LUMS Alumni Celebrate at the Zong 4G Alumni Homecoming 2017

It was the perfect night to relive three decades of the LUMS experience as alumni from around the world gathered at their very own LUMS campus on Saturday, 23 December, 2017 for the Zong 4G Alumni Homecoming 2017.

As the flagship event of the year for the LUMS alumni network, the annual homecoming attracted a crowd of over 2000 attendees, including alumni from all batches, many of whom flew to Lahore for the sole purpose of congregating at their alma mater for the biggest reunion of the year.

Celebrating the thirty years of excellence that LUMS has embodied, the entire theme for this year’s event was reliving the good old days of LUMS. Decked out in vintage-themed décor, from classic archive photos and historic memorabilia, the essence of the night was reliving the one-of-a-kind journey LUMS has had and celebrating the incredible milestones it has achieved over the years.

The evening kicked off with a welcoming address by the Master of Ceremony, Adeel Hashmi, who kept the gathering entertained with his witty discourse and charismatic appeal. He greeted the crowd with his trademark charm and thanked both LUMS Pro-Chancellor, Syed Babar Ali, and LUMS Rector, Abdul Razak Dawood, for joining the alumni at their annual homecoming.

Abdul Razak Dawood and Syed Babar Ali then both took the stage to welcome the alumni community to their homecoming and express their happiness at having them all back at campus. Their speeches were followed by LUMS Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. S. Sohail H. Naqvi’s address, who spoke to the gathering about the latest developments and happenings at LUMS, and shared the University’s incredible achievements in recent times.

The guests were then treated to a delicious dinner of traditional cuisine, including classic treats like hot gulab jamun and Kashmiri chai to complement the chilly Lahore weather. The night would not have been possible without the support of the sponsors of the event, at the fore of which stood the title sponsorship from Zong 4G. With 7Up joining hands as the exclusive beverage partner for the event, Careem teaming up as the travel partner for the event, and Samsung and ITD as supportive sponsors, the alumni homecoming was an evening to remember.

After an evening of sharing happy LUMS memories and favourite anecdotes, the alumni moved on to the entertainment for the night when the rockstar Ali Azmat made his grand entrance and took the stage by storm. In his signature style, he dazzled the crowd with his classic beats, making sure the crowd experienced his fantastic music in its entirety.

Having spent the entire evening reconnecting with old friends, catching up with favourite LUMS faculty, and jamming with Ali Azmat, the alumni truly experienced an unforgettable night at their annual homecoming, filled with excitement and anticipation for the next one. 

NIC LUMS Brings Home The Most Innovative University Award

Lahore, 10th December 2017: The Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) has won the National Medal of Innovation in the Most Innovative University category at National Innovation Awards for developing an innovative model for University based incubation exemplified by LUMS Center for Entrepreneurship, now called National Incubation Center Lahore (NIC). The announcement was made at Pakistan Innovation Forum’s (PIF) Annual Conference – The Pakistan Innovation Forum 2017 on December 7, 2017 at Marriott, Karachi.

On achieving this incredible milestone, Mr. Khurram Zafar, Executive Director LUMS Center for Entrepreneurship commented, “It's a very proud day for the University, the team of NIC Lahore, and the management of LUMS. Thank you Prof. Dr. S. Sohail H. Naqvi (Vice Chancellor LUMS) for your leadership and unwavering support. Osama Jawad, Asma Abbas Mirza, Asma Owais, Wajeeha Sabir, Michelle Altmash, Salwa Akhtar, Muhammad Jazil and numerous interns of LCE: you rock! My sincere gratitude for all the hard work you have poured into NIC Lahore. All the mentors of LCE (especially Shahid Khan, Almas Hyder, Imtiaz Khalid, Rafiq Jaffer and Uzair Ahson), the Foundation Council, and most importantly the amazing entrepreneurs of LCE: you are the real winners of this award. LCE is just a platform that brings all of you together to do your magic. Lastly, my partner in crime and the new Executive Director of NIC Lahore, Faisal Sherjan: thanks for bringing all the youthful energy, years of wisdom and unrelenting belief in the youth and future of Pakistan to NIC Lahore and making it bigger and better and finally deserving of this recognition. All power to you for infecting the rest of Pakistan with what we have got going at LCE. Pakistan Innovation Foundation - PIF, Dr. Athar Osama and the rest of the Pif team, thank you very much for this recognition and endorsing the work we are doing at LUMS."

Pakistan Innovation Forum is Pakistan’s first and only Conference, Showcase and Awards, that is dedicated to promote and celebrate Innovation within corporate Pakistan and the broader Pakistani Society. The Forum is now in its 4th year.This year it brought together some of the leading policymakers, opinion leaders, champions and evangelists, investors, innovators, and entrepreneurs to shape the narrative around innovation in Pakistan.

