Pakistan IT » Pakistan

Tameer Bank to provide cash management, service delivery facilities to Asasah

Pakistan IT — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 15:42:04 +0000

Tameer Microfinance Bank Limited (TMBL) will offer NGO and microfinance institution Asasah cash management and service delivery facilities for loan disbursements and repayments. Asasah clients will be able to receive disbursed loans at any of Tameer’s network of 100 branch banking outlets, as well as at any 1Link ATM in the country, and repay the loans via easypaisa’s branchless banking solution.

A formal agreement to this effect was signed at Tameer’s head office here today between Nadeem Hussain, President & CEO Tameer Microfinance Bank Limited and Tabinda Jaferry, CEO Asasah in the presence of Yaseen Anwar, Deputy Governor, State Bank of Pakistan.

Speaking about the benefits of branchless banking, the Deputy Governor said: “The use of mobile financial services such as easypaisa by microfinance institutions will allow them to serve their clients in a cost-effective and transparent manner. State Bank of Pakistan is pleased to see branchless banking solutions being used to strengthen the microfinance industry.”

In his comments, Nadeem Hussain, President & CEO Tameer Microfinance Bank Limited said: “As part of Tameer’s strategy to offer mobile financial services, we are excited to be able to offer a solution to Asasah that we hope will go a long way in introducing to other organizations the benefits of using easypaisa, a service being offered jointly by Tameer and Telenor Pakistan. Microfinancing through mobile financial services has seen great success in other parts of the world and we are keen to replicate this in Pakistan too.”

Tabinda Jaferry, CEO Asasah in her remarks said: “Because of Tameer’s services our clients, who are all women and whom we seek to empower, will benefit by being able to obtain a loan easily, and to repay it conveniently through easypaisa, saving them both time and money such as that spent on unnecessary travel.”

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MPSP has potential to boost mobile-banking in Pakistan: Dr Yaseen

UBL WIZ Card, An ACCA Prepaid VISA Debit Service

Pakistan IT — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 14:30:54 +0000

UBL Wiz is a Prepaid VISA Debit Card. It is an internationally accepted VISA Debit Card that allows spending online and at shopping outlets in addition to cash withdrawals at ATMs.

UBL Wiz Card can be used everywhere VISA cards are accepted. Whether you are using it online, paying for petrol, shopping or dining, you are accessing money directly from your prepaid card, without having to visit the bank.

UBL Wiz is the 1st Prepaid VISA Debit Card in Pakistan. It is instantly available at selected UBL branches with the facility of re-load, allows you to spend online and at shopping outlets and withdraw cash at ATMs. It is also accepted at all VISA locations internationally.

Available to all CNIC holders

All valid CNIC holders in Pakistan can own a UBL Wiz Prepaid VISA Debit Card. An individual can purchase up to three cards at a time on his/her CNIC – one of each category, i.e. a person can have a single UBL Wiz Ladies, UBL Wiz Teen and UBL Wiz Travelers card at any given point in time.

24×7 Toll Free Contact Centre

If you have any queries or need assistance with your UBL Wiz card, you can talk to an agent at our 24 hour Contact Centre at 0800-11-825. You can also use the telephone next to all UBL ATMs and be instantly connected to our customer service representative via a hotline facility.

UBL Wiz – Your ATM Card

UBL has its own network of 336 ATMs in 85 cities, which continues to expand by the day. Moreover, UBL is also part of the 1 Link, MNET and VISA networks. These allow you to use your UBL Wiz across Pakistan at more than 3,000 ATMs displaying the 1 Link and MNET logo and at more than 2 million ATMs in 150 countries. The UBL Wiz card is also accepted on all VISA certified machines displaying the VISA Plus sign.

Online Shopping

UBL Wiz provides you convenience and security to shop online. In order to activate your card for online transactions, you will need to sign up for the facility and enable your card.

Other Facilities
Mini Statement Payments

You can get a free of cost mini-statement that shows the recent transactions on your Wiz Card, at any time through UBL ATM’s.

UBL e-statement facility

UBL e-statements give you the flexibility to choose how frequently you want to receive your e-statements i.e. daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly or semi-annually. This facility is available absolutely free of cost for Wiz card holders!

