Islamabad: Turkish and Pakistan ministers decided to increase the coordination in the aviation and airline businesses to decrease the influence of gulf airlines in the region with the state-of-the-art air technologies to heat up healthy competition in the market.

A sequel meeting was held between the Minister of State and Chairman Board of Investment Saleem H. Mandviwalla and Mr. Binali Yildirm Minister of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communication during the visit of Turkish Prime Minster to Pakistan.

MOS/Chairman BOI apprised the Turkish Minister that BoI is leading a delegation of Pakistani businessmen and will conduct “Road Shows” in various cities of Turkey possibly during Sep-Oct 2012, to attract investment in various sectors particularly its airline.

Turkish Minister briefed the MOS/Chairman BOI that Turkey’s largely free-market economy is increasingly driven by its industry and service sectors, although its traditional agriculture sector still accounts for about 25% of employment.

An aggressive privatization program has reduced state involvement in basic industry, banking, transport, and communication, and an emerging cadre of middle-class entrepreneurs is adding dynamism to the economy and expanding production beyond the traditional textiles and clothing sectors. The automotive, construction, and electronics industries, are rising in importance and have surpassed textiles within Turkey’s export mix.

Global economic conditions and tighter fiscal policy caused GDP to contract in 2009, but Turkey’s well-regulated financial markets and banking system helped the country weather the global financial crisis and GDP rebounded strongly to 8.2% in 2010, as exports returned to normal levels following the recession.

BOI has signed a bilateral investment treaty with Turkey today and BOI has also coordinated the signing of MoU for Solid Waste Management between Govt. of Sindh and Albayrak Group, Turkey.

Zong Internet1 Zong Offers Truly Unlimited Mobile InternetZong, after rocking the market with all sorts of mobile internet packages, has once again set a new standard by introducing truly unlimited mobile internet – that is: without any data limits on downloads/uploads at all.

This truly unlimited mobile internet comes at a daily subscription charge of Rs. 10 (including taxes) per day.

This new package will replace old daily mobile internet package of Zong with no download limits – which was earlier capped at 50 MB per day.

Also, with this new daily internet package, Zong customers of monthly mobile internet package will revert to daily mobile internet package – with which they can enjoy the daily charging instead of paying Rs. 200 in advance for whole month.

Though, paying Rs. 10 per day will translate into Rs. 300 per month – but you will get truly unlimited mobile internet, plus daily subscription model, instead of monthly subscription – which would be useful for majority of Zong subscribers.

KARACHI: Nominations for the 11th LUX Style Awards were announced in Karachi this week. The Awards office of Pakistan’s most credible and coveted Awards released nominations in 26 categories in the genres of Film, Music, Television and Fashion.
The LSA Film Jury voted for Bol across all three categories. Shoaib Mansoor’s Bol was the sole film that made the grade and qualified as a bonafide entrant for an Award that is given out for excellence in cinema.
With the Pakistan music scene limping back from the fallow years, the competition for nomination slots was once again hotly debated. As a concrete nod to experimentation and creating new boundaries for musical excellence a category was added to accommodate emerging talent in music.
Television was as usual the most vibrant of all the genres with PTV, Hum TV and Geo Entertainment sharing most of the nomination slots for serials and related categories.
Public voting for TV and Music categories to decide the winner for the 11th LUX Style Awards will commence later this month. Fashion Jury members will be voting for the ten Fashion Categories.
The LUX Style Awards for Excellence in Cinema, TV, Music and Fashion will be held midsummer and aired at a later date on national TV.

11th LUX STYLE AWARDS 2012

Film Nominations

Best Film
Bol - Shoaib Mansoor
Best Film Actor
Manzar Sehbhai – Bol
Best Film Actress
Humaima Malik – Bol

Television Nominations
Best TV Serial (Terrestrial)
Aao Kahani Buntay Hain (PTV) Produced by: Irfan Khoosat
Dil Behkay Ga (PTV) Produced by: Raheel Rao
Jeena Tou Hai (PTV) Produced by: Produced by: Tariq Mairaj
Kachra Kundi (PTV) Produced by: Evernew Entertainment
Tera Pyar Nahi Bhoolay (PTV) Produced by: Rafique Warraich

