Easypaisa partners with Standard Chartered Bank
ISLAMABAD (PR): Easypaisa, Pakistan’s first and largest branchless banking service and a joint venture of Telenor Pakistan and Tameer Microfinance Bank, has partnered with Standard Chartered Bank Pakistan to launch its mobile payments service for corporate clients named “Straight2Bank Wallet” in Pakistan.
Using Straight2Bank Wallet, Standard Chartered’s corporate clients, such as NGOs & FMCGs, will be able to make secure payments directly into their beneficiaries’ Easypaisa Mobile Account.
Corporate clients will also have the option to make cash disbursements to beneficiaries who do not have bank accounts by using only a Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) number as an identifier. Standard Chartered Straight2Bank Wallet allows beneficiaries to receive their money quickly, securely from any of 70,000 Easypaisa outlets across 800 cities in Pakistan.
The payments on Easypaisa Mobile Accounts are sent in real-time, enabling corporate clients to bypass the onerous and risk-prone cash payment processes. Other benefits include improved cash flow for beneficiaries and visibility with certainty in payment date.
Commenting on the unique proposition, Muhammad Yahya Khan, Chief Financial Services Officer, Telenor Pakistan and Head of Easypaisa said, “Our partnership with Standard Chartered is a great step forward as we endeavour to expand our service offerings for our clients, making it easier than ever for Easypaisa users across the country to access secure and convenient financial services.”
Shazad Dada, Chief Executive Officer, Standard Chartered Pakistan said, “We are delighted to work with Easypaisa in launching Straight2Bank Wallet – furthering financial inclusion in Pakistan and making access to banking services effortless for our corporate clients and their beneficiaries. This initiative is a testament to our continued commitment to the country, and reiterates our brand promise of being ‘Here for good’.”
Lamudi launches redesigned android app
LAHORE (PR): Pakistan’s best real estate website Lamudi.pk has released an updated version of its innovative Android app. The update features extensive improvements to its user interface with a major focus on the map experience.
The addition of maps means increased usability and functionality, where users can quickly and easily add and remove properties to their favorites list directly from the map. They can also change search criteria without leaving the map screen.
Additionally, properties without images or pricing information can be excluded from search results. When users return to the map from a particular listing, the improved map feature retains its previous view settings, such as the user’s position and properties viewed.
The latest update also includes other useful features, such as retaining previously viewed maps offline after having visited a listing, as well as special markers for favorited and already-seen properties.
Saad Arshed, Country Director of Lamudi Pakistan, said: “Over the past two years, we have shifted our focus to our apps in response to growing demand from house-hunters using mobile devices. This latest version of the Android app is a great improvement on its predecessor but we are just at the beginning. As our clients, customers and markets change, we will continue to tailor our mobile product to their needs.”
In 2014, Lamudi launched its Android app with the intention of making it easy to browse real estate listings from the comfort of a mobile device. The app has been through several versions, many of which included a map feature. The latest update is an indication of the forward direction of both the app and the company itself.
Since its inception, the Android app has been downloaded more than 630,000 times. With this latest update, the map feature works best when users are registered and logged in to a Lamudi account. However, users can still browse listings without one.
Microsoft campaign
LAHORE (PR): Microsoft Pakistan conducted an informative media briefing on Monday in Islamabad. The main theme of the event was #UpgradeYourWorld campaign. A large number of media journalists and reporters were a part of the successful event, where Nadeem Malik - Country Manager, Microsoft Pakistan answered various questions and disseminated valuable information.
The media reporters and Microsoft personnel held an enlightening question and answer session about the campaign and the benefits of optimum utilization of Windows 10, which has been globally launched recently. The media journalists held feelings of aspiration and reverence towards the dedication with which Microsoft is helping the youth, via briefing sessions and live demonstrations.
The #UpgradeYourWorld campaign was launched in Pakistan in alliance with the Higher Education Commission (HEC), to highlight the benefits of utilizing the latest Microsoft ‘Windows 10’ - best ever Windows, among school and college students. The campaign started from the city of Bahawalpur on the 10th of November, 2015. This campaign later proceeded northwards, through various rural and urban areas of Pakistan, visiting prominent academic institutions in numerous cities and towns. The initiative concluded in Islamabad on the 20th of November, 2015.
Country Manager of Microsoft Pakistan –Nadeem Malik stated; “Microsoft is striving on unleashing the economic and technological potential of Pakistan by creating fresh opportunities for our young generation, thus making a positive impact in the country. I believe technology is an enabler at every level of society and it is a mission of Microsoft Pakistan to enrich the lives of the our vibrant youth. I am excited to be spearheading the #UpgradeYourWorld campaign in Pakistan, and look forward to work in alliance with the government, industries, academia, non-profit organizations and the general public to enable Pakistan to realize its true potential by promoting innovation. I am enthusiastic about fostering meaningful 21st century skills among our youth.”
