly linked to welfare of Pakistan’’.

 

Egyptian delegation briefly discussed ideas and opportunities to build better economic relations between both countries. Delegation was also given a brief presentation about Pak-Egypt Business Corporation at CBD Punjab’s office.

TikTok named title sponsor of Pakistan-Australia Test series; affordable tickets available online from Friday

 

 

The Pakistan Cricket Board today announced that TikTok, the leading destination for short form videos, will be the title sponsor of the historic Test series between Pakistan and Australia, which commences in Rawalpindi on Friday, 4 March.

 

This is the first time a digital entertainment platform has sponsored a bilateral series in Pakistan and represents an exciting step for both TikTok and PCB, bringing a new kind of partner for international cricket in the country.

 

As the title sponsor, TikTok will provide a place where cricket fans can follow their favourite cricket content creators, share the best TikTok cricket content, and create their own special moments, reactions and celebrations around this historic series with Australia.

 

Alongside the partnership, PCB will launch an official TikTok account prior to the series with a mission to inspire and entertain millions of cricket fans not just in Pakistan but also around the world with exclusive behind-the-scenes content as well as current and archival footage. 

 

PCB Chief Executive Faisal Hasnain: “We have already established an excellent relationship with TikTok, starting with the HBL Pakistan Super League 2022. Given that relationship, we are delighted to extend it further for the historic Pakistan versus Australia Test series, which will probably be the series of the year.

 

“This agreement with TikTok is a further indication of the current good health of Pakistan cricket and reflects the value and benefit commercial partners see by associating themselves with our brand.”

 

Paul Katrib, Head of Brand Marketing, Middle East, Turkey, Africa and Pakistan at TikTok: “We are delighted to become the title sponsor of this historic Pakistan-Australia series. After the resounding success of our partnership with HBL PSL 2022, we want to continue cementing TikTok's position as the ultimate platform for cricket fandom in Pakistan.

 

“TikTok has become a place where people enjoy a new type of experience for sports and cricket, in particular, as more and more cricket organisations, teams and players jump on our platform to engage directly with fans. Our Pakistani community on TikTok loves to celebrate cricket in creative ways, and we can't wait to see how they engage with all the unmissable content we expect for this historic series against Australia.”

 

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board has confirmed ticket prices for the three-Test series match of which will be played in Rawalpindi (4-8 March), Karachi (12-16 March) and Lahore (21-25 March).

 

For the Rawalpindi Test, only two enclosure categories are available. The PKR500 VIP enclosures comprise Imran Khan, Javed Akhtar, Javed Miandad and Azhar Mahmood, whereas Premium enclosures include Shoaib Akhtar, Sohail Tanvir, Miran Bakhsh and Yasir Arafat, and the price per ticket has been fixed at PKR100.

 

There will be four enclosure categories in Karachi and Lahore, the ticket prices are as following:

 

o              General – PKR 100 each

o              First Class – PKR 200 each

o              Premium – PKR 350 each

o              VIP – PKR 500 each

 

Tickets are now available online at pcb.bookme.pk as well as from the nearest M&P Courier outlets from Friday 1100 PKT. All ticket-holders will also have to display their immunisation certificates and CNIC at the time of entering the venues.

 

In first phase, the PCB has released 50 per cent of tickets with further tickets to be made available online and nearest M&P Courier outlets after further guidance is received from the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC).

 

Enclosure categories:

 

National Stadium, Karachi – Fazal Mahmood, Hanif Mohammad, Javed Miandad,  (VIP enclosure), Imran Khan, Quaid, Wasim Akram (Premium enclosure), Asif Iqbal, Intikhab Alam, Iqbal Qasim, Mohammad Brothers, Nasimul Ghani (First-Class enclosures), and Majid Khan, Waqar Hasan, Wasim Bari, Zaheer Abbas (General enclosure)

 

Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore - Fazal Mahmood, Imran Khan (VIP enclosure), Rajas and Saeed Anwar (Premium enclosure), Abdul Qadir, AH Kardar, Javed Miandad and Sarfraz Nawaz (First-Class enclosure) and Hanif Mohammad, Imtiaz Ahmed, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Majid Khan, Nazars, Quaid, Saeed Ahmad, Zaheer Abbas (General enclosure). 

 

Standard Chartered Bank delivers a resilient performance

 

Standard Chartered Bank Pakistan Limited (SCBPL) delivered a resilient financial performance in 2021 with a profit before tax of PKR 24.8 billion compared to PKR 23.6 billion in 2020. Performance was driven by strong balance sheet growth, continued productivity improvements and risk discipline.