This year’s conference was themedaround #Reinvent Pakistan – an exploration of these diverse changes within Government, Business, and Society with potentially radical and transformative effects.

As with previous years, the Conference also featured an Innovation Showcase focusing on innovative displays of technological innovation and entrepreneurship suited to Pakistan’s needs as well as the 3rd Annual National Innovation Awards. Theevent provided a wonderful opportunity to support innovation in Pakistan and to advance this important agenda forward.

 

CARBON DIOXIDE BEING USED TO TREAT STRETCH MARKS AND CELLULITE AND HAIRLOSS

Lahore, 6^th December, 2017: Carboxytherapy – an FDA approved treatment for cellulite and stretch marks have entered into the Pakistani aesthetic industry. The therapy, which originated in French spas in 1930, uses infusion of carbon dioxide to treat stretch-marks, cellulite and under-eye circles.    

The non-invasive, no risk treatment is used on the face, eyelids, neck, stomach, arms, legs, and buttocks and aids in collagen repair and destruction of fatty deposits. It has almost no side effects as carbon dioxide – the major component of the therapy – is a naturally occurring gas in the body.

Poor blood circulation plays a vital role in the appearance of cellulite and dark circles. Through Carboxytherapy, blood circulation is increased to the affected areas by injecting the gas. This procedure increases skin elasticity and reduces pigmentation and wrinkles. Many physicians also used this treatment to treat alopecia – a hair loss condition of the scalp.

“Carboxytherapy is relatively painless as the scar tissues do not have nerves. It is effective as it relies on increasing blood circulation to specific areas of the body; targeting the underlying cause of cellulite and stretch marks,” says Dr. Tauquir Ahmad, a UK trained cosmetologist now operating in Lahore.

The Carboxytherapy is a quick treatment that requires 15 to 20 minutes and depending upon the condition, a patient requires 7 to 10 treatments. The therapy is used extensively in Europe and UK and is extensively used to treat after-birth symptoms as well as erectile dysfunction, acute arthritis, Raynaud’s syndrome, and alopecia caused by poor blood circulation.

CARBON DIOXIDE BEING USED TO TREAT STRETCH MARKS AND CELLULITE AND HAIRLOSS

Lahore, 6^th December, 2017: Carboxytherapy – an FDA approved treatment for cellulite and stretch marks have entered into the Pakistani aesthetic industry. The therapy, which originated in French spas in 1930, uses infusion of carbon dioxide to treat stretch-marks, cellulite and under-eye circles.    

The non-invasive, no risk treatment is used on the face, eyelids, neck, stomach, arms, legs, and buttocks and aids in collagen repair and destruction of fatty deposits. It has almost no side effects as carbon dioxide – the major component of the therapy – is a naturally occurring gas in the body.

Poor blood circulation plays a vital role in the appearance of cellulite and dark circles. Through Carboxytherapy, blood circulation is increased to the affected areas by injecting the gas. This procedure increases skin elasticity and reduces pigmentation and wrinkles. Many physicians also used this treatment to treat alopecia – a hair loss condition of the scalp.

“Carboxytherapy is relatively painless as the scar tissues do not have nerves. It is effective as it relies on increasing blood circulation to specific areas of the body; targeting the underlying cause of cellulite and stretch marks,” says Dr. Tauquir Ahmad, a UK trained cosmetologist now operating in Lahore.

The Carboxytherapy is a quick treatment that requires 15 to 20 minutes and depending upon the condition, a patient requires 7 to 10 treatments. The therapy is used extensively in Europe and UK and is extensively used to treat after-birth symptoms as well as erectile dysfunction, acute arthritis, Raynaud’s syndrome, and alopecia caused by poor blood circulation.

8 reasons to celebrate your passion with Lifetime learning @LUMS

“The ones who follow the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd”, Albert Einstein.

Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), one of the leading educational institutes in the region, launched the Lifetime learning @LUMS (LLL) programme last year. The programme offers exciting academic and interest based short-courses for people from all walks of life. It is open for anyone over the age of 15 and offers a great opportunity for enhancing your life and career.  

Garnering overwhelming success in its previous sessions, the registrations for session 4 starting in January are now open. Here are 8 reasons why Lifetime Learning @LUMS is the best place to celebrate your passion!

1-    World-class institution: To study in a world class’ university is a dream for many. Through some of the distinctive programes, LUMS allows you to fulfill this obsession.

2-    Amazing Campus: In Pakistan there are few universities which have the privilege of possessing a visually stunning campus with vibrant student life; LUMS is one of them. Designed by Pakistan’s iconic architect, late Habib Fida Ali. LUMS provides green spaces and stunning infrastructure to its students, faculty and visitors.

3-    Experience Top Industry professional teaching: The LLL faculty includes leading industry professionals such as Bilal Sami in Filmmaking, Nighat Choudry in Kathak, Adeel Hashmi in Creative writing, Saad Khan in Event Management etc.

