VIPINFORMATIONS: 11/1/08

Sunday, November 30, 2008

OGRA cuts prices of petrol by Rs9, diesel Rs4

ISLAMABAD: Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has decreased prices of petrol by Rs9 and diesel by Rs4 per litre.According to a press release issued by OGRA, the news prices of petrol is Rs57.66, HOBC Rs72.08, kerosene oil Rs51.87 and light diesel Rs48 per litre. Prices of light speed diesel has been slashed by Rs5 per litre, high octane Rs9 and kerosene oil Rs5 per litre.The new rates will be effective from December 1,2008.

MUMBAI ATTACKS, SOME PICTURES!

Indian Home Minister resigns over Mumbai attacks

NEW DELHI: India's Home Minister Shivraj Patil has submitted his resignation in the wake of attacks in Mumbai that left nearly 200 people dead.The resignation has been submitted to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, according to media reports.There was no immediate word if the resignation had been accepted.

Indian media, analysts pour venoms against Pakistan

KARACHI: Mumbai carnage drop scene has ended, but the Indian media and political analysts without any evidence hastily started the blame game against Pakistan as usual and poured venoms polluting the atmosphere that so laboriously had been built up after years of confidence building measures.National Security Guards ‘s commander declared the operation completed after over 59 hours of militants’ rampant carnage all over the vintage points in Mumbai, which left nearly 200 dead and over 300 wounded.However, the Indian media true to its traditional hate postures towards Pakistan lost no time in blaring all those scum, which pointed fingers towards Pakistan and holding it responsible for the tragic incident without any basis and evidences at all. Indian anchors and analysts appearing on different channels across the country with one voice went on analyzing the incident purely based on the figment of their imaginations in a way that could by all means give the perception of Pakistan’s involvement in it.Indian media tasked to propagate against Pakistan made out such fake stories that ISI and Pak Army had trained the militants, who were brought to Mumbai in a boat, while the body of one Amar Singh Tandal was also reportedly found in it, who belonged to Pakistan and had remained in Pakistan jail for one year. Sobhaday in Raj Deep Sir Desai show on CNN/IBN said that we know where their campus were.Following Pakistan Foreign Minister’s press briefing, one anchorman of CNN India in his comments said that Pakistan was providing cover to the involved militants’ groups. One more Indian channel, India TV openly hurled blames on Pakistan for these attacks and dared to say without any proof that attackers had come from Pakistan. Star News channel in their run race for propaganda against Pakistan tried to be more creative and discovered one Chacha Rahman as mastermind of the attacks and claimed that he was Lashkar-e-Taiyyaba commander from Karachi. Zee TV also joining in the propaganda blamed that the militants were supplied arms and weapons from Karachi and in its effort to remain one-up straightaway blamed Pakistan Navy assisting elements involved in the attacks.Indian leaders’ problems known to all that they are trying to hide their weaknesses and utter intelligence failures and find it safe putting blames on Pakistan, but the Indian media should have behaved responsibly in view of the delicate situation emanating after the attacks, which much to the saner elements’ disappointment, it miserably failed.

PTA Awards WLL Licenses for AJK

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) awarded five Wireless Local Loop (WLL) licenses valuing Rs 26 million to successful bidders for providing telecom services in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Northern Areas (NAs).
Pakistan Telecommunication Limited (PTCL), Wateen, Direct Link and Telenor Pakistan participated in the bidding process. In 3.5 GHz spectrum, bidding for Mirpur (TR-1), one block was awarded to Pakistan Telecommunication Limited (PTCL) against a bid of Rs 10 million, while the bid for second block was not concluded as no company showed interest.
Similarly, for Muzaffarabad (TR-2), PTCL gave the highest bid of Rs 4 million, followed by Wateen, which matched the price. For Northern Areas (TR-3), Wateen offered highest bid of Rs 4 million, and second block went to PTCL at the same price.
PTA Chairman Dr Mohammed Yaseen said that the issuance of WLL licenses would add to the efforts of the government to provide enhanced and affordable telecom services to the people of the area. The bidding of WLL licenses in 3 Telecom Regions (TR) is likely to capture huge investment as well, he added.
He said that earlier there was only one operator in AJK and Nas, but when competition was introduced, and new operators started their services, all segments of the sector witnessed rapid growth.
He said that with a teledensity figure of 2.6 percent in 2005-06, the region was lagging far behind the rest of the country in terms of telecommunication services. Two years after the deregulation in the area, the teledensity of AJK and NAs stands at 33 percent. Mobile subscribers figure of just 5000 three years back now it jumped to 1.6 million subscribers, he added.
He said that increased investment by the newly licensed operators had certainly contributed in laying the foundations for a modern and state-of-the-art telecom network in the area. It also has positive impact on the standard of living of the people of AJK and NAs owing to increased economic activity and enhanced job opportunities, he added.
He said that PTA has already deposited around Rs 1.2 billion to AJK and NAs, earned against the award of 5 cellular mobile licenses for these areas. It also collected around $170,000 against the issuance of fixed line licenses as an initial amount. Thus, the telecom deregulation in these areas has acted as a catalyst for the development of region’s economy, he said.
The launching of Wireless Local Loop (WLL) service in the AJK and NAs will provide enhanced and cheap telecom services to the people and would fetch huge investment in the region. He termed completion of the spectrum of bidding as the culmination point in the deregulation of telecom sector of AJK and NAs.
He expressed gratitude to the telecom operators and CEOs of telecom companies for taking interest in the bidding process, and assured them that PTA would extend full cooperation in the successful launching of their business.
PTA Chairman presided over the bidding while Nasrul Karim A Ghaznavi, Member (Finance) was also present during the bidding. The bidding was witnessed by representatives of telecom industry investors, media men, telecom experts and professionals.