 

The Bank’s revenue was lower by PKR 3.5 billion primarily due to sharp reduction in interest rates in Q2’20 and market volatility. Despite investment in infrastructure and inflationary pressures, administrative costs continue to be well managed through operational efficiencies and disciplined spending resulting in a decrease of 3% year on year. Moreover, strong recoveries and lower impairments as a result of prudent risk approach led to a net charge of PKR 0.5 billion compared to a net charge of PKR 4.9 billion in the comparative period.

 

All businesses have positive momentum with strong growth in underlying drivers. This is evident from pickup in net advances, which have grown by PKR 56 billion (up 31%) since the start of the year. This was a result of targeted strategy to build profitable, high quality and sustainable portfolios. With a diversified product base, the Bank is well positioned to cater for the needs of its clients. On the liabilities side, the Bank’s total deposits grew by PKR 70 billion (up 13%), whereas current and saving accounts grew by PKR 63 billion (up 12%) since the start of the year and comprise 92% of the deposit base.

 

The Bank continued to make good progress against its strategic priorities. The global network differentiates the Bank for its clients, bringing forth innovative solutions, product specialisation and structured offshore offerings. The Bank strives to maximise the contribution to SBP initiatives on promoting housing finance and is consistently ranked amongst the top three. As of now over PKR 3 billion have been dispersed under Mera Pakistan Mera Ghar scheme. SCBPL is also amongst the top five contributors towards the Roshan Digital initiative and channelled remittances of over USD 320 million since inception and contributed USD 270 million to the investments in Naya Pakistan Certificate (NPC). The Bank is the first in the industry to offer Raast payment services to clients through all three channels i.e. Over the Counter, Mobile App and Online Banking.

 

Standard Chartered has continued to invest in technological advancements and digital infrastructure to provide further convenience and cyber security to client’s digital transactions. With the launch of its digital bank, Standard Chartered is now able to reach more clients across the country and provide them with digital banking services that has now enabled clients to open Current or Saving account through our Biometric enabled SC Mobile app. The App also offers convenience to activate Debit/Credit cards or foreign exchange conversion. Plans are also in place to offer host of other products and services that bring more accessibility to our clients.

 

Commenting on the results, Mr. Rehan Shaikh, Chief Executive Officer, Standard Chartered Bank (Pakistan) Limited said, “I am pleased to announce our results for the year 2021. They demonstrate strong foundations and a clear path towards delivering on our strategic priorities. The new ways of working introduced by the Bank are delivering concreate outcomes in terms of productivity and our approach to business. Our pivot to digital continues to result in greater efficiency and growth in underlying drivers, while positioning the Bank for the future.

 

As a Bank we have continued to make a mark on sustainability and impact through the execution of several sustainable finance transactions, reduction in carbon footprint and efforts to tackle inequality and promote greater economic inclusion through Futuremakers by Standard Chartered. We stand fully committed to play our part in the growth story of Pakistan whilst providing best in class banking to our clients.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HUAWEI FreeBuds 4: The must-have earphones this summer for your music, calls and ultimate comfort

 

With their Studio quality sound and an open fit noise cancellation they deliver at all levels

 

Whether you are about to embark on a trip or simply planning to sit back and relax this summer, a good pair of earphones can be a total-game changer. Having something with great sound, comfort and noise cancellation can make your travels much easier or it can simply be your perfect summer companion this season!

 

HUAWEI FreeBuds 4 launched recently boasts some really cool features with their Studio quality sound and an open fit noise cancellation they deliver at all levels plus they are the most comfortable to wear so no need to worry about that pressure on your ears while using them for long periods.

 

Moreover, they are compatible with Android and iOS which means you can use them with other devices and not only Huawei’s, and you can also download the HUAWEI AI Life app to adjust settings or perform various controls, such as wearing detection, quick controls, status query, noise cancellation control, and device management.

 

 

A studio quality sound at all times

Ultimately, the first thing you have to think about in an earphone is the quality of the sound they produce.

HUAWEI FreeBuds 4 boast a 14.3mm driver with 40 kHz frequency range that uncover the rich details of every melody and a Bass Enhancing Power Engine for Impressively Deep Bass, in other words: when using them to listen to your favourite tunes, you will be certainly amazed as you will be transported by each and every single music beat!

 

 

Get rid of unwanted noise

You need a pair of earphones which are not only going to provide you with top-grade sound but also ones that will exclude unwanted surrounding noise. This is exactly what you will be getting with the HUAWEI FreeBuds 4: they come with a dual-microphone noise cancellation technology to deliver upgraded noise cancellation and gets the job done when on a call in the car or listening to music when you’re at the beach and you just want to enjoy your music regardless of the surrounding noise. Moreover, the HUAWEI FreeBuds 4 uses Adaptive Ear Matching (AEM) noise cancellation technology to detect the shape of your ears and determine the optimum noise cancellation setup on your behalf, resulting in the most comfortable noise cancellation experience.