Balance Enquiry

You can check the available balance in your account at any UBL, 1 Link or MNET ATM and get a slip of your account balance.

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Local manufacturing of smart phones soon: Dr.Yaseen, Chairman PTA

Pakistan IT — Mon, 09 May 2011 14:42:20 +0000

Chairman PTA, Mohammad Yaseen, presenting a memento to Mr. Artem Koreneveskiy of General Satellite at CONNECT ICT Forum-2011, at Karachi Expo Centre.

The local assembly and manufacturing of low priced “smart phones” will start soon in the country by Pakistani companies in collaboration of chip designer and Chinese manufacturers.

This was stated by the chairman Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Dr Mohammad Yaseen while talking to media persons at the interactive session for ICT stakeholders – Connect ICT Forum 2011, organized by Pegasus Consultancy at Karachi Expo Centre here Wednesday.

He said several memorandum of understandings (MoUs) have been signed recently, between local companies and Chinese manufacturers and chip designer Falcom for producing smart phones in Pakistan.

The event was organized by PTA in an effort to start local assembly and manufacturing of smart phones, which are currently being imported.

Responding to a question about the misuse of sims, he said that PTA has blocked 16.5 million mobile sims and during the on-going data cleansing under third phase, PTA is receiving 400,000 quests per day on its complaint number 668.

Yaseen hoped that no unidentified sims will remain in cellular phone network after 17 May, which is the last to confirm the validity of your sim and clean your mobile phone record.

He said the sales of handsets will not be affected due to the on-going data cleaning campaign.

Replying to a question about smuggled hand sets, he said that PTA has submitted its input to IT Ministry in which we have suggested to two-pronged policy. First, to impose ban on these handsets at Customs stage where IMEI numbers are not mentioned, and second, impose a ban on the sale of such phones in the country.

He pointed out that currently imported mobile phones do not contain type approval. During the fast growth period, the government had relaxed this condition in 2005 and therefore these sets were allowed without type approval, he added.To a question on mobile phone banking, he said that a final meeting will be held between PTA and State Bank of Pakistan to discuss and come out with consensus on modalities and authentication issues on May 11.

Earlier, speaking at the Forum he said that PTA will again arrange meetings between service provider and academia to encourage development in ICT sector.

Executive vice president PTCL Niaz Malik talked about the importance of data centers in Pakistan. He said that PTCL’s data centers are 50 percent more efficient than yester years.

Dr Sarfraz Alam of CEO Texpo Pakistan talked about the skills gaps in the current age of advanced network infrastructure. Dr Asif Ijaz Sheikh, country head Pakistan and South Asia Oracle Corp discussed the issue of convergence from “tele” to true communications.

Fouz Sattar of Alcatel – Lucent Pakistan, Talha Khalid of Telenor Pakistan and Artem Korenevskiy of General Satellite talked about innovative technologies in ICT.

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Babar Awan Visits PTA

Pakistan IT — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 09:17:32 +0000

As we mentioned in our post, earlier today, Dr. Babar Awan is visiting various Telecom and IT organizations (as part of ministerial round), and for this he today visited PTA head office.

We are expecting him to visit NTC, R&D and other places in coming days.

A statement issued by PTA said that during his visit Dr. Awan emphasized on the need of pro-consumer telecom policies, which should be revised every year.

Just for the records, it merits mentioning here that most of our telecom policies (IT Policy, Broadband Policy, Telecom policy) have got expired and are bound to be revised, since 2009. This means government needs to renew policies now (with 5 years expirations date), let alone their yearly renewal.

PTA’s Statement said that Chairman PTA Dr. Muhammed Yaseen, Secretary Law, Mr. Muhammad Masood Chishti, Member Finance, Syed Nasrul Karim Ghaznavi, and Member Technical, Dr. Khawar Siddique Khokhar and senior officers of the Authority were also present during the visit.

Mr. Awan was quoted as saying:

Complaint handling system should be made effective and all service providers should make arrangements to remove grievances of the consumers.

The minister stressed that awareness campaigns should be launched in Urdu and regional languages. “Grey trafficking is a serious issue and it needs to be dealt effectively, in this context laws may also be thoroughly checked and applied”, the Minister emphasized.

