JazzCash, Pakistan’s leading Fintech has recently partnered with the Central Directorate of National Savings (CDNS), Pakistan’s largest investment and financial institution, to sign a Memorandum of understanding (MoU) for Disbursement and Collection solutions.
Consumers to have easier access to payment options
More than four million people, including widows and senior citizens, will have easier access to payment options under the umbrella of digital financial inclusion thanks to JazzCash, a Jazz subsidiary that is also a part of the VEON Group and CDNS. Users of JazzCash will be able to digitally purchase national saving certificates using the JazzCash App and get profits in their mobile wallets.
During the signing event, JazzCash’s CEO Murtaza Ali said, “Our partnership with CDNS is a tribute towards our commitment to improving the lives and livelihood of consumers through technology. The ability to show how digital solutions save users money and time while still being convenient depends on this collaboration.
Making the most of digital
Similar thoughts were expressed by the director general of CDNS, Hamid Raza Khalid, who said, “We are excited to work with JazzCash, the largest digital wallet app in the country, to help CDNS realise its mission of financial inclusion. The transformation of our department into a thriving, digitally integrated organisation that can serve millions of our citizens is something to which we are entirely dedicated to.
With a portfolio of over Rs. 3.4 trillion and more than 04 million valued investors being served through a vast network of 376 branches nationwide run by 12 Regional Directorates of National Savings, the company is the largest investment and financial organisation in Pakistan (RDNS).
Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.
The most widely used instant messaging service in the world, WhatsApp, has finally included a capability to recover accidentally deleted messages. A report from June 2022 claimed that WhatsApp engineers were developing a feature that would enable users restore accidentally deleted messages.
A feature or a mere update
Source: gossip.pk
Whatsapp frequently works on many new upgrades at once. The tech giant previously allowed customers the option to erase a text message that had been sent or received by someone else. According to earlier rumors, the IT giant was working on delivering the feature fresh updates.
According to recent sources, WhatsApp has now released an upgrade that adds a new option to retrieve lost messages. According to WABetaInfo on twitter, the update has now been sent to a small number of beta users.
Source: Twitter
What exactly will it do
According to reports, the beta version of Google Play has begun rolling out the new update with the undo capability. Users of the functionality can recover deleted messages by using the “undo” option. But there’s a problem. By selecting the “delete for me” button rather than “delete for everyone,” the user will only be able to recover texts that they themselves erased.
In addition, users will only have a very little window of time to retrieve deleted communications. The article states that WhatsApp would allow consumers a brief window of time to retrieve the communication. Only a small number of beta users have access to the function, but it is rumored that WhatsApp will make it available to everyone else in the upcoming weeks.
Source: WBR
WhatsApp is preparing to extend the time restriction for deleting any conversation messages from one hour, eight minutes, and sixteen seconds to two days. This was reportedly the original concept when WhatsApp’s “delete text” function was being developed.
You now have two options on the platform to delete the text: “Delete for myself” and “Delete for everyone.” However, the goal is to increase these options and also add some other options to perform older functions.
While Whatsapp is just introducing this feature, other communicating apps such as Snapchat figured out this trick well before since it always had an option of deleting messages and has recently added an additional feature of deleting sent snaps as well. It might be that these IT giants are figuring out the importance of privacy and having the option to undo as a deal breaker for their apps to make a more user-friendly interface and provide more of a reason to use their apps.
Beaconhouse recently organized a quiz competition titled ‘Ubhartay Sitaray’ at the Walton Campus. The quiz was based on the general knowledge curriculum for Classes I and II in accordance with the ‘National Curriculum of Pakistan’.
Opportunities for students
Beaconhouse has added a new subject, Urdu, to the curriculum for the first time, including important concepts from the general sciences, social sciences, and ethics. This quiz competition was created to give pupils a chance to demonstrate their recently acquired abilities and to recognize their command of the Urdu language.
Chief Guest, Prof. Dr. Taimur Rehman from LUMS along with Principal Beaconhouse Walton Campus Miss. Tehmina Lodhi, students, parents, and teachers attended the competition. Four teams from Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan, and Islamabad reached the final round. Lahore Model Town G17 campus team won the competition.
The importance of the Urdu language
The quiz competition was based on an innovative interdisciplinary approach that combined the subjects of the Urdu language and General Knowledge. Such competitions allow students to get a deeper understanding of concepts and learn better ways to express them.
Beaconhouse has always emphasized the importance of the Urdu language and has invested heavily in teacher development as well as in developing high-quality material for use by teachers.
What are your thoughts about this? Let us know in the comments below.
Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.
Alcohol can be an enjoyable activity for some people. However, what many people fail to realize is how quickly it can affect your daily life and functionality.
