5,000 Google Scholarships, 6-month free of cost Coursera training announced, PITB, Tech Valley (Google for Education partner in Pakistan) sign MoU

LAHORE – March 22, 2023

Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tech Valley to distribute 5,000 scholarships for the Google Career Certificates program. PITB Director General (DG) e-Governance Sajid Latif and Tech Valley CEO Umar Farooq signed the MoU on behalf of their respective organizations. PITB Chairman Faisal Yousaf presided over the MoU signing ceremony held at Arfa Software Technology Park (ASTP).

Google for Education Special Projects APAC Tim Paolini, PB Tech Head of Education Stan Fosenbauer, Tech Valley Pakistan CEO Umar Farooq, Chief Strategy Officer Adnan Iftekhar, Senior Outreach & Coordination Manager Madiha Mongol, PITB Joint Director (JD) Ahmed Islam and other senior officials were also present on the occasion.

As per the MoU, six-month training will be provided in the fields of IT Support, Project Management, Advanced Data Analytics, IT Automation, UX Design, Advanced Business Intelligence, Data Analysis, Digital Marketing & Ecommerce and Cybersecurity. The training will be given free of cost to the beneficiaries of the scholarship through Coursera courses.

In this regard, Chairman Faisal Yousaf remarked that PITB will shortlist and provide a list of eligible organizations in the Punjab province and assist Tech Valley in reaching out to these organizations. “Moreover, PITB will promote scholarships for eligible organizations in the province,” he added.

Tech Valley Pakistan CEO Umar Farooq stated, “We are thrilled to partner with Punjab IT Board to offer these scholarships to learners who are passionate about launching a career in high-growth fields.”

“At Tech Valley, we are committed to empowering individuals and communities through digital education and skill development, and this partnership is an excellent opportunity to extend our commitment to Punjab,” he added.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Google Career Certificates program is a flexible, self-paced online training program that can prepare learners for careers in various high-growth fields. The program includes specialized training, assessments, mentorship sessions, and hands-on practical experience. Additionally, the program is taught and developed by Google employees with decades of experience in these fields.

Meanwhile, scholarships for the Google Career Certificates program will be distributed on a rolling basis. The priority for these scholarships will be given to applicants remote areas. Learners are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to ensure that they have the opportunity to take advantage of this valuable training.

Carrefour and Alkhidmat Foundation partner to lend a helping hand to those in need

Carrefour and Alkhidmat Foundation have partnered to support the less privileged in Pakistan during Ramadan
The collaboration will provide humanitarian aid to communities in Türkiye and Syria affected by the recent earthquakes
Customers can find pre-packed boxes filled with essential items at all Carrefour stores to donate

Carrefour, owned and operated by Majid Al Futtaim in Pakistan, has teamed up with Alkhidmat Foundation for the provision of humanitarian aid. The collaboration is set to provide meals to the less privileged during the month of Ramadan in Pakistan and to support the victims of recent earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria. The bipartite memorandum of understanding was signed by Majid Barzegar, District Manager of Carrefour Pakistan and Engr. Ahmad Rashid, President AlKhidmat Foundation Lahore during a special ceremony held at Head Office of AlKhidmat Foundation in Lahore.

Customers have the opportunity to give back to the local community this Ramadan by purchasing special, pre-packed boxes filled with essential food items such as rice, flour, oil, dates & pulses. These will be distributed to families to stop them from worrying about their next meal. In addition, earthquake relief boxes comprised of shelter supplies, clothing, and non-perishable food items are available for customers to buy and donate at all Carrefour stores.

Umer Lodhi, Country Manager of Carrefour Pakistan at Majid Al Futtaim Retail said, “We believe in the power of collective action and community support. We are greatly pleased to join hands with Alkhidmat Foundation to play our part in eliminating food hunger in the country, whilst providing relief to those affected by the earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria. We hope our combined efforts will make a positive impact on those who need it the most.”

The leading retailer recognises its role in providing support to the less privileged in the country and maintains its mission to uplift its surrounding communities. This collaboration joins international appeals to help the victims of Türkiye and Syria, demonstrating Pakistan’s efforts to be at the forefront of extending all possible relief assistance despite facing its own challenges.