4-    A wide variety of short courses: At LUMS there are no limits when it comes to learning. Adiverse range of courses are offered such as Arts, Astronomy, Languages, Professional Development, Photography, Baking, Music and Dance; spread over four to six weeks. So, you just name it and you’ll have it!

5-    The Graduation ceremony: LUMS encourages each alumni’s passion for learning. It celebrates their accomplishments by conducting a fun-filled ceremony in the presence of LUMS top leadership, with live performances and amazing food.

6-    LUMS certification: All over the globe, having a good university name attached to one’s name adds value. LUMS certification after these Courses brings extra value to a student’s profile and further enhances their career options.

7-    Get to meet and network: LUMS encourages its students and faculty to meet people and network. LUMS ensures that students expand their network with high achievers and passionate people from all walks of life.

8-    Get Amazing Discounts: Discount is that one word that catches everybody’s attention! And getting it on something one really cherishes is simply the cherry on top. LUMS facilitates its students by offering some amazing discounts. Such as:

10% Early bird discount. Apply right now to avail!

20% discount to the LUMS community i.e. LUMS students, alumni (including LLL alumni), staff, and faculty

20% discount to the LUMS community members’ family i.e. spouses and children

Then there are group discounts also:

-2 participants get 10% discount each,

-3 participants get 15% discount each,

- If more than 3 participants apply, they get 20% discount each.

Registrations are open for Lifetime Learning @LUMS (LLL)

Session 4 starting from January. Apply right now to avail the Early Bird discount of 10%. Visit lifetimelearning.lums.edu.pk to book your seats and apply now!

Catch all the updates about LLL at facebook.com/LifetimeLearningAtLUMS

Breakout joins hands with Pink Ribbon

Lahore, 24th October 2017: Breakout, Pakistan’s fastest growing high street clothing brand has collaborated with Pink Ribbon the leading charity organization for the support of breast cancer patients in observance and support of breast cancer issue. October has been proclaimed as Breast Cancer Awareness month and Breakout is playing its role in helping the affected patients in this regard. The Pink Ribbon donation boxes have been placed at all Breakout stores nationwide throughout October in support of National Breast Cancer Awareness. These boxes helps in providing medical services for breast cancer and contribute to Pakistan’s first dedicated breast cancer hospital built by Pink Ribbon so that few people will suffer the horror of losing a mother, a sister, a wife or a daughter. Breast cancer is by far the most common cancer in females in Pakistan, and this is one step closer to technological and medical advancements in the early detection and treatment of this nerve-racking disease.

DR. BEVERLY D. METCALFE VISITS SDSB, LUMS

Lahore, 14^th June 2017: Dr. Beverly Dawn Metcalfe, Visiting Associate Professor at the American University of Beirut recently visited the Suleman Dawood School of Business (SDSB) at LUMS. Dr. Metcalfe is internationally recognised for translating social science into work policies and practices that promote sustainable business, especially staff development and capability. Her record demonstrates a wealth of experience and innovations in uncovering ways to improve work processes and conditions to enhance decision-making. She has twice received the Academy of International Business Award for supporting gender awareness in international business (by Swedish School of Economics) and for her work on Middle Eastern women's role in international development. Her text 'Leadership Development in the Middle East' (2011, 2012 Edward Elgar) is the core text for majority of the undergraduate programmes in the Gulf Cooperation Council.

During her visit she delivered a research seminar for the SDSB faculty on Critical Perspectives of Islamic Feminism(s) and Feminizing Islam. The seminar was well attended by faculty from the SDSB and LUMS. This was followed by a special session with the SDSB doctoral students. Students with research interests in Organisational Behaviour and HRM areas were especially encouraged to meet with her and discuss their research ideas and proposals. The students were deeply impressed by Dr. Metcalfe and encouraged by her talk.

Dr. Metcalfe individually met with SDSB faculty members to discuss leadership development, Islamic ethics, women’s leadership development and empowerment, women’s entrepreneurship, and environment and social change. A city tour was also arranged for her by the SDSB research centres. She shared her interest in the history of Lahore and was eager to visit the city’s historical landmarks.

ACCA thought leaders discuss way-forward at SAFA International Conference

Lahore, 10^th May 2017: ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) was the strategic partner at the 'SAFA International Conference - SAARC Economic Challenges 2017' held recently in Islamabad. The annual conference seeks to address the rising challenges and opportunities for accountants from the SAARC countries, in the digital era. Ayla Majid, ACCA Council Member and Sajjeed Aslam, Head of ACCA Pakistan were among the distinguished panellists representing the profession from Afghanistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

Sajjeed Aslam deliberated on the topic 'Creating functional synergy through accountants' and Ayla shared her views on the topic 'Consumer interest – nucleus of organization’s strategy and planning'. “The accounting profession is evolving at a very rapid pace. While professional accountants are expected to be the technical experts, there is now an increasing demand for them to have skills such as emotional, creativity and mastery of the digital world,” remarked Sajjeed in response to a question on what will be the future of the profession.