Speaking of which, it seems like the police in Lahore is definitely catching up with global practices. Just recently, Lahore City Traffic announced that they’ve started using breathalyzers to test drunk drivers on the spot on the city’s major roads.
What is a breathalyzer?
A breathalyzer is a device that measures blood alcohol content (BAC). The more intoxicated a person is the higher their BAC.
Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Lahore, Dr. Assad Malhin, stated:
“The police will conduct the test on the spot through a digital alcohol tester. If caught, legal proceedings against the driver will be initiated under Motor Vehicle Ordinance. The culprit could face up to 6 months of jail time along with the fine.”
This initiative is indeed commendable as it will prevent road accidents from happening. Other cities in Pakistan should also take notice to ensure smooth traffic and also take care of pedestrians that are commonly seen on the raods in Paksiatn.
Nothing is worth risking your life or the lives of others.
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments below.
Stay safe and stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.
The latest teaser of Syra Yousuf’s produced movie ‘Babylicious’ is out now. Despite rumors being shut down by the cast the movie is very much in the pipeline and will seek the light of the day in February 2023. The story revolves around a playful couple who is very much in love. However, while the main lead has been divorced in real life for over two years now, their on-screen chemistry shows otherwise. Here are all the deets from Syra and Shahroz’s latest release.
Babylicious Trailer
The teaser trailer for the movie was shared by the lead couple on their social media channels. Syra and Shahroz who had been married for almost eight years before getting divorced in 2020 are the highlights of the movie. Despite getting severe criticism on the name the movie plot seems solid and has received great reviews from netizens and celebrities.
Take a look at the trailer if you haven’t watched it already
Despite moving forward with their lives after Shahroze married Sadaf Kanwal, Syra plans to settle down soon the trailer shows the former couple looking very much in love. Previously Syra shut down any rumors regarding the movie. However, after the trailer launch, she addressed the release and mentioned the movie was in the pipeline for a good twelve years. Which is long before the couple decided to part ways. Hence, their chemistry in the trailer seems raw and genuine. However, if the filming was done after the couple’s highly condemned divorce – both celebrities managed to bring their best foot forward and that’s what makes netizens question whether they are still in love or just have an immense amount of respect for each other.
While the storyline of the movie is still not clear, the trailer gives us a peak as to what we will get to see in the movie, and needless to say it will be a rom-com for the books.
Are you excited about the two in an upcoming movie? Let us know in the comments below.
According to a British consultancy’s annual World Economic League Table, the global economy reached the $100 trillion mark for the first time in 2022 but will stagnate in 2023 as policymakers continue their fight against rising prices.
According to the Centre for Economics and Business Research, the globe will experience a recession in 2023 as a result of rising borrowing prices intended to combat inflation.
According to the British consultancy’s annual World Economic League Table, the global economy reached the $100 trillion mark for the first time in 2022 but will stagnate in 2023 as policymakers continue their fight against rising prices.
Source: Wallstreetmojo
What the future holds
According to Kay Daniel Neufeld, director and head of Forecasting at CEBR, it is likely that the world economy will experience a recession next year as a result of increases in interest rates in reaction to increasing inflation.
The war against inflation still has to be fought, the study continued. Despite the negative economic effects, we anticipate central bankers to remain steadfast in 2023. The price of getting inflation down to more manageable levels is a longer period of weaker economic prospects.
Compared to the most recent International Monetary Fund prediction, the findings are more negative. This organization issued a warning in October, predicting that more than a third of the global economy will decline and that there is a 25% probability that in 2023, global GDP growth will be less than 2%, which it characterizes as a worldwide recession.
In spite of this, when emerging economies catch up to more developed ones by 2037, the global GDP will have doubled. By 2037, the East Asia and Pacific area will produce more than one-third of the world’s production, while Europe’s contribution will fall to less than one-fifth due to the shifting power dynamics.
Source: Fibre2Fashion
The shift of power
Six years later than anticipated, China is now not likely to surpass the US as the world’s largest economy until 2036 at the earliest. That is a reflection of China’s policy of zero covid and the escalating trade conflicts with the west, which have hampered economic growth.
Source: MInt
The CEBR originally projected the move would occur in 2028, but it was delayed to 2030 in the league table from the previous year. It currently believes that the cross-over point won’t occur until 2036, and it may happen even later if Beijing moves to annex Taiwan and is met with economic penalties in response.
The economic conflict between China and the West would have considerably more negative effects than what we have already seen as a result of Russia’s attack on Ukraine. Almost probably, there would be a pretty severe global recession and a rise in inflation, claimed CEBR.
However, China would suffer much more harm, which might jeopardize efforts to steer the global economy.
Predictions for the future
India’s GDP will grow to $10 trillion in size by 2035 and rank third globally by 2032.