 

Ergonomic design simulation for Air-like comfort

Wearing earphones for hours at the beach this summer or while you’re at the pool might be somewhat uncomfortable but that is not the case with the HUAWEI FreeBuds 4: they uses an ergonomic simulation platform to objectively evaluate the comfort of the earphones and their curvature and size are optimised and polished at the micro level so they fit the ears better, providing an ultimate comfort and noise cancellation

 

The HUAWEI FreeBuds 4 also come with other cool features that you are going to love such as the ability to connect to dual devices with seamless switching from one to another. Customised smart controls including Swipe/Double tap/Long press on the earphone stems to get things done.

 

Finding the right pair of earphones this summer for travel or leisure can be a challenge, especially if you are trying to find one that matches your desired combination of features. Huawei’s studio-quality open-fit ANC earphone with air-like comfort – the HUAWEI FreeBuds 4 – are an ideal choice.

Infinix Launches ZERO 5G Featuring 6nm 5G Master Processor and Uni-Curve design

 

 

Infinix today launched its first premier 5G smartphone, ZERO 5G, delivering the benefits of 5G – such as higher speeds, seamless connection, faster downloads and greater coverage more accessible than ever before. The smartphone is integrated with a 6nm MediaTek’s Dimensity 900 master processor for high-performance gaming, a uni-curve design for a sleek look and feel, a 48MP AI Triple camera with 30x ultra-zoom for crisp close-ups of distant objects, a 6.78'' FHD+ ultra-smooth display with 120Hz Refresh Rate and 240Hz Touch Sample Rate for lower latency and immediate responsiveness and a 5000mAh with 33W quick charge technology to power users through their entire day.

 

“Infinix is setting a strong course in today’s fast-growing marketplace and providing innovative, yet high-performance 5G technology that is more attainable to users through the new ZERO 5G smartphone,” stated Charles Ding, Deputy Product Director of Infinix Mobility. “Our innovation gives users a smartphone with better performance from a slimmer and stylish design that includes every key technology feature they are looking for in a 5G device that offers the most bang for its buck within its price range.” 

 

Accelerate Your Day

Infinix is improving the user experience with 5G technology with super fast connectivity that better supports bandwidth-heavy apps such as gaming and video streaming. With the growing number of people using their smartphones for mobile gaming and streaming, 5G connectivity has become a crucial feature for smartphone devices. The Infinix ZERO 5G is equipped with a powerful 6nm MediaTek Dimensity 900 5G chipset bringing a full-domain and full-speed 5G network experience. Its Clever 5G Mode automatically switches between link4G and 5G according to the user's bandwidth, which can significantly improve download and gaming speed and reduce power consumption.

 

MediaTek’s Dimensity 900 5G chipset is built on a 6nm high-performance manufacturing node and integrated with a 5G New Radio (NR) sub-6GHz modem with carrier aggregation. The chipset is equipped with an octa-core central processing unit (CPU) consisting of two Arm Cortex-A78 processors with a clock speed of up to 2.4GHz and six Arm Cortex-A55 cores operating at up to 2GHz that deliver exceptional performance for snappier app responses, faster frames per second (FPS) for gaming and better connected experiences. With the chipset’s Arm Mali-G68 MC4 graphics processing unit (GPU) and an independent artificial intelligence (AI) processing unit (APU), power-efficiency is optimized to extend battery life even further for mobile gamers.

 

The ZERO 5G smartphone provides even faster and more reliable connectivity for gamers with Wi-Fi 6 and 2x2 MIMO technology that offers about 1.2Gbps connectivity speeds. Infinix takes the ZERO 5G’s connectivity solutions even further with Dual 5G SIM technology, which enables the smartphone to connect to two separate 5G SIMs, intelligently switching to the fastest network and enabling seamless internet access from both connections as needed, powering users day’s like never before on an Infinix device.

 

Stunning Design Language

Smartphone design is heavily driven by the desire for bigger screens and more minimal yet functional features without losing the key technologies – such as camera quality, memory capacity and battery life.

 

The ZERO 5G comes with a large 6.78” FHD+ ultra-smooth display with 120Hz refresh rate and 240Hz touch sampling rate, giving users a smooth experience and a quicker response to touch input when browsing webpages, consuming online media and playing action-packed games. The smartphone showcases a Uni-Curve design with a softly curved back using a composite material that mimics the look and feel of glass, creating a device that is more comfortable to hold, yet premium to the touch allowing users to express their sense of style with their device. The rear contour drop camera design is integrated into the curve of the device, creating an ergonomic design that is palm friendly and a move away from traditional camera modules’ harsher right-angle positioning.