Being the only female on the panel, Ayla reiterated, “Organisations in Pakistan are now taking an active stand on issues such sustainability and integrated reporting so companies across Pakistan are now becoming more accountable entities. However, in our discussions we should also address topics related to diversity and speak about having more inclusive representation of women on corporate boards.”

SAFA President and ACCA member, A.S.M. Nayeem also appreciated the focus of ACCA on generating research and insights reports. The conference was attended by 200 professionals from across the region and the economic environment of the region was the focus area of the discussion.

Gwadar- the Emerging Port City of Pakistan

The key highlight of the famous China-Pakistan Economic Corridor mega project, which is a part of China’s One Belt, One Road project, is the city of Gwadar. As part of this project, the city will be developed to serve as a warm water, deep sea port, whereby consignments from and to the country will be sent via sea route.

The reason behind why Gwadar is at the forefront of the ongoing CPEC project is pretty simple. Gwadar is renowned for its warm water sea, which is open throughout the year for trade. This means that various countries including the landlocked Central Asian states can transport goods throughout the year by using the Gwadar port. By acting as a transit point, the port of Gwadar can add immensely to the national exchequer.

Keeping in mind the benefits that the Gwadar city promises to provide, both to locals and foreigners, Jovago Pakistan brings you an exclusive article on the emerging port city of Pakistan.

●     Location

On the Southwestern coast of Balochistan lies the city of Gwadar. Situated at a distance of approximately 700 kilometers from the largest metropolitan city of Pakistan, Gwadar is strategically located at a cross junction of international sea shipping and oil trade routes.

●     Description

Gets its name from the Balochi language and meaning the gateway of wind", Gwadar is famous for its warm water, deep sea port. It was originally part of Oman but was later on purchased by the Pakistani government in 1958. Apart from its strategic importance to Pakistan, Gwadar attracts a large number of tourists from all over the world towards itself due to the enthralling views that it provides of the crystal clear water of the Arabian sea.

●     Major tourist attractions

➔     Ormara

Considered to be the midpoint of Karachi and Gwadar, Ormara is under the control of the Pakistan navy. It is basically a town in the Gawadar city and it attracts a large number of tourists who are enamored by watching the naval forces at work.

➔     Buzzi Pass

Considered to be the best part of the Makran Coastal Highway for the motorcycle riders due to its sharp turns, the Buzzi Pass overlooks the Hingol national park and natural carvings. Famous for its scenic views, Buzzi pass leaves its visitors enchanted with its sheer beauty.

We hope that the ongoing developmental projects will help turn around the kismat of this Southwestern city of Pakistan and that it contributes significantly to the country’s economy. 

4 Breathtaking Valleys of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan is known for its exquisite beauty. It is home to mighty mountains ranges, massive pieces of ice called glaciers, never ending river streams and out of the world scenic views. The sheer beauty of the region enthralls millions of people to set on a journey to explore various tourist destinations that the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa possesses.

In order to educate tourists about the pulchritude that the KPK province beholds, Jovago Pakistan brings you an article on the four breathtaking valleys that are located in the Northwestern region of the country.

1.    Kalash Valley

One of the major attractions of the district of Chitral is the Kalash valley which is known for its picturesque views and its traditional people. Considered to be one of the oldest tribes of South Asia., the pagans of Kalash are renowned for their unique culture, religion, language, festivals and way of living. Amongst the various festivals that are celebrated by Kalash throughout the year, Chilam Joshi is one of them which is celebrated in the month of May to thank the gods for their bounties.

      2.  Kalam Valley

The Kalam valley is a perfect depiction of what tourists call the nature at its best as it is a beautiful amalgamation of lush green hills, thick forests and mesmerizing lakes and waterfalls. The famous Swat river finds its origin in this valley only. A large number of tourists visit the valley to explore the strawberry plantations which add the red color in the widely spread forests which are in red and green color.

       3.  Swat Valley

Considered to be the local Switzerland of Pakistan, Swat valley is the gateway to South Asia, Central Asia and China. The valley is not only home to the Swat river, which is famous blue-green color, but also to various Buddhists monasteries and stupas. Surrounded by the high mountains of the North, Swat valley attract a large number of inbound tourists due to its scenic views, mouth-watering fruits and of course trout!

       4.  Kaghan Valley

Situated in the Mansehra district of the KPK province, the Kaghan valley is approximately 160 kilometers in length. Named after the town of Kaghan, the valley’s highest mountain peak is the Babusar pass. The Kaghan valley is often referred to as the virtual paradise because of its picturesque views.