Source: CBS
Over the next 15 years, the UK will continue to have the sixth-largest economy in the world and France will have the seventh-largest economy, but Britain is no longer expected to grow more quickly than its European counterparts because of “a lack of growth-oriented policies and the lack of a clear vision of its role outside of the European Union.”
Natural resource-rich emerging economies will see a “substantial boost” as a result of the role that fossil fuels play in the transition to renewable energy.
Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.
An official-looking commercial teaser for the Galaxy S23 series has appeared in the wild for the first time thus far. The phone designs, expected color variations, and potential pre-order bonuses are all seen in the leaked image.
The following Unpacked event from Samsung is reportedly scheduled for the first week of February. At the event, the firm will introduce the Galaxy S23 series; although “official” leaks about the phones have been difficult to come by, that appears to have changed today.
Source: SamMobiles
According to 91Mobiles, which cited industry insiders, a promotional picture for the Galaxy S23 series has surfaced before time. According to the leaked image, the Galaxy S23+ and Galaxy S23 Ultra would seem similar to one another in terms of design, with the S23+ adopting an independent tri-lens configuration at the rear like the Galaxy S22 Ultra. The Galaxy S23 Ultra, meanwhile, appears to virtually exactly replicate the appearance of its predecessor, as shown in earlier leaks.
The leaked promotional image hinted that the Galaxy S23 Ultra will be offered with a color scheme that falls between pink and violet, while the S23+ will have a color scheme that falls between green and blue. Additionally, the Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Buds2 Pro are displayed beside both smartphones. It’s likely that both devices will be available as pre-order bonuses for the Galaxy S23+ and S23 Ultra.
The 95th Oscars awards have released shortlisted movies for 10 award categories. The upcoming Oscar awards 2023 has brought Joy to the cast and crew of ‘Joyland’ after the movie submission for the academy awards was approved.
While taking it to Twitter, ‘The Academy’ shared the list of over 100 movies that have been selected for Oscar nominations in 10 categories for the 95th Academy Awards all set to take place on Sunday, March 12, 2023, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood. The ceremony will also be televised in more than 200 territories worldwide.
The movie was chosen and submitted by the Pakistani committee for the “Foreign” category. With Joyland landing the nomination list, the heavily criticized Pakistani film sparked a social media debate in Pakistan and lead to a ban later in the cinema is now being recognized all over the world.
Presenting the 95th Oscars shortlists in 10 award categories. #Oscars95
The news was broken by the Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai who called director Saim Sadiq to congratulate her after the movie “Joyland” made the Oscar shortlist. The Nobel Laureate is also part of the production team and congratulated the entire movie team for being a part of the film.
International Feature Film
Joyland has landed itself amongst the competition along with feature films submitted for academy awards from all over the world. Other countries who submitted the films for the category include,
Argentina; Argentina, 1985
Austria; Corsage
Belgium; Close
Cambodia; Return to Seoul
Denmark; Holy Spider
France, Saint-Omer
Germany; All Quiet on the Western Front
India; Last Film Show
Ireland; The Quiet Girl
Mexico; Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths
Morocco; The Blue Caftan
Pakistan; Joyland
Poland; EO
South Korea; Decision to Leave
Sweden; Cairo Conspiracy
Earlier in May Joyland was screened at the Cannes Film Festival where it won the festival’s top prize. The movie was also screened at other major film festivals, such as the “Toronto International Film Festival,” and has garnered numerous accolades worldwide.
The movie follows the story of a young man and a transsexual dancer who fall in love while working in a dance club.
In the first five months of the current fiscal year (2022-23) compared to the same period the previous year, mobile phone imports decreased by 66.08 percent.
According to the most recent statistics made available by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, Pakistan imported mobile phones worth US $290.570 million from July to November 2022 compared to US $856.730 million from July to November (2021–22), showing a fall of 66.08 percent (PBS).
Image Source: Technologistan
Data proven
In contrast, on an annual basis, mobile phone imports decreased by 69.57 percent in November 2022 compared to the same month in the previous year. Compared to November 2021’s $212.058 million in exports, November 2022 had a $64.520 million increase in mobile phone imports.
Pakistan faces a cold mobile demand
According to the statistics, mobile phone imports decreased 1.92 percent on a monthly basis in November 2022 compared to US $65.780 million in imports in October 2022. It is important to note that the merchandise trade deficit fell by 30.14 percent over the first five months of the current fiscal year, dropping from $20,621 million last year to $14,406 million this year.
Exports between July and November 2022 totaled $11,932 million, down from $12,362 million between July and November 2021–22, according to PBS statistics, a decrease of 3.48 percent. On the other hand, the nation’s imports fell by 20.15 percent throughout the study period, from $ 32,983 million in the prior year to $ 26,338 million this year.