He said that telecom sector in Pakistan has made decisive contribution towards the national economy therefore challenges faced by the telecom sector are being addressed in an appropriate manner.

The Minister said that for the prompt disposal of telecom related cases, Telecom Tribunals would be set up soon. He also stressed the need for coming up with out of box ideas for implementation of ongoing activities regarding the development of telecom sector.

The Federal Minister offered PTA, his full support, for smooth access of telecom services to the people of Pakistan residing in the far-flung areas. He appreciated the role of PTA in the uplift of telecom sector.

During the visit, Chairman PTA briefed the Minister about the latest developments taking place in the telecom industry.

Chairman said that Pakistan telecom industry was growing at an astounding pace after the deregulation of the sector. The broadband sector growth has been extraordinary and this sector has become a model for other countries across the world. He said that number of factors have played role in it, including investor friendly government policies and healthy competition introduced by PTA which has encouraged operators to an extra mile for making a strong subscriber base. On this occasion Chairman PTA Dr. Muhammad Yaseen presented souvenir to honorable Minister.

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MPSP has potential to boost mobile-banking in Pakistan: Dr Yaseen

Pakistan IT — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 09:16:52 +0000

The introduction of third party payment networks also known as MPSP (Mobile Payment Service Providers) would be of immense advantage since these third party payment handing agents can work with many providers, rather than the closed networks, Dr Muhammad Yaseen, Chairman Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) said in its authored article on his blog “Mobile Banking – Market Dynamics for Pakistan.”

The primary approach is to encourage multiple mobile banking services to MPSP as opposed to One-to-One payment system or one bank one operator. Therefore, there will be opportunities to design multiple money transfer saving and financing services to customers.

We could foresee opportunities for service providers from banks and mobile sectors alike who move quickly to create new products, especially if they can establish shared networks of third party agents, he wrote.

Dr Yaseen explained that the customers belonging to any bank and mobile operator would have the freedom of managing their finances when and where they want. This means that all banks and mobile operators would be able to connect with each other resulting in a situation where any bank customer can access their accounts, transfer funds, and interact with all other bank customer using mobile connection.

“This also provides an extra freedom to all service providers to start mobile banking offers to their consumers. Under this model, all banks and all operators could join hands to offer services to virtually all bankable customers, he said and added “this model offers the maximum connectivity and hence maximum outreach but requires a central transaction processing system that could be handled by a MPSP. Relying on third party service providers would also “liberate” banks from location constraints, allowing them to compete for customers anywhere based on product design, marketing, and branding.”

Block Diagram of the TPS Model

PTA has join hands with State Bank of Pakistan for drafting banking while offering state-of-the-art security to mobile users and financial. This aim to introduce a unified regulatory regime catering the requirements of operators, financial institutes and the consumer by providing a many-to-many relationship.

The present regulatory framework available under Electronic Transfer Act (2005) and Branchless Banking Regulations (2008) promulgated by State Bank of Pakistan is based on 1-to-1 relationship. This offers a close system between a single bank and a single mobile operator required to develop their own payment

Pakistan has region’s best performing sector, the financial sector assets have risen to over $185 billion, its profitability is exceptional and at an all- time high, non-performing loans (NPLs) are at an all-time low, credit is fairly diversified and bank-wide system risks are well-contained. Almost 81% of banking assets are in private hands. Similarly mobile sector in Pakistan has observed an enormous growth with a subscriber’s base reaching

Source: http://www.dryaseen.pk

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PTA Issues ‘Telecommunication System Clock Synchronization Regulations’

Pakistan IT — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 10:24:49 +0000

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has issued regulations for all telecom operators to synchronize the clock, time, date of telecommunication systems for error free data recovery, accurate reconciliation of Call Data Record and Internet Protocol Records.

The regulation has been named as “Telecommunication System Clock, Time, and Date Synchronization Regulations 2010,” which has been made public recently.

These regulations shall apply to all Long Distance Interconnects (LDI), Landline (LL)/Cellular mobile/CVAL Data licensee for the purpose of synchronization of their system clock to ensure fair reconciliation of call detail record (CDR) and IP detail record (IPDR) data in line with the criterion/ratings determined by the PTA from time to time.

