Briefs

Briefs

MCB inks accord with Qatar Airways

By our correspondent 

LAHORE: MCB Bank Ltd has signed an agreement with Qatar Airways for mutually beneficial services and customer facilitation, a statement said on Monday. 

“This collaboration enables the debit/credit card holders of the bank to fly Qatar Airways at special discounted rates,” MCB Bank's representative Zargham Khan Durrani said addressing the signing ceremony. 

“We look forward to facilitating our customers on their future travel plans and dream trips abroad.”  Voicing his views, Sherif Ismail, Country Manager Pakistan Qatar Airways, evinced excitement over the prospects of newly signed understanding.

 “We are delighted to enter into an alliance with MCB Bank and are eagerly waiting to welcome MCB Bank customers to our airlines’ premium aviation experience," said he.  The MoU was cosigned by Ali Naqvi, Business Head Digital Banking MCB Bank and Qatar Airways Country Manager Pakistan, at MCB House.

Metro plans to acquire Linde Pakistan

By our correspondent

KARACHI: Metro Securities Private Limited announced on Monday to acquire 60 percent of voting shares of Linde Pakistan Limited. Metro plans to acquire 15.023 million shares through an agreement of Linde Pakistan owned by the BOC Group, UK and its four nominee shareholders. Earlier, ICI Pakistan has also expressed intention to acquire 60 percent shares of Linde Pakistan. Linde Pakistan Limited is a member of the Linde Group, a world leading supplier of gas and engineering solutions.

SME-friendly budget demanded

By our correspondent

KARACHI: The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (Unisame) has urged federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar to ensure an SME-friendly budget and make provisions for sufficient funds for the promotion and development in letter and spirit, a statement said on Monday.

UNISAME expects an SME-friendly budget from a business-friendly government, it added. Unisame president Zulfikar Thaver said that the SME sector is the major sector and deserves to be facilitated through the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (Smeda).

He demanded to strengthen Smeda for making it help, support, facilitate and motivate the sector and encourage the entrepreneurs to rise to the next level.

PCATP elects new chairman

News Desk

KARACHI: Renowned Architect Asad I A Khan has been elected as the chairman of the Pakistan Council of Architects and Town Planners (PCATP) on February 25, in a closely fought contest with Architect Ejaz A Qadri, a statement said on Monday. Over 3,000 registered architects and town planners from across the country were eligible to cast their vote for selecting the chairman for two years tenure, it added. Khan served as the managing director of NESPAK in between 2009/14, being the first architect to head the country’s largest multidisciplinary organisation. After serving NESPAK for 30 years, he is now managing his own firm, Asad I A Khan and Associates (AIAK), it added.