UBL announces winners of the 8th Literary Awards

Sima Kamil, President & CEO, UBL along with the winners, judges and winners of different categories at the 8th UBL Literary Awards held in Karachi recently.

Karachi(Cliff News)The 8th UBL Literary Awards were held in Karachi recently. Celebrating the literary efforts of Pakistani writers, UBL held these awards for the eighth year running. The awards were held at a local hotel and the event was attended by a host of writers, literary & media personalities, socialites and celebrities.Over 130 entries were received as nominations for the seven categories of the awards. The books, which were written by Pakistani authors and published in Pakistan in 2017 & 2018, were shortlisted by an esteemed panel of judges which included the likes of Dr. Asghar Nadeem Syed, Dr. Asif Farrukhi, Mr. Ghazi Salahuddin, Dr. Arfa Syeda, Ms. Kishwar Naheed, Dr. Anwaar Ahmad and Mr. Masood Ashar.The winners from each category are:

• Urdu Fiction:             Jindar by Akhtar Raza Salimi
• Urdu Non-Fiction:         Us Ko Ik Shakhs Samajhna Tou Munasib Nahin

by Dr. Nasir Abbas Nayyar

• Urdu Poetry:             Tum Kabeer by Fahmida Riaz
• Translation into Urdu:         Dur Uftada Shehr Say Aik Taveel Nazam

by Munawar Hussain

• Children’s Urdu Literature:     Nazmein, Pahelian Aur Nasr Paray by Shanul Haq Haqqi
• English Non-Fiction:        The Faltering State by Tariq Khosa
• Children’s English Literature:     Partition by Amina Azfar

For the first time in the history of the Awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award was also presented to Ms. Zehra Nigah for her extensive and extraordinary body of work.Sima Kamil, President & CEO UBL, during her speech, said “Pakistan is a wonderful mix of cultures, languages and ethnicities and our literary lineage is best proof of that. UBL considers it incumbent upon itself to recognize and inspire writers to continue contributing to the country’s literary wealth. We hope that the literary impetus does not slacken and that future generations continue to take advantage of these literary treasures”.

About UBL

Founded in 1959, United Bank Limited (UBL) leads the banking and financial services sector in Pakistan. UBL is deeply embedded across core segments, serving over 5.3 million customers through its network of over 1400 countrywide branches, more than 1400 ATMs and over 36,000 branchless banking agents. UBL has presence in three continents. The Bank is a pioneer in branchless banking with its UBL Omni platform. Customers across the world have 24/7 access to the Bank via UBL’s world class Internet Banking.The event was organized by Rteam.

 

Pak-Qatar Family Takaful Launches Family Sehat Plan

Karachi(Cliff News)Pak-Qatar Family Takaful, Pakistan’s first and largest Takaful Company proudly announces the launch of its Family Sehat Plan. It is considered among the first  Individual health Takaful plan available across Pakistan in over 60 cities.This launch is aligned with Pak-Qatar Takaful group vision of providing financial protection through Takaful to everyone. Family Sehat plan provides coverage for pre-existing conditions for any injury, illness, condition or symptom, medication, advice or diagnosis and includes medical outlay, laboratory test costs, hospitalization costs, including critical illness. The services also include Cashless Hospitalization in over 200 Hospitals across Pakistan, worldwide health coverage.This is the first of many other Takaful products introduced for our valued customers. More details about Pak-Qatar Family Takaful’s Family Sehat Plan can be obtained from visiting our nearest branch, our website or by calling our 24/7 call center 021-111-TAKAFUL (825-238).

 About Pak-Qatar Family Takaful:

