Category: Technology

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA)has granted manufacturing license to Select Technologies Pvt. Ltd

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has granted manufacturing license to Select Technologies Pvt. Ltd (a wholly owned subsidiary of Air Link Communication Ltd.) for the manufacturing of Xiaomi mobile phones in Pakistan. Air Link Communication Limited is consolidating its position as one of the leading mobile phone distributors and manufacturing company of the country. Air Link Group already has license to manufacture mobile phones of Transsion Holding’s major brands i.e. Tecno & iTel. This license makes Air Link Communication Ltd, the only company in Pakistan having manufacturing contracts and license for two leading mobile phone companies in the world.
Earlier this month, Xiaomi, the global consumer electronics and smartphone giant, joined hands with Select Technologies (Pvt) Limited (SELECT), as its manufacturing partner for Xiaomi mobile phones in Pakistan targeting a production of initially around 2.5 million to 3 million handsets annually.

This is a significant milestone for the economy as it will reduce the import bill and create jobs for the local population. This is a result of Government’s policies to enhance localization and stimulate the industrial growth of the country.

foodpanda celebrates successful launch of Pandafly at Dubai Expo

foodpanda, Pakistan’s leading food delivery company, and also the largest e-commerce platform, eagerly exhibited the Pandafly drone at the Pakistan Pavilion in Dubai Expo. The event is a testament to foodpanda’s commitment to grow and innovate through adoption of disruptive technology, as well as showcase the tremendous support and an enabling environment offered by the Government of Pakistan for continued growth and investment in the technology sector. The use of these disruptive technologies by foodpanda, and other companies, in the future will mean faster deliveries over longer distances. Further customers living in peri-urban and remote areas will especially benefit through enhanced choice and competitive pricing.

Speaking at the event in Dubai, Nauman Sikandar Mirza, CEO of foodpanda stated, “We are very excited to be present at the Pakistan Pavilion to showcase our state of the art drone for food delivery. The support from the Government of Pakistan has been tremendous and our presence at this event has shown it to the world that Pakistan is open to testing innovative technologies and encourage investment in the technology and e-commerce sector.”

Hassan Afzal Khan, Pakistan’s Consul General in Dubai was also present at the event. Expressing his views, he said, “E-commerce and the use of technology to serve the citizens is definitely the future. foodpanda’s use of innovative technologies for food delivery is highly impressive, and featuring it at the Dubai Expo was indeed a great idea. We wish foodpanda all the best in now turning this pilot project into a regular operational service.”

Also present at the event was Dr. Erfa Iqbal, Chairperson Punjab Board of Investment and Trade. While sharing her thoughts she said, “I am delighted to see that through e-commerce we are able to increase the overall economic activity and bring in financial inclusion, economic empowerment and socioeconomic uplift of the country and foodpanda is at the forefront of it. With this disruptive technology we are paving way for deliveries of the future where speed and convenience of customers are ranked at the highest level. As a country we still have a long way to go and thus, we need to keep on

advancing on our efforts to create favorable business environment and make such technological revolution possible.”

The event was also attended by dignitaries, representatives of the media, corporate stakeholders from the MENA region, some celebrities and social media influencers.

Earlier in November, foodpanda launched the successful pilot project to test food delivery through Pandafly, the customized drone. Carried out in association with the Government, using a first of its kind drone built locally for commercial purposes in partnership with Woot Technology, the test flight took place in the F-9 Park Islamabad. A food package weighing approximately 2.5 kgs was flown over 500m by the drone – with first and last mile of the delivery conducted by foodpanda’s very own riders.

PM inaugurates Sohni Dharti Remittance Program – an initiative to promote remittances

The Honourable Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Imran Khan, inaugurated the Sohni Dharti Remittance Program (SDRP) offered jointly by the State Bank of Pakistan, Ministry of Finance and financial institutions today at the Prime Minister House in Islamabad. SDRP is an innovative program designed to incentivize Pakistani workers abroad to send remittances to Pakistan through banks and exchange companies and earn reward points. These reward points could then be used to avail different benefits offered by partner organizations. SDRP can be accessed conveniently from anywhere in the world through a mobile application.

