“The declining tourism industry of Pakistan is finally on a rise”– Nadine Malik Almani

Jovago Country Manager Speaks about the Promotion of Tourism in Pakistan at an event held in Lahore

Lahore: “Jovago.com is an enterprise that aspires to support and promote the tourism industry in Pakistan. Unfortunately, tourism in Pakistan has been on a decline for years and at the moment Pakistan is getting only ten percent of the total tourism in south Asia and the declining tourism industry of Pakistan is finally on a rise now, so we hope to bring it back to being a popular tourist destination” commented Mrs. Nadine Malik Almani, the Country Manager of Jovago at a meet and greet with the media and bloggers on Saturday in Lahore.

Jovago.com is a website that allows customers from around the world to book hotels online. A popular site; it aims to encourage and support the expansion of Pakistan’s tourism industry on the whole. As the age of information takes over, Pakistan is increasingly online making this service accessible to many. Jovago.com has been popular for domestic travelers, both for business and tourism. The team personally visits each hotel and guest house on their portfolio, and takes real pictures – all content is also asked by the hotels and guest houses and validated by the teams before uploading it on our website. With many bookings also made from abroad, with a majority coming from the UK, France, Canada and Tanzania, Jovago is proving successful in its promotion of tourism. An added benefit of Jovago.com is that they provide the best price guarantee, i.e. if you find a hotel with a lower price Jovago.com will reimburse you the difference. 

The website allows travelers to compare more than fifteen hundred hotels across Pakistan, being able to select their hotels based on availability and price. Their selection is further made easier as the website includes reviews on the various hotels, written by past customers. Payment can be made via the website or at the chosen hotel upon arrival, facilitating the needs of all clients. This is particularly important as only 14 percent of Pakistanis have the means to make payments digitally, such as bank accounts. 

The event was very successful with many prominent print and online media persons in attendance. Speaking about Jovago at the end of the event, Mrs. Almani commented, “Pakistan has so many beautiful places which are ranked among the best places of the world. It is wonderful being a link between the rest of the world and our beautiful country.”

Warid supports the LUMS Gaming Association

The LUMS Gaming Association held its three day Intra-LUMS Gaming Tournament last weekend, supported by Warid Telecom. It was aimed at promoting E-sports and offering semi-professional gamers the chance to compete on a wider platform. The games ranged from strategy to action and gave the participants the freedom to explore their relevant set of skills in the gaming arena.

Warid, alongside its youth-oriented brand Glow, has supported a multitude of sports activities at LUMS over the past years. In this regard, Warid has remained committed to its persistent efforts to promote youth activities. 

ACCA works on the public value agenda

Peshawar: The students enrolled under the Afghan Federal Board in the Laisa Education Community attended an Open House Seminar recently at ACCA Pakistan’s Approved Learning Partner: Professional Academy of Commerce (PAC), Peshawar. 

The session was held to inform the students about the ACCA qualification; a further emphasis was laid on accountancy as a qualification and a detailed discussion on the possibilities of an ACCA student’s career options was conducted.

Mr. EhsanUllahAmiri, Director Afghan Embassy Peshawar honored the event as guest of honor. “I am extremely pleased to see the efforts of ACCA towards students’ careers and the progressive approach of ACCA in developing the skills of the student community at large. The opportunities provided by ACCA to Afghan students are indeed noteworthy.”

The session concluded with an interactive question and answer session where the heightened interest of the Afghan community in ACCA was observed.

Pakistan - A preferred destination for finance and accounting shared services and outsourcing (SSO)

SKANS School of Accountancy and AZURE Premier signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU)to create the value chain of shared services and outsourcing (SSO) business in the finance and accounting space. Whereby SKANS shall specifically provide trained finance professionals to Azure Premier, a UK based finance and accounting BPO. This signing ceremony was attended by members of accounting bodies including ICAP, ICMAPakistan and ACCA. Punjab Board of Investment and Trade (PBIT) and one of the leading telecom operators Wateen Telecom were also present at the event.

Shahid Iqbal of Azure Premier and an ICAP Member highlighted at the ceremony that, “A concentrated effort will be needed by all stakeholders and national accounting bodies should play their role in making this initiative a success. A proper eco system of IT and telecom sector in addition to favorable policies as per global requirements, will result in phenomenal growth in this sector.”

Sajid Hussain, CEO SKANS commented at the ceremony, “This venture between SKANS and Azure is a pilot project to formalize value chain for SSO sector. SKANS after this signing is one of the leading accounting tuition providers who will be offering a complete ‘Education to Employment’ cycle.”

Khurram Afzal Malik from PBIT extended full support to partner organizations by stating, “Shared services outsourcing (SSO) offers immense opportunities for youth from entrepreneurship to employment, which is in line with Punjab Growth Strategy vision of Government of Punjab. PBIT offers to extend full support to partner organizations in their aims to improve shared services market in Punjab."

Wateen has also endorsed their support as representation of telecom industry, “Pakistan has the right telecom /IT infrastructure to develop a successful SSO business.”

Muhammad Sharif, member ICMA Pakistan and Sajjeed Aslam, Head of ACCA also extended their full support to this initiative.

Members of ICAP and ICMAP,ACCA, Government of Punjab, Telco Sector and training partners are all geared up and working together to capture a fair share in cross board finance and accounting SSO business for Pakistan.

Warid Brings Exclusive SIM Re-Verification Offers for Valued Customers 500 Free Minutes and 500MBs Free Internet

Warid Brings Exclusive SIM Re-Verification Offers for Valued Customers

500 Free Minutes and 500MBs Free Internet

Lahore: Warid Telecom is now offering its customers 500 free minutes and 500MBs of free internet upon re-verification of their SIMs before the 12th of April 2015. Following the Government of Pakistan’s decision to make biometric SIM re-verification mandatory, Warid is giving free allowances to subscribers for SIM re-verification to show their appreciation. This offer will be valid immediately after the first recharge following re-verification, for 3 days.

Overseas Pakistanis can also temporarily verify their SIM’s, effective till the 31^st of March 2016, by sending the required information, including their CNIC number, on ‘789’.

Customers can also check their number’s verification status by dialing the Warid helpline ‘321’.

Biometric verification is a big step taken by the government in collaboration with the telecom industry to improve national security.

The verification process is quick and easy for customers and can be done at any Warid Business Centre, franchise or retail outlet. Warid customers can text ‘WO’ to ‘324’ to find their nearest biometric re-verification retailer at a charge of Rs. 0.50+t/ - per SMS.

Offer Details:

·         Free allowances are only available for all non-biometrically verified, 30-day active customers. 

·         Bonus will be applicable upon first recharge after biometric re-verification.

·         Bonus upon recharge will be posted next day.

·         Free minutes and MBs will be valid for 3 days only.

·         Customer can recharge any denomination to avail the benefit.

·         Peer to Peer share will not be considered as recharged amount

·         For temporary overseas re-verification, effective till the 31^st of March 2016, send your Mother’s name, CNIC number & Place of birth:  

           For example: ‘VER<space>MotherName,CNIC,PlaceOfBirth’ to 789 

          *Normal IR SMS charges applies

·         For any queries email Warid at overseas668@waridtel.com