Pak-Qatar Family Takaful Limited (PQFTL), the first and largest dedicated Family Takaful Company in Islamic Finance industry. PQFTL is a progressive and a technology-driven Shari’ah Compliant company providing innovative Takaful solutions in Pakistan since 2007. PQFTL is the fastest growing Family Takaful operator in the country.Incorporated in 2006, and beginning operations in 2007, the company is registered with, and supervised by, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP). An independent Shari’ah Advisory Board chaired by Mufti Muhammad Hassaan Kaleem (successor as per the wishes of Former Chairman, Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani) certifies all products and operations for Shari’ah compliance. The company is rated “A+” (having Stable Outlook) by JCR-VIS Credit Rating Co. Limited and Pakistan Credit Rating Agency (PACRA). The Company’s paid-up capital is in excess of Pak- Rs. 1.3 billion, which is highest in the industry.PQFTL has a vision of providing financial protection through Takaful to everyone. The company’s shareholders include some of the strongest financial institutions in the state of Qatar such as Qatar Islamic Insurance Company (QIIC) and Qatar International Islamic Bank (QIIB). The company is further strengthened by its Re-Takaful arrangements with Munich-Re and Hannover Re. Pak-Qatar Family Takaful Limited has strategic BancaTakaful alliance with FWU AG, a leading life insurance company based in Munich (Germany), for distribution of Takaful policies through banking channels.Pak-Qatar Family Takaful Limited has one of the largest Takaful branch networks across Pakistan (over 70 branches in 60 cities), in addition to over 3,500 bank branches in over 200 cities that provide BancaTakaful products.With more than 700,000 individual covered members and over 950 corporate members, the company believes in technological advancement and has presence on all digital mediums thus enabling the customers to keep in touch 24/7 via modern web portals and mobile applications.Pak-Qatar Family Takaful Limited is recipient of several domestic and international awards and nominations including ‘Best Takaful Company’ by Global Islamic Finance Awards in London 2018, ‘Brand of the Year’ at the FPPCI Awards in Karachi 2018, ‘Best Takaful Operator’ by IFN Awards in 2017,  ‘Best Takaful Operator in Pakistan’ award at the 10th International Takaful Summit London 2016 and ‘Best Takaful Company in Pakistan’ for the year 2015 at ‘RTC Islamic Banking & Finance Awards’ ceremony in Islamabad.

GE announces Scholarship Award winner from Pakistan

Jhimpir (Cliff News)GE Renewable Energy and Tricon Boston Consulting Corporation Limited (TBCCL) open today the second emergency medical center in Jhimpir, Pakistan. This unprecedented initiative has been designed and implemented by Aga Khan Medical University Hospital, TBCCL and GE, which opened the first clinic in 2017 in the Thatta district.The Jhimpir corridor is located 95 kilometers inland from the coast in a semi-desert area, which makes access to necessary medical care for inhabitants difficult. Sapphire and GE Renewable Energy are operating and maintaining four wind farms in the area, the SWPCL and Tricon I, II and III wind farms,for a total capacity of 200 MW. These Emergency Medical Centers bring essential medical emergency services to the local community and wind power workforce in a timely manner.The 24/7 medical facility provides a high level of urgent medical services in this remote location. The clinic is equipped with high quality medical diagnostics and treatment equipment, a pharmacy and a CE certified ambulance, and can each treat up to 60 patients per day.“Developing a wind project also involves taking care of the surrounding communities.“ says Nadeem Abdullah, CEO Sapphire Wind Power Co Limited. “The medical center we opened three years ago has been beneficial for the community and we are glad to see a new one coming to life.““Wind Energy is growing in Pakistan and GE Renewable Energy has a strong presence in the country. It is important for us to make a positive contribution and investment to improving people’s lives and safety in the country” says Manar Al Moneef, President & CEO, Middle East, North Africa and Turkey, GE Renewable Energy. “People’s safety is our priority and we are glad to partner with Sapphire, our largest wind power customer in Pakistan to support Jhimpir get easy access to medical services.”

Mobile library moves to Makli area from Marriott Road

Makli(Cliff News)The launch of a mobile library took place here today in Makliat Goth Sarki, courtesy Rotary Club Karachi New Central with the collaboration of Heritage Foundation, Pakistan. The multi-pronged launch ceremony also featured the distribution of Eid gifts by RCK New Central to 200 children from the villages, and an enlightening visit by Rotarians and other guests to the zero carbon footprint initiatives launched by Heritage Foundation in the area.The day started early with all registered delegates gathering at Heritage Foundation and leaving together in a coaster for Sarki Goth. Refreshments made by the Makli commune, that was once a beggar community, prior to being taught income-generating skills by Heritage Foundation were served on arrival at the colourfully decorated ZC3 venue.Host of the day, Amna Qureshi of StarLinks PR and Events welcomed the guests and invited Rotarian Anadil Khan to the stage to recite a verse from the Holy Quran. National anthem followed in which everyone participated with enthusiasm. Next Charter President RCK New Central and director Heritage Foundation Shanaz Ramzi was invited to welcome all the guests to the event and give a brief background of her club’s activities and projects. She mentioned, “I am sure our club has made history as since its inception on April 12^th we have done one project every week, beginning with the cleaning of heritage sits on Marriott Road and street festivals held there every Sunday for one month, mobile library set up at Marriott Road, to distribution of rations in Ramazan and culminating in the Eid gifts distribution and mobile library launch at Makli. This is just the beginning of a tremendous movement in the making.”CEO/Founder Heritage Foundation, Yasmeen Lari, then spoke about the Makli commune and the various projects undertaken for the six villages there.Yasmeen Lari and Shanaz Ramzi launched the mobile libraraywith books for little children which will be plying between six villages of Makli including Goth Sarki where the Parho Pakistan project is already underway at ZC3, manned by Heritage Foundation.Giveawayscollected by Rotarians were then distributed tochildren ofMakli, followed by lunch. This was definitely a unique experience for the children of the areaaws well as for the visitors, who were also given a tour of the eco-friendly chulas and housing units and washrooms created by Heritage Foundation. Guests could be seen mingling with the villagers and purchasing the unique artifacts and jewellery created by the women of the area.