Pakistani entrepreneurs from Samsung in Sri Lanka
LAHORE (PR): A talented team of young entrepreneurs incubated at The Nest I/O, won Silver Award in the Category of Schools & Education, at Asia Pacific ICT Awards (APICTA) 2015 ceremony held in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Asia Pacific ICT Alliance, is an alliance of ICT organizations of different economies around the world, that aims to build and enhance a mutually cooperative network to promote ICT, enhance technology innovations, capability and adoption, and to encourage the development of indigenous ICT solutions for the global market.
The successful Pakistani team “teddict ” is currently incubated at The Nest I/O, which is a technology incubator established with the support of Samsung Pakistan and Google. Present at the award ceremony was the Pakistani High Commissioner in Sri Lanka, Major General (Retd) Syed Shakeel Hussain , the Sri Lankan Minister for Telecom and Digital Infrastructure, the head of Corporate Marketing at Samsung Pakistan, Mr. Saad-ul-Hassan and, Project Director at The Nest I/O Ms. Jehan Ara, along with other notables from Pakistan and around the world.
Speaking about Pakistan’s achievements at APICTA, the President of Samsung Pakistan – Mr. J. H. Lee said; “Samsung is committed to build a stronger Pakistan with innovation that can change the lives of people to better. We congratulate the talented youth of Pakistan for showing remarkable performance during APICTA and we can assure you that Samsung is going to playing a vital role in building a strong and independent economy for the country, besides generating healthy opportunities for employment and making great advancements in the fields of technology and innovation.”
HBL, VU sign internet payment gateway deal
LAHORE (Staff Reporter): HBL, Pakistan’s largest bank entered into an Internet Payment Gateway Agreement with Virtual University of Pakistan (VU), the first of its kind university in Pakistan.
A ceremony marking this event was held at HBL regional headquarters, Lahore. The participants included Dr Naveed A. Malik, Rector of VU, Naeem Tariq, Director of Finance, VU, Faiq Sadiq, Head of HBL’s Payment Services Group and Sobia Chughtai, HBL’s Corporate Head – Central, along with other members of both organizations.
The agreement allows HBL to offer an exclusive online payment platform for theVU community, especially students. Paying for lectures, examinations and tuition fees online is an enormous capability being introduced by VU for its patrons using HBL InternetPaymentGateway(IPG).
HBL InternetPaymentGateway is powered by VISA – Cybersource, which holds 60% of the payment gateway market. The platform is fully equipped with modern fraud control tools and transaction security features.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Malik expressed his gratitude towards HBL for offering online financial solutions focused on improving the existing payment mechanism. He added that the services aimed to facilitate students, in particular VU’s overseas strength, giving them the benefit of paying their fees using plastic. He hoped that “the VU and HBL relationship to further grow under a mutually beneficial partnership”.
Sadiq said that “Educational institutions are key to our Country’s future and Virtual University is playing a vital role towards enhancing the educational sector. Our recent alliance with VU on IPG is a stepping stone towards cementing our existing relationship.
We are delighted to partner with educational institutions and look forward in building a better, stronger community with a common aim in improving lives of students / faculty by providing efficient, reliable, cost effective and next generation financial services through alternate channels.”
Edrees new chairman of Meezan Bank’s BoD
KARACHI (PR): The newly appointed Board of Directors of Meezan Bank Ltd has unanimously elected Riyadh S.A.A. Edrees as the chairman of the Board. Edrees represents the largest shareholder of Meezan Bank, Noor Financial Investment Company and is the Deputy CEO of National Industries Group (NIG) – the largest private sector industrial group in Kuwait.
The Board of Directors of Meezan Bank Ltd held their 72nd Board meeting the other day to consider various business matters and to also elect the chairman of the Board.
Riyadh S.A.A. Edrees has been with NIG for almost 20 years in various senior capacities and brings with him rich experience and wisdom. He has been on the Board of Meezan Bank since 2012 and has played a pivotal role in bringing Meezan to the level it is today as the leading and premier Islamic Bank of the country.
Mobilink launches app for My Status service
ISLAMABAD (PR): Committed to providing constant innovation in its service and product portfolio, especially for growing number of smartphone users, Mobilink has launched an application for its My Status service. A popular SMS based service amongst Mobilink subscribers, its latest application, available only on Google play, will now provide a more immersive experience for users through improvement in quality of interaction and availability of more features.
My Statusapp allows customers to post a status to the calling party upon receiving a call from them. In this way, it enables the user to send messages across to friends, family or the larger network even before connecting with them via call. The added advantage of this app, over its SMS based service, is the ability for users to now select their status from different categories, schedule status for different callers, and create groups.
Speaking about Mobilink’s initiative to revamp its services from conventional SMS based medium to application based services, Asif Aziz, Head of Marketing - Mobilinksaid, “We are on a path to complete digitalization of our services for the growing number of smartphone users in Pakistan. The constant breakthroughs in app ecosystems powered by high speed internet provides us with the ability to personalize our SMS based services, ensuring our customers feel a sense of ownership with the brand.”