Leaders at LUMS Welcomes Engro CEO, Jahangir Piracha 

Lahore, October 07, 2022 (PPI-OT):On October 4, 2022, the LUMS community enjoyed a candid conversation with Mr. Jahangir Piracha, CEO, Engro Polymer and Chemicals Ltd. The interactive session was a part of the Leaders at LUMS series, where distinguished individuals from the Pakistani business community share their experiences and insights with the University’s students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

The session was moderated by Mr. Mohammed Ali Khan, Executive Director, Strategic Initiatives, at LUMS. Also in attendance were members of LUMS leadership, including Mr. Abdul Razzaq Dawood, Pro Chancellor; Mr. Shahid Hussain, Rector; Dr. Arshad Ahmad, Vice Chancellor and Dr. Tariq Jadoon, Interim Provost.

A chemical engineer by education, Mr. Piracha’s three-decade long career spans manufacturing, human resources, and procurement. He has served in multiple executive-level roles with Engro Corporation in its Fertilizer, Petrochemical, and Digital businesses. During the session, he talked about his early influences, professional journey and the lessons he learnt along the way.

Mr. Piracha encouraged students to be open to learning new things and not feel limited by their discipline. “The tag of being a ‘business grad’ or ‘engineer’ becomes irrelevant five years into a career,” he said. Instead, he advised students to focus on learning.

He shared that fatherhood also shaped his approach to being a leader. He recalled observing his young son, “I realised that he was designed by nature to be smarter than me. That realisation was so profound that it changed the whole dialogue and how I looked at people in my team.

I started believing younger people who work for me will be smarter than me and if given the right push, they can over perform.”

He cautioned students in the audience to not chase roles for the tiles alone. “How many CEOs do you think are successful?” he asked. “It’s not an ego trip. You may look at the position they hold – but were they successful is the key question,” he explained.

Mr. Piracha discussed how corporates can have a broader impact on the country. He cited the example of the success of the Pakistan Pavilion at Expo 2020, which was partly funded by organisations. He shared that Engro is working to help save the endangered Indus dolphins.

“CSR in the Pakistani context is generally limited to education and health. We have to broaden the approach of CSR to where it is not just about people, but the environment and other species that are part of this geography.”

A strong proponent of gender parity in the country, Mr. Piracha shared, “What we lack is women in senior roles; in management committees and on boards. When you give opportunities to women in decision-making roles that is really what is important. That has a more profound impact,” he said.

When discussing his leadership style, Mr. Piracha talked about the importance of authenticity. “All of us have had our falls but it’s important to pick yourself up. We all come with frailties; that’s part of the human package,” he said.

The session concluded with Mr. Dawood and Dr. Ahmad thanking Mr. Piracha for sharing his experiences and Mr. Hussain presenting him with a commemorative shield.

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

PRCS Chairman Sardar Shahid Ahmed Laghari calls on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif 

Karachi, October 07, 2022 (PPI-OT):Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said that the recent rains and floods have caused huge destruction across the country but the government will not rest until complete rehabilitation of flood victims. He said Pakistan Red Crescent is reaching flood-affected families and its efforts and services to humanity during these testing times are highly commendable. The Prime Minister expressed these views when Chairman PRCS Sardar Shahid Ahmed Laghari called on the PM at Prime Minister’s Office here on Tuesday.

On this occasion, Special Assistant to PM Syed Tariq Fatemi, Khawaja Ehsan, Ambassador of Turkey Mehmet Pacaci?, Advisor of Turkish Red Crescent to President Tayyip Erdogan Ismail Haqi were also present. While congratulating Sardar Shahid Ahmed Laghari on assuming charge as PRCS chairperson, PM Shehbaz Sharif said that PRCS is serving the affected people without any discrimination and the National Society is moving forward under his dynamic leadership. “I am pleased to see the efforts of PRCS highlighted in international and national media”, he added.

On this occasion, Sardar Shahid Ahmad Laghari apprised the Prime Minister about the actions taken by the Red Crescent in the flood-affected areas. He said the management, staff and the volunteers are working tirelessly and round the clock to deal with the flood disasters, providing relief and humanitarian assistance to the affected families.

He said PRCS through its multi-faceted interventions has so far given humanitarian aid to more than 266,275 victims, 12,141 tents have been distributed, medical assistance have been provided to more than 23 thousand victims. Regarding the health interventions, he said PRCS medical camps are operational at 17 locations in addition to seven mobile health units.

Shahid Ahmed Laghari said that PRCS has provided food items and cooked food to 191,704 flood victims. He said 16,000 mosquito nets, over 14,000 hygiene kits, over 54,000 non-food items (blankets, jerry cans, tarpaulin sheets, kitchen utensils, etc.) have been distributed and counting. He said 5 million liters of clean and potable water have been provided in the affected areas in Sindh, Balochistan, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The water treatment plants on daily basis producing over 80,000 liters of clean water per plant. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appreciated the efforts of Red Crescent and assured all possible support from the government”.