If you are planning to visit the northern areas then you can book hotels in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa online through Jovago Pakistan. 

4 Most Visited Shrines in Pakistan

One of the key areas of tourism is religious tourism which has experienced substantial growth in Pakistan over the years. The reason behind the increment in religious tourists, belonging to various faiths, visiting the country is to perform pilgrimage of their respective Holy places.

In religious tourism, there are a number of branches including Sufism. As the main religion in the country is Islam, the influence that Sufism has in Pakistan is very prominent. When we turn towards history, we can see that Sufis played a crucial role in the spread of Islam in the sub-continent.

Their role in spreading Islam has attracted a large number of devotees towards themselves who visit the shrines of these Sufis in search of spiritual healing or for getting wishes and prayers fulfilled.

Seeing the eminent influence that these Sufis have had on the lives of thousands of people, Jovago Pakistan brings you a list of 4 most visited shrines in Pakistan.

1.    Shrine of Sachal Sarmast, Khairpur

One of the two main disciples of Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, Sachal Sarmast is laid to rest in the city of Khairpur. Although his actual name was Abdul Wahab, he is popularly known as Sachal Sarmast which literally means 'truthful mystic'. Through his poetry, which is written in seven different languages including Sindhi, Seraiki and Persian, he spread the message of divine love which embodied the principles of mysticism. As a result, he was given the titles of Haft-i-Zuban Shair (the writer of seven languages) and Sartaj-us-Shuara by his devotees.

2.    Shrine of Abdullah Shah Ghazi, Karachi

Believed to be protecting the largest metropolitan city of Pakistan from cyclones and other natural disasters, the shrine of Abdullah Shah Ghazi is one of the most visited shrines in the country. Every year, millions of devotees pay homage to the saint and get their wishes fulfilled. A huge gala, spanning over three days, is held at his shrine in the month of December to commemorate Abdullah Shah Ghazi’s anniversary.

3.    Shrine of Dataa Ganj Bakhsh, Lahore

Considered to be one of the oldest shrines in the South Asian region, the mausoleum of Data Ganj Bakhsh is situated in the city of Lahore near the Bhati gate. Although the saint was christened with the name of Abul Hassan Ali Hajvery, he was given the title of Dataa because of his benevolent nature. The white marble mausoleum of Data Ganj Bakhsh was originally constructed by  Sultan Zakiruddin Ibrahim of Ghaznavi.

4.    Shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, Sehwan Sharif

Known to be one of the two and a half qalandars on Earth, Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar’s original name was Syed Muhammad Usman Marwandi. He was a 12th century Sufi who was instructed to settle in the Indian subcontinent to spread the word of God. Whilst visiting the shrine, attending the dhamaal, which is a type of music played by beating giant drums, at maghrib is a must.

5 Drinks That Are a Must While Traveling This Summer

Whilst traveling itself is an eye opening and mind freshening experience, it can get hampered due to the changing weather conditions. Be it the blistering summer heat or the cold freezing winters, traveling can become difficult if certain measures to cope with the weather condition are not taken.

In order to help you make the most out of your trip, even if it is during the ongoing heat wave that seems to have enveloped the country, Jovago Pakistan brings to you an article on 5 summer drinks that you should drink in order to travel during the summer season.

1.    Mint Lemonade

Although the typical lemonade remains a favorite among Pakistanis, the modern day lemonade comes with a twist. By adding mint to your lemon drink, you can revitalize your life by getting a burst of the minty freshness. By drinking the mint lemonade, you can keep your body cool even in the rising temperatures.

      2.   Sardai

One of the main offerings of the Punjabi culture, Sardai is made from almonds which are left to be soaked in the water overnight. The almonds are blended with milk along with sugar and cardamom to create a fine paste. The drink is served with a garnishing of pistachios. Drink sardai in the summer season to maintain your body temperature.

     3.  Sattu

An essential part of the summer cuisine of the city of Lahore, which is considered to be the heart of Pakistan, Sattu is a created by mixing barley seeds, sugar and water together. Although in the summer season street vendors are busy selling Sattu, the drink can also be easily made at home.

    4.  Faalsa Juice

Mainly grown in the Asian region, the faalsa are also grown in abundance in Pakistan. The sweet yet tangy flavor of the small berries is simply to die for. Moreover, these berries are extremely helpful in cooling your body during the excruciating summer heat. Blend faasla with ice, water, sugar and kala namak to create a cuppa of deliciousness.

     5.  Sugar Cane Juice

Whilst traveling across Pakistan, you will find the street vendors busy in making this refreshing juice. One of the major crops in Pakistan, sugarcane is not only used in making white sugar but also to make the delicious drink which is commonly known as Rooh. Considered to be the national drink of Pakistan, sugarcane juice is extremely beneficial for eyes, kidneys, brain and heart.

