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In an era of economic challenges and shifting real estate trends, Bahria Town Islamabad and Nayatel are proving that innovation and collaboration remain the cornerstones of progress. The much-anticipated Mall of Islamabad, a state-of-the-art shopping and lifestyle destination by Bahria Town, is set to redefine urban living and retail experiences. Adding to the excitement is Nayatel, the leading Internet Service Provider in Pakistan, partnering with Bahria Town to provide cutting-edge connectivity solutions to the Mall of Islamabad. This strategic alliance ensures that the mall’s visitors, residents, and businesses will benefit from unmatched fiber Internet, Phone, IPTV, Boost Board (digital signage), NWatch Camera Solution and Cloud services to the Mall of Islamabad. With Bahria Town’s expertise in creating world-class real estate and Nayatel’s reputation as the best ISP in Pakistan, the partnership will ensure that the Mall of Islamabad is not only a shopping haven but also a hub of technological excellence. “Despite the current dip in real estate activity, partnerships like these highlight that industry leaders are not just adapting - they’re innovating. This collaboration is a testament to our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction,” Sheikh Wajid Mahmood, EVP Sales & Marketing, Nayatel. For Bahria Town, this initiative aligns with its vision of delivering a superior lifestyle experience. For Nayatel, it’s another step in its mission to connect communities and empower them with reliable, high-speed services. As Islamabad eagerly awaits the launch of this landmark project, the Mall of Islamabad stands as a shining example of how collaboration between industry giants can overcome economic headwinds and set new benchmarks for excellence. #LOUG | Wahaj Siraj

The Board of Directors of Service Industries Limited (PSX: SRVI) has approved a Rs. 500 million investment in its wholly-owned subsidiary, the company informed the main bourse on Friday. It is a long-term equity investment of PKR 500,000,000 in Service Retail (Private) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary company, by subscribing, at Par, 50,000,000 fully paid up ordinary right shares of PKR 10 each, the stock filing stated. The principal activities of the Company are purchase, manufacture, and sale of footwear, tyres, tubes, and technical rubber products. #LOUG

Ibrahim Hasan Murad, President of the University of Management and Technology - UMT, has been appointed the Chairman of ILM Trust and UMT Board of Governors, ILM Trust. The appointment makes Ibrahim Murad the youngest university chairman. Ibrahim Murad’s work as the UMT president has remained focused on youth empowerment and enablement, evident in the progressively increasing size of the ILM fund scholarships. Under his leadership, the ILM fund has provided scholarships worth PKR 13 billion, benefiting 37,000 students across Pakistan. Following his appointment, Ibrahim Murad reiterated UMT’s commitment to fostering a research-driven higher education system in Pakistan. Highlighting the university’s remarkable contributions to empowering the younger generation, he said UMT was actively addressing national challenges and driving positive societal change by empowering youth to face the challenges of the future. Ibrahim Murad added that UMT was producing future leaders and entrepreneurs for a brighter future of Pakistan, adding that he was confident UMT was on path to becoming one of the top universities in the world in the near future. He said he envisioned taking the ILM Trust and UMT to new heights. The leadership and members of the ILM Trust, along with the UMT family, congratulated Ibrahim Murad on this prestigious appointment. #LOUG

Sundus Amjad’s journey as an entrepreneur and mentor continues to inspire the next generation of innovators. After years of contributing to Pakistan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, she was invited back for the fourth time to judge the YLES - Young Leaders' & Entrepreneurs' Summit at Lahore University of Management Sciences in 2024. Her return to YLES is a reflection of her lasting impact on the event and its participants. Having previously been part of LUMS’ Social Innovation Lab and Accelerator Program with her startup Rizq, Sundus’ deep connection with the institution is evident. She not only evaluates business ideas but also mentors budding entrepreneurs, helping them transform their concepts into thriving startups. Sundus’ invitation back for YLES underscores her role as a mentor and a key figure in shaping Pakistan’s startup ecosystem. Each year, she brings invaluable guidance to aspiring entrepreneurs, making a lasting impact on their journeys toward success. #LOUG

We are pleased to announce that Hammad Tarar has been elevated to the position of EVP/Head of Talent Acquisition & HR Advisory at Bank Alfalah Limited!   With a proven track record in talent acquisition, relationship management, organizational development, and performance management, Hammad has consistently demonstrated his ability to drive success and foster growth. This promotion reflects his dedication, leadership, and ability to shape high-performing teams that thrive in a dynamic environment.   We wish Hammad continued success as he leads Bank Alfalah with vision and expertise in this new chapter! #LOUG

