Aamir Ibrahim to join Mobilink

ISLAMABAD IPR): Jeffrey Hedberg, President and CEO Mobilink, announced key structural changes to Mobilink’s top management.
Aamir Ibrahim, one of the founding members of Mobilink from 1994, and more recently Senior Vice President Telenor Group in Thailand, where he was responsible for distribution and organisational transformation, will be returning to Mobilink as Deputy CEO and Chief Commercial Officer.  In this role Aamir will lead all commercial aspects of Mobilink’s various businesses. Aamir has over 20 years of blue chip experience across various countries and industries.  He has previously served as Chief Marketing Officer Telenor Pakistan and Chief Strategy Officer Mobilink in addition to various leadership roles at Ford Motor Company in Europe and Middle East. Aamir has an MBA from IMD and an AMP diploma from Harvard Business School.  
‘I am delighted to welcome Aamir back to the team. Indeed, his knowledge of the fast moving telecommunications industry across multiple markets, as well as his keen understanding of how customer requirements will evolve within the Pakistani market, makes him an excellent choice for such an important position.” said Jeffrey Hedberg, President and CEO Mobilink.
“I am excited to be back with Mobilink and humbled to be given such an important role.” said Aamir Ibrahim, newly appointed CCO Mobilink.  

Japan provides $360,950 ISLAMABAD (PR): The Government of Japan has decided to extend financial support totalling $360,950 (approx. Rs. 36 million) to four Pakistani NGOs, Ameer Begum Welfare Trust, Al-Mujtaba Development Network, Community Development and Anti TB Program, and Obaid Noor Welfare Association for the implementation of social development projects in disadvantaged areas of the country. The agreements for the four projects were signed on February 16, 2015, at the Japanese Ambassador’s residence in Islamabad, between Hiroshi Inomata, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan and the heads of the four organisations.
Ameer Begum Welfare Trust will utilise its grant of $82,282 for the installation of 6 water filter plants in rural areas of District Okara that are suffering from a high prevalence water borne disease due to the unavailability of safe drinking water.
The grant of $78,833 to Al-Mujtaba Development Network will be used for the improvement of the water supply and sanitation system in a remote part of District Muzaffarabad. The grant of $98,138 to Community Development and Anti TB Program on the other hand will enable the construction of a village road in District Narowal, in order to enhance community accessibility of facilities in the town center. Finally, the grant of $101,697 to Obaid Noor Welfare Association will result in the construction of a maternity and emergency hospital in a neglected part of District Mianwali.  
     Last week agreements for three other projects in the field of education were signed. In addition, agreements for eight other projects on education, health and infrastructure were signed in September and November, 2014. Hence, the amount the Government of Japan provided to Pakistani NGOs during the current Japanese Fiscal Year (which starts in April) adds up to US $ 1,386,114 in total.

Tevta to provide free training to minority students

LAHORE: (PR): Tevta will provide free of cost technical and vocational training to minority male and female youth in its Institutes across the province of the Punjab.  This decision was taken in pursuance of the policy of the Govt. of the Punjab to empower minority communities of the Punjab Province.  It was stated by Chairperson TEVTA Irfan Qaiser Shaikh while addressing the meeting here yesterday at TEVTA Secretriat. Chief Operating Officer TEVTA Jawad Ahmed Qureshi, General Manager (Operations) Hamid Ghani Anjum, General Manager (Academics) Azhar Iqbal Shad and other officers were also present on this occasion.
Irfan Qaiser Shaikh said that they will be enrolled on 5pc reserved quota after observing all codal formalities of admission criteria.  They will also be provided opportunity to get admission in one year and short duration courses.  They may directly apply to nearest TEVTA Institute all over the Punjab.
Chairperson TEVTA further said that the effort to provide employable skills to the male and female youth of minority communities will endorse the Hunar Mund Punjab mission of the Chief Minister Punjab. In addition to other segment of society, it would also enable them to become financially independent and to meet the shortage of trained manpower in the local and international job markets.  It will also help them to become a useful member of the society.  Minority students, wishing to get admission, may contact nearest TEVTA Institute, he concluded.

K-Electric wins CSR Sumit

KARACHI (PR): K-Electric is honored to receive 4th International Corporate Social Responsibility Summit Award. The event was organised by The Professionals Network in collaboration with CSR Association of Pakistan, United Nations Global Impact and Ethical Business Update at a local hotel in Karachi.
The objective of this award is to provide Innovative platform for interaction and networking while bridging the gap between corporations and communities through CSR initiatives. KE is the only company in the power sector to win this award for its exceptional contribution in the field of corporate-community partnership.
Commenting on the occasion, KE’s spokesperson said, “We are overwhelmed to receive this award and also thankful to the jury for recognising our outstanding contributions in the field of corporate social responsibility towards the community’s growth. As a Company, we are always on the look-out to enhance and further develop the community we operate in.”

Red Crescent to support anti-polio campaign

LAHORE (PR): Pakistan Red Crescent Society will feature in polio vaccination campaign in collaboration with religious scholars. Red Crescent staff will be part of door to door campaign along with district administration to combat polio and other preventive health care. Dr. Saeed Ellahi, Chairman PRCS met Chief Secretary Punjab along with his delegation and briefed him about activities and services of Pakistan Red Crescent Society. PRCS is to open offices and appoint honorary counselors in each district of Punjab. PRCS will establish 20 first aid posts in Punjab and operate in collaboration with city traffic police.
Further, PRCS will also provide first aid training to traffic police and Punjab police. Along with Dr. SaeedEllahi, Fareed Ahmed (Vide Chairman PRCS Punjab), Dr. MehboobSardar, Khalid bin Majeed (Principal Information Officer), Mujeebur Rehman Shami (Renowned journalist), Dawar Adnan (Dy. Director Youth & Volunteer) and Qamar Zaman (Chairman Apna Bank) were also part of the delegation. Chief Secretary Punjab called on another meeting with IG Punjab and Secretaries of respective departments to take steps to execute this venture.

Soneri Bank announces results

LAHORE (PR): The Board of Directors of Soneri Bank Limited met in Lahore under the Chairmanship of Alauddin Feerasta, on February 14, 2015 to review the performance of the Bank and approved the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2014. 2014 was a record year for Soneri Bank as the Bank reported annual profit after tax of Rs.1.58 billion versus Rs.1.04 billion in 2013. The Bank has outperformed the market in both advances and deposit growth and achieved strong growth in all core areas of the Bank’s operations. Deposits grew by 16.13pc over 2013 and net advances recorded a growth of 9.16pc over 2013. Bank also adequately meets the SBP Basel III requirements and is well positioned to meet its growth plans.
The Board of Directors also declared a cash dividend of Re.1.00 per share, which will be subject to approval of shareholders in its forthcoming Annual General Meeting.
Analyzing the reasons for successful performance in 2014, Bank sources explain that the increase in gross revenue was registered mainly on account of growth in main areas of activity; i.e. advances, deposits and trade, which allowed the bank to enhance its earnings from both investments and foreign exchange. Furthermore, bank delivered well on its strategy to mobilize low cost deposits and invest in high yielding bonds. This had a positive impact on its spread. The Bank continues to follow a prudent policy for making provisions for the infected loan portfolio in line with regulatory requirements and is confident that actions taken in 2014 would further help in controlling future infections and securing upcoming recoveries.