5 Destinations in Pakistan That Will Help You Beat the Summer Heat

Are you someone who is not a fan of the summer season but have to avail the vacation period, that your company gave you, by traveling under the glaring sun? Do you want to escape the high temperatures that will set you on a journey of unlimited sweating and itchiness?

If your reply is in the affirmative then fret no more. This is because this article by Jovago Pakistan brings you a list of 5 places in Pakistan that can help you in escaping the heat during the summer season.

1)    Sajikot waterfall

If you are tired of the hustle and bustle of the city life, then a trip to this waterfall is a must. This is because the Sajikot Waterfall is one of the most beautiful gifts of Mother Nature. The waterfall, which is located in the city of Abbottabad, not only offers travels a perfect escape from the summer heat but it also offers a calm and peaceful environment. With its unique three step waterfall, Sajikot waterfall offers a perfect sanctuary for those who want to escape the high temperatures.

      2)  Rawalakot Valley

The valley which is in the shape of a saucer is the district headquarter of the Pounch district. Due to its enthralling beauty, the Rawalakot Valley is known as the Pearl valley. During the summer season, the valley is brimming with green grass and beautiful flowers.

      3)  Neelwan Valley

At a distance of about 15 kilometers from the Kalar Kahar district in Punjab lies the stunning valley of Neelwan. Located within a short distance from Lahore and Islamabad, this destination is the perfect spot for those who are looking forward to a short trip. The valley is home to a number of historical monuments including Takht e Babri and Bagh e Safa garden. Moreover, Neelwan valley is also home to three ponds which have sparkling blue water.

      4)  Hunza Valley

Situated in Gilgit, the mountainous valley of Hunza is famous for its beauty and the hospitality of its residents. With the highest literacy rate in the country, the valley offers enchanting views to its visitors. Situated at the North/West side of the Hunza river, Hunza valley is often referred to as heaven on Earth because of the mountain peaks which surrounds it.

      5)  Swat Valley

Popularly known as the Switzerland of the country, the Swat valley is famous for its scenic views, mouth-watering fruits and of course trout! Surrounded by the high mountains of the North, the valley is located in the middle of foothills of Hindukush mountain range. The valley serves as the perfect sanctuary for those who want to escape the blistering heat.

3 Places to Visit in Pakistan in the month of May

The month of May marks the official beginning of the summer season in Pakistan. It is under the glaring sun that the summer crops including maize, millet, and cotton are grown. It is also the time when people from various parts of Pakistan make travel plans to avail their summer vacations in the best possible manner.

If you are planning to travel to Pakistan in the month of May, then read along to get to know the 3 places in Pakistan, which Jovago Pakistan recommends, to visit and to explore in the month of May in order to get enthralled by the offerings of the summer season.

1.    Leepa valley

One of the most spectacular wonders that Azad Kashmir region offers to its visitors, the Leepa valley is a must visit in the summer season. This is because, during the summer season the lush green rice fields and the delicious walnut, apple, cherry and honey along with a variety of scenic spectacular beauty spell bounds the visitors who are exploring the valley.

      2.  Chitral

On the foothills of the famous Hindu Kush mountain range, lies the beautiful valley of Chitral which is the largest district in the KPK province. Famous for its traditions, the valley is home to various tribes including the Kalash who are known for their backward lifestyle. Whilst exploring the area, do make sure you attend the Chilam Joshi festival which is held in the middle of May every year to get a glimpse of the traditional yet colorful culture of the Kalash people.

      3. Skardu

If one were asked to describe this place then it would be an embodiment of nature’s perfection. Located in the heart of Gilgit-Baltistan, Skardu is home to some of the highest mountains in the world including K2 and Gasherbrum. Skardu enthralls its visitors with its diverse offerings which include mighty mountain peaks, rich, lush green pasturelands, sparkling river water and even a cold desert.

ACCA President Brian McEnery talks about the importance of

Lahore, 18^th April 2017: ACCA President, Brian McEnery hosted an event at Serena Islamabad for the Auditor General of Pakistan, World Bank and the provincial governments to demonstrate its commitment to enhance transparency, accountability, reporting and capacity building in the public sector of Pakistan. ACCA also recognized the outgoing Auditor General, Rana Assad Amin for his efforts in improving accountability by auditing and reporting on the country’s operations.

Present at the ceremony was Brian McEnery, President of ACCA, Sajjeed Aslam, Head of ACCA Pakistan, Arif Masud Mirza, Regional Head of Policy MENASA and Haroon A Jan, Regional Head of Member Affairs MENASA. Representatives from Auditor General Pakistan included Imran Iqbal, Additional Auditor General of Pakistan, Dr. Talat Imtiaz, Deputy Auditor General – Policy, Rana Obaid Ur Rehman, Director - Special Sector Audit Local, Dalila Shakil, Director IRV&MT Local. Representatives from the World Bank included Syed Waseem Abbas Kazmi, Financial Management Specialist, Akram El-Shorbagi, Senior FM Specialist, Akmal Minallah, Senior FM Specialist, Qurat ul Ain Hadi, FM Specialist and Abdul Muneem Khattak, Financial Management Specialist, GPP FATA.  