All licensees shall be obliged to align their frequency of their telecommunication system in accordance with the Primary Reference Clock (PRC)* and Synchronization Supply Unit (SSU)** for provision of error free data of intelligence transmitted over various network nodes, the regulation stated.

All licensees with high speed backhaul networks shall have at least two alternative sources of PRCs.

The telecom operators shall be obliged to maintain frequency of their telecommunication systems containing NTP (Network Time Protocol) secondary server at least NPTv4 complaint wherever applicable. They shall be obliged to upgrade their telecommunication systems as and when are required by authority, it stated.

The operators are asked to provide complete information of their telecommunication clock system to the authority which includes clock, date and time synchronization architecture and degree of accuracy.

On the basis of PTA findings and/or at least 10 complaints filed to the PTA against a licensee in one month, the authority shall initiate an investigation process through a nominated officer.

The PTA will conduct manual test/inspections that may be replaced with an automated process subject to the availability of advanced tools. It may place the relevant data for public information. PTA’s designated division shall present the test results to its board within a period of 30 days from completion of the Date and Time verification survey process.

The operator will provide access to the authorized representative of the authority for obtaining information, inspection and audit of the telecommunication systems network in order to ensure the compliance of parameters as provided in these regulations.

*Primary Reference Clock (PRC): It means an autonomous clock, operating independently of other sources that provide the reference synchronization signal to all other clocks within a network as referred in ITU-T G.811 Recommendation.

**Synchronizations Supply Unit (SSU): It means the logical system for frequency referencing, its processing and distribution as prescribed in ITU-T G.811 Recommendation.

For detail view, click the below link: http://www.pta.gov.pk/media/clock_sync_reg_280311.pdf

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Deputy Chairman NADRA Tariq Malik Bags ‘People Award’

Pakistan IT — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 10:10:27 +0000

Deputy Chairman NADRA Tariq Malik was awarded prestigious ID ‘People Award’ by ID technologists in an international gala of auto ID held in Abu Dhabi.

This was an award given in appreciation of swift documentation of largest data base of 1.409 million Afghan refugees.

The Deputy Chairman proudly received the award and highlighted Pakistan’s name among his contemporary technologists belonging to 40 countries as he was selected in the category of global migration.

Tariq Malik proved his efficiency by getting 1.409 million of Afghan Refugees registered for Secure Card and 769,542 Afghan Children (under18) have been issued with Birth Certificates in a record shortest span of time by using multi-biometric technology and delivered successful results to the UNHCR sponsored project.

Ms. Sophie B. de la Giroday, President Wise Media SPA, presented the award in the fourth annual EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) summit on security documents, global mobility and traceability.

Interior Minister Mr. Rehman Malik, also present on the occasion, congratulated Tariq Malik on winning the award and said that he has made the country and citizens proud. He thanked ID World and the technologists all over the world who voted for Tariq Malik.

Speaking on the occasion Tariq Malik said NADRA is playing a role of a catalyst in transforming e-government agenda in Pakistan and houses world’s largest multi bio-metric database and has effectively used it to bring transparency in e-government centric initiatives like Benazir income support programme, Machine readable passport issuance, ID card verification through SMS and various others.

He said these programs have added public convenience, improved service delivery and transparency.

Tariq Malik was also invited in conference in 2009 as keynote speaker and had won ID World outstanding achievement award in ID world International Congress in Milan, Italy. Malik was short listed from 250 candidates of Fortune 500 companies of 75 countries for using ICT to provide innovative citizen centric services.

ID world Abu Dhabi 2011 is a key stone conference to share knowledge and learn about innovations and new developments in auto ID industry with its global and regional focus on the markets for automatic identification.

Over 400 leaders and technology experts gathered to discuss the tested strategies, innovations and best practices in evaluating new trends in this niche.

Sheikh Saif Bin Zahyed Al Nahyan inaugurated the conference with his welcome address. Chairman NADRA Ali Arshad Hakeem also attended the conference.

Among the dignitaries, who attended the conference, were Ronal Nobel, Interpol Chief, Rehman Malik, Interior Minister of Pakistan, Ali Arshad Hakeem, Chairman NADRA, Dr. Ali Khouri, Chairman Emirates Identity Authority, UAE, Chief of UAE Police, Dr. Pandey, Deputy Chief of Unique Identity Authority of India, UN and EU officials.