In his address as the Chief Guest, the Prime Minister thanked the Overseas Pakistanis for posing confidence in the bright future of their homeland by sending record high remittances of over USD29 billion in last fiscal year FY21 and continuing the trend in FY22. The Prime Minister noted that his Government has always encouraged and appreciated the efforts of Overseas Pakistanis through various initiatives and programs. He especially mentioned the incentives like making remittances transfer free of cost, providing free airtime for remittances received through mobile wallets and covering marketing cost of remittance service providers.

The Prime Minister congratulated State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Ministry of Finance (MoF), financial institutions, participating public sector entities (PSEs) and all other stakeholders as without their efforts the launch of this remittance incentive program would not have been possible. He termed the launch of SDRP as a tribute to the Pakistani workers abroad who have been contributing in the development of the country through sending their hard-earned money back to Pakistan. He also appreciated the concept of giving incentives through a digital application for sending remittances via official channels.

Governor SBP, Dr. Reza Baqir in his welcome address expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Prime Minister for his continuous interest and guidance in developing ways to facilitate the Overseas Pakistanis and workers abroad. Dr. Baqir elaborated that Sohni Dharti Remittance Program is another outcome of the PM’s vision. Referring to earlier initiatives, he said that Roshan Digital Account and the Naya Pakistan Certificates have been huge successes and the PM’s support has played an instrumental role in it. Adding further, he said that other initiative like the Mera Pakistan Mera Ghar scheme providing low cost housing finance for first time home owners is another example where the PM’s vision and support has led to a significant takeoff of housing finance in the country, which had otherwise been negligible.

Dr. Reza Baqir said that he was delighted and privileged to announce the launch of SDRP, which is an excellent combined effort of Government of Pakistan, SBP, financial institutions and other organizations. Divulging the details, he disclosed that all home remittances sent from anywhere in the world through legal channels are eligible for inclusion in the SDRP. Besides, funds received in Roshan Digital Accounts which are consumed locally through conversion, and thus become non-repatriable, also qualify for inclusion in the program.

The Governor termed the launch of SDRP another step towards digitalization and financial inclusion that would play a significant role in digital onboarding of Overseas Pakistanis and their beneficiaries in Pakistan. The mobile application of SDRP is available at both Google android and Apple IOS platforms. He took the opportunity to appreciate the participating banks, PSEs and other stakeholders in this regard as it was due to their hard work that this initiative finally saw the light of the day.

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue Mr. Shaukat Tareen congratulated SBP, PSEs and other relevant stakeholders for implementing the SDRP as a technology-based solution. He observed that the establishment of Pakistan Remittance Initiative in 2009 was a decision that has worked quite effectively to integrate country’s financial institutions with the ones abroad to help Pakistani diaspora in sending remittance to their families in Pakistan in a very efficient and cost-effective manner.

Under the SDRP, if an individual sends remittance to the limit of USD10,000 or equivalent in one fiscal year, then he/she will be awarded one percent as a reward and allotted a green card category. Similarly, for remittances sent by an individual between USD10,000 and USD30,000 or equivalent, the remitter would be given 1.25 percent as reward and classified into gold card category. Lastly, for remittances of more than USD30,000 or equivalent, he/she will be awarded 1.5 percent as reward and allotted a platinum card category.

The reward points can be redeemed by remitters and their beneficiaries for availing free of cost services from eight (08) participating PSEs at the moment. The services offered include international tickets by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and the provision to pay for extra luggage on international flights of PIA. Along with this, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has allowed Overseas Pakistanis to pay duty on import of mobile phone and vehicles. The National Database & Registration Authority (NADRA) will provide services related to the renewal of CNIC/NICOP and along with this, they can renew their passports without any hassle. Overseas Pakistanis can avail life insurance premium payment through state life insurance services and a facility to pay schools’ fee of Overseas Pakistanis Foundation schools. Moreover, overseas Pakistanis will be able to make purchases through a network of utility stores across the country. Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) will provide preferential services to overseas Pakistanis under the umbrella of this program by installing separate counters and provide priority clearance whereas Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will ensure the placement of standees and banners for the promotion of this initiative.

