PTA has issued important instructions regarding sale and purchase of mobile phones

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has issued important instructions regarding sale and purchase of mobile phones, GSM amplifiers, boosters, repeaters and SIM boxes.

The Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) has directed the public that under Section 29 of the Telecom Reorganization Act, 1996, such mobile phones, GSM amplifiers, boosters, repeaters and SIM boxes, etc., should never buy without type approval / COC. Such substandard devices are not only detrimental to human health and national security but are also causing disruption in the quality of telecom service.

In addition, all such websites and e-commerce mediums which are promoting or selling such devices are also directed to remove all such content from their websites to avoid legal action as per Section 31 of the Telecom Reorganization Act.

Cellular Mobile Operators (CMOs) and PTA Type Approval holders are allowed to import GSM boosters and install them in the consumer premises as per the PTA rules and those who involved in the installation of amplifiers or bossters may be prosecuted. With regard to coverage and quality of service (QOS) standards, the PTA said to improve network coverage and performance in the affected areas.

In addition, the PTA has revised the coverage obligations and quality of service standards for operators by renewing the license. The PTA not only takes action against violators but also instructs the public from time to time to not purchase / use illegal, GSM boosters / imported amplifiers / purchased through any unofficial channels to avoid any inconvenience and legal action as per applicable laws.

H3C Launches Channel Kickoff 2021 in Pakistan, Promoting a Win-Win Partner Ecosystem

H3C, a leader in digital solutions has initiated its second virtual event of the year in Pakistan — H3C Channel Kickoff 2021, Moving your business forward. The virtual event encourages global partners to “Move their business forward” by embracing new challenges and seizing opportunities alike, to jointly create more business value with H3C in the new year and beyond. In Pakistan, H3C has successfully certified more than 30 partners and over 60 engineers, and representatives of local partners and industry customers joined the virtual event.

“Since its official entry into the Pakistani market in 2019, H3C has been paving the way to support local customers in accelerating their digital transformation. We have made significant investments in the development of the local partner ecosystem, staff team and service system. Thanks to this, we have received increasing support from our partners,” said Davis Hui, the Head of H3C Global Channel Management.

“In addition to the latest products and solutions, H3C will continue to provide Pakistani customers with advanced ICT experiences building on our wealth of accumulated knowledge across various industries. H3C will also promote ecologically favorable policies, support local business partners to successfully complete digital transformation in the digital age, and leverage the power of digital to enhance inclusiveness.”

During the virtual event, H3C hosted the 2020 Partners Awards to recognize the important contributions of its Pakistan partners over the past year. Six of H3C’s Pakistani partners received the Top Sales Elite Award, Industrial Market Development Award, Solution Sales Elite Award, Top Service Sales and Delivery Award, and lastly, the Best Collaboration Award.

At the awarding ceremony, representative of the award winners said that, “It is a great honor to receive this award from H3C. H3C has a full portfolio of digital infrastructure products as well as a comprehensive one-stop digital platform in ICT field. H3C, relying on its high-quality products and professional team, has won the trust of an increasing number of customers across various industries here in Pakistan. We firmly believe that H3C will achieve greater success in the digital future, and we will also develop closer cooperation with H3C.”

H3C also shared its Digital Brain Project 2020 in Pakistan, demonstrating the leading capabilities of its “AI in ALL” intelligence strategy. The strategy aims to develop innovative smart applications with ecosystem partners and build digital brains for customers in their respective domains. It relies on Smart Digital Platforms composed of Digital Infrastructure, Business Empowerment Platforms, Active Security, and Unified O&M Services.

For the Pakistani market, H3C launched a Cloud-based management platform, Cloudnet, which will make it easier to manage H3C Wireless Lan (WLAN) devices, switches and routers. H3C also provides Blade server B16000, designed for fast-growing enterprises with the combination of powerful performance, added flexibility, unified management, and greater reduction of total cost of ownership (TCO). For small and medium-sized enterprises in Pakistan, H3C provides the latest generation version of UIS (Unified Infrastructure System) 7.0 with 4 new engines and 3 types of hardware, which combines almost all important elements in the data center, namely computing, storage, network, security, O&M and cloud, into a single box.

