Day: December 29, 2021

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End of year 2021: 45% Pakistanis, slightly above the global average of 41%, think that 2022 will be a year of economic difficulty; net optimism about economic prospects decline to -5%, lowest since 2012: Gallup International’s Global Hope, Happiness and Economic Prosperity Index 

Islamabad, December 29, 2021 (PPI-OT):According to a Gallup International Survey at the end of the year 2021, 45% Pakistanis, slightly above the global average of 41%, think that 2022 will be a year of economic difficulty. Net optimism about Pakistan’s economic situation in the coming year 2022 declined to -5%; lowest since 2012.

These interesting findings have emerged out of an annual, 44 country research conducted by Gallup International (founded by the world-renowned scholar and pollster Dr. George Gallup in 1947). The survey in Pakistan was done by Gallup Pakistan, Pakistan’s oldest and trusted survey firm, working since 1979.

The study comprised internationally of 41,560 respondents covering different ethnicities, regions, religions, age, and gender. The international press release with report can be accessed here. This study has been conducted every year in Pakistan and globally for the past 44 years and is unique in terms of sample size, coverage, and longitudinal analysis.

Key learnings from the survey:

45% Pakistanis, slightly above the global average of 41%, think that 2022 will be a year of economic difficulty.

India’s net economic optimism is much higher than Pakistan.

Afghanistan’s net economic optimism was observed to be significantly poorer than Pakistan.

45% in Pakistan, with a regional average of 44%, believe that the upcoming year 2022 will be a year of economic difficulty.

Globally, Pakistan ranks 15th in terms of net economic optimism for the upcoming year 2022.

For more information, contact:
Head Office,
Gallup Pakistan
Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-8445080
Email: isb@gallup.com.pk, caf@gallup.com.pk
Website: www.gallup.com.pk

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IoBM graduate nominated amongst the top 300 most influential women in Global Islamic Banking and Finance industry

Karachi, December 29, 2021 (PPI-OT):Amna Rafiq Mughal, IoBM graduate (2016) has been nominated amongst the top 300 most influential women in Global Islamic Banking and Finance industry. She is the recipient of the WOMANi award for her contributions to Islamic finance in the capacity of products development and management. Amna had previously been associated with Siemens and SAP – Pakistan in the role of marketing and channel management.

Currently, she is serving as Manager – Islamic Banking Liability Products, New Initiatives and Fee Income at Bank Alfalah Limited. She is also involved in the promotion of women’s financial services and banking on equality in Pakistan and wishes to work diligently to increase their participation in the Islamic Finance Industry.

For more information, contact:
Institute of Business Management (IoBM)
Korangi Creek, Karachi, Pakistan
UAN: +92-21-111-002-004
Tel: +92-21-35090961-67
Fax: +92-21-35090968
Email: omer.iftikhar@iobm.edu.pk, mec@iobm.edu.pk
Website: https://www.iobm.edu.pk/

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Seminar on “Post COVID-19 Global Supply Chain Crisis”

Karachi, December 29, 2021 (PPI-OT):A joint seminar was held by FPCCI and DHA Suffa University on “Post COVID-19 Global Supply Chain Crisis” on 16th December, 2021 in the Executive Lecture Theatre at DHA Suffa University. The seminar was attended by DSU faculty, staff and Industry representatives.

Ms. Farhat Umar, Director PDC and CSR and Senior Lecturer Supply Chain management kicked off the event by discussing how the Global Supply Chain Crisis unfolded post COVID 19, leading to high inflation rates throughout the world. She discussed the cascading impact that supply chain disruptions including container shortages, cargo ships traffic jams on sea, truck driver shortages, component delays and port congestion had on the global economy.

She elaborated how after a global recession, the world saw a dip in real GDP in 2020 followed by higher demand of goods with limited supply which has led to global inflation, rising prices of food, brent oil and a rise in inequality throughout the world. She also discussed how Supply Chains are will become regionalized going forward, and businesses will learn to do Business Continuity Planning to survive similar challenging circumstances.

The chief guest of the event, Mr. Haif Lakhani, Vice President of FPCCI gave a detailed account of how the Pakistani Businessmen managed and mitigated the Supply Chain disruptions. He explained how Pakistan textile sector has seen a global rise in demand for their products like never before. Similarly, a number of new opportunities have emerged in the wake of COVID- 19, and there are many opportunities for young people as the country steadily moves towards industrialization.