 

Supernet Gets Rs. 100 Million Projects by Strategic Organization

Supernet Limited (“Supernet”) has been awarded three equipment supply projects consisting of equipment and services in the domains of satellite communications, telecommunications, and power with a combined equivalent value of PKR 100 million. The projects have been awarded by a strategic organization thereby expanding the customer base of its Telecommunications and Defense Business Unit.

The equipment and associated support and warranty services shall support the customer’s large communications network in the country. Supernet has already successfully delivered one project in totality. The second project is on track to be completed by end of November 2021 with the third one expected to reach completion in the 1st quarter of 2022. Though it is an established fact now that there are lengthy delays due to the global shortage of semiconductor chips as well as disruptions in international shipping and logistics, Supernet through the strength of its partnerships in the supply chain and prudent project planning, has effectively addressed these delays to the satisfaction of the customer.

Ali Akhtar, Head of BU, Telecoms and Defense at Supernet said that “We are thrilled to have been awarded these projects with each one being awarded through a competitive bidding process resulting in our solutions being picked as the best techno-commercial ones. We have successfully been able to onboard a new client, widening our customer base, and we’ve done it by winning significant business right off the bat. We are as always, grateful to our customers for their trust and confidence in us as well the cooperation of our partners in our supply chain, he added.

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.

Mobilink Microfinance Bank and Daraz partner in an industry-first linkage to Empower Women Entrepreneurs

Pakistan’s largest digital bank, Mobilink Microfinance Bank Limited (MMBL) has partnered with Daraz, Pakistan’s leading online marketplace to facilitate MMBL borrowers specifically women entrepreneurs, by enabling them to become sellers on Daraz.

Through this collaboration, MMBL and Daraz will provide adequate opportunities to promote Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs), more so now as the e-commerce platform is going through an all-time boom via the 11.11 sale. Both the organizations are firmly committed to promoting women’s financial inclusion through the provision of enabling digital financial ecosystem that contributes directly towards empowering this underserved, yet influential segment, which comprises almost half of the country’s population.

MMBL’s flagship program, Women Inspirational Network (WIN) and Daraz’s Ibtida would together provide an incredible boost to our joint mission of upskilling women entrepreneurs and provide them easy access to digitally equipped growth opportunities.

Sharing his enthusiasm, Ehsan Saya, Managing Director at Daraz Pakistan, said, “We strongly believe women are not only the cornerstone of our society but instrumental in securing a better future for Pakistan. One of the most amazing things about our platform is how easily female entrepreneurs can sell their products all over Pakistan – empowering them is the epitome of uplifting communities”

This partnership will allow freshly onboarded MMBL female sellers to be charged 0% commission for the first 3 months, giving them ample time to set up their businesses. Moreover, female sellers from Daraz will be able to apply for MMBL loans at concessional rates.

Mr. Saya added, “We hope to use Daraz as a force to strengthen the SME sector of Pakistan by providing them support with the right tools and education material prepared by our expert teams. This collaboration is a step towards fueling the growth of Pakistan’s economy through the power of commerce which is Daraz’s core purpose.”

Muhammad Asim Anwar, Chief Business and Products Officer at MMBL said, “MMBL’s partnership with Daraz has opened new doors for fostering financial inclusivity in Pakistan by laying the groundwork for a digital economic boom that will be particularly beneficial for women-owned businesses and SMEs. By making e-commerce ever more accessible to them, we are paving the way for the economic uplift of Pakistan as a whole.”

