Bank Alfalah donates Rs200m

Bank Alfalah has partnered with the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) through a donation of Rs200m to help tackle the multifaceted challenges faced by flood-affected communities across Pakistan, according to a press release. The funds will be utilised by AKF, and its implementing partners, to address the immediate and long-term needs of affected citizens.

The initiative aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG3 (Good health and well-being) and SDG6 (Clean water and sanitation), and addresses multiple aspects of the flood-affected communities’ needs primarily by increasing access to Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) infrastructure for improved living conditions and hygiene practices.

The key goals involve improving the accessibility and utilisation of health services through existing delivery platforms and mobile outreach services, enhancing access to WASH infrastructure, expediting the restoration of agricultural practices in the affected areas, and finally bolstering households’ food security and resilience.

Pakistan Learning Conference 2023

Pakistan Learning Conference 2023: Building Foundations concluded on Thursday with a comprehensive action plan to transform early childhood education and foundational learning and was attended by a diverse gathering of global educators, policymakers, and experts, as per a press release.

Speaking at the end of day two, Minister of Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, emphasised how the current era depends on intellectual revolution and highlighted the significance of the first 1000 days of a child’s life as the most productive period for developing observational and critical thinking abilities among other vital skills.

He highlighted the strong connection between early education, creativity and innovation and stated that a fund of Rs25bn billion has been established for Out of School Children, of which a significant portion should be reserved for Early Childhood Education.

Lahore’s first Caltex pump

The first Caltex-branded service station was inaugurated in Lahore, as per a press release. Caltex has an 80-year legacy in Pakistan, and Chevron recently re-entered the retail fuels business through a trademark license agreement with Be Energy Limited (BE). Through this partnership with BE, Chevron plans to build a network of over 400 Caltex-branded fuel stations in the country.

The newly inaugurated service station represents a fusion of cutting-edge technology and customer-centric services. Expressing his enthusiasm about the collaboration, Mr Ahmed Zahid Zaheer, Country Chairman and General Manager of Chevron Pakistan, stated, “We are thrilled to partner with Be Energy for the opening of our first service station in Lahore. Together, we aim to revolutionise the service station experience.”

SSGC entertains in-person complaints

The Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) has reiterated its commitment towards addressing the complaints and grievances of its customers swiftly while the company faces an uphill challenge of ensuring sustainable gas supplies as the demand and supply gap widens, according to a press release.

Managing Director Imran Maniar explained their situation while chairing the in-person Khulli Kachehri session at SSGC’s Head Office auditorium in Karachi on June 23, 2023, under the directives of the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit.

Mr Maniar, along with senior executives, heard the queries and complaints of pre-registered customers and ordered their redressal as soon as possible.

Szabist hosts UN report launch

The United Nations Fund for Population (UNFPA) Pakistan launched its flagship report on the ‘UNFPA 2023 State of World Population’ at Szabist Karachi, addressing inequalities in education, income, employment, gender, and digitalisation as essential for population development as per a press release.

In the opening speech, Dr Luay Shabaneh, UNFPA Representative in Pakistan, talked about the link between population dynamics, poverty, nutrition and other socioeconomic dimensions. Dr Pechuho shared Public Health Care initiatives taken by the Sindh Government and stressed the importance of the close link between academia and industry experts, and population welfare. The panel discussion had thoughtful comments, insights and suggestions for the attendees.

Published in Dawn, The Business and Finance Weekly, June 26th, 2023