Best TV Actor (Terrestrial)
Ahsan Khan – Tera Pyar Nahi Bhoolay (PTV)
Junaid Khan – Dil Ki Lagi (ATV)
Mehmood Aslam – Aankh Salamat Andhay Log (ATV)
Moamar Rana - Aankh Salamat Andhay Log (ATV)
Noman Ejaz - Aao Kahani Buntay Hain (PTV)

Best TV Actress (Terrestrial)
Mahjabeen Sumbal – Kachra Kundi (PTV)
Maira Khan – Aankh Salamat Andhay Log (ATV)
Saba Qamar – Tera Pyar Nahi Bhoolay (PTV)
Sanam Baluch – Sehra Teri Pyaas (PTV)
Sania Saeed – Aao Kahani Buntay Hain (PTV)

Best TV Serial (Satellite)
Kis Din Mera Viyah Hovega – A & B Productions (GEO)
Mera Naseeb – Momina Duraid (HUM)
Mera Saaen – A & B Productions (ARY)
Paani Jaisa Pyaar – Momina Duraid (HUM)
Taakay Ki Ayegi Baraat – Evernew Entertainment (GEO)

Best TV Actor (Satellite)
Ali Safina - Taakay Ki Ayegi Baraat (GEO)
Fahad Mustafa – Mein Abdul Qadir Hoon (HUM)
Fahad Mustafa – Mastana Mahi (HUM)
Faisal Qureshi – Roag (ARY)
Noman Ejaz – Mera Saaen (ARY)

Best TV Actress (Satellite)
Aamina Sheikh – Umm-e-Kulsoom (ARY)
Beenish Chouhan – Mera Saaen (ARY)
Hina Dilpazir – Tum Ho Ke Chup (GEO)
Saba Qamar – Paani Jaisa Pyaar (HUM)
Savera Nadeem – Qaid-e-Tanhai (HUM)

Best TV Director (All Channels)
Adnan Ahmed – Mera Naseeb (HUM)
Babar Javed - Mera Saaen (ARY)
Kanwal Khoosat - Aao Kahani Buntay Hain (PTV)
Sarmad Khoosat - Paani Jaisa Pyaar (HUM)
Yasir Nawaz – Uraan (GEO)

Best TV Writer (All Channels)
Anwar Sajjad – Dil Behkay Ga (PTV)
Sarwat Nazeer - Qaid-e-Tanhai (HUM)
Sameera Fazal – Mera Saaen (ARY)
Sameera Fazal - Mera Naseeb (HUM)
Umera Ahmed – Uraan (GEO)

Music Nominations 2012

Best Album
Beyond Kismat - Josh
Dhoom – Call
Jhoom – Ali Zafar
Umeed – Bilal Khan
Uss Paar – Qayaas

Song of the Year
Bum Paata – Ali Azmat
Hona Tha Pyar – Atif Aslam & Hadiqa Kiyani
Jhoom – Ali Zafar
Mera Bichra Yaar – Zoe Viccaji & Strings
Woh Humsafar Tha – Qurat-ul-Ain Baloch

Best Original Sound Track
Hona Tha Pyar – Singers: Atif & Hadiqa – Producer: Shoaib Mansoor
Khuda Aur Muhabbat – Singer: Ahmed Jahanzaib – Producer: JJS Productions
Mein Abdul Qadir Hoon – Singer: Ifti – Producer: A & B Productions
Qaid-e-Tanhai – Singer: Riaz Ali Khan – Producer: A & B Productions
Woh Humsafar Tha – Singer: Qurat-ul-Ain Baloch – Producer: Momina Duraid

Best Music Video Director
Adnan Malik – Mera Bichra Yaar (Zoe Viccaji & Strings)
Farhad Humayun – Batti (Overload)
Jami – Bum Paata (Ali Azmat)
Shahbaz Shigri & Aisha Akhtar – Paki Rambo (Adil Omar)
Sumit Bhardwaj – Pyar Ho Gaya (Josh)

Best Emerging Talent - Music
Adil Omar
Bumbu Sauce
Poor Rich Boy
Ram Lal
Usman Riaz

Fashion Nominations 2012

Model of the Year (Female)
Amna Ilyas
Ayyan Ali
Cybil Chowdhry
Mehreen Syed
Rabia Butt

Model of the Year (Male)
Abbas Jafri
Iffi Zafar
Kashif Deewan
Waleed Khalid

Best Emerging Talent in Fashion
Akif Mehmood (Designer)
Azeem Sani (Styling & Photography)
Mohsin Ali (Designer)
Nadir Firoz Khan & Maha Burney @ NFK Photography (Styling & Photography)
Zaheer Abbas (Designer)