ACCA’s commitment to delivering public value has been long standing. Arif Mirza – Regional Head of Policy MENASA highlighted ACCA's public sector initiatives to cognize the audience of the work that has been undertaken for the capacity building of the public sector workforce.

ACCA’s president, Brian McEnery deliberated on corporate governance and the importance of making sure that companies do the right thing for their various stakeholders: from investors, to those affected by their products or actions, to employees. He also pointed out that ‘corporate governance’ is an area where there are still huge variations in requirements, and critically in how they are applied. So it is important to understand the detail of what is really happening in order to understand where progress is needed in Pakistan when we are addressing corporate governance. Furthermore he added, “Essentially, ACCA has a role to play in training our future leaders in the basics of corporate governance. We cover not just technical training, but also equip our students and members with a broader set of skills which enables them to make ethical decisions and follow the tenets of good corporate governance.”

The ceremony concluded with remarks by Imran Iqbal – Additional Auditor General of Pakistan commented that on behalf of the office of the Auditor General of Pakistan, I offer the highest level of commitment to ACCA for all ongoing initiatives. He also stressed that as public sector employees they need to develop, maintain and embrace a strong ethical compass. He added that it is becoming increasingly expected that businesses should actively look to recruit and develop staff, especially senior executives, directors and financial staff, who have an exemplary ethical compass.

Reasons as to How Hotel Industry Is Changing in Pakistan

It is often heard that change is inevitable. When one looks at the different facets of history, they find that civilizations who did not accept change were swept away by the developments taking place around them. This is one reason why organizations in the modern era are trying to devise different strategies through which they can incorporate change.

The reason behind why organizations are so persistent about adapting to change is because they want to move forward. Among the various industries of the world which are trying to cope with change, the hotel industry is one industry which is getting transformed.

As the hotel industry is a service industry, where the quality of experience is one of the dominant factors, it is important that it adapts to the various developments taking place. If you are fascinated by the changes that are being incorporated in the hotel industry, then this article by Jovago Pakistan will further satiate your quest for a different yet better experience.

The best hotel booking website believes that the following are the reasons because of which the hotel industry is changing:

1) Growing population

Currently, Pakistan’s population stands at 196 million. This figure is projected to rapidly increase in the coming years. A major chunk of this population comprises of youth who are more prone to accepting change. As the customer base of the hotel industry widens, with more youth traveling to explore the beauty that Pakistan offers, the hotel industry has started offering services which will suit the modern tastes of the youth.

      2)   Increase in internet penetration

With various telecommunication companies offering 3G and 4G service, more people are able to have access to the internet which helps them to stay connected with the world. The response from the Pakistani people has been so phenomenal that 5G services will be launched soon in the country. As more people are able to access the internet, hotel businesses have started offering services online. This includes the introduction of smartphone apps to increase convenience for the hotel’s customers.

     3)  Rising E-commerce industry

The concept of businesses availing the online platform, provided by the internet, has enabled them to increase their target audience. As the benefits of going online are far greater than the cost involved, a lot of startups have been launched in the country over the past few years. The hotel industry has also had its fair share of startups including Jovago Pakistan, which is offering customers the ease of booking a hotel online. People no longer have to wander about the desired destination in search of a hotel. By just clicking on the website and using the customized search engine, people are now able to book their hotel rooms prior to traveling- a convenience which was not offered earlier.

Tips to Ensure Smooth Travel for Business Purposes

While traveling itself can be an eye-opening experience, it can get hectic if one is traveling for business purposes. This is because the business trip usually revolves around falling asleep on planes and traveling back and forth for meetings which can result in disturbing one’s routine and making them grumpy.

If you are someone who has to face these issues while traveling for business purposes, then this article by Jovago Pakistan will help you out as it provides tips to smoothen your travel.

• Carry limited luggage

If you are traveling for a short trip, then carrying several bags would rather be inconvenient and give you stress in case any of your luggage gets lost or if you get late for a meeting. To avoid this, it is better if you carry your stuff in a carry-on bag as this will help you to save time. Moreover, you won’t have to worry about waiting in a line when you land to collect your belongings as you only have a carry-on.

• Dress smartly

Dressing up smartly will help you in getting much better services because let’s face this: the first impression is the last impression. Wearing an outfit that can pass on as a formal one on a flight can help you in case your baggage is lost or if you are running late.

• Keep a tennis ball

If you are thinking that by making you carry a tennis ball we are urging you to play tennis with your business partners, you are wrong. A tennis ball can come in handy when your muscles get stiff/sore. Small in size, a tennis ball can help you to relax as you can use it for rolling under your feet.

