Technology – Page 132 – Pakistan Tech News

PTCL, SCO to explore collaborative opportunities for upscaling services nationwide, especially AJK, GB

Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Special Communication Organization (SCO)at PTCL Headquarter Islamabad to explore potential collaborative opportunities for growth of telecom services across Pakistan, with special focus on AJK and GB.

The signing ceremony was attended by HatemBamatraf, President & GCEO, PTCL &Ufone and Major Gen Muhammad Shahid Siddeeq, DG SCO, along with senior officials from both organizations.

The MoU will facilitate multi-level cooperation between the leading telecom players to foster resource efficiency and growth of telecom services nationwide, especially in the remote mountainous regions of AJK and GB. The arrangement will facilitate passive network sharing and SCO’s backhaul support for the launch of PTCL’s Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) service in AJK & GB through its 3500 MHz spectrum.

The telecom operators will offer their respective fiber assets for backup/redundancy to ensure uninterrupted high-quality services on a reciprocal basis and jointly build access networks in cantonments and other similar locations.

In addition, the companies will undertake multiple collaborative ventures including Multi-Operator Radio Access Network (MORAN), active elements sharing of cellular network, data national roaming and a range of other ICT solutions to increase their incremental revenues as well as deliver high-quality telecom services to their customers round the clock.

On the occasion, HatemBamatraf, President & GCEO, PTCL &Ufone, said, “We are excited to collaborate with SCO to expand our shared ambition of bringing superior telecommunication services to our customers. Together, we will help bridge the digital divide in the country, especially in the remote regions to help unlock their full potential.”

On the occasion, Major Gen Muhammad Shahid Siddeeq, DG SCO said, “We are pleased to partner with PTCL for upscaling telecom services in AJK and GB, where SCO has played an instrumental in connecting the masses through high-quality internet and cellular services. Through our efforts, we hope to providean inclusive and equitable environment that will ensure progress and growth.”

PTCL being a national company,endeavors to contribute towards the economic development and prosperity of Pakistan.

Gerry’s dnata expands offering; launches line maintenance services in Pakistan

Gerry’s dnata, Pakistan’s leading ground services provider, has expanded its offering. The company obtained Maintenance Organization Approval from the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority to provide aircraft line maintenance services to airline customers, and now offers a one-stop-shop of ground handling, cargo and technical services at the airports of Karachi (KHI), Lahore (LHE) and Islamabad (ISB).

Gerry’s dnata’s team of professionals can provide full line maintenance support and are trained on customers’ company procedures, providing a seamless service to both passenger and cargo airlines.

The launch customer is flydubai, which Gerry’s dnata already serves at four airports in Pakistan providing a range of ramp and passenger handling services to the airline and its customers.

Syed Haris Raza, Vice President of Gerry’s dnata, said: “As Pakistan’s leading ground handler, we constantly enhance our offering to best meet the needs of our customers. We are confident that our airline partners will welcome the expansion of our portfolio and take advantage of getting quality and safe ground handling and technical services from a single provider. Our team of highly trained, seasoned professionals will deliver world-class quality and safety for our valued customers.”

Mick Hills, Senior Vice President of Engineering and Maintenance at flydubai, said: “We are looking forward to expanding our relationship with Gerry’s dnata to include line maintenance services in Pakistan. Having a single, local provider to oversee our line maintenance, as well as ground handling, will add more efficiencies to our fleet management and ensure a quicker turnaround of our aircraft.”

Gerry’s dnata have the capability to handle the following aircraft types for scheduled, unscheduled and AOG services:

Aircraft Types

· Airbus A319/A320/A321 NEO (CFM LEAP-1A)

· Airbus A318/319/320/321 (CFM56)

· Airbus A319/320/321 (IAE V2500)

· Airbus A330 (RR RB 211 Trent 700)

· Airbus A330 (GE CF6)

· Boeing B737-600/700/800/900 (CFM56)

Over the past year, Gerry’s dnata has continued to enhance its operations and services to deliver the highest level of quality and safety and help airline customers safely transport passengers and precious cargo to and from Pakistan. It made significant investments in infrastructure, technology and equipment, including the opening of a new, state-of- the-art cargo facility in Lahore which doubled the company’s cargo handling capacity at the airport.

Gerry’s dnata’s quality of service helped it win or retain over 20 contracts with key accounts across its network. The company also achieved prestigious industry certifications, including GDP and IATA’s ISAGO accreditation, which validate its capabilities and place the business in a market leading position.

Gerry’s dnata serves more than 20 airline customers at seven Pakistani airports. The company’s team consists of over 2,500 dedicated aviation professionals who assist more than seven million passengers and handle 150,000 tons of cargo annually.