Best Fashion Photographer
Akif Ilyas
Ayaz Anis
Fayyaz Ahmed
Guddu Shani
Rizwan ul Haq

Best Hair and Make up Artist
Akif Ilyas
Creative Team at Nabila
Maram Azmat
Raana Khan
Shammal Quraishi at Toni&Guy

Achievement in Fashion Design – Pret
Iman Ahmed @ Body Focus
Kamiar Rokni
Khaadi Khaas
Sanam Chaudhri
Sania Maskatiya

Achievement in Fashion Design - Luxury Pret
Adnan Pardesy
Ali Xeeshan
Khadija Shah @ Elan
Sania Maskatiya
Shehla Chatoor

Achievement in Fashion Design - Lawn
Deepak Perwani for Orient
Khaadi for Khaadi
Sana Safinaz for Sana Safinaz
Umar Sayeed for Al-Karam
Wardah Saleem for Wardah Saleem

Best High Street Brand
Daaman
Fnk Asia
Generation
Khaadi
Sheep

Best Menswear Designer
Fahad Hussayn
Hassan Sheheryar Yasin
Ismail Farid
Jazib Qamar
Omar Farooq @ Republic

Singapore Pakistani Association (SPA) was founded in 1948 with the aim of providing a platform for Pakistanis in Singapore to come together and have a way to remain in touch with our Pakistani roots. Today, the Association's members include Singaporeans, Permanent Residents, Pakistanis working in Singapore, short-term visitors and Pakistani students. Activities have included collaborations with Singapore Heritage Board, major concerts featuring Pakistani artistes, fund-raisers, donation drives and cultural gatherings. Proceeds from these activities have been directed towards different charitable causes.
On 5th May 2012, Singapore Pakistani Association had a Jashn'Celebrating the Rhythms and Colors of the Indus' at Ritz-Carlton, Singapore. This event was in aid of PPIS (Singapore Muslim Women's Association) in Singapore, and The Indus Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan.
It started off with a fashion show featuring the collections of top Pakistani designers, Faiza Samee, Noorjehan Bilgrami and Amin Gulgee.
Faiza Samee, Noorjehan Bilgrami and Frieha Altaf well known Pakistani Producer /Choreographer and Catwalk Production & Event Management coordinated the designers and artist from Pakistan, flew in to Singapore for this event, along with Ayesha Tammy Haq who hosted the event and Izdyeyar Setna, photographer.
The fashion show was followed by a live auction of Pakistani carpets, Pashmina shawls, work by Pakistani painters, apparel by the featured designers and jewellery. Finally, the show was brought to a close with a concert by Pakistani artists Zeb and Haniya.
Zeb and Haniya’s music speaks to a shared base of human experience. Evoking the rich and textured sound scapes of West Asia they have carved out a space for music that transcends national boundaries.
The event was a formal sit-down dinner attended by 350 guests. Attendees included former President of Singapore, Mr. S.R.Nathan and Mrs Nathan, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mr Masagos Zulkifli, High Commissioner for Pakistan HE Mr Syed Hasan Javed and other distinguished dignitaries and heads of diplomatic missions.
The opening show was conducted with the work of Noorjehan Bilgrami.
Noorjehan Bilgrami is known for her wide-ranging contribution to the world of arts and crafts in Pakistan. She is one of the founders of the prestigious Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture in Karachi and was its first Executive Director.

Followed by Amin Gulgee. Gulgees work of art was exhibited with wardrobe by Zaheer Abbas. Amin working primarily in copper and bronze he has exhibited in the US, Europe, Middle East, Far East and most recently in Singapore. Amin has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Presidents Pride of Performance.

The grand finale by Faiza Samee with her beautiful color combinations, intricate threadwork, and delicate block prints and exquisite embroideries have been gracing the women of Pakistan for years. No stranger to the ramp her collections have made her famous internationally and much in demand for the brilliance of her craftsmanship and passion for craft revival of ancient techniques. The collection takes inspiration of the courtesans of the walled city of Lahore, the days when the nawabs ruled and the courtesan was a poet a singer and a dancer, a time where she was famous for her beauty, grace, refined taste and intellect.