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Govt to cut PoL prices Sunday

ISLAMABAD: Advisor to the Prime Minister on Finance, Shaukat Tareen has said on Saturday that prices of petroleum products will be reduced on Sunday.He said that benefit of lowering of petroleum products in international markets would be passed on to consumers.

Indian PM summons APC on Mumbai attacks

NEW DELHI: Prime minister of India Manmohan Singh today summoned an emergency meeting of security agencies but did not invite interior minister Shivraj Patil.An Indian TV said that not inviting the interior minister to this meeting reveals that his position in the cabinet has become weak.The TV said that the reason behind this is that Shivraj Patil had criticized the terrorist attacks in the country.The emergency meeting reviewed the situation arising from the attacks in Mumbai.Meanwhile, the interior ministry has issued an explanation in which this has been said that the interior minister did not attend the meeting because the prime minister had asked him to review other matters relating to the Mumbai attacks.Patil also did not attend the meeting of the national security guards this morning.The prime minster also summoned an all parties conference for reviewing the Mumbai attacks.

PM Gilani contacts political leadership of Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has started contacting the political leaders of Pakistan following the violent incidents in Mumbai.The Premier has said it is the need of the time to forge unity for a greater cause of protecting country’s sovereignty by rising above party politics and personal interests.He telephoned PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif, PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, MQM Chief Altaf Hussain, ANP Chief Asfandyar Wali, JUI Chief Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, President PML-N Shahbaz Sharif, Amir JI Qazi Hussain Ahmed, leader Pukhtoonkhwa Mili Awami Party Mehmood Khan Achakzai, PML (F) Chief Pir Pagara, Tehreek-i-Insaf Chief Imran Khan and leader of PPP (Sherpao) Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao.The Prime Minister also contacted Aitzaz Ahsan, Abdul Hai Baloch, Air Marshal Asghar Khan and Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi.All the political leaders assured of their full cooperation to the Premier.

Pakistan offers support to India in fighting ‘common enemy’

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi Saturday said Pakistan offers unconditional support and assistance to unearth the hands behind the barbaric acts of violence and terrorism in India.Giving a press briefing after the Cabinet’s meeting here, the Foreign Minister said the cabinet was unanimous in condemning the acts of terrorism in the neighbouring country.He said the cabinet offered condolences to bereaved Indian families.We are also victims of the scourge of terrorism and we want to convey this to our neighbor, India, said Shah Mehmood Qureshi who returned from India earlier today.He said the cabinet feels that finger pointing and coming to hasty decisions is playing into the hands of the common enemy. He said Pakistan attaches highest importance to good and friendly relations with India. Keeping unity is the most important thing in these challenging times, he added.“Pakistan extends full moral and material support to the Indian government ….. we stand shoulder to shoulder with Indian people to defeat this menace.”