 

The unique design of the ZERO 5G incorporates subtle textures and colors that reflect the serenity of natural sceneries with three bold colors including: Cosmic Black to represent distant galaxies, Skylight Orange to represent the bright and energizing sun and Horizon Blue to represent the mesmerizing sky.

 

Capture Every Moment

The ZERO 5G features a crisp 48MP main camera with 30x ultra-zoom comprising of a 13MP portrait camera and 2MP virtual camera. The 30X 48MP zoom camera allows users to capture stunningly high-quality from a great distance. Users can also capture moments that the human eye cannot normally see, with the 960 frames per second (fps) slow motion capabilities for stunning video captures.

On the front of the ZERO 5G, the 16MP Dual Flash Light and enhanced artificial intelligence (AI) shooting technology bring out the best in you in all angles and lighting conditions so your selfies and video calls are on point every single time.

 

Other key features of Infinix’s ZERO 5G Series include:

 

·         A 5000mAh battery and 33W quick charge: The 5000 mAh battery supports all-day usage and can be quickly charged with TÜV Rheinland safe fast-charge technology enabling the smartphone to last through 9.4 hours of gaming, 27 days on standby, 22 hours of calling and 152 hours of music playback (testing data provided by Infinix lab).

·         Universal Flash Storage UFS 3.1 and LPDDR5: The LPDDR5 brings a new height of speed for ZERO 5G smartphone, which substantially improves memory performance, and further reduces power consumption. As an added boost, the UFS 3.1-based storage doubles sequential read performance and increases download speeds.

·         Infinix’s Dar-Link 2.0: The software improves the image stability and the sensitivity of touch control that is based on an AI algorithm, while simultaneously bringing down the temperature of the device to provide a fully immersive gaming experience.

·         XArena:Enhances your gaming experience by integrating game applications into a single zone and thus game booster is enabled for the game. There are quick settings that allow you to focus on your game by blocking messages and incoming calls without worrying about any other distractions.

·         Heat Pipe Thermal Module 2.0: This feature systematically monitors the temperature of the ZERO 5G smartphone so users can immerse themselves in the long-lasting gameplay without worrying about overheating.

·         Android XOS 10: The ZERO 5G’s XOS 10 software offers an upgraded interface, AI voice assistant, smart assistant, phone cloner 2.0 and doc correction. For enhanced security, it also comes with X-proof, which secures the screen from behind, and privacy tracker, so users can keep their information private and control when it is shared, as the data is never uploaded to the cloud.

 

Availability and Pricing

The ZERO 5G will be available for pre-orders soon in the price tag of Rs. 49,999 with a free gift of Infinix XE20 on Xpark. Stay tuned to Infinix official pages and social channels for further updates.

 

For more details visit: https://www.infinixmobility.com/pk/

 

 

HUAWEI FreeBuds 4 Offer Ultra Clear Audio Quality to Bring an Unrivalled Music World

   

Huawei’s new open-fit ANC earphones, HUAWEI FreeBuds 4, have been praised by many users for features such as enhanced open-fit ANC 2.0, a comfortable wearing experience and immersive audio quality. Moreover, its bass enhancement combined with the 14.3mm large dynamic unit, allows the headset to maintain a consistently high level of sound quality. Aside from these features, the HUAWEI FreeBuds 4 have recently received a software update, adding various new feature to bring consumers a better listening experience.

Each person's ear shape is different, and the condition of wearing earphones is different each time, which is why the same earphones can be experienced differently for different users. So, how to make every user hear the best possible sound? The question has plagued acoustic engineers for a long time. Through a complete set of personalized hearing technologies, adaptive ear matching (AEM), professional sound effects, Huawei customises the sound for each user.

Adaptive ear matching (AEM) brings customizable listening experience

The differences in people’s ear shapes and sizes will affect the tightness of wearing the earphone, leading to consumers having non-identical listen experiences with the same pair of earphones. For users with bigger ears, the ear canal is likely wider and the gap between the earphones is also wider, so some of the sound will slip away, and the bass performance will be impaired. However, users with smaller ears have relatively too much bass because they are wearing the earphones tightly.

Compared with in-ear earphones, open-fit earphones are more sensitive to different wearing styles and ear sizes, the acoustic environment is more prone to change, and that’s why sound quality differences to different people.

In response to this user pain point, HUAWEI FreeBuds 4 adopts the technology of AEM, so that users get consistent and delicate audio quality. First of all, by using sound wave detection technology, the earphones determine the current user’s ear canal shape and wearing tightness. The earphones then adopt personalised sound effect to match the user’s ear automatically. That could compensate sound loss due to ear size and wearing condition effectively. AEM brings the best possible listen experience to HUAWEI FreeBuds 4 users.

Professional sound effects suitable for various music genre

Additionally, the HUAWEI FreeBuds 4 have a variety of professional and personalised sound effects built-in to perfectly manage different music genres.

