IBA, Bank Islami, programme for youth

BankIslami, Pakistan’s leading Islamic Bank, announces a partnership with the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Karachi to introduce a groundbreaking digital certification programme, according to a press release.

Spearheaded by BankIslami’s President & CEO, Syed Amir Ali, this programme aims to educate and empower young individuals with essential technical skills, enabling them to contribute to the betterment of their families and society while also bringing in much-needed foreign exchange in the country.

The comprehensive digital certification program is fully funded by BankIslami in collaboration with the academic expertise of IBA Karachi. Successful students will be able to work on foreign projects that will contribute to Pakistan’s international trade and economic growth.

Bank Alfalah launches #GreenWayForward

Bank Alfalah has initiated a plantation drive with World Wide Fund for Nature Pakistan (WWF-Pakistan), a leading organisation that works on ecosystem conservation.

This collaborative effort aims to contribute to the reforestation of mangroves and improve natural resource management in Pakistan.

WWF-Pakistan has been at the forefront of environmental conservation since 1970, and together with Bank Alfalah, they plan to plant a minimum of 15,000 saplings at the Wetlands in Sandspit, Karachi. WWF-Pakistan will also provide comprehensive post-care for the saplings for one year, ensuring long-term sustainability.

The plantation of 15,000 mangrove trees signifies a monumental step towards safeguarding Karachi’s coastal ecosystem. The Mangroves of Sindh’s coastal zone are extensive, covering about 600,000 hectares. The #GreenWayForward plantation drive with WWF aims to increase the forest cover of mangroves to ensure a greener tomorrow.

Greenfield refinery project

Four leading Pakistani state-owned companies join hands for Greenfield Refinery Project in Balochistan, as per a press release. The Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), Pakistan State Oil (PSO), Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL), and Government Holdings Private Limited (GHPL) will collaborate through a joint investment strategy. The project will have significant foreign investment from world-class oil and gas giants through equity participation.

The project envisions setting up an integrated refinery petrochemical complex with a crude oil processing capacity of a minimum of 300,000 BPD, along with a petrochemical facility in Pakistan. The integrated refinery petrochemical complex shall comprise various components such as marine infrastructure, petrochemical complex, storage for crude oil and refines utilities, pipeline connectivity etc.

‘People First 10.0’ initiative

S&P Global has launched ‘People First 10.0’, the latest iteration of its enhanced global benefits policy across all its markets, including Pakistan, as per a press release. The policy commits to leading with care and empathy and enabling the company’s people to thrive at work, at home, and in life. ‘People First’ prioritised the needs of S&P Global colleagues to cover a variety of their personal, professional, and social requirements.

Mujeeb Zahur, Managing Director, S&P Global Pakistan, expressed enthusiasm for the People First 10.0, saying, “We are proud to unveil People First 10.0, which demonstrates our unwavering dedication to our colleagues’ well-being. We listen to our people, and the continuous feedback inspires our approach towards people-friendly policies that empower our people to thrive.”

Published in Dawn, The Business and Finance Weekly, July 31th, 2023