Pakistan Railways launches Pakistan’s first ever ‘Reefer Freight Train’

As a major breakthrough in national logistics & cargo infrastructure, Pakistan Railways successfully launches country’s first ever Reefer Freight Train aiming to provide more economical and environment friendly freight solutions.

According to details, Marine Group of Companies in collaboration with Pakistan Railways achieved the milestone by operating Pakistan’s first ever containerized refrigerated train in Dec 2021 which departed from dry port of Marine International Container Terminal (MICT) Prem Nagar, Lahore and arrived at Wazir Mansion Karachi.

This intermodal cold chain solution enabled by ‘Pakistan Railways Freight Transportation Company (PRFTC) who facilitates the rail infrastructure operated by ‘Pakistan Intermodal Limited’ (PIL) and CMA CGM Pakistan providing commercial support for this new cold chain corridor.

From the past 05 years Pakistan Intermodal Ltd is playing a pivotal role in operating containerized freight trains in Pakistan and realizing the potential of Reefer containers, operated Pakistan’s first ever reefer block train carrying 24 Units – 40 feet reefers of CMA CGM Pakistan from MICT – Dry port at Prem Nagar – Lahore to Wazir Mansion Karachi and transported the Reefer boxed through PakGo trucking short haul services to Karachi Port completing the journey successfully.

The new operational phase begins with one train a week with plans for this service to operate twelve trains in a month. Freight trains can minimize the delivery time and reduce emissions to the atmosphere of greenhouse gasses. On average, railroads are three to four times more fuel efficient than trucks. That means moving freight by rail instead of truck lowers greenhouse gas emissions by up to 75%, on average.

As more and more road-based reefer cargo finds its way to more economically and environmentally viable options. Pakistan Intermodal Limited (PIL) reefer block train system can generate billions of rupees annually in revenue for Pakistan Railways if the containerized freight trains are operated on schedule.

foodpanda and Government of Gilgit Baltistan joins hands for strategic alliance

foodpanda, the leading food delivery platform and e-commerce company in the country, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Government of Gilgit Baltistan to bring forth economic empowerment in the region. A signing ceremony took place at foodpanda headquarters in Karachi whereby Hussain Shah, Minister of Information Technology and Special Assistant to Chief Minister from Government of GB, and Nauman Sikandar, CEO foodpanda along with other dignitaries were present.

Under the MoU, both the parties will be working together to generate economic opportunities for the masses. foodpanda shall accelerate its operations in GB through different verticals such as restaurants, pandamart, shops, etc., and government of GB will facilitate this expansion by creating a favourable business environment.

While sharing his views, Nauman Sikandar, CEO foodpanda, said, “We are accelerating our actions to economically empower people of GB by expanding our services via restaurants, shops, homechefs, pandamart and panda kitchens. This will not only enable people to earn a respectable livelihood but will also create financial and digital inclusion for the people of GB. We will utilize our extensive reach and network to create awareness and highlight this initiative #MYGB to mark our commitment towards this cause.”

Read More: Foodpanda Celebrates Its Riders By Unveiling The Vibrant New ‘Rider Kit’

Also expressing his views Hussain Shah, Minister of Information Technology and Special Assistant to Chief Minister Gilgit Baltistan said “I am thankful to foodpanda for promoting economic empowerment and extending their services for the cause. Our people are extremely hardworking and they deserve lucrative opportunities which foodpanda has to offer. We will ensure smooth expansion of the company through our IT Ministry and shall provide assistance to foodpanda in terms of internet infrastructure, acquisition of lands and any other local requirements. We will also make our lock produce such as meat, dry fruits, minerals and the likes available on pandamart for this strategic partnership.”

CEO Careem sets up scholarship endowment fund at IBA Karachi

Mr. Mudassir Sheikha, Co-founder and CEO of Careem, the MENAP region’s everyday Super App, has partnered with the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Karachi to offer scholarships to 10 deserving students each year through the Sekha Endowment Fund.

The Fund will ensure that successful graduates in the fields of artificial intelligence, big data, computer science, and related emerging fields enter Pakistan’s talent pool and contribute to the growth of the economy.

The IBA is grateful to Mr. Mudassir Sheikha for supporting the Institute in its mission of providing quality education to the youth of Pakistan. To ensure inclusivity, the IBA, through its financial assistance program, supports approximately 30% of its student body every year.

A pioneer of the region’s ride-hailing economy, Careem provides a host of daily services that people need to move around, to order things, and to transfer money in one unified smartphone app. Careem’s goal is to simplify people’s daily lives so that they can spend their precious time and mindshare on things that really matter and on realizing their potential.