HUAWEI FreeBuds 4 currently supports three modes of EQ: balanced (default), bass boost, and treble boost. Consumers can choose a mode that suits them depending on the scenario. Among them, the bass boost mode enhance the bass, providing users with immersive sound effects when listening to songs. The treble boost mode will increase the sensitivity of the earphones to higher frequencies, making the sound of the earphones more transparent, and restoring the rich high-pitched detail. The three distinctive modes also provide consumers with more personalised choices.

Treble Boost： The instrument shows more detail and the sound is fuller and brighter.

Bass Boost： Boost the bass energy and you can feel the shock of the scene.

Balanced (Default)： The sound is original and the voice is more prominent and infectious.

The professional acoustic design brings high-resolution sound quality

Audio quality is a basic requirement of earphones, and an important factor for consumers when choosing their earphones. When using the earphones to listen music, the audio details produced by the earphone is very important. HUAWEI FreeBuds 4 adopts the classic dynamic driver structure to bring consumers a better listening experience. Moreover, it features the Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) composite diaphragm that supports a frequency range of up to 40kHz, improving the middle and treble sounds.

Moreover, HUAWEI FreeBuds 4 come with a 14.3mm super large diaphragm which makes the amplitude larger and the bass more powerful. Together with the newly upgraded bass booster, bass tube and motherboard it forms an independent sealed sound cavity, and the volume of the bass tube is increased by 15%. This also

provides an intensified resonance effect from the air and diaphragm. When users are listening to music with the HUAWEI FreeBuds 4, they can enjoy a more powerful bass and more immersive sound.

In addition to high-level hardware quality, Huawei continues to provide consumers with a better sound quality experience through software features. Huawei audio products have always been committed to bringing consumers the ultimate listening experience, and they will also bring more amazing products in the future.

PM Launches SBP’s Free Raast Person-to-Person Instant Payments System

       

The Honorable Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Imran Khan launched the second phase  of Raast, called Person-to-Person instant payment system in a ceremony in Islamabad today. Raast, a flagship initiative of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) is a payment system platform that enables various types of transactions among different stakeholders such as organizations, businesses and persons. The objective of this initiative is to promote digitization and financial inclusion in the country. In the first phase of Raast, launched in January 2021, transactions from organizations to persons, generally referred to as Bulk Payments, was enabled. The second phase is designed to facilitate Person-to- Person (P2P) transactions under Raast.

 

The Prime Minister congratulated Governor SBP Dr. Reza Baqir and his team for the successful completion of the second phase. He was addressing a gathering of Ministers, Presidents and CEOs of Banks, SBP officials and other distinguished guests at the Prime Minister House in Islamabad. He appreciated that the newly launched system will enable ordinary people to execute digital payments instantly, securely, and conveniently without paying any fee and added that Raast will open doors of further innovation for the economy and particularly the financial sector. He expressed his confidence that through digitization of the economy, the over 220 million population could be converted into an asset by ensuring their financial inclusion.

 

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Finance and Revenue, Mr. Shaukat Tarin appreciated the SBP for the progress made in digitization and expressed his confidence that the forthcoming phases of Raast including payment to merchant will play an important role in facilitating the masses in their financial transaction thus increasing their valuable contribution in the economy.

Governor SBP Dr. Reza Baqir welcomed the Prime Minister on the launch event and expressed gratitude for his commitment and support to the SBP initiatives for promoting digitization and financial inclusion in the economy. Governor Baqir, while highlighting the key features of Raast, explained that individuals can use this platform in their transactions just like cash and they will not have to pay any fees or charges for using this payment system. More importantly, Raast is secure and convenient and free of risks compared to cash. Raast is easy and simple to use as it allows connecting bank account to user’s mobile number, called Raast ID. The facility can be used on mobile apps and internet banking portals of banks. For those people who do not have a mobile phone or facility of internet banking, Raast P2P service is also available in bank branches.

 

To avail Raast, customers should check SBP’s Raast landing page to see if their bank is already offering Raast—currently more than 18 banks, processing majority of retail payment transactions, are offering Raast services —and register one time for Raast in their bank’s mobile app, through internet banking or by visiting a bank branch. Remaining banks are expected to be on boarded with Raast in the coming weeks. Customers may also see the following YouTube video tutorial on registering and using Raast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRZC0M1d-K0

 

 Dr. Baqir explained that Raast is Pakistan’s first instant payment system established in accordance with the     National Payment Systems Strategy, which was prepared by State Bank of Pakistan.