ZEB and HANIYA Get Singapore Swinging!!
ZEB and HANIYA, the world renowned band from Pakistan was the crowd pulling after dinner highlight of the Singapore Pakistani Association event. It was no surprise that the Singaporean’s were thrilled by the delightful performance which lifted the spirits of the audience and inspired the listeners to participate by finger snapping, tapping and dancing with great enthusiasm to the popular melodies of the band.
The entire mood of the evening could be described as pure joy and elation as Zeb’s mellifluous vocals, along with the beautiful lyrics of the songs and the extraordinary compositions of Haniya created a magic in their live performance. The band which showcased the outstanding talents of Pakistani Musicians, Sameer Ahmed on Bass guitar , Zeeshan Mansoor on the Lead guitar and Kamran Paul on Drums and Percussions performed to an enthralled audience. Zeb and Haniya have managed to easily blend the distinctively Pakistani feel of their songs with varied genres of music, without losing their authenticity. The sound that comes out of this blend is unique as well as appealing for a wider global audience.
The band performed their most popular songs in several languages namely Urdu, Persian (Dari), and Turkish, connecting with the international audience through the common linkages and heritage.They started the performance with their early popular hit and the title songof their debut album “CHUP” which means Hush! Zeb kept familiarizing the audience with the back ground and origins of the internationally acclaimed and all-time favourite songs, such as the soulful and melodious “Paimona Bide” (Bring me the Chalice), the funky and energizing “BibiSanamJanam” and “Laili Jan”which got the Singapore crowd swinging and of course “ChalDiye” (a.k.a the Islamabad song –an ode to one of the most lush and beautiful cities in the world).Other highlights were the emancipation song “Rona ChorDiya” the romantic “Ahaan” and a song from their upcoming album the “Night Song”. The performance was very tight from beginning to end and was extended upon popular demand for some more of their slower bluesy numbers including the poignant song of hope “KalToSurajNiklayGa” written by Pakistani poetess Ms. JehraNigah.
The live show, very much like the band’s recorded music, was a complete journey; a journey that took the listener through a continuum of moods and emotions - from melancholy to utter joy.

18th May 2012-The second outlet of Gloria Jeans opened with much fanfare at Dolmen Mall, Clifton on Saturday.

The event was attended by a large number of distinguished guests from the corporate and social circle. The attendees included CEOs, professionals and prominent personalities from a various walks of life. The theme for the evening was ‘Live Life One Sip at a Time’ and to share their perspectives, corporate icons Asad Umer (Former CEO of Engro Corp.) and Nadeem Naqvi ( Managing Director, Karachi Stock Exchange) were present as keynote speakers. The audience thoroughly enjoyed their interesting life stories that made the event blend in to becoming an evening of soulful talk, great coffee and delicious treats!





On the occasion Azfar Ashary, Director Gloria Jeans, thanking the attendees expressed his pleasure on the successful launch. Briefing the media he said “We intend to bring fun with food for our customers with our toothsome flavours at one place”. Azfar elaborated upon Gloria Jeans promise of making their customers feel at home and all their moods being catered well.





Also present at the event were Azfar Rehman, Sidra Iqbal, Farhan Ali Agha, Meera Ansari, Khalid Malik and other media personalities. The evening hinted the phenomenal success Gloria Jeans is expected to be in Karachi. The media management for the event was done by Statuspro Inc.

Karachi: Federal Finance Minister Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh has brushed a side the impression that election year’s budget will be presented for political mileage but no additional tax particularly on agriculture will be levied by the government.

Speaking as a chief guest at luncheon meeting on Sunday at Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), he said the budget will be likely to be announced on June purely on present country’s economic situation without any interest to get political edge by the sitting government.

The economic stability would be kept in mind in the budget therefore it is being prepared professionally rather than engineered by economic managers.

There is a need to contain expenses and enhance revenues of the country through taxes and the upcoming budget will be based mainly on these factors.

Dr. Hafeez Shaikh said that no new tax in the budget will levied on the corporate sector and business and the lower income group will be provided relief.

He said the tax system would be made easiest for taxpayers and they would not be overburdened in next budget however he said the tax evaders should be brought in the tax next and the policy of broadening the base of taxpayers will be continue. But people seeking relief in the name of common men would not be entertained, he added.

Finance Minister ruled out any imposition of tax on agriculture sector, saying federal government cannot impose income tax on agriculture gains because it is provincial subject under constitution.

The developing countries usually have problems of low tax-to-GDP ratio, reduced development resources and corruption, he added.