Bank ABC Partners with Temenos and NdcTech to Implement Next-Generation Core Banking System

Bank ABC, one of MENA’s leading international banks, has signed agreements with Temenos and NdcTech to replace its core banking systems for its retail, corporate and wholesale businesses and power its subsidiary, ila Bank, the MENA region’s fast growing digital mobile-only bank, with Temenos’ core banking platform on the Cloud.

With this transformation project, to be implemented by NdcTech (a Systems Limited Company), Bank ABC will replace its legacy core banking systems for its network of operations serving customers in twenty-five markets from fifteen countries worldwide with a single instance of the Temenos platform. NdcTech will also be providing end-to-end managed services to enable Bank ABC to run its operations seamlessly on the cloud.

Consolidating multiple back-end systems on the Temenos platform in the Cloud will enable Bank ABC to drive scalable efficiency, with a single dashboard and complete 360- degree customer view across business lines and geographies. The first phase of the project is the implementation of Temenos retail core banking solution and origination on Infinity for ila Bank. This will replace current systems for the digital mobile-only offering in Bahrain and provide the agile core for planned greenfield expansion. Subsequently, Bank ABC will leverage Temenos’ cloud-native solutions and its open and API-first architecture for easy extensibility and open banking integration to enhance the experience and the services delivered to its customers.

The project will see the gradual transformation of the Group-wide core banking infrastructure, enabling Bank ABC to benefit from Temenos’ broad set of banking functionality and lower operational cost across its retail and wholesale banking operations. NdcTech will provide its country model bank accelerators combined with a wealth of knowledge and experience to drive value as part of Bank ABC’s transformation journey. Banks are increasingly realizing the benefits of the cloud to remain agile and meet the demands of a constantly evolving industry, and NdcTech’s end-to-end Managed Service on the cloud will fulfill that promise.

During the signing ceremony, Sael Al Waary, Acting Group CEO, Bank ABC, commented: ““Today, marks a momentous milestone in our journey to build our bank of the future. Consolidating our banking systems on a single platform will give us a robust foundation to accelerate growth and create significant value for our stakeholders. Temenos offers an ideal Cloud-native solution with the breadth of banking functionality needed to support all spectrums of our wholesale and retail businesses. I am confident that this next-generation core banking system will drive further operational efficiencies for the Group, enabling us to become even more responsive and adaptive to our clients’ ever-evolving needs.”

Ismail Mokhtar, Group Chief Operating Officer, Bank ABC added: “Achieving operational agility is crucial for the future success of Bank ABC. We are continuously exploring leading-edge technologies to enable our ambitious expansion and digital transformation aspirations. Temenos’ platform will enable us to efficiently scale our services. In addition, hosting our core banking system on the Cloud will significantly increase our levels of security and resilience. We look forward to working with Temenos and NdcTech teams during the implementation phase and reaping the benefits of this investment.”

William Moroney, Managing Director – Middle East & Africa, Temenos, said: “We are delighted to have been selected by Bank ABC to transform its core banking systems and power the MENA region’s fast growing digital mobile-only ila Bank on a single platform in the Cloud. Temenos gives customers freedom to implement on the public Cloud of their choice and is the trusted platform for thousands of banks worldwide. Our proven expertise taking banks live on the Cloud, including many in the Middle East region, gave Bank ABC full confidence in Temenos to successfully deliver this complex project with NdcTech.”

Ammara Masood, CEO and President, NdcTech, said: “We are pleased to be putting our combined strengths to work, allowing Bank ABC to innovate faster using Cloud capabilities to grow their business while meeting sustainability commitments. What sets NdcTech apart is our accelerators, hands-on experience within global markets and how we keep the end-user experience in mind while driving digital transformations. NdcTech services and country model on the Cloud platform paves the way for banks to deliver mission-driven products and services that delight their customers.”

More than 1.25 Million Character Certificates Issued To Citizens under One-Window System In Police Khidmat Centers

LAHORE – March 20, 2023

More than 1.25 million Character Certificates have been issued to the citizens under the one-window system in the 93 Police Khidmat Centers established across Punjab. These Police Khidmat Centers have been established by the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) in collaboration with the Police Department to provide police related facilities to the citizens. This was told in a meeting presided over by PITB Chairman Faisal Yousaf.

The participants of the meeting were apprised that apart from Character Certificate, 17 more services including FIR copy, Vehicle Verification, Tenant Registration, Missing Documents, General Police Verification, Employee Verification, Missing Report etc are also provided under one roof in the Police Khidmat Centers.