Food demand surges, however
Source: Pakistan today
Earlier on October 15, it was revealed that Pakistan’s food imports increased by 15% in the first quarter of the fiscal year 2022–23 despite the fact that it is an agricultural nation. Details indicate that during July to September 2022, Pakistan’s food imports increased to $2.79 billion. These were at Rs2.11 billion over the same time period the previous year. Wheat imports increased by 311% and cost $407 million between July and September. In the same period last year, wheat imports totaled $99 million. Imports of cooking oil increased by 34% and cost $1.24 billion. Imports of tobacco rose by 26%, while imports of fruits and vegetables rose by 8%.
Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.
In the latest news, Reham Khan has tied the knot for the third time with Mirza Bilal, 36 who is known as a US-based corporate professional and a former model. This is the third marriage of Baig as well.
Baig is also a comedian and is quite famous. He’s often seen posting comedy skits on his social media handles which are centered around current affairs with a touch of satire.
Rehman Khan shared the big news on her Twitter account while quoting that she found the one who she can trust. The duo got married in a small wedding ceremony that took place in Seattle US.
Reham Khan who has been so vocal about her last failed marriage with Imran Khan tied the knot with Khan back in January 2015. The ceremony was held at Khan’s Islamabad residence. However, the couple got divorced soon after that is ten months to be exact.
A few months ago Pakistani-British journalist Reham Khan made a guest appearance at a talk and shared her views about finding love again. Even though she has already had two failed marriages, Reham was open to the idea of love and getting married once again.
About Reham Khan
Reham was born in Ajdabiya, Libya in 1973. After completing her education in Pakistan, she started her career as a broadcast journalist in the UK in the mid-90s. During her time there she also worked as a weather presenter for BBC South. She then moved to Pakistan in 2012 and met Imran Khan when she interviewed him for a local TV show. That infamous interview was later rumored to be the culprit that ignited the spark between the two.
Mobile subscription fees in Pakistan are the lowest in the world at less than $1 per month. According to a GSMA report, Pakistan has one of the lowest average revenue per user (ARPU) rates in the world at less than $1; the global ARPU is $8, while inflation in Pakistan has risen to its highest level in 47 years.
source: cellutime
Why the decline?
A number of variables, including competition, pricing wars, a rise in smartphone use, tax implications, and an increase in data consumption, as well as Pakistan’s macroeconomic circumstances and the Pakistani rupee’s devaluation versus the dollar, have contributed to the telecom ARPU decreasing.
While the average ARPU around the globe is more than $8, it is significantly higher in nations like the United States, Canada, and Bahrain: $46, $41, and $39, respectively.
source: business recorder
Times have changed
In terms of ARPU, Pakistan is ranked 267th out of 269 telecom markets examined worldwide by GSMA Intelligence. Low telecom prices have made it possible for tens of millions of new consumers to use the internet, but they have also led to weak financials that have now restricted further growth and innovation in this industry.
The sector is currently experiencing an existential crisis as a result of a recent, unprecedently high rise in operational expenses, particularly those related to gasoline, power, lending rates, and local currency depreciation.
Source: business recorder
Based on the information that is readily available, two mobile phone companies reported a combined loss of almost Rs50 billion in the first half of 2022. In US currency terms, Jazz’s revenues saw negative growth for the fourth straight quarter for international investors.
Compared to the previous year, operational costs have increased significantly by around 20%, but industry income has hardly increased by double digits. At the same time, our clients have legitimate expectations that 4G would be available nationwide and quickly.
Is the government responsible?
Herein lays the problem; telecom businesses are required to pay a hefty spectrum price (in relation to the country’s income potential), and the majority of investment resources are used to fund government obligations rather than purchasing telecom equipment.
The fact that all spectrum auctions, renewals, and the payments due on them are priced in US dollars but the money earned is in Pakistani rupees is also a major matter that has gone unresolved. It is now hard to estimate, create, and carry out good business strategies for the expansion of 4G due to this mismatch.
The operators run the risk of significant currency depreciation when the cost of spectrum is denominated in dollars. For instance, three operators each paid $291 million for telecom licenses in 2004–2005, but the same licenses were renewed in 2019 for $450 million, a price increase of 55%. In rupee terms, the increase was 360% from Rs16 billion to Rs74 billion, respectively.
Furthermore, due to the capital-intensive nature of the telecom business, even a single percentage point increase in interest rates causes an additional financial burden of Rs1.5 billion for the sector. The interest rate has increased by eight percentage points since last year.
It is urgent to recognize telecom as a national asset and address the problems endangering it before its ability to continue enabling any digital change is permanently lost. To assist the government address the present issues, the sector has unanimously recommended important policy adjustments.
Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.
ARY Digital has released the first look of its latest drama ‘Kuch Ankahi’ and fans can’t keep calm to see Sajal Aly & Bilal Abbass back again on the screen together. The duo has previously shared the screen on the hit ‘Rangreza’. The drama showed amazing chemistry between the duo and both the artists share a completely different persona. Their previous drama together is what makes us look forward to their latest release and we surely can’t wait for it.
ARY digital shared an exclusive look on their Instagram channel. While the story of the highly anticipated mega drama serial is still not confirmed the star-studded clip shows that this is yet going to be another hit rom-com perfectly enwrapped in the elements of family, love, and devotion.
The exclusive first look at the drama serial and its complete cast was shared on ARY digital’s official Instagram account. The cast of the drama serial as suggested by the clip includes Mera Sethi, Vaneeza Ahmed, Isra Ghazal, and Qudsia Ali alongside Sajal and Bilal Abbas. Babar Ali will also be sharing the screen together with the cast and amazing casting is another reason why fans are excited to catch the serial on their TV channels.
While we can’t wait for the official trailer release and the drama story to unfold, Kuch Ankahi will surely be another hit series that will leave a lasting impact on its audience.
Temenos (SIX: TEMN) today announced that it has signed an agreement to grant license rights to NdcTech, a wholly owned subsidiary of Systems Limited and one of its largest regional system integrators partners, to develop further and market the Temenos Country Model Banks on top of Temenos open platform for financial institutions in these seven Middle Eastern countries.
NdcTech is committed to invest and develop regulatory and business-specific localized functionality to enhance these Model Banks for banks of all sizes in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
As part of this agreement, NdcTech will become a trusted partner for upgrade services in those countries to enable customers to seamlessly upgrade their technology stack and offer them a modernization path to a SaaS model on the Temenos Banking Cloud.
Temenos holds a leading position in the region and boasts a raft of clients across these seven countries including some of the largest and most innovative institutions in the Middle East from Al-Rajhi Bank, to First Abu Dhabi Bank to stc pay. All Temenos clients will be able to work with NdcTech and Temenos to enhance the Model Banks and contribute to the product roadmap.
Country Model Banks are a key differentiator for Temenos. By enabling partners to develop new country models, Temenos is able to scale this competitive advantage, rapidly building new model banks compatible with the banking services on Temenos composable platform and available for instant deployment on Temenos Banking Cloud.
NdcTech is one of the largest System Integrators and partner for Temenos in the Middle East and Africa. The company’s rich engineering expertise, in-depth knowledge of modern banking platforms and unique development methodologies have led to this strategic collaboration. Working together, NdcTech and Temenos will open up new business opportunities and drive revenue growth among existing clients through cross-selling by incorporating regulatory requirements and innovations relevant to local market practices.
William Moroney, Managing Director, Middle East and Africa at Temenos, said, “We are excited to announce this agreement with NdcTech, which expands our addressable market and opens new opportunities for growth in these seven counties in the Middle East. NdcTech will invest in the Country Model Banks to accelerate our competitiveness in the region by delivering local IP such as market specific products. With these partnerships we bring additional investment in our platform and scale in specific countries which ultimately delivers incremental growth.”
Ammara Masood, CEO, NdcTech, said, “We are delighted to be granted this license by Temenos to develop Country Model Banks in Pakistan and in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. This milestone is a testament to our capabilities as a long-standing partner of Temenos. Our deep knowledge of global market practices and regulations coupled with expertise in modern architectures has enabled us to be the trusted partner for the region’s pioneering banks. This region is full of potential, and now we are not only driven but also equipped to extend our footprint by collaborating with leading banks in this space.”
Systems Limited is excited as this will be a great opportunity for Temenos and NdcTech to innovate and deliver value to all the banks and financial institutions in those seven countries.
Startups have been a center for growth and economic development for the past few decades. A new startup brings an opportunity to fill a void in the market while generating revenue and potential sources of income. Pakistan’s startup industry has been a major source of attracting potential investors with innovative business models as in Pakistan the startup funding hit $350 million by November 2022.
However, the current political turmoil and the economic downfall have led to a decline in potential investors backing out from signing deals.
“When the country’s overall economy is going south, one cannot expect startup funding to go north. Globally, venture funding has dipped by 30% as well.” Said Alpha Beta Core CEO, Khurram Shehzad.
“Pakistan may be going through a paradox, experiencing the best and worst of times,” said Hassan Mumel, an official of a growing fintech operator, ABHI. “With utmost certainty, we can say that this country is full of opportunities with many gaps to fill, where small startups are solving big problems in various sectors, from agriculture to finance and beyond.”