PTCL Group, TPL Trakker renew partnership for ICT services development

PTCL Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for continuation of its strategic partnership with TPL Trakker, a leading GPS Tracking and IoT services provider in Pakistan. Under the partnership, PTCL Group will provide wireless connectivity and a host of bundled services to TPL Trakker.

The MoU was signed at TPL Trakker head office in Karachi by Zarrar Hasham Khan, Group Chief Business Solutions Officer, PTCL & Ufone and Sarwar Ali Khan, CEO, TPL Trakker, in presence of senior officials from both organizations.

On the occasion, GCBSO, PTCL & Ufone, Zarrar Hasham Khan said, “As the largest integrated ICT player in Pakistan, PTCL Group is focused on accelerating the process of digitization in the country. We are proud of our collaboration with TPL Trakker to introduce Internet of Things (IoT) solutions to stimulate efficiency and productivity across various sectors. Innovation in digital technology remains a strategic priority for PTCL Group and our Business Solutions continue to enable small, medium and large enterprises for their digital transformation journeys and to bring the dream of a digital Pakistan to fruition.”

On the occasion, CEO, TPL Trakker, Sarwar Ali Khan, said, “Our renewed partnership with PTCL Group will help us achieve nationwide coverage in terms of reach and connectivity. This will serve as an outlet to strategically enhance the collaboration towards digital mapping and IoT. Local players grasp local challenges better than anyone and we are confident to make the most out of our future business opportunities. TPL Trakker believes in delivering high value solutions to a diverse range of consumers across the country.”

Over the years, PTCL Group has undertaken sustained efforts to expand and modernize its infrastructure and services portfolio to facilitate individual and business customers. Being the national telecommunications carrier, the Group forges strategic collaborations with ICT players to foster digital inclusion and usher in a digital revolution in the country vis-à-vis the government of Pakistan’s ‘Digital Pakistan’ vision.

As a provider of superior quality GPS, GSM and Satellite Mobile Asset Tracking Management and Information Solutions, TPL Trakker perfectly shares PTCL’s ambition of fostering digital innovation in the country. The company’s Car Tracking Units, Software, Operational and Project Management Expertise, Deployment, Data Evaluation, and Consultancy bring modern solutions and create immense value for business customers

Supernet Wins Major Optical Fiber Supply and Deployment Project worth PKR 150 million

Islamabad, January 05: Supernet Limited (“Supernet”) has secured a sizeable telecommunications infrastructure development project from a Pakistani mobile network operator.

The project valued at over PKR 150 million includes the supply of optical fiber and associated equipment and its deployment in different areas of Punjab. The total length of different segments constituting this project is approximately 140 kilometres.

With this project, Supernet has reached a significant milestone of 1,000 kilometres of optical fiber supply and deployment projects awarded by mobile network operators in Pakistan.

Head of Business Unit-Telecoms & Defense at Supernet, Ali Akhtar said: “We are excited to play our part in the expansion of telecommunications infrastructure in Pakistan and supporting the proliferation of communications and digital services by mobile network operators in the country. We are ever grateful to our customers for repeatedly trusting Supernet. The optical fiber business line is a relatively new endeavour for Supernet and the 1,000 kilometres mark is a testament to our capabilities and the springboard for further growth in this segment. This is a strong start to 2022 and we will strive to keep the momentum going.”

Supernet Limited, one of Pakistan’s leading telecommunications service provider and systems integrator, has been operating since 1995. Supernet offers a full portfolio of local-to-global integrated communications infrastructure solutions to Telecoms, Defense, Enterprise and Government entities.

Supernet’s “Connectivity” products and services include a broad spectrum of Wide Area Network (WAN) and Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) solutions based on satellite, fiber optics, microwave and radios. In recent years, Supernet has established its expertise in domains including cybersecurity, power, networking, and surveillance solutions as part of its “Beyond Connectivity” initiative thereby offering a richer portfolio of solutions and services to customers.

Fintech in Pakistan witnessed a boom as the companies attracted a significant investment of more than $32 million

Pakistan is being witnessed a boom in fintech industry as the companies attracted a significant investment of more than $32 million in the first half of 2021 as against investment of $10 million received in 2020 in the same sector, reported issued by a foreign think tank.

According to ADVANCE.AI, a leading AI and big data company in Asia, the fintech companies including established entities and startups are being largely backed by foreign investors having nearly 75% share and impressive technical expertise.
A few of world-renowned investors including Kleiner Perkins have explored into the country’s fintech market tapping the potential of the country with a wide scope of business, tech savvy young populating, and emerging new trends in economy.