In this regard, Chairman Faisal Yousaf said that the purpose of establishing Police Khidmat Centers is to further improve the atmosphere of trust between the citizens and the police.

More than 1.25 Million Character Certificates Issued To Citizens under One-Window System In Police Khidmat Centers

LAHORE – March 20, 2023

In this regard, Chairman Faisal Yousaf said that the purpose of establishing Police Khidmat Centers is to further improve the atmosphere of trust between the citizens and the police.

Emirates embraces the spirit of the Holy Month with a thoughtful passenger journey

With the Holy Month of Ramadan expected to begin this week, Emirates is preparing thousands of Iftar meal boxes for fasting passengers both onboard and at boarding gates, an array of religious content and Ramadan series on ice, and traditional Ramadan refreshments and meals in the lounges.

Iftar Meal Boxes honouring Bedouin heritage

From the 22 March, customers breaking their fast across all cabin classes to select Emirates destinations will receive thoughtful, nutritionally-balanced iftar meal boxes. Iftar meals will be served in bespoke boxes designed by Emirates to represent the rich Emirati heritage of the Al Sadu weavers. Al Sadu is a traditional form of weaving practised by Bedouin women of the UAE, who handmade soft furnishings and decorative accessories with distinctive geometric patterns. Reflecting the social aspect of Ramadan as family and friends gather to break the fast, the Al Sadu weavers used to come together in groups to spin and weave, exchanging family news, singing, and reciting poetry.

The iftar meal boxes will include light dishes and starters such as hummus and spinach bil zeit, Greek salad and cauliflower bil tahini, falafel sandwiches, pasta salad and fried aubergine with mint, zaatar chicken salad and cauliflower bil tahini, chicken musakhan sandwiches with Arabic bread, as well as staples like traditional dates and refreshing laban. A smaller box will also be served at boarding gates at Iftar time including all the essentials to comfortably break the fast.

Emirates’ iftar box will be served to complement the regular hot meal service and menu’s will be refreshed on a weekly basis to ensure a best-in-class dining experience during the Holy Month. The boxes will be served on flights to select destinations during times that coincide with iftar, on flights to and from the Gulf region, as well as flights catering to Umrah groups travelling to Jeddah and Medina during the month of Ramadan. Passengers may also check in one bottle of Islamic holy water ‘ZAMZAM’, containing up to 5 litres per person at Dubai International Airport (DXB) and various airports in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Captain announcements of Iftar time

To ensure the highest levels of accuracy for fasting Muslim passengers, Emirates uses a unique tool to calculate the correct timings for imsak (the time to commence fasting) and iftar while in-flight, based on the times of the sunrise and sunset of the location the flight is passing by using the aircraft’s longitude, latitude, and altitude. When the sun sets, passengers will be officially informed of the iftar time by the captain.

Ramadan refreshments in the lounges

For customers on the ground boarding during iftar times, boxes containing water, juice, a banana, and dates will be available to fasting customers at gates for several destinations. At the Emirates lounges in DXB, traditional Arabic sweets, dates and coffee will be offered during Ramadan. Meals available in First and Business Class lounges will include a selection of hot and cold Arabic mezzeh, lentil soup, lamb ouzi served with dakous and coriander mint raita, shish taouk with harissa red pepper dip and Emirati ouzi. Desserts will feature kunafa with pistachio and baklava ice-cream, baklawa pistachio finger, sweet cashew kol w shkor and Arabic coffee and dates ice-cream. Emirates lounges are equipped with dedicated prayer rooms and ablution facilities to ensure a peaceful environment for worship.

Ramadan content on ice

Throughout March and April, Emirates ice inflight entertainment will feature special religious content including Hadeeth Al Emam Al Tayeb, Nawafez Aala Al Hayat, Qu’ran Mubeen, Deen Al Tasamoh, Meythaq Al Hayat, Mahe Ramadan (Urdu), Ramadan Ki Fazilat (Urdu), Noor E Ramzan (Urdu) and Niyamat – E – Ramadan (Urdu). The Holy Qur’an is also available on ice.

