Category: Lahore

Lahore: The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), in collaboration with Revenue Mobilization, Investment, and Trade (REMIT), will host an exclusive post-WEXNET mentorship event on 27th February 2025 in Lahore.

The event will bring together the top 25 exhibitors from WEXNET Exhibition 2025 and prominent industry leaders to explore strategies for scaling women-led businesses in global markets. Under the theme "WEXNET Growth Journey: From Exhibitor to Entrepreneurial Leader," the event will provide actionable insights and practical guidance to help women entrepreneurs expand beyond local markets.

A key highlight of the event will be a high-impact panel discussion titled "From Local to Global: Strategies for Scaling Pakistani Industries." Industry experts will share valuable insights on critical areas such as market trends, branding, e-commerce strategies, and compliance standards. Attendees will also have the chance to participate in an interactive Q and A session to gain tailored, practical knowledge for their specific business needs.

The mentorship initiative is part of TDAP's ongoing commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs, equipping them with the tools and resources necessary to succeed in global markets. WEXNET remains a key platform for women-led businesses in Pakistan, fostering innovation, collaboration, and growth in international trade. With Pakistan's increasing involvement in global trade, this post-WEXNET event is expected to enhance export readiness, improve market access, and inspire the next generation of women entrepreneurs.

Lahore: The Lahore Arts Council continued to spearhead initiatives that promote cultural development in Punjab. Alhamra has completed its landmark Punjabi Comedy Workshop, a significant step in preserving and evolving regional performing arts in alignment with the Punjab government's commitment to artistic excellence.

The Alhamra Academy of Performing Arts played a pivotal role in ensuring the workshop's success, providing rigorous training to emerging talent. Esteemed artists, including Iftikhar Thakur and director Qaisar Javed, imparted their expertise to a new generation of performers, equipping them with the nuances of comedic timing, stagecraft, and performance techniques.

As the workshop concluded, participants showcased their skills in a compelling performance of the play 'Paisa Bolta Hai,' demonstrating their refined artistry and theatrical excellence. A certificate distribution ceremony further marked the event. Iftikhar Thakur and other mentors congratulated the artists on their achievements and extended their best wishes for their future careers.

Chairman Alhamra Razi Ahmed emphasized the importance of such initiatives: "Alhamra remains committed to nurturing artistic talent and ensuring that Punjab's cultural heritage continues to thrive through meaningful and innovative programs."

Executive Director Tauqeer Haider Kazmi, highlighting the workshop's impact, remarked: "This initiative reflects Alhamra's dedication to providing emerging artists with opportunities to learn, grow, and excel, ultimately enriching Pakistan's vibrant artistic landscape."

Lahore: The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has urged the government to include the private sector in policy-making, key decision-making forums, and standing committees of the Senate and National Assembly to drive economic growth and address Pakistan's financial challenges.

LCCI President Mian Abuzar Shad, Senior Vice President Engineer Khalid Usman, and Vice President Shahid Nazir Chaudhry stated that the private sector plays a crucial role in shaping innovative, efficient, and practical economic policies. They stressed that close collaboration between the government and industry leaders is not just beneficial but essential for fostering a business-friendly environment, attracting investment, and creating jobs.

The LCCI leaders highlighted key areas where private sector involvement could have a significant impact, including tax reforms, trade policies, ease of doing business, and industrial growth. They advocated for simplified tax structures, streamlined regulations, and export-oriented strategies to boost competitiveness in global markets.

They also called for establishment of a permanent consultative mechanism between the government and private sector stakeholders to ensure continuous dialogue and effective economic planning. The LCCI reaffirmed its commitment to working with the government to drive economic progress and ensure long-term prosperity for Pakistan.

Lahore: Deputy Commissioner Syed Musa Raza on Wednesday visited the Government High School Heir (Lahore Cantt) to assess available facilities and overall educational standards. During the visit, he reviewed the school's infrastructure, teaching methods, and resources, ensuring effective integration of both academic and extracurricular activities to support student development. The DC emphasized the importance of maintaining high educational standards and providing an environment conducive to learning. He met with the school principal, receiving a detailed briefing on administrative operations and facilities.

Lahore: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Wednesday acquitted three Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) activists in a case registered under terrorism charges for creating disturbances and damaging state property.

The court held that the prosecution failed to prove the charges against the accused.

ATC Judge Irfan Haider conducted the proceedings and announced the decision after hearing detailed arguments from the defense counsel and prosecution.

The North Cantonment Police Station had registered a case against the TLP activists in 2018. They were accused of creating disturbances and damaging state property in front of Lahore Airport.

Those acquitted include Sardar Imtiaz Shahbaz Dogar, Raheeq Munir Bhatti, and Mian Mohsin Ashraf.

Lahore: Pakistan can bring a revolution in online business with the help of Chinese companies already working in the country.

This was stated by Pakistan China Joint Chambers of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) President Nazir Hussain at a think-tank session, held here at the PCJCCI Secretariat on Wednesday. He said that 10 legal fintech companies are working in Pakistan. Four of them are Chinese companies including Seed Creed Financial Services, Micro Creed Financial Services Limited and Hammra Financial Services Limited are active in the country.

Nazir Hussain said that those companies could also connect Pakistani fintech industry with WeChat and Alipay. He said that WeChat has already revolutionized online business in China. Users can buy and sell their daily items online through WeChat. He added that there is a dire need to synchronize these brands with the fintech industry of Pakistan and the state-run financial institutions.

PCJCCI Senior Vice President Brig. (Retd.) Mansoor Saeed Sheikh said that any Pakistani fintech company such as UBL Omni, Jazz Cash and EasyPaisa etc. could be developed on the pattern of WeChat. Currently, local fintech companies are moving in the opposite direction of international fintech firms. We need to coordinate and make it a unique and common platform, which is accessible to everyone. Pakistan has a good 4G system and it is also moving towards 5G. Pakistan should make its network capable of new technology, he maintained.

The joint Chamber's Vice President Zafar Iqbal added that Pakistani youth could be engaged to develop human resources by introducing training courses in collaboration with Chinese trainers for technological transfer. He asserted that according to the data provided by WeChat management to WealthPK, the monthly deals of the firm reached 1.309 billion, registering an increase of 3.7 percent. In January 2022, the WeChat Open Class disclosed to the media that mini-programmes of the company were growing rapidly in overseas business, with the number of monthly deals increasing by 268 percent, and the monthly average number of daily transactions increasing by 897 percent. "In this way we can also train our companies to boast our economy and to facilitate our people," he remarked.

PCJCCI Secretary General Salahuddin Hanif said that this is the best time to improve the skills of people. People have already latest mobile phones, local machines and latest equipment so they just need to improve their skills.