Image source: forbes
“To all new founders, tread carefully in the coming months, solving what you solve best, staying true to your vision and mission, and making wise decisions to not just survive, but thrive in and out of Pakistan,” Mumel warned.
“We are Rs15 to Rs16 million short of what we raised in the same period of last year. This time, there were seven fewer deals made, compared to the corresponding period of last year.” Says the Co-Founder of Data Darbar, Mutaher Khan.
“Everybody has resorted to a just “wait and watch” policy about Pakistan’s macroeconomic situation,” he added.
According to Syed Azfar Hussain, Project Director of the National Incubation Program in Hyderabad,
“Pakistan is an attractive economy for foreign, and local, investors who have continued to explore its potential through funding in startups in multiple sectors.”
“However, the expected inflows of funds from various Venture Capitalists (VCs) remained slow in the second half of 2022 due to the economy slowing down globally and the clamor witnessed in the domestic political circle – which is likely to continue in the next year too.”
“Startup founders should work consistently on innovation, maintaining the quality of their service by adopting technology and good business practices to remain viable and sustainable in the local market. To attract funds from foreign investors and VCs, startups should develop business models based on scalability, and their models should be replicated and expanded to more countries other than Pakistan.” He further added.
The overall funds received by startups in Pakistan stood at $284.8 million by the end of the first half of 2022. However, the value of the investments surged to $328 million in the second quarter. Whereas, it now stands at $345 million with the last month still to go.
Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.
The original article was posted by The Express Tribune.
After many hiccups, Tich Button was released in cinemas a few weeks ago. Written by Faiza Iftikhar and directed by Qasim Ali Mureed, the film was produced by Jerjees Seja, Urwa Hocane, Farhan Saeed, and Salman Iqbal. The movie is a lighthearted rom-com and even though it didn’t manage to left a mark on the viewers it was everything the cinema needed in the post-Maula Jutt phase.
Tich Button Casting
Tich Button’s main lead characters Leena (Iman Ali) & Kaka’s (Farhan Saeed) chemistry saved the day. The pairing on different occasions managed to create a spark. However, not the same can be said about their acting and characters. While Leena’s character was made to look and feel beautiful, her subpar performance was a miss. Meanwhile, Kaka’s character on the other hand was both written and delivered perfectly. The comedic timing of the character coupled with smooth dialogue delivery and flawless avatar is one thing that can keep the audiences hooked for hours.
The second lead couple featuring Saqib (Feroze Khan) and Shakeela (Sonya Hussyn) was also influenced by other movie characters and didn’t bring anything unusual to the mix. Feroze khan’s acting is nothing like his usual roles and on different occasions, he feels like a different person in the way he speaks and acts. Meanwhile, Sonya who managed to play some of the most iconic roles on the TV screen played the role of an average Punjabi girl who knew nothing less.
Meanwhile, Qavi Khan and Sohail Ahmed who managed to land small roles, and veteran characters Samiya Mumtaz and Marina Khan ended up playing the mothers of the lead cast. These characters feel off as if there was no work done on their background stories.
Image source: dailyazb
Elements Of The Movie
Despite having an average storyline the music, choreography, and cinematography are what stood out in the entire movie. The Urwa Hocane’s dance number was the first song that was released as part of the promotional campaign and managed to stand out as well. The fans got to see Urwa in a whole new setting and her screen presence made the song even more iconic. The outfits, sets and colorful and visually appealing attires made the movie what it is.
While, the plot and storyline are something we have already seen in the previous years on both local and cinemas across the border, the treatment given to the movie was new which was the right step in the right direction.
Since the movie launched under dreading circumstances, Tich Button has still managed to dominate the industry which proves that sticking to the usual storyline which offers nothing out of the box can be a safe route for directors and writers in Pakistan.
Have you watched Tich Button yet? Let us know in the comments below.
Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.
The wedding season is in full swing in Pakistan and almost everyone’s busy with wedding festivities. The overload of fancy clothes, countless events, and food is definitely being enjoyed by all.
Speaking of weddings, there has been a lot going on in the entertainment world which includes many legendary celebrities marrying off their children such as Saleem Sheikh and Fazila Qazi. If we talk about the world of cricket, Pakistani pacer, Haris Rauf, is ready to tie the knot with his class fellow and model, Muzna Masood, in Islamabad on December 26.
It seems like Haris Rauf is set to start the next innings of his life in a week and has joined his family in Islamabad for the festivities.
The national heartthrob who was ruled out of his debut test series against England due to injury on December 6, attended the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 8 draft earlier this week and several other events in Karachi before traveling back to his hometown.
He will reportedly be getting hitched, during his recovery period, with his former classmate and model, Muzna Masood Malik.