ID World Abu Dhabi 2011 with its global and regional focus on the markets for automatic identification was the keystone conference to share knowledge and learn about innovations and new developments in auto ID industry. More than 400 leaders and technology experts gathered to discuss tested strategies, best practices and innovations in evaluating new trends in this niche market.

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MoMo Event Held in Islamabad

Pakistan IT — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 08:23:37 +0000

Mobile Monday (MoMo) event was held last Monday in the faculty cafeteria, Faculty Block, CIIT, Park Road, Islamabad.

More than 100 participants (Faculty and students) participated in the event. As PTA was seeking expert’s opinion on implementation of 3G/4G in Pakistan so the theme of this event was declared as “3G/4G wireless Network implementation in Pakistan: Is this required”.

The program started with short introduction about the theme of the event. Later, a presentation was delivered by Mr. Shahwaiz Iqbal on the generation of Mobile networks.

The presentation was focused on the difference between 1G, 2G, 2.5G, 3G and 4G and what further hardware/software etc. will be required to implement 3G/4G in Pakistan. After Presentation, an open discussion was started among the participants. Everyone took part in the discussions and presented their point of view. The gathering was dominated by final year students of EE department and CS department and they took part in this lively discussion.

The recommendation made in this event will be forwarded to PTA

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Are You Sick of Taxes? Here’s Another One!

Pakistan IT — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 19:34:48 +0000

Few days ago we wrote about 1.5 percent increase in withholding tax on telecom services, in response to which we witnessed the maximum possible protest from mobile phone users.

Well, that was just 1.5 percent tax, on a service you use, which you can save if you don’t use the service at all, but just imagine if at once you have to pay a new tax, in the name of “Flood Surcharge”.

Based on information we are getting, all public/private sector employees are going to pay 15 percent of their tax liability to the Government as tax.

What country is this? Who is running it? and with what aims? A totally un-comprehendible step, I mean look at the inflation and they are asking for further cuts?

This is even more distressing when we see our political leaders paying their taxes in mere rupees, in fact few of politicians don’t pay taxes at all.

Check few stats below (according to Nadeem Malik of Aaj TV)

Mr. Gillani paid Zero Rupee as Tax
Mr. Shahbaz Shareef paid Zero Rupee as tax
Ameer Haider Khan Hoti Paid Zero Rupee as Tax

We believe Pakistanis are severely tested and bread limit is about to be reached.

Cellular companies (along with other sectors) are sending following email to their employees, have a look;

From: Human Resource Division
Sent: Thu 3/31/2011 4:13 PM
To: All Employees
Subject: Implementation of 15% Flood Surcharge

Dear Family Members,

Consequent to the promulgation of Income Tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2011 an additional amount of flood surcharge @15% will be deducted from salary against income tax payable pertaining to the income for the period from 15^th March, 2011 to 30^thJune, 2011.

Hence a prorated surcharge for 17 days has been deducted from March, 2011 salary and full months surcharge will be deducted from the salary for the months of April, May & June,2011.

Surcharge payment procedure issued by FBR is attached for your reference or you may visit to www.fbr.gov.pk for further details.

HUMAN RESOURCES DIVISION

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Babar Awan Becomes Minister-In charge for IT and Telecom

Pakistan IT — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 11:24:09 +0000

In a latest development today, Dr. Babar Awan was given the minister-ship of Telecom and It Ministry, told us sources in the IT ministry.

Dr. Babar Awan today visited the Ministry to take charge and to get familiar with the heads of Organizations under MoIT and staff, added our sources.

In addition to Minister-In charge of Telecom and IT Ministry, Dr. Awan will retain headship of law Ministry.

Ministry of IT and Telecom was minister-less since February 2011 when Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani, Prime Minister Pakistan had dissolved the federal cabinet.

Earlier, Sardar Assef Ahmed was made Minister for the MoITT in December 2010, however, he had to move out in February 2011 when federal cabinet was dissolved.

Appointment of Dr. Babar Awan is made at a time when ministry has remained back to back minister-less or secretary less for almost three years. His appointment is particularly important as USF is going to begin its operations after a halt of 11 months. Dispute between Chairman PTA and Member Finance of PTA is going to be riddle to solve for Dr. Awan.

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