Read more about Fintech in Pakistan

Over the past decade, the country has seen continuous economic growth including the rapid development of the Internet and e-commerce, which, combined with favorable regulatory policies, have created a favorable environment for the fintech industry, the report said.

The report critically highlighted that the low penetration of banking services in the country despite the profitable banking industry with an impressive network of operations. The private sector businesses and individuals have very limited access to loans, only accounting for 25.6% and 3.3% of the total loans, respectively.

Pakistan has some 45 fintech startups, 18 (or 40%) of which provide payment services, which is above average for emerging markets (32%). This indicates that fintech is still in its infancy in this promising market because payment is usually the first to be disrupted by fintech, followed by lending and insurance.

The growing retail, wholesale, and trade (including e-commerce) sectors, the expanding middle class, and an increasing number of tech-savvy young people have combined to raise the requirements on financial services, presenting a great opportunity for fintech.

fintech companies have become able to reach individuals who do not have a bank account. The penetration rate of e-wallets has increased from 9% before the pandemic to 16% by the end of 2020.

The rate of financial inclusion increased from the pre-pandemic level of 21% to 25% by the end of 2020, the report mentioned.

The report listed successful and established fintech companies including Easypaisa, Finja, Creditbook, Tez Financial Services.
Pakistani fintech companies are less attractive to investors than their international counterparts. The country received only $10 million investment in fintech sector during 2020. Although the investment rose to USD 32 million in the first half of 2021, it is still not enough to fill the financial access gap and build a strong and internationally competitive fintech ecosystem.

Pakistan’s fintech industry by the successful cases of existing players and the favorable factors in the industry. These factors include un-met or under-served needs in market segments, strategic partnerships to enable diversified product portfolios, higher service quality and larger customer bases, transaction security guaranteed by reliable and secure payment platforms, and innovative services that help fintech companies to improve productivity and deliver an excellent user experience.

Regulators in Pakistan have given fintech a green light because it helps to increase financial inclusion. Accordingly, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has been promoting the digital transformation of finance. It has devised the National Payment System Strategy (NPSS), approved Electronic Money Institutions (EMIs), launched the instant payment system, Raast, and improved the credit service level, laying a solid regulatory and infrastructure foundation for fintech development.

Moreover, lockdowns and economic stimulus packages amid the COVID-19 pandemic have accelerated the digitization of a sluggish financial sector. During the pandemic, the SBP required banks to provide services via Internet banking and mobile banking, and waived digital transaction charges to boost e-commerce and electronic payments.

Alongside these opportunities are major challenges such as the absence of a trust and credit system, a large number of informal economic activities, high transaction costs, limited investment, and financial fraud.

The underbanked population presents a massive opportunity for fintech. However, many of these people do not fully understand or trust fintech applications. Some of them still prefer physically stamped bank receipts. The industry faces an urgent need to improve its credit system.

Electronic payments cause higher transaction costs than traditional banking does. Raast can cut transaction costs and thereby promote the widespread adoption of digital payments

Avanceon Group to Setup Industrial Data Center at $1 Million

Avanceon Group of Companies has secured a high value five-year contract to setup and maintain industrial data center infrastructure for one of the largest FMCG corporations in Pakistan.

The project valued at $1 million to be executed by Avanceon Group of Companies digital arm Octopus Digital Limited.
The FMCG giant manufactures, stores, packages, and ships snack food products. Avanceon Group has previously worked on several projects with the customer successfully and the acquisition of this project was a result of its track record and expertise in Data Centre Management and Security.

The project holds critical value for the customer as Octopus Digital will be responsible for the Migration, Integration, Setup, and Security of the Data Center Infrastructure. It will provide all services in accordance with the Set Standard Industry Protocols.

For the execution of this project, it will be partnering with World Class OEMs. All necessary studies will be carried out before the start of the project with failsafe plans to address any safety, quality, and environmental issues.
The name of the customer company has been kept confidential as part of the Non-Disclosure Agreement.

Pakistan buys 25 J-10C jets from China

Pakistan buys 25 J-10C jets from China, which is China’s best fighter jet so far

Pakistan has acquired a full squadron of 25 Chinese multirole J-10C fighter jets, said Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said on recently. The minister told reporters in his home city of Rawalpindi that a full squadron of 25 all-weather aircraft comprising J-10C will attend the Pakistan Day ceremony on March 23 next year.

China is Pakistan all time friend. Therefore it has decided to provide J-10C, one of its highly reliable fighter jets.

“VIP guests are coming (to attend 23rd March ceremony) for the first time in Pakistan, the fly-past ceremony of JS-10 (J-10C) is being held Pakistan Air Force is going to perform the fly-past of China’s JS-10 (J-10C) aircraft in response to Rafale”, said Ahmed.