Sunday 30 August 2015

InfoTech’s Capizar® Suite of Trading Platform Goes Live at Zimbabwe Stock Exchange





ZSE is powered with globally recognizedInfoTech product Capizar® ATS, a comprehensive suite of Trading Platform. This project has ushered Zimbabwe Capital Market in the new era of efficiency, growth, development and transparency.

August 2015, Lahore: InfoTech Group, a leading Systems Integrator and technology solutions provider, completed the Trading System Transformation at Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) as it went live and ushered ZSE in a new trading era. The agreement for a turnkey deployment of Automated Trading with the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange was signed back in 2014 to enable all transactions to match international best practices and standards of operation in terms of efficiency, transparency, fairness and cost effectiveness.

The new trading platform Capizar® ATS, marks the beginning of a new era for Zimbabwe’s capital markets, replacing the previously used manual trading system since 1896, where ZSE carried out a large number of tasks using excel and other basic packages. This smart move is expected to influence a rise in aggregate turnover as well as volumes traded. International markets all over the world reacted positively to such developments ultimately leading to increase average daily turnover levels.

Commenting on the occasion, Naseer A. Akhtar, CEO of InfoTech said, “It is a privilege to work and represent Pakistan on an international platform. We are extremely proud of the expansion InfoTech has made in international markets, being one of a kind Pakistani company to lodge work with various global clients. I would also like to congratulate Zimbabwe Stock Exchange and wish them success in this new epoch of automated trading. ”


InfoTech is one of the leading information technology firms of Pakistan, successfully automated and integrated solutions for various public and private sectors. 

Friday 28 August 2015

4 days trip in Murree, Pakistan


Murree is Pakistan’s easily accessible retreat which remains crowded with foreigners and locals throughout the year. This serene city is located near the Himalayas – about a 2 hour drive from Islamabad. The area is known for its scenic vistas of pine, oak-covered mountains, glistening rivulets, and relaxing atmosphere. Murree is a heavenly site - often referred to as a romantic getaway for travelers.

Jovago shares a 4 day itinerary of things to do when visiting Murree.

Day 1
1. Mall road
Mall Road is a long winding road that has a huge market (on both sides) and cars are not allowed to enter the closed off area. The marketplace has an assortment of crafts,souvenirs, fine eateries, rides and much more. Jovago.com has several hotel options located on Mall Road and at a very reasonable price.

2. Murree Tabbaq Restaurant
Tabbaq restaurant is located on Mall Road. One should have breakfast here before starting the day’s activities. It opens early in the morning to serve breakfast such ashalwapuri, eggs, paratha and tea. It is famous for its delicious cuisine which is cooked by an expert chef.

3. Pindi Point
After breakfast and strolling on Mall road, tourists can either take a Bacha Garior walk to the Pindi point (roughly 15-20 minutes’ walk depending on one’s speed). Pindi point is a stunning mountainous, lush green spot dominated by beautiful daffodils. It has chairlifts that visitors can use to get a bird's eye view of the scenery, zigzagged pine lines, snowcapped peaks and valleys.

4. Kashmir Point
Kashmir Point is another beautiful place to wander around. Travelers can sightsee, hike, take pictures, go horseback riding, or sit on the terrace at the Point and enjoy coffee. It is also a residence of the Punjab Governor, which was built in 19th century.

Day 2
1. Trinity church
The famous Holy Trinity Church was built in 1857 and still remains functional in Murree. In colonial times, the church was the center of life and its architecture makes it is worthy of a visit.

2. Sindh House
Continuing the journey from the church, up ahead on the road are Punjab and Sindh houses - designed at the hilltop to cater needs of the provincial government.  These are similar to the large number of government, semi-government and private departments and institution maintained guesthouses in Murree.

3. Remnants of Murree Brewery
The Murree Brewery was established in 1860 by Dyer - father of Col Dyer, the butcher of Amritsar. It is located 6 kilometers from Sunny Bank at Ghora Gali.