 

 

 

 

Actor Faiza announces new webseries “Two Minutes with Faiza Saleem”

Karachi(Cliff News)Actor, comedian and renowned social media superstar Faiza Saleeem is all set to release her new web series, ‘Two Minutes with Faiza Saleem’. The first episode of the show is scheduled to be released during Eid-ul-Fitr on Saleem’s social media pages.The fast-paced interactive digital show will be featuring renowned celebrities including the likes of Faysal Quraishi, Iqra Aziz, Hania Amir, Asim Azhar, Syra Shehroz, Mansha Pasha, Yasir Hussain, Jibran Nasir and a number of other prominent names. The web series is primarily an interview-based show where Saleem will be asking celebrity guests to answer as many questions within a span of two minutes.When asked about why the artist opted to start the web series and what the viewers can expect from this particular project, Saleem comments, “It took me a couple of months to finalize the idea. I didn’t want to do a regular talk show. ‘Two Minutes With Faiza Saleem’ had to be something different from what I usually do. I want people to see a different side to my work. This show isn’t comical. It’s fun but there’s no comedy involved and I’m not playing a character. I wanted to give my audience variety. So, the audience can expect something new packed with a lot of fun squeezed within a span of only two minutes. They’ll also get to know their favorite celebrities in a completely different light.”The show’s set is designed by Saleem herself. When asked what elements were taken into consideration while designing, she adds, “I wanted it to really showcase what the show is like. I got things from Thailand, Vietnam and Lebanon to finish the look. The furniture and everything else was bought andmade locally.”‘Two Minutes With Faiza Saleem’ will be released during Eid-ul-Fitr on Saleem’s YouTube, Facebook and Instagram platforms. The multifaceted Faiza Saleem is currently also working on other projects including ‘Faiza Learns To Cook With Chef Saadat’.

 

 

 

 

World Habitat Trophy for Pakistan Chulah

Karachi(Cliff News)Heritage Foundation of Pakistan’s smokeless stove programmeresponsible for creating female entrepreneurs out of village women and improving their quality of health and life, which was recently adjudgedWorld Habitat Awards Winner for the year 2018was honoured withthe trophy at the ceremony of UN Habitat World Convention held in Nairobi. The trophy was received byHE Syed Maroof, the Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan in Nairobion behalf of Heritage Foundation.The trophy for World Habitat Award 2018 awarded to Pakistan Chulah was handed over by MrVictor Kisob, the Deputy Executive Director of UN Habitat at a prestigious ceremony in Nairobi.The trophy will be brought to Pakistan by David Ireland, Executive Director, World Habitat, and presented to Yasmeen Lari in November at the international conference on Green Sustainable Architecture organized by INTBAU Pakistan in collaboration with INTBAU and World Habitat at Makli at Zero Carbon Cultural Centre (ZC3), in the vicinity of Makli World Heritage.To celebrate the prestigious award, a couple of thousand Pakistan Chulah makers, representing several hundred villages will be present along with eminent international and national delegates from around the world and across the county.The World Habitat Awards Advisory Group said: “This is a tremendous project, which is changing the kitchen from a dirty place to a clean place. By making women into entrepreneurs it gives status in the family and the wider community. It’s vernacular architecture at its best.”

About the self-built chulah:

The zero carbon self-built Pakistan Chulah has been constructed by over 50,000 rural housewives in Upper and Lower Sindh. It is smokeless and fuel efficient, requiring only sawdust/cow dung briquettes for fuel, thus requiring no biomass or wood for cooking.