Mr. Naqi Azam, Advisor to VC DHA Suffa University discussed how Disaster Management, Blockchain and Supply Chain management are gaining importance globally. He moderated a panel discussion where he unveiled exciting new foreign blended Supply Chain Management programs that the University is planning to launch in 2022. He discussed new opportunities in Supply Chain Management for the young generation.

The Vice Chancellor of DSU, Dr. Afzal Haque gave closing remarks at the seminar. He summarized the Supply Chain crisis, its impact on Pakistan and the way forward. Finally, Mr. Tausef Aziz, Convener at FPCCI and founder of Karachi Global Market (KGM) gave a brief introduction to his organization which will give students of Universities in Karachi a chance to market their business ideas to a larger public. He explained how students can get involved in the initiative.

For more information, contact:
Manager Marketing,
DHA Suffa University (DSU)
DG-78, Off Khayaban-e-Tufail, Ph-VII (Ext.),
DHA, Karachi-75500, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-35244871
Email: sabah.baloch@dsu.edu.pk
Website: www.dsu.edu.pk

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REDC Conducts its Enhancing Board Effectiveness: Director’s Training Programme 

Lahore, December 29, 2021 (PPI-OT):The Rausing Executive Development Centre (REDC) at LUMS offered its renowned Enhancing Board Effectiveness; Director’s Training Programme to senior executives and board members of various corporate organisations.

The programme was led by Programme Director, Mr. Khalid A. Mirza, and Dr. Bushra Naqvi, who were joined in teaching by Dr. Syed Mubashir Ali. In the course of this programme, executives developed perspectives on complexities related to board governance and leadership. The programme focused on approaches and mechanisms to enhance board performance to address challenges related to regulatory compliance, financial oversight and maximisation of shareholder value.

Fakharul Hasan, Chief Information Officer, Fauji Fertilizer Company Ltd, shared that the programme broadened his understanding of the board and its impact. “The Directors Training Programme at REDC has changed my perspective of board functions completely. The role of independent directors and directors, in general, was very educative for me.”

The programme offers a mix of discussion-based case studies and simulations, which are blended with classroom activity to make the participants familiar with governance challenges and issues faced both globally and in a local context.

The participants appreciated that the programme was interactive and gave them a holistic view of a board’s functions. “The faculty who taught us were the best in their field. The case studies, lectures, assignments and discussions were all designed to equip the participants with the concepts of corporate governance in the best possible manner,” said Kamran Hafeez, Secretary to the Board, Bank of Punjab.

Sajjad A. Madani, Director, National Testing Service also reiterated the usefulness of the in-class activities. “This is an excellent programme and an outstanding learning experience with real-world cases, simulations and social engagement through group discussions. Overall time management was exceptional and helped in making an engaging programme.”

REDC’s Enhancing Board Effectiveness; Director’s Training Programme is unique in its offering as it recognises the changing market dynamics, globalisation, and the increasing scale and complexity in corporations which define the challenges faced by board members in their day-to-day functioning.

As the board’s role is integral to the overall sustainability of the enterprise, members have to contend with a host of new pressures, challenges, and risks, necessitating them to uphold the highest standards of corporate governance and effective execution of their roles. The Directors Training Programme addresses these unique issues and helps promote sound corporate governance.

Jahanzaib Riaz Lilla, CFO, Shan Foods Pvt. Ltd shared his experience of the programme and said, “It was a wonderful learning experience and will surely enhance my ability to add value to my organisation and take it a long way forward.”

For more information, contact:
Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS)
D.H.A. Lahore Cantt. 54792
Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-35608000
Fax: +92-42-35725048
Website: www.lums.edu.pk

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Ambassador Khalid Mehmood, Chairman BoG, addressed the Ninth Meeting of the CICA Think Tank Forum 

Islamabad, December 29, 2021 (PPI-OT):Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman BoG, Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), participated in the 9th meeting of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measure in Asia (CICA) Think Tank Forum organised by Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (SIIS) on December 28-29, 2021. This year Forum focused on ‘A New Beginning for Rebuilding Mutual Trust in the Post-pandemic Era: Trends and Missions’.

Ambassador Khalid Mahmood addressed the first session of the Forum on the theme of ‘Security Challenges to CICA Member States in the Post-pandemic Era’. He said that ‘COVID-19 has exacerbated the traditional security threats while the non-traditional security threats remain unabated.’ Pandemic emerged at a time, ‘when the post-World War-II order, particularly since the disintegration of USSR, was already undergoing a change. COVID accelerated that process.’