Khushhali Microfinance Bank launches USSD Banking for remote-monitoring of accounts

   

It enables phone-users to remotely monitor their Khushhali bank accounts

Khushhali Microfinance Bank Limited (KMBL) - a leading financial institution in Pakistan, has pioneered another technological advancement to add convenience for its customers, with a mobile-banking solution. This state-of-the-art digital tool enables ‘remote-monitoring’ of your KMBL account, even if the account-holder uses a basic ‘Feature-Phone’. The customers do not need to own a smartphone for using this new service, which is based on a secured ‘Unstructured Supplementary Service Data’ (USSD) channel, to ensure accessibility without the need to physically visit a bank-branch or owning a smart phone.

In the first phase of this innovative venture, all the KMBL customers using Zong, Ufone and Jazz/Warid telecom services will be able to avail the Khushhali USSD Mobile Banking, simply by dialing *8226#. During the initial phase, this solution will offer basic features like: Loan-Account Inquiry, and Account Balance Inquiry for the Current and Saving Accounts.

The President of KMBL - Ghalib Nishtar stated that: “Introduction of this revolutionary service is another milestone in KMBL’s journey towards digital-transformation. Following our vision, we strive to offer highly evolved banking services, on-the-go, round-the-clock, while we are striving to resolve the socio-economic challenges and financial-security issues faced by the masses, especially during the global Covid-19 pandemic. This venture is in line with global best-practices and the vision of State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), to enable online access to banking for the consumers.”

KMBL’s technology-partner for this project is: “Virtual Remittance Gateway (Private) Limited'' (VRG) – a TPSP company, duly licensed by SBP and Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA), to perform ‘Interoperable-Payments’, along with channeling, routing and switching of electronic-transactions, using Unified USSD service. 

Being one of the most resourceful institutions in Pakistan - KMBL is evolving in sync with the highly competitive banking industry of the country. It is deploying the latest mobile-banking solutions, in compliance with the government’s favorable policies, to inspire and elevate the nation at par with the developed world.

Huawei released HUAWEI MateBook X Pro 2021, delivering upgraded new smart productivity experience

   

Huawei Consumer Business Group (BG) has announced the newly upgraded HUAWEI MateBook X Pro 2021 in Pakistan now. Inheriting the aesthetic, innovation and intelligent DNA of previous Huawei laptops, the new HUAWEI MateBook X Pro is an innovative reinterpretation of a classic, with a full range of upgrades delivering efficient performance, all-scenario intelligence and a superior user experience.

The HUAWEI MateBook X Pro delivers another dazzling FullView Display with 3K high-definition picture quality and an immersive viewing experience to unleash more excitement for users. The 11^th Gen Intel® Core™ processors work with an intelligent new cooling system to deliver more efficient performance, making both work and everyday life easier for the user. Huawei Share fully breaks down the barriers of cross-device interaction and makes it easy to enjoy every aspect of an All-scenario Seamless AI Life. Ingenious new technologies help to deliver incredible overall ease-of-use, with the HUAWEI Free Touch touchpad, high-precision multi-point touch screen, dual-edge microphones, and quad-speakers with an upgraded split-frequency set-up.

"Huawei is continuing to work on its smart all-scenario strategy, focusing on five scenarios: smart home, smart travel, smart office, fitness and health, and entertainment, to create the ultimate smart life experience. Huawei laptops are spearheading the evolution of the modern office into an era of intelligence, creating a new integrated ecosystem experience and ever more intelligent PCs." Wang Yinfeng, President of PC and Tablet Product Line, Huawei Consumer Business Group (CBG), said,

Lightweight and efficient to free your creativity anywhere and anytime

The HUAWEI MateBook X Pro is thin, lightweight and portable, but also packed with power to upgrade your productivity experience. The 11^th Gen Intel® Core™ processor, combined with 16GB of LPDDR4x memory, delivers smoother performance and a more efficient experience across work, life, and entertainment. The powerful combination of the HUAWEI Shark Fin dual fan design and air-cooled ultra-thin VC technology unleashes even greater levels of performance and efficiency. As a Wi-Fi 6 laptop, the HUAWEI MateBook X Pro offers about three times the transfer rate of traditional Wi-Fi 5, so you can enjoy a stable connection and efficient transfers even in crowded places.

Despite its thin and lightweight form, the HUAWEI MateBook X Pro is packed with energy. With a 56 Wh[1] battery and Huawei’s intelligent power management system, you have a long and exciting life ahead of you after every charge. The 65W USB-C pocket charger not only provides fast charging for HUAWEI MateBooks but also supports HUAWEI SuperCharge for HUAWEI phones and tablets[2], so you can use it for multiple purposes 

In addition, the HUAWEI MateBook X Pro features two fully functional USB-C ports that enable two-way data transfer, charging and connection with external devices, versatile enough to support the user through every aspect of work and life.

Enjoy the intelligence of all-scenario interaction

The HUAWEI MateBook X Pro comes fully equipped with Huawei Share, which allows laptops and phones to work together and interact without barriers, allowing users to experience a greater level of intelligence and create more enjoyable experiences.

