Awarding HR excellence

The second Human Resource (HR) Pinnacle Awards were recently held in Karachi in collaboration with the World Happiness Foundation based in the United States, said a press release issued by the local organisers. The event witnessed a gathering of over 300 HR decision-makers as well as CEOs and marked a significant milestone in recognising excellence in HR. Banking Ombudsman Sirajuddin Aziz was the chief guest on the occasion, while former federal minister Muhammad Azfar Ahsan delivered the keynote speech.

The HR Pinnacle Awards aim at celebrating the achievements of HR professionals and acknowledging their role in shaping organisational success based on a culture of growth and development.n

Accelerating smart energy solutions

K-Electric (KE) and K-Solar — a wholly owned subsidiary of KE — have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Huawei Technologies at its global headquarters in Shenzhen, China, witnessed by their leadership as per a press release. The MoU aims to jointly explore, develop, and deploy innovative energy technologies across the country.

This collaboration will focus on three key areas: utility-scale and industrial-level battery energy storage systems, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and the development of microgrids. The MoU sets a framework for cooperative feasibility assessments, technology sharing, and pilot implementations that support Pakistan’s transition toward a cleaner and smarter energy landscape.

Under the agreement, the parties will jointly assess technical feasibility, design market strategies, and pilot new energy solutions tailored for Pakistan’s unique needs. The initiative will also explore regulatory and policy frameworks to accelerate the adoption of new energy solutions in Pakistan.

This MoU reinforces the shared vision of both organisations to promote innovation, foster technology transfer, and accelerate the deployment of advanced energy technologies aligned with Pakistan’s broader sustainability goals.n

Pink Rock Salt at Expo 2025

Aligning with the Osaka Expo 2025’s “Health & Well-being Week”, the Pakistan Pavilion hosted a panel discussion titled ‘Pink Rock Salt: Trade, Health & Investment Potential’ at the Theme Weeks Studio on the Expo site, according to a press release.

Organised by the Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation in collaboration with the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, the event spotlighted the mineral legacy, health benefits and Pakistan’s trade potential of the Pink Rock Salt.

The event also featured the official documentary film of the Pakistan Pavilion, titled ‘The Universe in a Grain of Salt’, depicting the visuals of the Salt Range and the interior of the Khewra Mine.

In addition, the panel stressed the importance of geographical indication protection to position pink rock salt as a premium, certified product on the world stage.

The event was held within the broader narrative of the Pakistan Pavilion, where the Pink Salt features the infrastructure and the core elements of the pavilion design.

It further reinforced the pavilion’s theme of balance between nature, wellness, and innovation, offering a compelling platform to translate heritage into opportunity and awareness into trade.n

PTCL Group & TPL Insurance partner UP

Pakistan’s largest telecommunication and digital services provider, PTCL Group (PTCL & Ufone 4G), has partnered with TPL Insurance to launch a financial guarantee system, as announced in a press release, aimed at the adoption of digital tools, handhelds and Internet of Things equipment across industries and organisations irrespective of their size.

This collaboration allows the PTCL group to take its Device-as-a-Service portfolio to new heights while offering ea­se of payments and significantly reducing the upfront investment overheads for small and large businesses alike.

Under the programme, PTCL Group will offer a rich spectrum of devices covering flagship phones, tablets, customised handhelds, and digitalising and networking equipment. Thanks to TPL Insurance’s novel credit risk mitigation solution, the PTCL group will deliver flexible payment plans to reinforce its commitment to delivering secure, scalable, and sustainable solutions to technologically empower Pakistan’s evolving business landscape.

This collaboration represents a significant step in PTCL Group’s strategy to create enterprise-focused solutions and foster financial inclusion through technology, innovation, and strategic partnerships.

Published in Dawn, The Business and Finance Weekly, June 23rd, 2025