Now change has become ubiquitous, with “uni-polar to multi polar world, multilateralism on the retreat, nationalism and populism in ascendance and major-power competition intensifying with the rise of China and the US pivot to Asia”, said Ambassador Mehmood. He underlined that ‘establishment of QUAD and AUKUS, reminiscent of cold-war mentality, are aimed at containment of China and Russia.’

Ambassador Mehmood was of the view that ‘in the post-pandemic period, economic shift from neo-liberal order and global market economy to national market-oriented order’ would be prevalent. He underscored that “vaccines are a global public good and pandemic aid should be unbiased” as principle of “no one is safe unless everyone is safe” should guide policy.

Commending SIIS and CICA Secretariat for organising a timely and important meeting, he highlighted that CICA is the most representative and inclusive Pan Asian institution in the regional security field. He proposed that CICA may “establish an effective crisis management and emergency response mechanism” to deal with epidemiological challenges in future.

He reiterated that Pakistan’s primary interest is in ‘seeking a peaceful and stable international order, that takes everyone on board. Pakistan will always support an inclusive global order, for advancing the shared objectives of peace, progress and prosperity in the region and beyond.’

Earlier H.E. Kairat Sarybay, Executive Director, the Secretariat of CICA and Ambassador Vladimir Norov, Secretary General, Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) delivered keynote speeches. The 9th Meeting of CICA Think-Tank Forum was attended by heads of leading national think-tanks from all CICA member states.

For more information, contact:
Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI)
Sector F-5/2, Islamabad – 44000, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9202481
Fax: +92-51-9204658
E-mail: strategy@issi.org.pk
Website: http://issi.org.pk/

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VUP signed an agreement of DigiSkills 2.0 Program 

Lahore, December 29, 2021 (PPI-OT):DigiSkills.pk have imparted over 2 million free trainings across Pakistan since 2018. Based on the popularity and success of its first phase, MoITT launched its second phase on the 27th of December 2021, which will also be executed by Virtual University.

A grand ceremony was organized at the secretariat of MoITT to inaugurate DigiSkills 2.0. Federal Minister MoITT Syed Amin Ul Haque was the chief guest of the ceremony. Federal secretary MoITT Dr. Muhammad Sohail Rajput was the guest of honor. Rector, Virtual University Dr. Arshad Saleem Bhatti along with CEO Ignite Asim Shahryar Husain graced the event as special guests.

Speaking on the occasion Federal Minister Syed Amin Ul Haque said that Government is keen to empower youth with the latest skills. It is our utmost priority to strengthen the economy by building skilled youth. Federal secretary MoITT Dr. Muhammad Sohail Rajput said that DigiSkills empowers youth without the boundaries of gender. The online freelance work will enable the stay-at-home mothers, the physically challenged men and women who cannot go for the site-specific, time-bound 9-5 jobs.

While giving the briefing, Rector Virtual University, Dr. Arshad Saleem Bhatti said that in the second phase, DigiSkills is targeting to impart 1,500,000 trainings over the period of two years. As per the needs of the freelance market, five new courses will be added along with the previous 10 courses, which will also be updated with the growing dynamics of the related fields. The Rector also added that the Virtual University is transforming its academic programs into skill-based degrees and taking full advantage of the experience of the Digiskills 1.0 program.

Project Director DSTP, Dr. Zafar Alvi added that during the first phase DigiSkills got total enrollments of 2,232,801 from more than 300 cities of Pakistan and from abroad. Out of which 74% (1,653,400) were males and 26% (579,281) were females. Most of these trainees were Pakistani youth (70%) and the majority (60%) of these were students who have completed Intermediate or Bachelors. Graphic Design was the most popular course among offered courses.

The new five courses will include Video Editing, Animation and Vlogging, Affiliate Marketing, Data Analytics and Business Intelligence, Communication and Soft Skills, and Virtual Assistant. CEO Ignite Asim Shahryar Husain briefed, it is expected that just like the 1st phase, the second phase of DigiSkills will also contribute to the gig economy of the country. DigiSkills.pk will also help to cater long-term psychological effects like minimizing frustration among the unemployed youth.

For more information, contact:
Virtual University of Pakistan (VU)
M.A. Jinnah Campus, Defence Road, Off Raiwind Road,
Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-111-880-880
Fax: +92-42-99200604, +92-42-99202174
Website: www.vu.edu.pk