Innovative technology upgrades deliver a relaxing new experience

HUAWEI MateBook X Pro has been upgraded with a number of innovative technologies to make work and life easier for the user.

HUAWEI MateBook X Pro introduces the new HUAWEI Free Touch to upgrade touch control experience. The spacious touchpad offers an unrestricted experience, with full vibration feedback to open up a new level of interaction.

HUAWEI MateBook X Pro is like an on-the-go cinema, perfected in terms of sound, with four upgraded split-frequency speakers to deliver immersive surround sound. Advanced audio algorithms also help ensure the user feels like the sound is coming from within the room, no matter their position in regard to the laptop.

HUAWEI MateBook X Pro takes care of your privacy too. It has inherited the Fingerprint Power Button, allowing the user to power up and log in to their notebook in one easy step, making start-up incredibly fast and secure.

HUAWEI MateBook X Pro is available in Pakistan at ‘Daraz.pk: https://bit.ly/3svFryW and ‘Cube’: https://bit.ly/3g4mcXf, as the sleek design and beautiful Space Grey Colour which continue to have a mesmerizing effect on the tech-savvy music-enthusiasts.

*All figures are theoretical and were obtained in specific testing environments (please see specific details). Actual usage may vary slightly depending on the product, software version, usage conditions and environmental factors. Please refer to the actual usage.

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[1] Rated capacity

[2] The 65W adaptor is compatible with Huawei smartphones that support SuperCharge protocol including HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro, Mate 40, P40 Pro, P40 and Mate 30. Please contact Huawei customer service team on 950800 for the latest supported smartphone models before you make a purchase.

Packages Limited is awarded Platinum Approved Employer status by ACCA global

Lahore: Association of Chartered Certificated Accountants (ACCA) Pakistan has awarded Packages limited with platinum status for approved employer. The "ACCA Approved Employer Programme" recognizes employers' high standards of staff training and development."

This recognition by the global body for professional accountants acknowledges Packages Limited's high standards of staff training and development and the organization's commitment to attracting and developing future-ready talent and creating opportunities for the country's youth.

Packages Limited will now get exclusive access to the ACCA's global network of leading employers and professionals, world-class employer resources, and award-winning thought leadership as part of the recognition.

Huawei launches new TWS Bluetooth earbuds HUAWEI FreeBuds 4, leading the way in open-fit active noise cancellation

      

Huawei has launched its latest True Wireless Stereo (TWS) Bluetooth earbuds, the HUAWEI FreeBuds 4. This new addition to Huawei’s numeric series of TWS earbuds inherits the world’s first open-fit active noise cancellation (ANC) technology from the previous generation. With open-fit ANC 2.0 technology[1], lightweight comfort, high-resolution sound quality and intelligent audio connectivity, HUAWEI FreeBuds 4 delivers not only on audio quality but takes the open-fit ANC listening experience to a whole new level.

A new benchmark for comfortable open-fit ANC and tranquil audio experience

In 2019, Huawei introduced the world’s first open-fit ANC TWS earbuds, the HUAWEI FreeBuds 3, finally allowing consumers to enjoy the comfort of an open-fit wearing style while also benefitting from the immersive ANC sound quality. After nearly two years of continuous R&D investment and accumulation of technical expertise, HUAWEI FreeBuds 4 has been launched, equipped with newly upgraded Open-fit ANC 2.0 technology which has improved noise cancellation at the hardware and software level, taking open-fit, comfortable noise cancellation to new levels.

The new HUAWEI FreeBuds 4 features dual-microphone noise cancellation technology to deliver upgraded noise cancellation performance. It is the industry’s first set of open-fit earbuds to use dual-microphone noise cancellation technology, which ensures that the microphones pick up ambient noise with far greater accuracy, reaching industry-leading levels.

To enhance noise cancellation effectively across different wearing scenarios, HUAWEI FreeBuds 4 uses Adaptive Ear Matching (AEM) noise cancellation technology and are the first open-fit earbuds in the industry to do so. When noise cancellation is switched on, the earbuds automatically detect the user’s ear shape and determine the optimum noise cancellation setup for each user, resulting in the most comfortable noise cancellation experience.

Up to 40kHz frequency response for more immersive listening

The HUAWEI FreeBuds 4 use a Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) composite diaphragm, which is support a frequency range of up to 40kHz, delivering high resolution sound quality. With no major quality loss, the treble part sounds richer and fuller.

What’s more, the HUAWEI FreeBuds 4 is equipped with a 14.3mm dynamic driver, producing greater and more impressive bass sounds.

