NBP and Jubilee Life collaboration

Jubilee Life Insurance has partnered with National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) to launch two financial protection plans, as per a press release: Jubilee Sehat Shifa Takaful (Shariah-compliant) and Jubilee Aitebaar Plan (Conventional). The initiative aims to expand access to quality healthcare and financial security across Pakistan.

The signing ceremony was with key representatives from both organisations, including Faisal Ahmed Topra Group Chief-Retail Banking Group NBP and Sohail Fakhar, Group Head Corporate & Bancassurance, Jubilee Life. Sehat Shifa Takaful offers nationwide, round-the-clock cashless hospitalisation with coverage for pre-existing conditions, while Aitebaar Plan provides long-term savings with guaranteed returns and bonuses through NBP’s branch network.

Emirates’s YouGov ranking

Emirates has topped the rankings as YouGov’s Most Recommended Global Brand for 2025, according to a press release. Emirates is the only airline to be featured on the global top 10 list.

The YouGov Most Recommended Brands rankings measure the percentage of a brand’s customers who would recommend it to a friend or colleague. This year, Emirates achieved an outstanding score of 88.4 per cent. Fuelled by insights from YouGov BrandIndex, Recommend scores are based on over a million customer surveys in 28 markets, tracking brand performance daily between June 1, 2024 and May 31, 2025. Positive Recommend scores for each top 10 global brand are aggregated and weighted by the size of the brand’s current customer base per market.

Emirates has been recognised by YouGov before as the most recommended brand in the United Arab Emirates in the Recommend 2024 rankings with a score of 92.6. In YouGov’s 2024 US airlines report, Emirates was one of the top 10 airlines considered by US Millennials and Gen Zs.

Google expands AI tools in Pakistan

Google has introduced its video generation model, Veo 3, expanding access to Google AI Pro subscribers in over 150 countries, including Pakistan, according to a press release. This new capability allows users to transform their favourite photos into eight-second video clips with sound through a photo-to-video feature built on Veo 3, launched earlier this year.

Globally, users have already created over 40 million Veo 3 videos in just seven weeks — reimagining fairy tales and experimenting with ASMR. Pakistan’s growing community of digital storytellers and content creators can look forward to exploring these possibilities.

Google is committed to responsible AI. All videos generated with Gemini include a visible watermark and an invisible SynthID digital marker to indicate they are AI-created. The company also conducts extensive “red teaming” exercises to proactively test its systems, identify and address potential issues before they arise, and carries out thorough evaluations to understand how these tools might be used and how misuse can be prevented.

Telenor’s climate resilience efforts

At the National Conference on Climate Challenges in Pakistan, Khurrum Ashfaque, CEO of Telenor Pakistan, spoke about the company’s increasing focus on climate resilience, a press release states. Speaking to an audience of policymakers, climate experts, and business leaders, he said that Telenor’s climate communication is moving beyond just emergency alerts and now supports wider efforts in preparation and day-to-day operations.

Furthermore, Mr Ashfaque highlighted Telenor Pakistan’s role in supporting national emergency efforts, citing the company’s contribution in mobility tracking during the Covid-19 pandemic and its collaboration with the institutions like National Disaster Management Authority during the devastating 2022 floods.

DIBPL partners with JazzCash

Dubai Islamic Bank Pakistan Limited (DIBPL) has joined hands with JazzCash to facilitate and grow inland home remittance transactions to Pakistan through innovative, easy and seamless digital financial solutions, as stated in a press release. A memorandum of understanding was signed at Dubai Islamic Bank’s Head Office in the presence of senior management from both organisations.

This collaboration enables international remittances to be routed directly into JazzCash accounts via DIBPL’s global network, providing customers with faster, more convenient and secure access to funds. The partnership will also explore innovative digital financial solutions tailored to the needs of Pakistan’s freelance community.

Published in Dawn, The Business and Finance Weekly, July 14th, 2025