HG appoints new PC GM
RAWALPINDI (PR): Hashoo Group has appointed Azeem Qureashi as General Manager at the PC Hotel, Rawalpindi.
Azeem has built an over 20-year career in hospitality, a career that has taken him to various parts of Pakistan and overseas. With his great expertise, vision, and passion in the hospitality industry, “he brings a deep understanding of Project Management, Public Relations, Events and making the Hotel a happening place.
He will lead the team of PC, Rawalpindi, to continually provide a higher level of the warm and caring service to both the business and leisure. “Bob brings a deep understanding of the Dallas market and extensive hospitality industry experience,” says a press release.  Prior to his new role, Azeem was was GM PC, Karachi.

Pakistan has potential to become major tourism market
LAHORE (PR): The College of Tourism and Hotel Management (COTHM), Pakistan’s CEO Mr. Ahmad Shafiq said that Pakistan has the potential to become one of the major travel and tourism markets of the region. He also said organizations in Pakistan are open to make greater strategic collaborations with the leaders of the travel and tourism industry. Mr. Ahmad Shafiq expressed these views during his discussions with the participants of the ITB Asia 2014 in Singapore. The three-day event, ITB Asia 2014, ‘Trade Show for the Asian Travel Market’ began on October 29th, 2014.
Mr. Ahmad Shafiq was representing COTHM, Pakistan at the show which has attracted over 8000 attendees from 90 countries this year.
ITB Asia is now in its seventh year delivering comprehensive market insights and important networking opportunities. However, unfortunately Pakistan’s representation at the show has been nil since the beginning. This year, Mr. Ahmad Shafiq, on a personal initiative, was taking part in the show to represent Pakistan and its promising travel and tourism industry.
According to the Global Business Travel Association (GTBA), global business travel spends is expected to reach a record US$1.18 trillion by 2014, with nearly 40% coming from Asia Pacific. GTBA has released these latest figures from its Business Travel Index (BTI) outlook report at ITB Asia 2014, ‘the Trade Show for the Asian Travel Market’.

UMT gives scholarships
LAHORE (PR): The University of Management and Technology (UMT) gave away the scholarship worth of 25 million among talented and brilliant students who showed extraordinary performance in studies. The Rector’s and Deans’ Awards ceremony was held here on Thursday.
According to a statement issued by the UMT’s Public Relations Department, the ceremony was attended by deans and directors of all schools, faculty members and students. A total number of 295 students from all academic disciplines BS, MS and MPhil won the scholarship with female students as prominent. The students whose GPA was 4.0 were given Rector’s scholarship whereas the number of students securing Deans’ Scholarship is significantly greater than it. As many as 85 Rector’s and 210 Dean’s Merit Awards were conferred.
Students qualifying for the Rector’s Merit Award will be given exemption from tuition fees for two three-credit-hour courses each. Those who received the Dean’s Merit Award will be free from paying the fees for one three-credit-hour course.
University of Management and Technology Rector Dr Hasan Sohaib Murad distributed souvenirs and certificates among the position holders. Controller Examination Imran Zahid was also present on the occasion.
Dr Murad congratulated the students, their teachers and parents and said UMT believed in higher education with the finest quality, talented students are the future of Pakistan, he laid emphasis on the students to recognize their goals and be gridded up to face out future challenges.
He said the university provided an excellent platform for students to nurture and be successful academically.

Safe working conditions for line staff demanded
LAHORE (PR): Three members of Lesco line staff died tragically within three days due to electrocution while performing their official duties namely Muhammad AYllb, LM-I, Green Town Sub Division on 02-11-2014, Saif Khan, ALM, Badian Road Sub Division and Nadeem Sabir, LM-II, Akhtarabad Sub Division, Okara LESCO on 04-11-2014, leaving behind the dependents of large families. All Pakistan Wapda Hydro Electric Workers Union (CBA) in a meeting at Bakhtiar Labour Hall, under the president ship of veteran trade union leader Khurshid Ahamd, General Secretary of the union offered prayer for the deceased and condolence to their members of the bereaved families and demanded LESCO to intervene and get ensured safe working conditions to the line staff at workplace for prevention of tragic accidents.

PTCL introduces highly lucrative VSS

karachi (PR) - PTCL has introduced a highly lucrative Voluntary Separation Package for its employees. This scheme shall be available for one month, effective from Nov 5th 2014.
The VSS scheme is voluntary and highly rewarding and offers a wide array of benefits to the employees including transition bonus, transition pay, allowance benefits, health fund and leave encashment etc.  As part of retirement benefits, multiple options have been offered which allow employees to select the option, most suitable to their future aspirations. Besides reducing retirement age from 20 to 18 years, the additional two years’ benefit has also been added to eligible pensioners.
 In addition to these benefits, employees are topped up with Early Bird Bonus (Rs. 200,000) and Group Bonus (Rs. 150,000), fulfilling the requisite conditions. As PTCL truly adheres to its commitment for its people even after their exit, the company is also providing outplacement services to the employees, where they would be helped in their transition to new career streams, with the help of external sourcing companies.
The Financial Advisory Services shall be provided to the optees for better cash management through external financial institutes. Besides these benefits, Vocational Trainings shall also be offered to them at PTCL’s cost.  These measures shall help them manage their future in an effective and efficient manner.
Syed Mazhar Hussain, Chief Human Resource Officer PTCL commented, “This Voluntary scheme offered by PTCL is highly people centric. Being a responsible company, we always consider our employees welfare, the first and foremost priority.  The scheme is specially designed for the people, aspiring to shape their future while taking advantages from multiple benefits offered by the company. We hope that this scheme shall shape the future of PTCL and its people in the best possible manner.”