H3C Channel Kickoff 2021 is also scheduled to take place in additional markets such as Russia and Turkey, among others. The initiative embraces the power of digitalization with customers and partners worldwide, promoting the development of the entire ecosystem. In the future, H3C will further develop and expand its ICT ecosystem, including increasing support and capacity for overseas partners, working together to provide customers with more options, and contributing to the prosperity and development of the global digital economy.

About H3C

H3C is an industry leader in the provision of Digital Solutions and is committed to becoming the most trusted partner to the customers in their quest for business innovation and digital transformation. H3C offers a full portfolio of Digital Infrastructure products, spanning across compute, storage, networking, security and related domains, and provides a comprehensive one-stop digital platform that includes cloud computing, big data, interconnectivity, information security, new safety, Internet of Things (IoT), edge computing, artificial intelligence (AI) and 5G solutions, as well as end-to-end technical services.

For more information about H3C, please visit http://www.h3c.com/en/

Increasing growth of mobile phone accessories in Pakistan

Mobile phone accessories

Demand and usage of mobile phone accessories have been increasing drastically over the years. With the increasing technology awareness and the growing purchasing capacity of the masses, Pakistan as a market has shown a potential for growth of the technology sector.

Driven by systematic operation and constant innovation, Riversong has developed a creative product portfolio ranging from basic smart gadgets to AI innovation. Their products are enjoyed in more than 25 countries, serving over one-fifth of the world’s population.

RIVERSONG’s devices with cutting-edge technology, housed in attractive cases, are the perfect lifestyle partners that one would love to flaunt. RIVERSONG is committed to bring premium products with people-oriented designs and excellent customer services with a vision to become a brand that deserves your love.

According to the RIVERSONG’s Global COO – Sales, Syed Ali Yousuf, “this rising smartphone usage in the region has accelerated the growth of the relatively new segment. This provides an opportunity for RIVERSONG to further penetrate the regional market with its unique and premium qualitative products with best possible pricing. Riversong products are not only of great quality but also the very first brand to introduce 1 year replacement warranty in Pakistan.”

“We are constantly working towards making Pakistan a smarter country by offering latest technology in our products and keeping up with the tech trends globally. Our aim is to reach every nook and corner of the country through the rapid expansion plans we have”. Syed added.

“We are aiming to target 25% of the market share in Pakistan by end of 2022. Our competitive product portfolio, ranging from basic smart accessories to smart devices, are indeed a perfect fit the region’s constantly evolving demands.” noted Syed.

Riversong is a mobile accessories brand, based in California, with its premium products and presence in more than 25 countries across Europe, Middle East, Africa & South Asia has become the fastest growing global brand. Riversong is offering accessories like Power Banks, Smart Watches, Fitness Bands, Car Chargers, Wall Chargers, Cables, Earphones and Headphones. All the products come with a one-year replacement warranty.

Another feat of the 14-year old Cyber Kid: Developed a geyser that saves up to 50% of Gas

14 year old Cyber Kid

Hazir Awan a 14 year old Cyber Kid said that this is an IoT (Internet of Things) geyser. It will require gas as well as internet to run. Two sensors are used with the geyser, one generates electronic flame and controls the gas while the other sensor controls the temperature. Once the water temperature reaches the desired level, the geyser will turn off and turn on again when the water cools down. The pilot of the geyser in the market is always on but this will not be the case in IoT geysers. This will save energy.

According to Hazir, it has come at a very low cost and all safety aspects have been ensured in its preparation. They have prepared this project experimentally but it can also be prepared on a commercial basis.

This talented child has so far won dozens of awards and medals for his computer and internet skills. At the age of 7, Hazir broke Arfa Karim’s record by becoming the youngest Microsoft Certified Professional in the world. He has also won the Microsoft IT Professional and UNICEF awards.