Day 3
1. Sozo Water Park
Starting the day with a rejuvenating visit to Sozo Water Park is the most exciting experience. It offers plenty of rides and a haunted house. The park takes pride in being the first and largest water park in Pakistan.

2. Bhurban
After the Sozo Water Park, one can drive to the Bhurban resort - one of the most picturesque places in the country. It is known for scenic hiking trails in the nearby Ayubia National Park, unique flora and fauna, the '5 star' Pearl Continental Hotel and Bhurban Apartments.

3. Dine at Red Onion
Red Onion serves a great variety of Chinese, Indian local and continental Bar-B-Q dishes. The restaurant is constructed like an American bar, with red bricks and dim lights for a perfect dining experience.

Day 4
1. Patriata
Also called New Murree – Patriata is 15 km from Murree Hills. It's famous for its 2 hour chairlift which is comparable to international chairlifts.

2. Ayubia
Ayubia is 26 km from Murree hills. It consists of four hill stations GhorDaka, Khanspur, Gali Changla and Khairagali. Every year, thousands of tourists visit Ayubia to visit the majestic Ayubia National Park. Ayubia offers comfortable and modern amenities, including hotels, restaurants and sports facilities for both summer and winter seasons.

3. Daffodils Restaurant
Daffodils restaurant is considered as one of the best places to eat while visiting Ayubia. Inaddition to the delicious food, the restaurant is located at a peaceful picturesque location.

Murree is indeed a beautiful place that attracts many visitors. After visiting the area, one may find yourself planning your next trip to Murree, Pakistan!

Jovago.com teams up with Mobilink and Oracle to promote Tourism


To promote the culture and beauty of Pakistan, Jovago.com has joined hands with Mobilink and Oracle
Jovago.com, Pakistan’s No.1 online hotel book portal, recently partnered with Mobilink, a premium network service provider, and Oracle, the leading internet database company, to promote tourism. They have come together to promote Pakistan and its rich culture and scenic beauty by an online competition under the name of Discover Pakistan.

By securing this partnership, Jovago.com has ensured that their message gets across to customers of all ages and cities. The online portal is renowned for taking such initiatives to promote tourism at the time when it was largely neglected across Pakistan.

The activity will facilitate all Mobilink users to get the chance to win a free all expenses paid trip in Pakistan. The network users can avail this offer by participating through Opera Mini Browser; all that is required is for them to upload an image at opera mini platform.

Jovago.com has further added an incentive for all valuedMobilinkcustomers by giving a special discount by typing “Hotel Yes” and sending it to 9143 to avail the discount offer.

Commenting on this initiative Country Manager of Jovago.com, Mrs. Nadine Malik Almani said 
“Jovago.com is very enthusiastic to encourage tourism industry by teaming up with the renowned telecom industry of Pakistan. Jovago.com believes in taking up such initiatives which ensures maximum ease for travelers from all over the Pakistan.”

Top 10 Mind-Blowing Technological Inventions of 2015



1.      Magic Leap
The Magic Leap uses head mounted optical illusion technology that displays 3D computer-generated imagery over objects, by projecting a digital light field into the user's eye.Inventions like these make the reality we live in more majestic.
2.       Project Loon
Google X is striving hard to excel at their Project Loon, which involves providing remote areas with Internet access.Even in such a rapid era of development, around 4.3 billion peopleare stilloffline because theyare deprived ofInternet facilities. They are accomplishing their goal by usinghigh-altitude helium balloons to create an aerial wireless network with a3G speed.It is a reliable and cost-effective way to bring the members of this world closer together.

3.       Brain Organoids
Brain Organoids will make it possible for researchers to understand the networking of brain cells and their genetic modifications. This scientific break through will help unlock the mysteries behind mental illnesses and other neurological disorders.

4.       Nano-Architecture
Nano - Architecture is a modern concept crafted by Julia Greer, fromthe California Institute of Technology. Greer aims to replace the conventional materials that are prone to damage with ones that are more energy-efficient and versatile.She has designed the strongest, yet lightest substance ever created.