For more information, contact:
Sindh Provincial Branch,
Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS)
Hilal-e Ahmar House, G 2 Khayaban-e-Iqbal, Zone A Block 7,
Teen Talwar, Main Clifton Road, Karachi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-35306227, 35306228, 35306229
Fax: +92-21-35830376
E-mail: phq@prcsindh.org.pk
Website: http://www.prcsindh.org.pk/

Australia conquer the world at last: How the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup was won 

Dubai, October 07, 2022 (PPI-OT):Australia had waited 14 years for an ICC Men’s T20 World Cup trophy and the winning moment arrived in typical Glenn Maxwell fashion.

A reverse sweep from the explosive all-rounder sealed an eight-wicket win over neighbours New Zealand in style and led to his jubilant teammates streaming onto the pitch in celebration.

The postponement of a World Cup on home soil in 2020 had appeared to put paid to their hopes of a fairy tale first crown Down Under.

Yet the script for their triumph in the UAE was arguably more dramatic as Australia fought back from a group stage hammer blow against England to ultimately emerge victorious.

Strong start sets the tone

While Australia’s players may have hoped they were taking the pitch at the Gabba or MCG, they showed no signs of homesickness in their first two matches in Group 1.

An opening victory against South Africa gave the eventual champions the perfect start, winning by five wickets with two balls to spare.

Steve Smith’s 35 laid the foundations before a rapid 24 off 16 balls from Marcus Stoinis proved enough to back up Australia’s excellent work with the ball, led by Josh Hazelwood’s two for 16.

A comfortable seven-wicket victory over Sri Lanka then followed, with David Warner getting into his groove with 65 runs from just 42 balls as Australia looked all set to qualify for the semi-finals.

England provide bump in the road

The Australian juggernaut hit the buffers against a side also tipped to go deep in the tournament.

A match against England, a fixture laced not only with supreme quality but lashings of history and rivalry too, was always going to be tough.

While the first two matches had seen Australia post big totals, they were brought down to earth by a ruthless English attack as they were dismissed for 125.

Chris Jordan took three wickets, including those of top scorer and Captain Aaron Finch and the plum scalp of Smith for just a single.

But if England’s bowling attack was ruthless, it paled in comparison to their batting line-up, which swiftly surpassed Australia’s total with 8.2 overs to spare, Jos Buttler hitting a huge 71 off 32 balls.

It left Australia at a crossroads and needing to rediscover their early form quickly if they were to play a part in the knockout stages.

Bouncing back

A defeat in such a manner could have dented the confidence of some sides, but not this one.

A comprehensive victory against Bangladesh was the perfect tonic, with just 6.2 overs needed to overcome the Tigers’ total of 73.

This time spinner Adam Zampa was in fine form with ball in hand, claiming a five-for in his four overs to clean up the Bangladesh tail.

And qualification was secured with a win over the West Indies, Warner firing an unbeaten 89 not out off 56 balls after Hazlewood once more starred with the ball in hand, ending with figures of four for 39.

In-form Pakistan prove no match in semi-final

Second place in Group 1 meant a date with Pakistan in the semi-final.

Pakistan had impressed throughout the group stage, winning all five of their matches, including a comprehensive victory over India – their first in 13 attempts at World Cups against their biggest rivals.

But they had no answer to an Australia side who were now firing on all cylinders.

Warner’s 49 steadied the ship in the reply after Aaron Finch fell for a golden duck before Stoinis and Matthew Wade finished the job, Wade firing 41 off 17, to send Australia through to their second ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final.

Final heroics

Wade and Stoinis’ heroics set up a clash against New Zealand, with a first-ever ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title on the line for both sides.

Australia had been one win away from glory once before but lost comfortably in the 2010 final to England in Barbados.

Those demons were banished 11 years later, as Mitchell Marsh struck an unbeaten 77 off 50 balls, including four sixes, to bring the trophy to Australia for the first time.

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson’s 85 had helped the Black Caps set their neighbours a total of 173 to chase but it did not prove enough, Warner hitting 53 off of 38 and later being named Player of the Tournament.

Marsh then came to the crease and took control of the final, with Maxwell adding 28 from just 18 deliveries to finish the job with seven balls to spare.

For more information, contact:
Headquarters,
International Cricket Council (ICC)
Street 69, Dubai Sports City,
Sh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE
Phone: +97-143828800
Fax: +97-143828600
E-mail: enquiry@icc-cricket.com
Website: www.icc-cricket.com

Nearly 6 in 10 Pakistanis claim to have made donations to the flood victims: Gallup and Gilani Pakistan 

Islamabad, October 07, 2022 (PPI-OT):According to a survey conducted by Gallup and Gilani Pakistan, nearly 6 in 10 Pakistanis claim to have made donations to the flood victims.

A nationally representative sample of adult men and women from across the country was asked the following question regarding, “Have you made any donation to help the flood victims?” 57% said ‘Yes’ while 43% said ‘No’.

Question: “Have you made any donation to help the flood victims?”

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