Speaking at the event, Sardar Mohammad Abubakr, Chief Finance & Digital Officer at MMBL, said, “Financial empowerment of women through e-commerce is an unmissable opportunity in today’s rapidly digitalizing world. Through our partnership with Daraz under MMBL’s Women Inspirational Network program, we aim to provide women entrepreneurs with a strong digital platform they need to maximize their business outreach and fully benefit from the wave of digitization sweeping across Pakistan and globally.”

MMBL’s branches will feature Daraz booths so that potential sellers can be onboarded on the e-commerce platform seamlessly. Likewise, the e-commerce platform will help conversions to MMBL’s wide range of branch and branchless banking products and services.

The partnership will significantly amplify the economic growth of the country by contributing directly towards developing women-led SMEs particularly.

NorthBay Successfully Migrated SAP Workloads onto Amazon Web Services for IBL

NorthBay Solutions, an AWS Premier Partner in Pakistan, has successfully migrated SAP workloads of its client, International Brands Limited (IBL), onto AWS. The cloud migration promises to boost business agility, flexibility and economic value for the client. 

In order to improve operational efficiency and enhance performance, IBL—an established world-class conglomerate managing a diverse portfolio of companies across consumer retail, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, distribution and e-commerce sectors in Pakistan—reached out to NorthBay to migrate its systems to the AWS cloud. 

NorthBay Solutions partners with organizations around the globe to engineer solutions for SAP on AWS. They are the only AWS Premier Consulting Partner in Pakistan, with more than 350 AWS certified employees focused on helping organizations drive measurable business impact. 

IBL’s trust was rewarded with a successful cloud migration completed to expectation, under time, under budget, and without any unwanted impact on IBL’s operations. To ensure IBL’s continued success, NorthBay is providing technical support services to IBL and proactively monitoring and maintaining their AWS infrastructure and operations. Furthermore, NorthBay is committed to ensuring the maximum financial benefit to IBL in monitoring their costs and advising management on how to streamline processes for maximum ROI. 

Sharing his thoughts about the development, IBL CEO Munis Abdullah said, “IBL had come to a decision point where we either needed to re-invest in the current on-premises datacenter or to migrate the systems onto the public cloud. Our decision was influenced primarily by IBL’s future expansion goals and plans for making our applications more robust and feature rich besides fostering our preparedness for developing new capabilities like data analytics, and Internet of Things (IoT). We are thankful to NorthBay for completing the entire process in a smooth and hassle-free manner.” 

Senior Vice President of NorthBay Solutions, Mr. John Flavin, added, “This was a great opportunity to work with one of the largest business organizations in the country. We are glad that the migration process has been completed without any disruption to IBL’s operations. We look forward to IBL’s next big venture which entails migration of the remaining business applications on 70+ servers to Cloud, helping them operate in an all-cloud model.”

 

About NorthBay:

NorthBay Solutions, a US-based AWS Premier Consulting Partner, is a global full-service Big Data , ML/AI and Database Migration professional services company.  Over the years, NorthBay has developed expertise in migrating mission-critical custom legacy applications and data workloads including data warehouses in over 200 project engagements for hundreds of customers including Amway, Eliza Corporation, Wendy’s, Scholastic, Nationwide Insurance, Vector Solutions, Edmentum, Intelligize, Kaplan and many others.

 

About International Brands Limited

International Brands Limited (IBL) Group is a world-class conglomerate managing a diverse portfolio of companies across consumer retail, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, distribution and e-commerce. IBL Group was built with a vision to achieve unparalleled reach through an unmatched distribution infrastructure. Marquee brands on IBL Group’s client list include J&J, Red Bull, Mars and Kellogg’s. 

Pakistan focusing To Achieve sustainable Energy Goals by CPEC

In the latest news, Twitter is formally stopping the extension of its confirmation plan as various fake accounts controlled to dress a blue check on their accounts. The organization has suggested that it will be operating on the blue check’s particular evaluation mechanism and application so that only real people may get the acknowledgment. Although, as of now, the company will not permit new people to even join for confirmation of their accounts.