The upcoming budget will be fifth of the present government and third in a row for the sitting finance minister. About the performance current fiscal year he said that the GDP growth would stay around 3.7 percent despite economic challenges.

Regarding prevailing energy crisis in the country, he said that a collected effort needed to overcome this issue because the government had already provided Rs1,000 billion subsidy on electricity including a subsidy on fertilizer to ensure food security.

Karachi: Twitter service resumed in Pakistan which had been blocked earlier on the directives of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) by internet services providers.

The service was blocked due to blasphemous content on the website, PTA officials had said.

PAS Awards1 Telenor Wins Two PAS Awards in Two Different CategoriesTelenor has outshined in Pakistan Advertisers Society (PAS) Awards – country’s premiere advertising awards – by winning two titles in two different categories.

Wateen and Nokia also bagged PAS Awards in their respective categories tonight.

Telenor’s Khamoshi Ka Boycott ad by ADCOM won the best ad award for “Telecommunication Service Provider” category.

Other shortlisted ads in this category were by Ufone namely “Ufone Mobile Internet” and “49 Paisa Offer” – both by Interflow.

Zong and Mobilink’s creative advertisement agencies had submitted their entries but failed to make it to final round.

There were total of 14 submissions for “Telecommunication Service Provider” category, out of which three ads were shortlisted for final round.

Telenor’s “Easy Paisa Mobile Account” by ADCOM also won the award for “Banking and Financial Services” category – beating HBL for their ads “Sila Mila” by Think Tank Advertising and “Shanakht Cricketers” by JWT.

Nokia’s “Nokia dual SIM plus” ad by JWT won PAS award for “Telecommunication Hardware Manufacturer” category. Nokia’s ad was only submission in the category and hence had no competition.

Wateen’s “Jo Chaho” ad by Adetude won the title for “Computer and Internet” Category.

Competition for Computer and Internet category was immense, as entries of three well-known broadband operators were shortlisted along with their agencies.

Other shortlisted ads were from wi-tribe for “Wi-tribe Pakistan Brand refresh” and “Live in your world connect in ours” ad by Pirana Advertising for Qubee.

While PTCL was busy celebrating its 1st million broadband customers, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has directed the company to revert back its Pakistan Package to the terms and conditions that existed prior to 1st April 2011 with an advance notice of at least seven days to all relevant subscribers as required under the Telecom Consumer Protection Regulations, 2009.

In an enforcement order sent to PTCL, the authority said that due to the powers it bears (delegated by Telecom Act) to regulate the competition in the market, PTCL was reminded time and again (through various letters dated 6th December, 2007, 18th Jan, 2011 and 1st Feb 2011) to seek prior approval from authority before launching/announcing any promotion or traffic package and submit complete detail of such packages at least ten days in advance.

However, despite Authority’s direction PTCL introduced and implemented tariff package for Pakistan Package on 17th March, 2011 without authority’s approval.

Letter said that PTCL was sent a show cause notice for launching Pakistan Package without notifying authority. PTCL was given a chance to reply the Show Cause Notice and then it was heard in meeting too, but PTA was contented to call the introduction of Pakistan Package by PTCL not according to procedures as mentioned in the law.

A copy of enforcement letter can be viewed by clicking this link.

It is interesting to mention here that PTCL has revised Pakistan Package several times since March 2011 – the above case in point. The latest revision happened on May 3rd, 2012, which we covered here.

In a disturbing news lately, it was revealed that Chairman PTA, Dr. Muhammad Yasin has been getting an Eidi bonus for himself valuing Rs. 350,000, that’s equal to his one month basic salary.

Mr. Yasin admitted this during a Public Accounts Committee meeting this week. Chairman further revealed that this Eidi bonus was enjoyed by whole PTA staff including himself and two members of the board.

He told the committee that the Eidi bonus was paid in the shape of one-month basic salary and was given to all employees of the PTA.

It was revealed in the meeting that Chairman PTA gets Rs. 1 million per month as his monthly package that includes bonuses and benefits.

The Chairman PTA contended that salaries of PTA employees are neither high compared to the corporate sector nor the pay scales for professional management were revised since 2008. He said that there is a need of raise in our salaries. To this, the PAC chairman said that if he was dissatisfied with his package he should have resigned.

“The gross package of PTA chairman is Rs 1 million per month while I serve on a constitutional post and my total salary is Rs. 150,000,” countered AGP Akhtar Buland Rana.