Hazir says my main job and hobby is to produce Robots. I have completed many projects so far, including a driverless car that can make its own way by controlling the obstacles on the way, can control its own speed. Similarly, what has been done on home automation? You can sit in the office and turn on the electronic items running in the house. Similarly, I have developed a car tracker. I have also created a handshake Robort that shakes hands with you and introduces itself. If the government provides opportunities and resources to talented children, they can make Pakistan famous in the world of IT.

UNICEF Champion Cyberkid Muhammad Hazir Awan has developed a geyser in his home during Covid-19 that you can control with the help of a mobile phone. This requires installing an existing app in the Google Play Store.

How Systems Ltd is leading the tech wave in Pakistan

Every now and then, one sees the policymakers or leading industry people talk about the potential of digital and how Pakistan needs to leverage that. Comparisons are offered with respect to regional countries like the Philippines and India and how they have boosted their IT exports.

But how can that be when there is no proper infrastructure or robust capital markets? Just a cursory glance at the technology and communication sector on the Pakistan Stock Exchange gives a fairly good idea: the sector represents a little over one per cent of the overall market capitalisation.

However, ever since the tech wave triggered by Covid-19, Pakistani tech stocks also followed the global trend and rallied by over 27pc in 2020 compared to a 4.61pc increase in the KSE-100 index. Leading that tide was Systems Ltd, one of the oldest IT services export companies in the country that listed on the bourse in 2015.

During the last year, it was the best scrip-wise performer on the PSX. It posted phenomenal gains of 273.6pc as the share price hit Rs468.63 on Dec 31, 2020. While the company had been consistently recording net profit CAGR of over 30pc since 2014, it was only the past 12 months when it truly grabbed the attention of investors. One obviously wonders then: what has changed?

“There was an internal momentum as a group along with growth consistency, and after we crossed a threshold level, the market responded back,” says Systems Ltd Chief Operating Officer Asif Akram, who joined the tech company in July after over 20 years at IBM where he last led the global business services.

“Then obviously Covid-19 also impacted us. Lastly, Pakistani tech companies have remained undervalued and thus offer a good value for money,” he adds. There is truth to his statement. In a Nov 27 report, KASB Research stated: “The average PE multiples for IT services companies in India and Brazil are around 38x 2021 PE — 90pc higher than the multiple we are assigning for valuing the company.” In comparison, Systems Ltd hovers around 20x of trailing earnings.

In 2019, Systems Ltd was named the largest IT exporter from Pakistan though the overall proceeds are too small as proceeds from “telecommunication, computer and information services” stood at only $1.44 billion in 2019-20. Time and again, ambitious targets are set but how can this be really changed?

“For starters, we will need the government to become our marketing agency globally,” says Mr Akram. Another area that requires work, he says, is ending the setting up of competing bodies in the public-sector technology space that perform the same functions. Basically, think of bodies like Digital Pakistan, IT Ministry or even the telecom authority, which often pursue the same goals in parallel but end up creating more silos for the industry.

Finally, the COO reiterates what everyone in the industry also has been saying for a while: there is a lack of talent. “We need more supply of engineers, computer scientists.” Currently, the few top schools produce around 5,000 computer science graduates a year combined while the industry needs no less than 20,000-25,000 of such kids.

And that’s for the baseline scenario. In order to reach a better growth rate (100-200pc) instead of being content with 30pc that’s in some part due to the low-base effect, that recurring supply will have to be in hundreds of thousands.

But for a moment, let’s really put aside our obsession with exports and focus on the local market. With demographics like these, there must be something in it too, right? If we look at Systems Ltd, around 18pc of its top line comes from Pakistan, which clocked in at Rs1.37bn in 2019.

So can we expect a shift in geographical focus from the management? “That amount will increase obviously as we are growing at over 30pc annually but the share is going to remain similar,” Mr Akram says.

In the end, the question is even if the IT exports get to a respectable level, what are going to be the spill-over effects for the local economy? Or could it be a repeat of other sectors where a sizable chunk of the foreign exchange finds its way into the real estate amnesties?

