Author: yasir

In today’s world, smartphones must withstand far more than just daily use. From accidental drops to water exposure and screen scratches, durability has become a key selling point for users looking for longevity and reliability in their devices. But how exactly is smartphone durability measured? Durability is assessed through a range of standardized tests that determine a phone’s ability to handle real-world scenarios. Drop and shock resistance are tested by simulating falls from different heights onto various surfaces like marble and concrete. Phones with reinforced frames and shock-absorbing materials tend to perform better in these assessments. Structural integrity is examined…

FrieslandCampina Engro Pakistan Limited (FCEPL) announced its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2024. Despite experiencing 17% year-on-year sales growth in the first half of the year, driven by strong brand initiatives, increased consumer awareness, and customer-centric offerings, the imposition of an 18% sales tax on packaged UHT milk in July 2024 had a severely adverse impact, leading to a substantial decline in packaged milk volumes in the second half of the year. This taxation directly undermines government priorities to improve access to safe nutrition and support farmer livelihoods. The price gap between packaged and loose milk incentivizes…

Ajoka Theatre will premiere its latest production, Lawrence in Lahore, on February 17, 2025, at the Ali Institute, Ferozepur Road, Lahore. This bilingual play, written and directed by Shahid Nadeem, explores a lesser-known chapter of British intelligence officer T. E. Lawrence’s life after World War I, focusing on his involvement in key events in South Asia during the 1920s. Lawrence in Lahore delves into Lawrence’s mysterious time in Lahore and the surrounding region, where he was reportedly involved in political maneuvering in Afghanistan and Kashmir. The play examines his secretive role in events that shaped the region, including the overthrow…

Pakistan State Oil (PSO), the nation’s energy leader, delivered a stable performance in 1HFY25, posting a net profit of PKR 11.2 billion and gross sales of PKR 1.74 trillion. The company’s Board of Management reviewed the group’s performance for the half-year ended December 31, 2024, in a meeting held on February 13, 2025. The group reported a net profit of PKR 9.1 billion translating into earnings per share of PKR 19.48. Despite a volatile market landscape, the petroleum industry maintained a steady course during the first half of the fiscal year. PSO effectively managed the resulting industry pressures, providing a…

Pakistan’s largest fintech services provider, JazzCash, and the country’s leading digital microfinance bank, Mobilink Bank, have been nominated for prestigious awards at the Global Mobile (GLOMO) Awards 2025. The winners will be announced at the upcoming Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 event. JazzCash earned its GLOMO 2025 nomination in the ‘Best Fintech Innovation’ category for its Tap Pay for Business offering. This nomination is yet another recognition of JazzCash’s innovative approach, the first of its kind globally, allowing over 360,000 merchants and businesses to accept payments from contactless cards or smartphones with a simple tap on an NFC-enabled Android device.…

Bank Alfalah has reinforced its commitment to financial inclusion by increasing its investment in Qist Bazaar, Pakistan’s rapidly growing buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) platform catering to essential purchases of people with minimal and easy instalments. As part of the latest funding round, Bank Alfalah has invested an additional PKR 55 million as part of Qist Bazaar’s Series A raise of around PKR 800 million, further solidifying its confidence in Qist Bazaar’s vision and exponential growth. Qist Bazaar has seen remarkable expansion, now operating 40 branches across seven cities, primarily serving Pakistan’s unbanked and underbanked populations. In addition to its equity investment, Bank…

Blue Skincare is making its highly anticipated debut in Pakistan, marking its first entry into the local market with a soft launch on February 10th. This introduction brings a premium lineup of gentle, effective, and dermatologically tested products suitable for all skin types, from ages 2 to 80. With formulations enriched with organic ingredients and marine elements such as Mother of Pearl, Blue Skincare aims to redefine skincare standards in Pakistan. The launch is driven by an experienced team of professionals dedicated to bringing high-quality skincare solutions to the country. Sumbul Tabani, the creative head of L’amour shoe supplier, has years of experience in the fashion and beauty industry and is leading Blue Skincare’s entry into the market in collaboration with Dr. Sardar Shahzaman. Known as the “Celebrity Aesthetic Doctor,” Dr. Shahzaman is the CEO of BeautyDoc.Co, a U.S.-licensed medical doctor, and an MBBS graduate from Dow University of Health Sciences. He specializes in aesthetic…

HBL Microfinance Bank (HBL MfB) has signed a US$ 80 million Risk Sharing Agreement (RSA or the facility) with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group. This facility, which is supported by the Private Sector Window of the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP), will allow HBL MfB to share 50% of the risk on its microfinance loan portfolio of up to US$ 80 million (in PKR equivalent) with IFC, on an unfunded basis. The collaboration between HBL MfB and IFC will significantly enhance access to finance for smallholder farmers and microenterprises across the country, with a strong focus on women entrepreneurs.…

Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), one of the leading telecom and ICT services provider in the country, has announced its financial results for the financial year 2024 ending December 31, 2024. The announcement was made during a Board of Directors meeting held in Islamabad.PTCL Group achieved impressive double-digit revenue growth of 17% during the financial year 2024. The Group’s robust performance solidifies its position as Pakistan’s top integrated telecom service provider. PTCL Group Key Highlights:• PTCL Group posted revenue of Rs 219.7 billion, driven by robust growth in consumer segments including fixed broadband & mobile data and wholesale & business…

Fatima Fertilizer and Akhuwat Foundation joined hands through a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreement, signed during a special ceremony held in Lahore. The collaboration is aimed at supporting rural women entrepreneurs under the Sarsabz Tabeer initiative through financial inclusion and skill development initiatives. The agreement was signed by Asad Murad, Chief Operating Officer of Fatima Fertilizer, and Dr. Kamran Shams, CEO Akhuwat Foundation. The Sarsabz Tabeer initiative is designed to empower women by providing them with the necessary resources, training, and financial support to thrive in agri entrepreneurial pursuits. This collaboration signifies a shared commitment to fostering gender equality…