5.       Car-to-Car communication
General Motors and the University of Michigan together have created ‘Car to Car communication.’This device enables drivers to broadcast their steering-wheel position, speed and brake status to other vehicles to avoid possible collision. This invention is crucial since over a million people are killed on roads while travelling worldwide every year.

6.       Apple Pay
Apple Pay is a mobile payment and digital wallet service that allows users to make transactions through their Apple devices. It does not require Apple specific payment terminals and will work with Visa's PayWave, MasterCard's PayPass, and American Express's ExpressPay terminals.

7.       Internet of DNA
The Global Alliance for Genomics partnered with Google to create Internet DNA. This technology aims to generate a DNA database collected from several hospitals and medical centers to recordinformation about existing diseases. This in turn will help doctorseasily pinpoint illnesses if there is a complication with the diagnosis.

8.       Supercharged photosynthesis /C4 Photosynthesis
C4 Photosynthesis is an advanced genetic tool that boosts plant growth and allows the photosynthetic process to operate more efficiently.The tool will be used to increase the crop yield to fulfill the rising food demands of the population.

9.       Mega scale Desalination
The IDE technologies in Israel,is the world’s largest modern seawater desalination plant that uses a conventional desalination technology called reverse osmosis (RO). It cheaplyproduces clean water from the sea at a mass scale that has never been achieved before. In the future we can hope that similar plants will be installed inPakistanto solve the impending water reserve issues.

10.   Liquid Biopsy
Cancer kills about 8 million people a year around the world. Its treatment includes invasive screening processes, whichcomplicate life making it more stressful. Fortunately, Doctor Dennis Lo and the University of Hong Kong have invented a procedure known as liquid biopsy.This test extracts the DNA sequencing from a few drops of blood, successively detectingthe spread and location of the cancer.It’s a noninvasive procedure that medical experts believe has the potential to bring us closer to the ultimate goal of early detection, which can save millions of lives down the road.

Thursday 27 August 2015

Pakistan’s First Personal Tracking Solution launched by TPL Trakker Today

TPL Trakker, a venture of TPL Holdings, has announced the launch of its first personal tracking product ‘Personal Trakking (PT)’ powered by Imhere, across Pakistan – which is a range of personal monitoring devices designed to assist you with tracking updates of your loved ones, your network or as an individual, in case of an emergency.
PT is the smartest Personal Trakking device available in Pakistan. It can fit in a pocket, bag or be used as a keychain, making it not only easy to wear but also discreet to operate.
A smart locator, built-in with an Emergency Alert: SOS button and real-time location updates using maps, gives peace of mind knowing where your loved ones are. Users can set up Safe Zones; generating alerts to know if anyone has entered or left a specific area as well as get Speed alerts ensuring your cars / drivers are not over speeding with those you care for most.
Speaking to the media at the launch press conference for PT, Mr. Ali Jameel, CEO, TPL Trakker Ltd stated that “TPL is extremely excited to bring PT into the lives of the people of Pakistan for the first time– with this state-of-the-art product in your life, you can be assured of your loved one’s track and your work force’s competency.”
Personal Tracking device
“PT covers dozens of applications keeping our users and their needs in mind, and TPL’s new upcoming products will broaden consumer demand even further.” Mr. Jameel further added.
Commenting on the new solution, Mr. Jameel Yousuf, Chairman, TPL Trakker Ltd said: “Everyone should be able to live their lives feeling safe with no exceptions. Those equipped with TPL’s PT device will have the peace of mind that is every human’s basic right”.
PT products are supplied as a complete package with an accompanying Mobile App, SIM card and full user training. It is ideal for everyone – families, business networks, individuals!
Mr. Ali Kirmani, COO TPL, Mr. Jameel Yousuf, Chairman TPL and Mr. Ali Jameel, CEO, TPL Briefing the media and guest during the launching of Personal Trakker
Mr. Ali Kirmani, COO TPL, Mr. Jameel Yousuf, Chairman TPL and Mr. Ali Jameel, CEO, TPL Briefing the media and guest during the launching of Personal Trakker
For more details on Personal Trakker, visit : www.tpltrakker.com/personal-trakking.html
About TPL Trakker: TPL Trakker, a venture of TPL Holdings, has always been introducing revolutionary products, services and continues to excel with innovative solutions throughout. Outshining since past 15 years, TPL Trakker has also won the Brands of the Year Award for Vehicle Tracking & Security, consecutively from 2007 to 2014.