Friday, November 28, 2008

Mayhem(violence and destruction) in Mumbai

No words can ever be enough to condemn the horror of what has happened and continues to happen in Mumbai.Armed militants captured various major places of Mumbai late Wednesday, the trade centre of Indian state of Maharashtra. Over 155 people, including foreigners, were killed and hundreds wounded in Mumbai mayhem. Five key police officers were also killed in these attacks. The armed militants took several people hostage at many places including the hotels of Taj and Oberoi.This is being termed as a terrorist activity of horrendous proportions in Indian history. Business centers including Mumbai stock market and educational institutions remain closed due to violent attacks.An unknown or little known organization Deccan Mujahideen has accepted the responsibility of the attacks and it made various demands including freedom of Hyderabad Deccan etc.We would welcome your viewpoint on this grim situation in Mumbai. Will it affect Indo-Pak relations? And what we, as a nation, can do to save our motherland from the scourge of terrorism and extremism?

3 terrorists killed at Taj, operations officially on

NEW DELHI: The 59-hour siege of old Taj hotel ends with the NSG killing three terrorist who were holed up inside. NSG said they would not declare the operation over before sanitising each and every floor."Three terrorists have been killed but we are still continuing our operations," Director General of NSG, J K Dutt, told reporters outside the hotel.On whether all the terrorists have been killed and hotel is now free, he said that it could be ascertained after the combing operation is over.During the night, terrorists holed out in the hotel engaged in a fierce gun battle with security forces as some places in the first and the ground floors of the 565-room building set afire by terrorists amid explosions in the over 100-year-old heritage complex in the Colaba area.

DG ISI representative to visit India: PM

ISLAMABAD: Instead of Director General of the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), his representative will visit India to help Indian government in the investigations of Mumbai mayhem, Prime Minister House sources said on early Saturday. Earlier, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Friday extended Pakistan’s support to India in jointly combating extremism and terrorism and offered to send its intelligence chief to help with Mumbai investigation. Dr. Singh requested the Prime Minster Gilani to send Director General of the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) to India for exchange of information in this regard. The Prime Minister accepted the request and said that after working out modalities by both the governments, the ISI chief will visit India at the earliest, sources added.

Mobilink and Pakistan Post to Launch Mobile Money Order Service

Mobilink has signed an agreement with Pakistan Post Office to introduce Mobile Money Order Service in Pakistan. The agreement was signed by Ahsan Basir Sheikh, Additional Director General (Financial Services) from Pakistan Post and Bilal Munir Sheikh, VP Marketing from Mobilink
Elaborating on the initiative, Bilal Munir Sheikh, VP Marketing, Mobilink said, “As a company on the forefront of technological innovation, Mobilink has pioneered mobile commerce in the country. Continuing our tradition of firsts, the Mobilink Mobile Money Order Service is a unique offering that completely revolutionizes the process of sending and receiving money orders. The first and only service of its kind in Pakistan, MMO enables our customer to send and receive money orders to any Mobilink customer across the country anytime, anywhere, via SMS.”Bilal added, “Mobile Money Order Service offers far greater speed and efficiency as compared to a cash-based system by combining the reliability and speed of Mobilink’s network, the largest in the country, with Pakistan Post which also has an extremely strong presence nationwide and unparalleled experience in serving the rural areas. In line with the strategy to ease the process, the registration is also extremely simple and only a one-time requirement.”
Mohammed Ahmed Mian, Director General Pakistan Post and Secretary Postal Services Division in his speech highlighted the salient features of the service. He also mentioned that the customers can not only remit money to their kith and kins and friends through mobile SMS but can also withdraw or deposit up to Rs 10,000. This can be done by simply filling out a form that will be available at authorized PPO branches across the country upon launch. Once they are submitted, within 24 hours customers will be able to send and receive money orders at their convenience to Mobilink users via SMS anywhere in Pakistan.
The Mobile Money Order Service is in line with Mobilink’s principal aim of connecting the unconnected and providing unique products and services to the consumers, especially the underserved sections of society. In the past, Mobilink has introduced various socially inclusive products such as Mobilink PCO, a self-employment solution enabling people from all walks of life to earn a secured livelihood, and Mobilink Kisan Service, an IVR based service providing farmers access to price & weather information along with valuable advice on harvesting matters. Mobilink will continue to introduce more such service in the near future as well that are novel, socially inclusive, improve accessibility and connect the people of Pakistan in ways that truly reshape their lives.

PM Gilani meets President Zardari

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani called on President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr and discussed with him Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh request for sending Inter Services Intelligence chief to India, overall political and economic situation of the country. According to sources, both President and Prime Minister renewed their offer of cooperation for Mumbai attacks investigations. President Zardari said that leveling charges against Pakistan without evidences is regrettable.