Confirmation of Twitter accounts is an excellent way of providing Twitter users with a formal blue check which primarily mentions that the account you confine is your official account. This blue check has regularly been observed on stars’ and athlete’s accounts. However, you have used for confirmation in the past then attempts that your request may still be under reconsideration.

Furthermore, Twitter has computed that it would not be executing any modifications to the guidelines of the attestation rule the only advances there would be as to protection to make sure that only real user accounts utilize for affirmation.

Nevertheless, this is not the first time that Twitter has suspended its confirmation rule as the process was halted in 2017 as well after the fellowship had got backlash for testing one of the organizer’s doubtful accounts behind the Unite The Right demonstration in Charlottesville.

President Alvi: Timely digitalization can ‘catapult’ Pakistan to advance

President Arif Alvi has intimated the assurance that Pakistan will be launched to the new age much quicker if it avails full advantage from the information technology.

Speaking at the Digital Government Summit here yesterday, he proposed that it is a Question of time that Pakistan will be one of the most significant states in the compatibility of domains if it maintains on making intelligent decisions. Suggesting to the huge information present on the internet, the President elaborated the communication has developed exceptionally as a matter of technology. He told though the Covid-19 severely changed the economies, its side advantage has been that it began the people to gain knowledge through an online mode. He said information technology has declared an age of modernization.

The President has proclaimed changing Brick-and-Mortar advancement designs to the rational improvement of anthropological resources.

Addressing an event, Syed Amin-ul-Haque Minister for Information Technology stated the administration is eager to use modifications for the betterment of governance.

Pakistan & Turkey to jointly produce military drones

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), an unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) producer, has contracted a deal with Pakistan’s National Engineering and Science Commission to manufacture military drones, the company replied in a declaration.

The contract will explicitly assure the growth of Anka unmanned aerial vehicles.

Within the expanse of the deal, elements regarding ANKA will be created and produced. The declaration replied that Turkish Aerospace Industries and Pakistan’s National Engineering and Science Commission will be mutually answerable for implementation, assets, and technology development.

The agreement is directed at increasing the inherent market for unmanned aerial vehicles and improving the collaboration between Pakistan and Turkey, joined Turkish Aerospace Industries in the description.

The agreement we executed with Pakistan within the reach of our ANKA an unmanned aerial vehicles systems will produce significant accumulations to the unmanned aerial vehicles industry, General Manager Temel KotilTurkish Aerospace Industries was recited as speaking. This accomplishment peculiarly with NESCOM will enhance our unmanned aerial vehicles. We must maintain our historical friendship for the increase of both nations. We will realize the human resources collaboration we have done in the past years in this arrangement as well.

 

 $1.5bn Pakistan-Turkey defense contract gets to a delay

Turkish Aerospace Industries inaugurated its initial office in Pakistan at the National Science & Technology Park, the country’s leading Back in 2019.

The Anka Unmanned aerial vehicle is competent of visiting in the air for more innumerable than 24 hours at an elevation of 9,144 meters with a payload capability of 550 pounds.

Pakistan has also contracted a multi-billion dollar deal with Turkish Aerospace Industries, under which it will acquire 30 advanced T-129 shooting helicopters. The T-129 ATAK helicopter fighter-bomber was being manufactured by Turkish Aerospace Industries under permission from the Italian-British Corporation Agusta Westland.

Pakistan successfully tests guided multi-launch rocket system Fateh-1

According to the Pakistan Army Public Relations Department (ISPR), Pakistan successfully tested the guided multi-launch rocket system Fateh One. This rocket system is capable of carrying conventional warheads.

According to ISPR, the rocket system will further enhance the Pakistan Army’s ability to successfully hit targets in enemy territory.

President Arif Ali, Prime Minister Imran Khan, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff General Nadeem Raza and Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa have congratulated the participating personnel and scientists on the successful test of the missile.

 

 

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