Pepsi Unplugged – ‘The Eid Edition’ comes to Lahore

With an objective to bring back the premium musical evenings of Pakistan back to life, Pepsi Unplugged made its way to the City of Gardens where Noori blew away the audiences with their thrilling performance. Aiming to launch in Dubai in 2016, Pepsi Unplugged has previously hosted electric performances from ace singing sensations at high-end events in Karachi.
Lahore August 25, 2015: After the success of five smashing shows Pepsi Unplugged made its way to Lahore and this time it was none other than the famous rock band Noori, whose exhilarating performance blew away the guests at Lahore’s finest gourmet restaurant Cosa Nostra. The performers truly used home-ground advantage in their performance as they got the intimate audience singing along with them. The band played some new singles and closed the show on a high-note with their old mega hits.
Pepsi Unplugged Lahore
Ali Noor & Hasan Rizvi
Ali Noor & Hasan Rizvi
Hasan Rizvi, Ali Rauf, Junaid Zafar, Wasif Khan & Pepsi Team
The audience comprised the crème d’ la crème of Lahore including celebrities and media people. Among the audience could be spotted, Ali Noor, Ali Hamza, Nadia Jameel, Shafaq Habib, Muneeb Nawaz, Junaid Khan, Farhad Humayoun, Fahad (Call), Kuki, Hajra Hayat, Salim Sheikh, Sarah Gandapur, Komal Rizvi, Wahab Shah and many more. Exciting prizes were also won by the attendees – ten lucky winners were awarded Noori’s autographed guitars courtesy Pepsi, while seven guests were given Haier mobile smart phones and three were awarded diamonds rings by Close Up.
Sarah Gandapur
Nadia Fazal Jameel with Haier Team
Noor Bukhari & Hasan Rizvi (2)
Sumaryrah Khan, Mandana Zaidi & Alina Naghman
Sarfaraz Ahmed, Farhad Humayon & Uzma Rao
“On behalf of UNPLUGGED, we, BB Events & PR would like to take this opportunity to thank our official sponsors for sharing our vision to revive live music in Pakistan. Without their support and great services, we would not have reached our goal of making these Premium Musical Evenings come to life. A special thanks to Pepsi Co., Magnum, Close Up and our official mobile partner Haier Smart Phones” Said Hasan Rizvi, CEO BodyBeat.
Komal Rizvi announcing Haier smart phone winners
Komal Rizvi announcing Haier smart phone winners
Munib Nawaz receiving Haier Smart phone
Munib Nawaz receiving Haier Smart phone
Mandana winning diamond ring courtesy Closeup (2)
Pepsi Unplugged is a series of invitation-only events introduced by Hasan Rizvi CEO – BodyBeat. These events are hosted at high-end venues with performances by our country’s most established and recognized performers. Some noteworthy names in previous events include ace singing sensations Zoe Viccaji, Komal Rizvi, Club Caramel, Fuzon, Suhana Baloch, Noori and JAL among others.
The next Pepsi Unplugged Musical Evening is slated to take place in September with international artistes’ collaboration. This will be the first time that the international artiste would be launching a song in Pakistan and that too to a duet with a Pakistani music sensation. The platform is aiming to extend the series to Dubai in 2016.

