ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has expended a substantial amount of Rs185 billion on the import of mobile phones during the first seven months (July – January) of the fiscal year 2020/2021, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Wednesday.
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Explore IT and Telecom stories with Pakistan Revenue, your go-to source for the latest updates on Pakistan’s technology and telecom sector. Stay ahead with real-time industry insights and economic developments.
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Zong users enjoy free calls, internet service
KARACHI: The users of Zong, the leading mobile phone operator in Pakistan, are enjoying free calls and internet services on Wednesday and still continued till filing this news article.
Zong has become top trend on Twitter and people messaging about availing free calls and internet services.
According to some tweets the system of Zong has been crashed which enabled the free services.
One message is reported as: “Zong network has some technical issues so the users can use free internet, call anyone for free national or international until their service gets on track. So enjoy the free time till then.”
The reporting team of Pkrevenue has checked free internet and free calls on a zero balance Zong SIM and found the services are available.
No official comments is available from Zong management in this regard.
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Telenor awarded contract worth Rs1.37bn for high speed broadband services
ISLAMABAD: Telenor, a leading mobile phone operator in Pakistan, has been awarded a contract worth Rs1.37 billion for providing high speed mobile broadband services in various districts of Kyber Pakhtunkhwa.
A statement issued on Wednesday said that the Universal Service Fund (USF) has awarded contract worth approximately PKR 1.37 billion to Telenor for providing High Speed Mobile Broadband services in Chitral, Upper Dir and Lower Dir districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Syed Amin Ul Haque and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) for Overseas Pakistanis & HRD, Syed Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari witnessed the contract signing ceremony held at the USF Office, Islamabad.
The contracts were signed by Haaris Mahmood Chaudhary, CEO, USF with Irfan Wahab Khan, CEO Telenor. The Federal Secretary for IT & Telecommunication and Chairman USF Board, Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui, Chairman PTA, Major General (R) Amir Azeem Bajwa and other Officials were also present at the ceremony.
Chief Guest of the ceremony, Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Syed Amin Ul Haque said: “With the help of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), districts of Chitral, Upper Dir and Lower Dir can achieve better visibility, communication and integration into economic and tourism flows. High Speed Mobile Broadband services will enhance tourism and attract tourists, thus creating jobs. The Ministry of IT and Telecommunication will continue close cooperation to support the tourism industry of Pakistan and provide the basis for achieving sustainable rural development.”
Furthermore, he extended his warm felicitation to the teams of USF and Telenor on the contract signing and emphasized on making Digital Pakistan vision a reality. Guest of Honor of the ceremony, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Overseas Pakistanis & HRD, Syed Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari while congratulating USF and Telenor on the signing of the contract said, “The use of ICT in tourism is a welcoming step for the residents of Chitral, Upper Dir and Lower Dir districts. High speed internet connectivity will expedite activity in the region and make the travel process efficient and pleasant.”
In addition, he expressed gratitude to the Federal Minister and the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication for the guidance and support. Sharing his views on the development, CEO Telenor Pakistan, Irfan Wahab Khan said: “We are committed to ensure the basic right of connectivity to the people of Pakistan. At Telenor Pakistan, we are driven to continue empowering the country by bridging the digital divide, creating access to opportunities and uplifting the lives of millions. We stand firm in our commitment of connecting people to what matters most to them and aim to continue providing opportunities in the future.”
Also, sharing his thoughts at the ceremony, CEO USF, Haaris Mahmood Chaudhary said: “This project will benefit an unserved population of 0.7 Million in 648 unserved mauzas, thereby covering an unserved area of 18,212 sq. km. of Chitral, Upper Dir and Lower Dir districts. We are committed to empowering the unserved and unserved communities of Pakistan and we look forward to strengthening our partnership with Telenor.”
Moreover, he thanked the Federal Minister and the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication for adopting policies and mechanisms that are supportive of the digital revolution of tourist places.
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PTCL declares 5pc decline in annual profit to Rs6.03 billion
KARACHI: Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) on Wednesday announced a five percent decline in annual profit for the period ended December 31, 2020.
According to financial results, the company announced after tax profit of Rs6.03 billion for the year 2020 as compared with the profit of Rs6.35 billion in the preceding financial year.
The company declared earnings per share at Rs1.18 for the year ended on December 31, 2020 as compared with Rs1.24 in the preceding year.
The company had announced no cash dividend or bonus share for the year under review.
The gross profit of the company fell to Rs14.99 billion for the year 2020 as compared with Rs16.98 billion in the preceding financial year, showing a decline of 11.72 percent.
Administrative expenses of PTCL were almost flat at Rs6.7 billion as compared with Rs6.75 billion a year ago.
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Cell phone of Justic Qazi Faez Isa hacked
ISLAMABAD: Information has been circulated on Tuesday by the government authorities that the cell phone of Justice Qazi Faez Isa was hacked.