“If we look at what’s happened in the regional countries, such as India or the Philippines, the spill-over effects are huge. A lot of that supply will also be entering the local market services and that will push digitisation in the domestic economy,” he says.

Published in Dawn

Pakistan conducted successful test of ballistic missile Shaheen-3

Pakistan has successfully tested ballistic missile Shaheen 3 during which the missile successfully hit its target in the Arabian Sea.

According to the Pakistan Army Public Relations Department DG ISPR, Pakistan has successfully tested the Shaheen 3 missile. While Shaheen III successfully hit his target in the Arabian Sea during the experiment.

Pakistan conducted successful flight test of #Shaheen-3 surface 2 surface ballistic missile,having range of 2750 Kms. Flt test aimed @ revalidating various design & tech parameters of weapon system. President, PM, CJCSC & Services Chiefs have congratulated scientists & engineers. pic.twitter.com/uZqxTBJJGv

— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) January 20, 2021

According to ISPR, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Nadeem Raza, DG Strategic Plans Division, Commander Army Strategic Forces Command, Chairman Nasscom and other senior officials witnessed the experience while the President, Prime Minister, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff The Staff Committee, Services Chiefs congratulated the scientists and engineers on the successful test of the missile.

PITB-BOP ink MoU to setup Citizen Facilitation Booths at e-Khidmat Centers across Punjab

To facilitate citizens and enhance public service delivery at Punjab government’s e-Khidmat Centers, Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) and Bank of Punjab (BOP) signed an MoU on Monday at Arfa Software Technology Park. According to the Agreement, BOP will setup permanent booths in collaboration with PITB in all the e-Khidmat Centers across province.

The Agreement was signed by Chairman PITB Azfar Manzoor and President & CEO BOP Zafar Masud. PITB DG e-Governance Sajid Latif, ADG PITB Muhammad Waseem Bhatti and other senior officials from the two organizations were also present at the ceremony.

On this occasion, Chairman PITB Azfar Manzoor stated that initially collection for e-Stamping system will be commenced while more services will be added at e-Khidmat centers as per requirements. This will ensure transparency and a hassle-free payment process under one roof, he added.

President & CEO BOP Zafar Masud said that through BOP’s collection booths, the citizens will be able to make payments on the spot through cash, cheque, pay order, and demand draft. Additionally, it will help all the stakeholders save time and assure timely delivery of the service,” he concluded.

Two of world’s biggest health brands coming to Pakistan: Fawad Chaudhry

Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry has claimed that this year is going to be a game changer for ‘Made in Pakistan’ medical equipment in the health sector, disclosing that two of the “world’s biggest brands” are willing to set up factories in Pakistan.

Talking on Twitter at Thursday, the federal minister said Pakistan that was previously unable to manufacture even its own syringe will join the countries that produce modern ‏

PITB signs MoU with Punjab Information Commission to develop Centralized Management Information System

Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) and Punjab Information Commission (PIC) signed an MoU today at Arfa Software Technology Park. The MoU, signed by PITB Chairman Azfar Manzoor and PIC Chief Information Commissioner Mehboob Qadir Shah, will automate paper-based PIC processes and devise a web based portal namely Centralized Management Information System (CMIS). PITB DG IT-OPS Faisal Yousaf, PIC Registrar Qadeer Ahmad and other senior officials of the two organizations were present at the occasion.

According to the MoU, the Centralized Management Information System (CMIS) will enhance the departmental capacity and provide a large number of confirmations against complaints and queries in a specific time period of resolution. Chairman PITB Azfar Manzoor stated that in order to automate PIC processes, a technology-based solution will be devised. The system will eliminate labor-intensive components and will not only maintain an updated and accurate electronic repository of information but will also comprise up-to-date records.

PIC Chief Information Commissioner Mehboob Qadir Shah said that CMIS will be interlinked with government departments to enhance work proficiency and response to the concerns relevant to their departments. PITB developed System will enable PIC to enhance its role across Punjab as well as monitor their performance and take action against those failing to comply, he added.

Mobile phone accessories

14 year old Cyber Kid

A case was heard against the promotion of the film on social media sites