ISI chief to visit India: PM's office

ISLAMABAD: The chief of Pakistan's military intelligence agency, Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), will soon go to India to help investigate the Mumbai attacks, the premier's spokesman told foreign news agency. ISI lieutenant general Ahmed Shuja Pasha will leave shortly to share intelligence with Indian security officials, said premier Yousuf Raza Gilani's spokesman, Zahid Bashir. "Initially, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made a request to our prime minister that he should send the ISI Chief to India to help in ongoing investigations and further intelligence sharing," he said. "The prime minister of Pakistan responded positively and said both governments need to work out modalities for the early arrival of the ISI chief in India."

Telenor Sets up Portable BTS Stations in Balochistan; Rebuilds School

Telenor Pakistan has installed two dedicated portable BTS towers called Cell on Wheels (COW’s) to provide uninterrupted communication in Wam, Balochistan; the earthquake affected areas. Free mobile connections and air time has also been distributed amongst selected national and international NGO’s rescue & relief workers, to assist them in their rehabilitation work.
Furthermore, Telenor Pakistan in collaboration with Balochistan Government, will reconstruct Government High School Kan Depot in Wam, Balochistan. These projects are in continuation of Telenor Pakistan’s Earthquake relief and rehabilitation efforts in Balochistan.
Talking about the second phase of rehabilitation and provision of temporary communications means, Telenor Pakistan’s Head of Corporate Responsibility Syed Hasnat Masood said, ‘By rebuilding the Government High School Kan Depot, we are aiming at providing long lasting and substantial support to the people of Ziarat district. The COW’s, on the other hand will ensure uninterrupted communications in the area which will make it easy for the relief workers to coordinate relief activities’
Telenor Pakistan responded within days of the earthquake by moving two COWs 359 km from Multan to Ziarat. This is the first time any Pakistani mobile operator has moved such equipment and deployed it ina remote place in such a short period after a natural disaster. One COW is installed in Wom and the other in Kawas, another village about 15 kms away, which will provide network coverage to Wam, Kawas and the surrounding areas.

State of Broadband Internet in Pakistan : Overview

Internet Service Providers in Pakistan are offering wide range of Broadband technologies, such as DSL, Cable, FTTH and WiMAX. Currently, DSL is the leading broadband technology in Pakistan with approx 65 percent market share, while major DSL providers in Pakistan are Micronet, LinkdotNet, Cybernet, Multinet and PTCL.
HFC (Hybrid Fiber-Coaxial) is the second largest broadband technology in terms of market share. Approximately, 25 percent of total broadband subscribers in Pakistan use FHC technology. Worldcall happens to be the largest cable modem broadband provider in Pakistan through the use of FHC network in Karachi and Lahore; along with comes Wateen Telecom which is also providing broadband using FHC. Competition in DSL market is easily seen, while the core retention element is the service and support.
Use of FTTH and WiMAX has increased, though not with the same ratio as in developed countries, but emergence and benefits of services such as IPTV is pulling customers towards FTTH. There are around 2800 FTTH and 20,000 WiMAX subscribers in Pakistan. Wateen Telecom and recently launched Mobilink Infinity are two WiMAX providers in the country. However, due to first of its kind experience of WiMAX technology, service issues are being reported.
Beyond WiMAX Worldcall’s EVDO services are recently introduced in Karachi; that are gaining some momentum. It is also told that PTCL is also nearing its EVDO launch in main cities of Pakistan.
At the end of July 2008, there were total of 170,000 broadband subscribers in the country, showing 150 percent increase in subscribers when compared with stats in July 2007. Despite this growth, Pakistan still lags behind in overall number of broadband subscribers, range of broadband services and investment in next-generation broadband technologies.
With (PTCL’s) wired and network capacity of about 5.5 million subscribers, it is foreseen that DSL may not cater the future broadband requirements of the country. This leaves a huge investment potential in Fiber and wireless broadband access technologies.
In such a scenario, expansion and up-gradation of infrastructure is required so that operators can deploy Next Generation Networks using Internet Protocol (IP). This will also trigger investment opportunities for the backhaul and Local Loop Infrastructure providers.
A significant reduction in broadband service cost has been observed in Pakistan, with per month subscription rate for 512 KB unlimited DSL is reduced from US $ 55 to US $ 16.
Not: Fact and Figures are from PTA’s 2007/08 Annual Report.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Pakistan receives first tranche of $3.1 bln from IMF

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has got the first tranche of 3.1 billion dollars of a loan approved by the International Monetary Fund.According to the State Bank, Pakistan has received the first tranche of $3.10 billion from the fund.Foreign Ministry officials said that the second tranche of the $7.6 billion credit is expected next year in March. IMF had provided a loan of $7.6 billion on Monday to help the country avert a balance of payment crisis.The IMF said then Pakistan would get immediate access to $3.1 billion under the 23-month IMF facility, with the rest phased in subject to quarterly reviews.The package means Pakistan will avert a balance of payment crisis and be able to cover an international sovereign bond maturing in February.

