Maju hosts seminar on IMF Programme

Mohammad Ali Jinnah University (Maju) recently hosted a seminar on Pakistan’s economic situation and the latest agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) at its campus, as per a press release.

Speakers underscored the crucial role of the IMF in stabilising the country’s current account and the option of utilising the international lender’s Islamic financing programme.

They further highlighted various issues and challenges of the economy and its critical solutions through restructuring and reforms of macroeconomic indicators. Agriculture and IT are highly potential sector for the economic growth, foreign direct investment, and the generation of employment across the country, they said and added.

The event was addressed by noted speakers, including the Institute of Business Management’s Director of Centre for Excellence in Islamic Finance Ahmed Siddiqui, Economist Muhammad Farrukh Ahmed, Chairman Employees Federation of Pakistan Mehmood Arshad, and Faculty Members at Maju Dr Hina Fatima and Dr Umar Rafiq.

Jazz partners with Huawei Pakistan

Jazz has entered into a strategic partnership with Huawei to accelerate its network digitisation efforts using the WISDOM (WizTech, Innovative, Service assurance, Diversification, Operation Excellence & Mobile Money) framework — a comprehensive approach aimed at boosting digital maturity and stimulating innovation within the organisation and enriching the customer experience across its network infrastructure, according to a press release.

Commenting on the development, Abdul Rehman Usmani, Jazz’s Vice President of Network Development, said, “We are excited to partner with Huawei. By embracing the principles of WISDOM, Jazz seeks to build a resilient and future-ready network infrastructure that meets the evolving needs of its customers and stakeholders.”

Also sharing his thoughts on the occasion, Justin Zhang, Deputy CEO of Huawei Pakistan, said, “We are thrilled to partner with Pakistan’s foremost digital operator, empowering them to maintain their industry leadership and advance their digital operator vision. This initiative is poised to significantly enhance customer experience and engagement across the Jazz network.”

Pakistan Cables awarded

Pakistan Cables won the Gold Award at the Women Empowerment & Gender Equality Recognition Awards 2024 ceremony organised by the Employers’ Federation of Pakistan. The award was presented by the Federal Secretary of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Department, Dr Arshad Mahmood, to the Director of Human Resources of Pakistan Cables Ltd, Aadil Riaz, states a press release.

In regard to the recognition, the CEO of Pakistan Cables Ltd, Fahd K. Chinoy, said, “Pakistan Cables is playing a pioneering role in promoting female empowerment in the engineering sector. We are an equal-opportunity employer that challenges stereotypes in the industry, and we continually invest in a diverse workforce. Our internal policies and practices are aligned to promote inclusion in all aspects of business. We have also made social investments through external partnerships to promote women in STEM-based subjects and aim to inspire others to follow in Pakistan.”

PBA appoints new CEO and Chairman

Pakistan Banks’ Association (PBA) announces the retirement of its longstanding CEO & Secretary General, Tawfiq A. Hussain, says a press release. After more than a decade of meritorious service to the association, Mr Hussain leaves behind a legacy marked by notable achievements and substantial growth of the organisation.

Following Mr Hussain’s retirement, the PBA Executive Committee unanimously selected Muneer Kamal, former president and CEO of Faysal Bank, to be his successor and assume the role of the new CEO & Secretary General and Zafar Masud, President & CEO of the Bank of Punjab (BOP), to assume the role of the new Chairman of the Association.

The association firmly believes that, under the new leadership, it will increase its focus on aligning banks to further build up the technology & digital framework, maintain the highest compliance standards, and play a strong role in increasing financial inclusion.

Additionally, it will coordinate with banks to facilitate the growth of small and medium enterprises, middle markets, and financing of large infrastructure & industrial projects deemed critical for the country.

Published in Dawn, The Business and Finance Weekly, April 1st, 2024