Popular Ramadan series and dramas will also be available on ice, such as Al Wade’ Mustaqer – Season 2, Nasiby Wa Qesmetek – Season 4, Tahqiq, Rivo, 25 Soual, and Fil Sayara. Amongst the diverse content on ice, there are more than 5,000 channels of on-demand entertainment including 742 Arabic channels featuring movies, TV, podcasts, and music.

Ramadan Awareness Training for Emirates staff

Emirates provides Ramadan awareness training for its cabin crew and on ground teams in Dubai and across its network. Special training resources have been provided to ensure operational teams are aware of the Holy Month, understand the cultural significance and nuances of this time and recognise specific practices that Muslims engage in, so they are prepared to provide the highest levels of service to customers at all touchpoints of their travel journey.

Co-Working Center Inaugurated In Multan Under PITB’s e-Earn Program

Multan– March 20, 2023

Under the Punjab Information Technology Board’s (PITB) e-Earn program, a co-working center has been inaugurated in Multan to facilitate freelancers, start-ups and entrepreneurs.

Earlier, the e-Earn centers were established in Bahawalpur and Gujranwala with the support of private partners to provide working spaces to entrepreneurs, freelancers, workers and small businesses. The beneficiaries of this program are provided with working spaces, free internet, electricity and training hall etc.

On this occasion, PITB Director General (DG) e-Governance Sajid Latif said that e-Earn is Punjab’s largest co-working network for freelancers with special emphasis on promoting inclusion and foster diversity. “Along with assuring a comfortable and secure environment, e-Earn aims at creating equal work opportunities for women and the differently abled persons,” he added.

Freelancers having an excellent work profile and CNIC can register themselves to secure a seat for six months while the age limit is 18 to 40 years. Moreover, the government will pay 70 percent of the registration fee to provide relief to the freelancers. For registration, the freelancers can visit: https://eearn.pitb.gov.pk

11 Services Of Travel & Transport Included In ‘Go Punjab’ App

LAHORE – March 16, 2023

11 services of travel and transportation have also been included in the “Go Punjab” App, developed by the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) on directions of the Government of Punjab to provide online delivery of more than 33 services of various departments to the citizens. Moreover, more than three lakh citizens have downloaded the App in just a few months.

The travelling and transportation services added in the Go Punjab App include Driving License Delivery and Tracking, list of important places and accidents and Orange Line stations etc. The App is also available in Urdu language for the convenience of the citizens. Furthermore, citizens can also see the record of the services received from the newly introduced My Activity feature.

In this regard, PITB Chairman Faisal Yousaf said that the new services of more departments will also be added to the app soon.

Applications Open For Admission In Next Phase of e-Rozgaar Training Program

LAHORE – March 15, 2023

e-Rozgaar Training Program, an initiative of the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) and Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, continues to receive application for admission in its next phase.

The unemployed youth bearing Punjab domicile can submit applications for training in 7 different fields including Mobile App Development, Technical Content Marketing, Creative Designing and e-Commerce. In order to secure admission in the said program, the age limit is 35 years and the required educational qualification is Master’s.

It is pertinent to mention here that as many as 45 e-Rozgaar Centers are operational across Punjab. More than 50,000 students, of which 56 per cent are women, have earned more than Rs. 3.5 billion through the Internet after the completion of their training. Candidates can register through the website for on-campus or online training: www.erozgaar.pitb.gov.pk

Rs27Mn Tax Revenue Collected As Weights & Measures Fee Through e-Pay Punjab

LAHORE – March 14, 2023

The Government of Punjab has collected a record tax revenue of Rs 27Million in lieu of Weights and Measures fee through e-Pay Punjab, an online system for payment of government taxes, developed by the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) in collaboration with the Punjab Finance Department. This was told in a progress review meeting presided over by PITB Chairman Faisal Yousaf.

The revenue collection has come through 7,000 transactions since Weights & Measures’ integration with e-Pay Punjab in December, 2022.

It is worth mentioning here that the Industries Department collects a fee from the owners of Petrol Pumps, factories and shops for the verification of the standards of Weights & Measures. e-Pay Punjab has also facilitated the process of this fee collection.

On this occasion, Chairman Faisal Yousaf stated that new services added to e-Pay Punjab will serve to maximize citizen convenience. “At present, citizens can pay 26 taxes of 11 different departments with one click through various channels like internet, mobile banking and ATM using e-Pay Punjab,” he added.