Komal Rizvi recieving guitar from Ali Rauf, Junaid Zafar, Wasif Khan & Pepsi Team
Zara, Nausheen, Rootaba, Kashif & Saleem Sheikh

Thursday 20 August 2015

12 ISLANDS OF PAKISTAN YOU NEED TO EXPLORE

Astola Island, also known as Jezira Haft Talar  -via Google images
Astola Island, also known as Jezira Haft Talar

  1. Astola Island
Pakistan’s largest offshore island- Astola, also known as Seven Hills or Haft Talar,is located in Arabian Sea about 25km to the nearest coast and 39km southeast from the fishing port of Pasni. Legends say that Astola was formerly mentioned by Admiral Nearchos in 325 BCE, who was sent by Alexander the Great to explore the coast of the Arabian Sea. It is a picturesque Island that consists of large leaned plateau, a series of seven small rocks, and fissures that are several feet wide can be accessed by motorized boats from Pasni.
  1. Churna Island
Churna Island locally known as “Cheerno,” is a small uninhabited island located in the Arabian Sea, about 9km west of theRiver Hub. Mubarak village, the fisherman’s hub, is located 6 km away from the area. You can find many species of fish, crabs, lobsters and rare green turtles here. Churna Island is mostly occupied by the Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Game Fishing Association (PGFA) and there are many activities here, such as a firing range, scuba diving, free diving, underwater photography, camping, trekking, hiking, speed boating, wake tubing, banana tubing, jet skiing, cliff diving and snorkeling.
  1. Bundal Island
Bundal Island is located on the Arabian Sea off the coast of Karachi. On Bundal Island there is the tomb of Muslim Sufi Yusuf Shah, which attracts thousands of people on his annualUrs(death anniversary).The Island is now emerging as a global attraction as Bahria Town will be constructing the world’s tallest building, largest shopping mall, sports city, and a media city on Bundal Island.
  1. Manora Island
Manora Island is locatedsouth of the Port of Karachi, about a 15 to 20 min boat ride. Manora is connected to the city by a long causeway of Sandspit that extends to Hawkes Bay. It serves as a popular picnic spot because of the long exotic sandy beaches, natural landscapes, tropical forestry and the tallest lighthouse.
  1. Shams Pir Island
Shams Pir is situated near Kemari (close to Sandspit Beach and Mauripur). There area plethora of touristy things to do here such as scuba diving, yachting, pedal boating, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, snorkeling and sunbathing, so one must visit this Island.
  1. Bukkur Island
Bukkur Island isan isolated fortress situated on a rock in the Indus, between the towns of Rohri and Sukkur.  It is a perfect archeological dig and has been constructed by brick. The interior of this Island was crowded with houses and mosques that showcase the classical Muslim heritage. Now, the Island is occupied by Army Public school and the tomb of SayyidSadruddin.
  1. Buddo Island
Buddo Island is another small island located in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Karachi near Bundal Island.
  1. Khirprianwala Island
Khiprianwala Island is a small island in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Karachi. The Island inhabits vast number of rare marine species that are precious to explore.
  1. Islands of Baba & Bhit:
Baba& Bhit Islands comprises of three small fishing islands in the centre of the Harbour of Karachi. The Islandsserves as a residential hub for several ethnic groups such as Muhajirs,Sindhis, Punjabis, Kashmiris, Seraikis, Pakhtuns, Balochis, Memons,Bohras and Ismailis.
  1. Malan Island
Emerging as a mud volcano -Malan Island is located in the Arabian Sea offthe coast of Balochistan. It rose out of the water overnight in March 1999 and alleviated below sea level within a year. It reappeared in 2010.
  1. Clifton oyster rocks
The Clifton Oyster Rocks are a series of islands at the coast of the Clifton Karachi. Recently the Karachi city Government decided to include the island under the renovation plans of the city. In efforts to increase visitors on the island, the Government has constructed the world’s second tallest fountain – the Port Fountain – here. It shoots water up to 620 feet in the air.
  1. Zalzala Island
Zalzala Koh or Zalzala Jazeera is a small miracle island at the coast of the port city of Gwadar that rose out of water during a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck on 24 September 2013. As predicted by many geologists, it could be a Mud Volcano that emerged with a sudden jolt or it could have been an emission of methane gas on the seabed.