Digital banking and housing finance award

Bank Alfalah, one of the largest commercial banks in the country, got accoladed by the prestigious Institute of Bankers Pakistan (IBP) at the Pakistan Banking Awards for its services and for entrenching the bank’s position as an industry leader in transforming the future of banking in the country. According to a press release, the bank has been conferred with ‘Best Digital Banking’ and ‘Best Bank in Housing Finance’ awards at the Pakistan Banking Awards 2022.

Bank Alfalah was commemorated for its efforts in introducing innovative and transformative offerings, simplifying and easing customers’ banking experience through its digital services. It was recognised for winning its customers’ trust, who can avail of end-to-end banking services and perform financial transactions from the comfort of their location.

Facebook Stars

Facebook Stars, Meta’s monetisation feature for content creators, is now open to all eligible creators in Pakistan to help them connect with their audiences and build a business, according to a press release. Stars, a digital good that fans can buy and send to support creators, will enable Pakistani online content creators to easily onboard, check their earnings by content type, manage their goals, and access other Stars settings. This tool is available across multiple formats: Facebook Reels, Facebook Live, on-demand videos, as well as photos and text posts.

Any Pakistani creator with at least 1,000 followers online through the last 60 days who meet the following eligibility criteria will be able to begin receiving Stars from their audiences.

U Bank award

U Microfinance Bank (U Bank) Islamic Banking has received the prestigious international award for Upcoming Islamic Retail Banking Window in Pakistan 2022 during the 8th Islamic Retail Banking Awards 2022, hosted by Cambridge IFA in Indonesia, according to a press release. The award honours U Bank’s recent introduction of Sharia-compliant financial solutions in Pakistan and comes soon after U Bank’s full-scale commercial launch of Islamic Banking services nationwide.

The Islamic Retail Banking Awards developed by Cambridge IFA are based on the most academically rigorous analysis of global Islamic Banking efficiency performance.

Serena takes over PC, Peshawar

Tourism Promotion Services (Limited) Pakistan, the owners and managers of Serena Hotels in Pakistan, announced the takeover of Pearl Continental Hotel Peshawar, according to a press release. This will be the ninth Serena Hotel property in Pakistan.

The addition of Serena Hotels in Peshawar, the oldest city of Pakistan with a rich cultural heritage, will not only help in extending the tourist circuit in KP but will also allow regional connectivity for tourists and business travellers through its vast portfolio of hotels in Islamabad, Peshawar, Kabul, and Dushanbe. The hotel shall serve as a gateway to Central Asia, taking the brand portfolio to a whole new level.

TDAP seminar on sustainability

Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) organised a seminar on “Sustainability and Net Zero Carbon” for the textile and leather industry at the Movenpick Hotel, Karachi, where more than 50 participants from the leather and textile industry participated, according to a press release.

This seminar was organised in connection with the Texpo-2023 scheduled to happen in May. Texpo is the hallmark event of TDAP and its 4th edition is set on the theme “Weaving the way to sustainability”. The welcome address was given by Mr Muhammad Zubair Motiwala, chief executive, TDAP, while emphasising the importance of sustainable production he also reassured the participants that TDAP will provide necessary support and assistance to develop business and trade.

CECOS University holds convocation

CECOS University of IT and emerging sciences, Peshawar, KP’s pioneer university with a legacy of nearly four decades, held its convocation 2022 last week, according to a press release. Mr Najeeb Haroon, Chairman Pakistan Engineering Council, honoured the ceremony as chief guest. More than five hundred graduates and their parents participated in the ceremony along with the faculty of CECOS University.

Empowering girls’ education

Habib Oil Mills (HOM) has joined forces with Shahid Afridi Foundation (SAF) to empower girls’ education in the country by establishing a school, Shahina Perveen Campus, in the under-resourced locality of Ibrahim Haidery in Karachi, according to a press release.

Published in Dawn, The Business and Finance Weekly, December 19th, 2022