Moreover, Haris’ fans have been quite curious about finding out who the lucky girl is, and well, here she is:
Image Source: Pinterest
According to rumors on social media platforms, Haris’ future wife is a student of BS Media and Communication at the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI).
Image Source: Pinterest
A recent video of the gorgeous couple is making rounds on the internet and their fans can’t get over it. This is the first time a video of them has gone viral and well, for all the right reasons.
Moreover, ever since the news has gone viral, fans have been a little too curious to learn more about Rauf’s fiance, Muzna. Unfortunately, Muzna has made her Instagram account private and she has also removed all her pictures and videos from her account.
We wish the couple all the best for their future and we, honestly, can’t wait for all the latest updates from these two.
Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.
This year has brought a multitude of movies that have left a mark on viewers. From action to thriller, mystery, and drama, there is something in every category which is a must-watch. As 2022 wraps up we are doing a round-off of the best movies for this year.
1. Everything Everywhere All at Once
The movie is the absolute best among the bunch and is available for viewing on paramount+ and managed to rock the box office. The primal story of a mother-daughter duo who is on the verge of saving the daughter’s life is something that will keep the audience hooked. The outrageous action comedy brings the best of both worlds to play from fashion to thrill and perfect comedic timing.
2. Bones and All
This story about a young romance is available for viewers on prime video. Following the themes of chaos, thrill, blood retching, and bone crumbling movie the movie shows two teens who are hungry for blood. The gore scenes are enough to make your skin crawl and are something not for the faint of heart.
3. Tár
Directed by Todd Feild, Tar is available on Apple+. The movie follows the story of a musical conductor who is on top of the world. However, things start crumbling down as she reaches new heights, and unraveling things starts to surface about her. This movie is a perfect mix of psychological thriller, horror, and comedy.
4. Turning Red
Turning red is hands down the best-animated launch of 2022. Available for viewing on Disney+ the movie tells the tale of a girl who happens to turn into a giant red panda when she is angry or overwhelmed. However, with the help of her best friend and her mother Mei finds a way to navigate through the fur to her heart.
5. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
The highly anticipated movie is available on Netflix. The movie follows the story of a group of wealthy friends whose attempt to have the time of their lives on a private island turns into an absolute nightmare. The rich and comedic murder mystery is an absolute treat for the fans of the first Knives Out film.
6. Nope
Well, you can’t say nope to ‘Nope’. This summer blockbuster has every possible thing you would to watch in a movie. The offbeat sci-fi tells the story of a family whose attempts at escaping the ET and UFO are met with failure.
If you like donkeys then this is the perfect movie for you. This story is about a donkey who finds his way through different owners as he is freed from a circus to wander around. The donkey then encounters characters including a countess, a fur farmer, and a group of very passionate soccer fans.
8. The Fallout
Available on HBO max, Fallout is the epitome of loss, anger, love, and healing. The movie follows the story of a school shooting where two girls who hide in a bathroom stall to survive to end up becoming life saviors to each other.
9. RRR
RRR is available on Netflix and has the most dynamic watch on the list. This Indian romantic action comedy lets viewers navigate through eye-popping action scenes and some of the most upbeat dance numbers.
10. The Banshees of Inisherin
The movie is set in 1923 Ireland and revolves around the dying friendship between a simple farmer and a grumbling musician. Living on an island, where it is practically impossible to hide away from each other the movie shows the raw, sparking confrontations that are crackling fun, tenaciously tender, and often deeply dark. The Banshees of Inisherin is available on HBO max.
11. The Woman King
The movie is inspired by the Agojie of West Africa and explores the passions, problems, and camaraderie of this all-female band of warriors. The movie transports the viewers into what is known as a different universe with an emotionally gripping and exhilarating storyline. The movie is available on prime video.
12. Return to Seoul
As the name suggests return to Seoul is about a 25-year-old woman adopted from Korea and raised in France. The girl who is a series of events ends up in Seoul and seeks out her birth parents. The movie then navigates through the confused desires about her relationship with her birth parents in an unpredictable way.
13. Triangle of Sadness
Available on Apple TV, Triangle of Sadness is based on the life of influencers and models and their relationships with each other. The movie might seem a bit slow but wait for the historic turn of events before turning it down.
14. Jackass Forever
It is a story about a group of friends who are certainly not ready to take anything seriously. The movie is bonkers yet rich with madcap shenanigans making it worth the watch. It is available on paramount+.
15. Pearl
Pearl is available on Amazon prime and has to be the most gripping movie on the streaming platform. Set in 1918, the story is set on a woman who is defiant and chaotic.
UI GreenMetric World Universities Rankings 2022 is out now and we are pleased to announce that 58 Pakistani Universities have taken a spot on the chart. The Universitas Indonesia took the initiative of ranking green campuses and environmentally sustainable universities which are known as UI GreenMetric Ranking. The metric which was launched back in 2010 uses 39 indicators and 6 different criteria.