• Use smartphone applications

Use your technology friend to help you out for your business purposes. By downloading apps that cater to different business needs, you can smoothen your travel. For instance, by downloading Jovago’s smartphone application, you can easily book hotels, from an inventory of more than 2000 hotels, through a customized search engine that too at a discounted rates.

• Cure jet lag

Traveling to different time zones can cause jet lag. Therefore, you need to figure out what are your body requirements in order to avoid jet lag. By taking flights at night, you can sleep overnight and stay hydrated.

4 Buddhist Monasteries in Pakistan That Are a Must Visit

One of the facets of culture is religion as it depicts a beautiful side of the society. When one talks about Pakistan’s rich culture, they get to know that the country is home to people belonging to different faiths.

One of the religions practiced in the country is Buddhism whose origin can be traced back to several thousand years. At various times, the religion had been a strong force whose impact can still be seen in the rich heritage of the country. This includes the famous Gandhara civilization which gave birth to Gandhara art- an important turn in the cultural history of Pakistan.

Keeping in mind the contributions that Buddhism has made to the Pakistani society, Jovago Pakistan brings to you an article on the 4 Buddhist monasteries in Pakistan that are a must visit.

1) Takht-i-Bhai

Dating back to 1st century AD, Takht-i-Bhai is one of the most beautiful Buddhist monasteries in the Gandhara district. When Takht-i-Bhai is translated into English it means Throne of Origins. Situated at a height of 500 feet, Takht-i-Bhai is one of the nine wonders in Pakistan that are listed on the World Heritage List.

2) Giri Fort

Built in the 5th century by the Buddhist monks, this fort is located at a distance of 8 km from Taxila, at the foot of the Margalla hills. The Giri fort is situated on a hilltop and has spring water falling within it. The remains of two monasteries and stupas can be found at this fort.

3) Lotus throne

As the beautiful valley of Swat was one of the main centers of Buddhism, several monasteries, and other sites were found here.  It is also home to a statue of Buddha who is sitting on a throne made out of lotus flower. Swat is also home to the famous Gandhara School of Sculpture which is considered to be an expression of Graeco-Roman form in the local Buddhist tradition.

4) DharmaRajika Stupa

The city of Taxila is considered to be the main center of the Gandhara civilization, which depicts an important facet of Buddhism. Commonly known as the Chir Tope, the Dharmarajika stupa is in a circular shape and is surrounded by a number of small chapels. The circular structure is surrounded by a raised terrace. There are several statues of the Buddha at this site.

State of Pakistan’s Travel and Hospitality Industry in the Past Year

As the law and order situation in the country improves and the ongoing threat of terrorism reduces, it can be said that Pakistan is on its road to development. This is because of a number of reasons which include the growing culture of startups in the country and the huge influx of tourists that are coming to explore the beauty of Pakistan.

As facts and figures are an integral part of proving anything, Jovago Pakistan brings you an article on the state of Pakistan’s travel and hospitality industry in the past year. Read along so that the next time someone asks you what Pakistan has to offer, you can confidently tell them, by backing with facts, that it is a beautiful country which has a lot to offer, in terms of sheer beauty, rich culture and heritage.

• Real GDP growth

Despite the slowdown in the global economy due to a number of reasons, Pakistan’s GDP growth reached 4.7% with respect to inflation in 2016. Several factors including the following contributed to uplifting this South Asian economy.

• Supportive economic policies including low-interest rates and stable exchange rate which has increased confidence of investors.
• Macroeconomic stability because of the substantially lower inflation, increase in foreign exchange reserves due to rise in foreign direct investment.
• Better law and order situation because of the operation Zarb e Azab that the Pakistani army carried out in the Northern areas of the country.

• Upsurge in the influx of tourists

The Pakistani economy was able to generate approximately $1 billion in revenue because of the 1,040,000 international tourists who arrived in 2015. This tourist figure is projected to reach 1.7 million by the year 2025.  This will, in turn, help Pakistan to be the world’s fastest-growing Muslim economy ahead of Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey and Egypt by 2017.

• Improvement in employment rate

In the midst of an increase in tourism and better security conditions of the country, the number of people employed directly by the hospitality industry reached 1,429,500 in 2015. The employment rate is projected to increase by 2.1% per annum over the next 10 years.

• Increase in Investment

Due to the sheer beauty which Pakistan possesses, the investment which this particular sector received in the year 2015 was USD 3272 million which made up 9.3% of the total investment done in the country. Over the next ten years, this investment rate is forecasted to rise by 7.6% pa over the next ten years. Due to the ongoing CPEC mega project whose main highlight is the Gawadar city, a huge chunk of this investment is allocated to the construction of ten hotels in this city which can in turn boost tourism in the area.