In terms of bass performance, the HUAWEI FreeBuds 4 adopt a newly upgraded bass enhancement engine, bass tube and motherboard to form an independently sealed sound cavity. Compared to FreeBuds 3, the HUAWEI FreeBuds 4 dramatically enhance the airtightness and acoustic pressure, and the volume of the bass tube is increased by 15%, which provides intensified resonance effect from the air and diaphragm.

HUAWEI FreeBuds 4 feature Adaptive Ear Matching (AEM) technology in open-fit earphones for the first time. By automatically detecting user’s ear shape and wearing condition, HUAWEI FreeBuds 4 can intelligently optimise the audio effect, allowing users to have consistent and high resolution audio quality regardless of the wearing situation[2].

When ANC is turned off, HUAWEI FreeBuds 4 offers 4 hours of continuous music playback. Together with the charging case, it can achieve 22 hours of music playback. If the ANC is turned on, it can offer 2.5 hours of continuous music playback. Moreover, the industry-leading quick charge technology provides 2.5 hours of audio enjoyment from a 15-minute charge, so users do not need to worry about the battery level when they are out and about or in a hurry.

“Breathable” build: Ultimate wearing comfort packed in a sophisticated, lightweight design

Wearing comfort is the key to ensuring an optimal user experience. Compared with its predecessor HUAWEI FreeBuds 3, the HUAWEI FreeBuds 4 is revamped with 13 size optimisations, further reducing its body size for a lighter weight. It only weighs 4.1g[3] per earbud. The HUAWEI FreeBuds 4 also brings three enhancements to its overall curvature for a better fit. The string of optimisations not only enables a more pleasant wearing experience and increased rigidity, but it also allows for strengthened ANC performance of the HUAWEI FreeBuds 4.

The charging case of the HUAWEI FreeBuds 4 is just 21.2mm while weighing only 38g, which is 6.3% smaller and 20.8% lighter than its predecessor. It adopts a symmetrically round design along with refined craftsmanship, exhibiting a simplistic yet sophisticated feel overall. The HUAWEI FreeBuds 4 come in colourways including Ceramic White, Silver Frost.

Smart audio connectivity

Leveraging Huawei’s all-scenario device ecosystem and accumulated expertise in wireless connectivity, the HUAWEI FreeBuds 4 bring various connection features, including proximity pairing, pairing via cloud information sharing, dual device connection[4] and Audio Connectivity Centre[5]. The earbuds can be connected to any EMUI based devices from Huawei smartphones to tablets and Huawei PCs, delivering a truly seamless audio connectivity experience to consumers and ushering in an interconnection era.

Dual device connection is supported with HUAWEI FreeBuds 4. Whether it is a Huawei smartphone, tablet, PC, smartwatch or smart display, or any other smart devices running Android, iOS or Windows, any two devices can be connected to the HUAWEI FreeBuds 4 simultaneously. This lets users enjoy their favourite music or show without missing any calls. When a call comes in, the music or show will be paused and seamlessly switched to the call.

The Audio Connectivity Centre within HUAWEI AI Life gives a snapshot of ten recently connected devices, where users can flexibly switch devices with a simple tap.

As an important device in Huawei’s Seamless AI Life strategy, the HUAWEI FreeBuds 4 come with comprehensive improvements over its predecessor in terms of noise cancellation, wearing experience, audio quality and connectivity. Not only does it represent Huawei’s leading audio strength in the TWS sector, but it also showcases Huawei’s thoughtful strategy in delivering Seamless AI Life experience. In the future, Huawei will continue to make breakthroughs in seamless connectivity and intelligent audio experience, bringing even more exciting audio products to consumers worldwide.

In Pakistan, HUAWEI FreeBuds 4 are already available at ‘Daraz.pk: https://bit.ly/3oduWyG and ‘Cube’: https://bit.ly/33Nt2hr, as the sleek design and beautiful White colour continue to have a mesmerizing effect on the tech-savvy music-enthusiasts.

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[1] The closer the fit of the earbuds, the greater the noise cancellation effect. Smaller ear cavities allow the earbuds to achieve a greater noise cancellation effect than larger ear cavities. It is recommended to maintain a close fit when wearing the earbuds to maximize the noise cancellation effect.

[2] It will be supported by OTA upgrade in the future.

[3] Data from Huawei labs. Weight varies according to version configuration. Actual weight may vary.

[4] For tablets and mobile phones, the pop-up pairing function is only available on Huawei devices that run EMUI 10 (or above). For laptops, the function is currently only available on HUAWEI MateBook 16 running PC Manager 11.0.9 (or above). If you have any questions about the feature, usage restrictions, and supported models, Please contact Huawei Customer Service Center for more details.

[5] Only available on devices that have been updated to the latest version of the Huawei AI Life App. The iOS version of the Huawei AI Life App temporarily does not support this function.