A statement said that it is intimated to all and sundry that the cell phone of Justice Qazi Faez Isa has been hacked and there is suspicion that misguiding communication can be made from his lordship’s number to anyone with ulterior motives, therefore, the communication purportedly made from his lordship’s cell phone, which his lordship had not sent, may be treated as fake and false.
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Regulations notified for local production of mobile phones
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Monday said that it has issued regulations for encouraging production of mobile phones in the country.
The PTAB issued Mobile Device Manufacturing (MDM) Regulations, 2021. The regulations have come into force with effect from January 25, 2021 and aimed at encouraging local production of mobile devices in Pakistan.
As per the regulations, all devices are to be manufactured as per ITU Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITI-T) technical standards. Finish/manufactured devices made locally should display the label ‘Manufactured in Pakistan’.
The PTA said that it would consider all applications on merit for authorization to manufacture mobile devices in Pakistan. The key factor such as technical competence, experience of applicant’s management, key members of staff and local participation in the business; and technical viability of the applicant’s business plan for mobile device manufacturing will determine whether authorization is to be granted to the applicant.
The duration of the authorization will be valid for 10 years.
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Jazz awarded contract worth Rs254 million for broadband services
ISLAMABAD: The Universal Service Fund (USF) has awarded contract worth Rs254 million to Jazz for providing high speed mobile broadband services in rural and remote areas of Punjab, a statement said on Monday.
Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Syed Amin Ul Haque and Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Fawad Chaudhry witnessed the contract signing ceremony held at the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication, Islamabad on Monday.
The contracts were signed by Haaris Mahmood Chaudhary, CEO, USF with Aamir Ibrahim, CEO Jazz. The Federal Secretary for IT & Telecommunication and Chairman USF Board, Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui, and Chairman PTA, Major General (R) Amir Azeem Bajwa were also present at the ceremony.
Chief Guest of the ceremony, Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Syed Amin Ul Haque said: “While the COVID-19 pandemic slackened economic activity, vibrant Information and Communication Technology (ICT) systems played a pivotal role in ensuring the availability of essential services to the community.
In a way, the pandemic actualized the true potential of broadband services, transforming the way people lived their lives.
In line with the Digital Pakistan initiative, we are committed to providing the required digital ecosystem by working with all relevant stakeholders for enhanced connectivity, improved digital infrastructure, and promotion of emerging technologies.”
The Federal Minister also congratulated Jazz and USF on the signing of the contract and expressed the hope that residents in Jhelum and Chakwal districts will have better connectivity through Jazz’s state-of-the-art network.
He stated that the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication through USF will continue to empower the citizens in remote and far-flung areas to ensure that every Pakistani has access to the internet, enabling them to explore new socio-economic opportunities.
While sharing his views at the ceremony, Aamir Ibrahim, CEO Jazz, said, “Our continued partnership with USF is a reflection of Jazz’s commitment to bridge the digital divide and connect our fellow countrymen with fast and reliable mobile broadband. Our ambition to digitally empower Pakistan is fueled through enhanced connectivity and by creating equal opportunities for all.”
Also, sharing his thoughts at the ceremony, CEO USF, Haaris Mahmood Chaudhary said: “This project will benefit an unserved population of 0.34 million in 263 unserved mauzas, thereby covering an unserved area of 4,002 sq.km. of Jhelum and Chakwal districts.
“By providing mobile broadband to the unserved muazas across the country, USF is playing a crucial role in the socio-economic progress of the people at the grassroots level and have opened the doors of opportunities for the masses.
“USF will continue to work towards achieving the vision of Digital Pakistan”.
Furthermore, he thanked the Federal Minister and the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication for their continued support and guidance.
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KCCI, Jazz sign deal for 35 percent to businessmen
In a significant move to benefit the local business community, the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) and Jazz, Pakistan’s leading 4G operator and top internet and broadband service provider, have announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The agreement, formalized on Saturday, aims to provide substantial discounts on Jazz’s services to KCCI members.
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Country imports mobile phones worth Rs153.6 billion in first half
ISLAMABAD: The country has imported mobile phones worth Rs153.6 billion during the first half (July – December) 2020/2021 owing to rising demand for digital transactions in the wake of the covid pandemic.
The import of mobile phones increased by 59.44 percent during the first half of the current fiscal year.
The import of mobile phones during the first half of the current fiscal year was Rs153.6 billion as compared with Rs96.33 billion in the corresponding period of the last fiscal year, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
Market sources said that coronavirus pandemic had limited the physical movement, which had given rise to online transactions. Mobile phones have played a major role in promoting the digital economy.
Further, the implementation of laws making it mandatory that only verified mobiles through the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to be activated for local services has also discouraged informal channels for the import of mobile phones.
They said that the depreciation of the Pak Rupee had also an impact on the surge of mobile phone imports.
The import of mobile phones in terms of dollar grew by 52.37 percent to $939 million during the first half of the current fiscal year when compared with $616 million in the same half of the last fiscal year.
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PTA renews PTCL’s license for next 25 years
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has officially renewed the operational license of the Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) for the next 25 years.
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