UI GreenMetric University Rankings
The UI GreenMetric University Rankings carefully determines rankings based on universities’ environmental initiatives and commitment to global efforts when it comes to sustainability.
The mission was developed to help the communities combat climate change while promoting and developing novel ideas and innovations. The GreenMetric University index aims to enhance energy and water conservation, waste recycling, and green transportation among many other sustainable activities.
The rankings are finalized after collecting numeric data from the universities. The rankings reflect the individual attempts made by the universities to offer eco-friendly activities across the globe.
Pakistan is home to over 8.2 million farmers, who account for more than 20% of the country’s total GDP (World Bank statistics). Along with carrying a significant portion of the GDP, the agriculture sector employs 42.3% of the workforce. However, even after all the contributions to this country, farmers are not given the due credit they deserve.
The problems in the agriculture sector are still the same as they were a couple of decades ago. If you talk to the farmers on the ground, you will realize how difficult it is for them to sustain their work with issues such as little to no agricultural reforms, the disparity in water distribution, lack of modern equipment and knowledge, etc.
To portray farmers’ struggles, Fatima Fertilizers took it upon themselves to bring their efforts to the forefront with their Kissan Day initiative. In 2019, Sarsabz launched its Salam Kissan campaign, and December 18 was officially recognized as ‘National Kissan Day’ by the Federal Government as well. After the launch of this campaign, numerous other companies also acknowledged this day and played their respective part in it. Speaking on the occasion, Rabel Sadozai, Head of Marketing, Fatima Fertilizer elaborated on the federal government recognizing this initiative. “The federal government recognized December 18 as ‘Kissan Day’ to be celebrated every year, which was a significant achievement not only for Fatima Fertilizer but also for the entire farmers’ community of Pakistan.”
When speaking about the objective behind this initiative, Sadozai states, “the vision behind celebrating Kissan Day is to provide a platform for farmers to highlight their ongoing issues/challenges while engaging stakeholders and policymakers in a dialogue to come up with possible solutions which can also benefit these farmers. We started to recognize and pay tribute to the contributions of Pakistani farmers for the first time across the country.”
Fatima Fertilizer organized the ‘Kissan Day’ event in Multan this year. The event was attended by a number of farmers, policymakers, and stakeholders to communicate their thoughts and feelings about the problems they’re encountering head-on and providing constructive feedback and solutions. Sadozai further adds, “Fatima Fertilizer takes a lead to organize national-level events to appreciate the farmers and boost their motivation to continue playing a pivotal role towards the protection of our food security and supporting the economy.”
Given the current flooding in the nation, Fatima Fertilizer feels compelled to represent the farmers’ concerns. Kissan Day is not just another event added to the calendar; through this day, Fatima Fertilizers bridges the gap between farmers and other industry players to facilitate the discovery of novel approaches to the problems plaguing the agricultural sector.
Talking about the response to this day from the farmers and the decision-makers, Sadozai mentioned that “since the celebration of first Kissan Day on December 18, 2019, all stakeholders of the agriculture sector now celebrate this day every year while keeping in view its purpose and importance. The trend has only been increasing year after year. Every year around Kissan Day, Fatima Fertilizer takes the lead, to inspire stakeholder discussions and conversations around critical issues faced by the farmers’ community and possible reforms to tackle their challenges.”
It is great to see companies standing up for the section of our country that is deprived of necessities. Farmers are our pride and sacrifice to keep this country fed and running. It’s high time we acknowledged their sacrifices, and only with our collective voices will they get what they deserve.
Zameen.com — Pakistan’s largest real estate enterprise, organized a property sales event in Peshawar, which was attended by a large number of investors and citizens. The event was organised to showcase some of the best-selling projects from Peshawar, Islamabad and northern parts of the country. These projects included City Center Peshawar, 64 heights, Paradise Mall, Peshawar Heights, Orhan Tower, Metro Heights and Green Oaks Residencia. It should be noted that Zameen.com owns the marketing and sales rights of all the projects showcased at the event.
In the property sales event, Zameen.com’s Director Project Sales Khurram Hussain along with Assistant Director Project Sales Faheem Amir and other senior officials were also present to offer exclusive insights about the real estate sector.
Zameen.com Director Project Sales Khurram Hussain took the opportunity to express his belief that these events are also beneficial for the real estate sector of Peshawar as the city has a lot of potential that can be used to strengthen the real estate industry.
Furthermore, as part of the property sales event, Zameen.com’s experienced sales representatives also offered buyers with valuable insights, market research, and comprehensive data on making safe real estate investments.