Mobility services platform inDrive has made a strategic investment in Krave Mart (YC S22), a leading online grocery delivery service in Pakistan, through its New Ventures division. Krave Mart CEO, Kassim Shroff, said, “We are excited to partner with inDrive and the New Venture’s team, and this investment will prove to be a significant milestone for Krave Mart. We are now well-positioned and capitalized with the best-in-class team to grow our business profitably, add new dark stores, expand our private label assortment, and build a robust tech and logistics infrastructure to support our mission of making groceries affordable and accessible to everyone in Pakistan”. The investment is set to fuel Krave Mart’s ambitious growth plans and drive further expansion across key urban markets, positioning it as a major player in the fast-growing e-commerce grocery sector. With this investment, inDrive is continuing to extend its reach into critical services that enhance the quality of life for millions of people. Andries Smit, Head of New Ventures at inDrive, commented on the deal, saying, “Krave Mart is a perfect example of the type of company we aim to support through New Ventures. Their innovative approach to grocery delivery and commitment to operational excellence align with our mission to back companies that are transforming essential services in emerging markets. We are thrilled to be part of their growth journey”. Krave Mart CCO, Mohammad Ahsan Kidwai explained, “We are thrilled to be partnering with inDrive and the New V enture’s team: with this investment, we aim to expand our commercial footprint, amplify our private label presence, and provide greater value for our customers by adding into our well-rounded assortment and connecting it to the best pricing”. Nurken Rzaliyev, Investment Director for Asia and MENA, added, “Krave Mart stands out because food essentials are part of daily life, tapping into a massive market that aligns with inDrive’s mission., and we’re committed to supporting the Krave team”. Krave Mart COO, Haziq Ahmed added, “Partnering with inDrive and the New Venture’s team will mark a pivotal step forward for Krave Mart. This collaboration enables us to further optimize our logistics infrastructure, expand our network of dark stores, and ensure seamless operations at scale”. Faisal Aftab, Founder & CEO of Zayn VC added, “We invested in Krave Mart and the online grocery sector at a time when competitors were raising massive funding rounds. From day one, our belief was rooted in the strength of the founders and their team. We were confident they would out-execute every competitor in the space. With the strategic investment from inDrive, we believe Krave Mart is uniquely positioned to redefine the market and deliver exceptional value to both customers and investors”. #LOUG

In a groundbreaking move to transform education in Pakistan, Khan Academy, a global leader in free online learning, has officially launched Khan Academy Pakistan (KAP). The initiative promises to deliver high-quality, accessible, and personalized education to hundreds of thousands of teachers and millions of Pakistani students by leveraging cutting-edge AI technology. The launch event, held at Marriott Hotel, brought together educators, policymakers, and corporate leaders to witness the unveiling of Khan Academy’s AI-powered learning tool, Khanmigo. Tailored to Pakistan’s unique educational landscape, Khanmigo offers personalized learning experiences for students and robust support for teachers, aiming to bridge the gaps in literacy, numeracy, and access to quality education across the nation. “Education is the foundation for progress, and our mission has always been to make world-class learning accessible to everyone, everywhere. With Khan Academy Pakistan, we are bringing the power of AI to tackle the unique challenges faced by students and teachers here. Together, we can help unlock the incredible potential of Pakistan’s youth and inspire a brighter future for all,” said Sal Khan, Founder Khan Academy said via video. “Khan Academy Pakistan is more than an initiative; it is a commitment to our children and our future. By integrating AI and localized content, we aim use Khanmigo to transform the educational landscape of Pakistan, ensuring that every child, regardless of their circumstances, has access to quality learning. This is a pivotal moment for education in Pakistan where it can leapfrog other nations, and I am honored to be part of this journey,” said Osman Rashid, Chairperson Khan Academy Pakistan. “The launch of Khan Academy Pakistan marks a transformative step towards equitable education. Our mission is to empower students and teachers across the country with innovative tools that inspire learning and growth”. said Zeeshan Hasan, CEO of Khan Academy Pakistan. Khanmigo is an AI-powered tool developed by Khan Academy to enhance student learning and support teachers. It acts as a personal tutor for students, providing personalized assistance and helping them understand complex concepts at their own pace. For teachers, Khanmigo offers valuable resources like automated lesson planning and personalized feedback tools, making it easier to manage classroom tasks and focus on student engagement. A collective of Pakistani diaspora and local leaders have collaborated to bring KAP to Pakistan. The board includes leading educationalists, technology entrepreneurs and business leaders who collectively seek to improve Pakistan’s future trajectory through improving learning for the masses. Board members include Osman Rashid, Naeem Zamindar, Amin Hashwani, Mir Ibrahim Rahman, Rehan Jalil, Mubarak Imam, Bilal Musharraf. KAP is funded by supportive Pakistanis from across the globe. #LOUG

Umar Riaz Cheema, the Head of Commercial at Askari General Insurance Company Limited has been appointed as the Convener Standing Committee on General Insurance at Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Wishing Umar the very best in his additional role at the LCCI. #LOUG

Hiksemi, the dynamic subsidiary of global technology leader Hikvision, is transforming the storage industry with its cutting-edge solutions. As a rising star, HIKSEMI has achieved extraordinary milestones, selling over 5 million units globally in just one year—a testament to its innovation, quality, and customer trust. HIKSEMI’s diverse portfolio, featuring high-performance SSDs and memory cards, is designed for personal, professional, and industrial applications. Renowned for its exceptional durability, energy efficiency, and unmatched reliability, HIKSEMI products stand out as top-tier solutions for modern data needs. What sets HIKSEMI apart is its forward-looking vision. Leveraging breakthrough technologies like 5G, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing, the company is at the forefront of reshaping data storage. Backed by relentless research and development, HIKSEMI continuously sets new benchmarks for performance and innovation. As part of Hikvision’s AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things) strategy, HIKSEMI complements Hikvision’s broader mission of scenario digitization. With robust support from Maxio Technology - where HIKSEMI holds a 37.38% stake - HIKSEMI ensures its storage solutions are powered by advanced, reliable control chips. Maxio Technology, with HIKSEMI holding a 37.38% share, is now listed on the IPO. The company stands as a global leader in the storage controller market, achieving an impressive annual sales volume of 90 million units. Ranked as the World’s No. 2 in SSD controllers, Maxio Tech commands a substantial 22% market share in this sector, showcasing its dominance and innovative capabilities in storage technology. HIKSEMI isn’t just about storage; it’s about building trust and delivering excellence. Choose HIKSEMI for state-of-the-art storage solutions that shape the future. The journey to tomorrow starts today! #LOUG