India sees "external link" in terror attacks

MUMBAI: India's prime minister pointed a finger on Thursday at "external linkages" for the attacks in Mumbai that killed more than 100 people, as militants holding hostages in a Jewish centre offered to hold talks.In a televised address to the nation, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said New Delhi would "take up strongly" the use of neighbours' territory to launch attacks on India." The well-planned and well-orchestrated attacks, probably with external linkages, were intended to create a sense of terror by choosing high-profile targets," Singh said in an address to the nation."It is evident that the group that carried these attacks, based outside the country, had come with single-minded determination to create havoc in the commercial capital of the country," Singh said.

Pakistan offers help to India in probing attacks

ISLAMABAD: Condemning the terrorist acts in Mumbai in the strongest possible terms, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Pakistan is ready to cooperate with India in launching a probe into the acts terrorism in Mumbai.Speaking at the International Conference on Cooperative Development , Peace and security in South Asia and while talking to newspersons here Thursday, the Pakistan Foreign Minister said his heart goes out to families who have lost their near and dear ones in this tragic incident. “I offer support and cooperation of the people and government of Pakistan to India in this difficult time. Pakistan and India have to collectively fight against extremism and terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.” He said terrorism is not a local or regional phenomenon. This is a global issue and all civilized societies will have to join hands and pool in their resources to deal with this curse. Pakistan is dealing with this menace on daily basis. After 9/11 the world had changed and it is facing challenges, he said and suggested that chiefs of intelligence agencies of both the countries and national security advisers should establish a hotline to exchange information. He said President and Prime Minister of Pakistan have conveyed heartfelt sympathies of the people and government of Pakistan on this tragic incident. He said both the countries have already established a mechanism to deal with terrorism and this system will be further strengthened.

Mumbai: Operation goes underway to release hostages

MUMBAI: The death toll in Mumbai bomb and fire attacks has mounted to 104 which includes 16 police officials while hundreds others were reported injured.Dozens of people have been held hostage in Taj Hotel where Indian commandoes have launched action to secure their release. Gunshots are being heard repeatedly from the location of the hotel.So far there have been 9 blasts inside Taj Hotel while flames are leaping through windows at its fourth floor.Five alleged terrorists have been killed and 9 arrested as a result of a joint action of Indian police and troops. However, the overall situation still remains out of control.Encounters between terrorists and law enforcement agencies continue at Oberoi Hotel and Taj Hotel.A series of explosions had rocked the Taj Mahal just after midnight. Screams were heard and black smoke billowed from the century-old edifice on Mumbai's waterfront. Early Thursday, state home secretary Bipin Shrimali said four suspects had been killed in two incidents in Mumbai when they tried to flee in cars, and Roy said four more gunmen were killed at the Taj Mahal. State Home Minister R.R. Patil said nine more were arrested. They declined to provide any further details. ``We're going to catch them dead or alive,'' Patil told reporters. ``An attack on Mumbai is an attack on the rest of the country.'' The state government ordered schools and colleges and the Bombay Stock Exchange closed Thursday.

PEMRA Granted 10 New Satellite TV channels Licenses

Pakistan Electronic Media Regular Authority (PEMRA) has granted 10 new satellite television channels today. These channels include Pakistan’s first satellite TV channel for health related services, furthermore another TV channel for kids has been granted landing rights.
The Chairman PEMRA presided over 51st Authority meeting, while other members including the Chairman FBR, Chairman PTA, and Secretary Information were present on the occasion.
For promotion of education, two more educational institutions (Hazara University, Mansehra and Ziauddin University, Karachi) have been granted non-commercial FM Radio Licenses in addition to previously granted 15 FM licenses for educational purpose.
Furthermore, 145 new cable TV licenses for all over the country have been approved by the Authority.
For provision of better services to public the Authority stressed the phase-wise digitalization of broadcast and distribution services in the Country.
The Authority also emphasized the need of further strengthening of the Council of Complaints for taking immediate and effective action on public grievances.
The meeting concluded on the positive note to take all possible steps for further growth of electronic media in the country.

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