Zong Sets Popular Trends In Cellular Sector

Zong has set unique and popular trends in Pakistan by offering innovative and first-up products and services in the industry. It has boosted the the pace of cellular sector by offering very catchy service rates, free minutes offers, bundle SMS packages and value-added offers.

Since start of its services three years back in Pakistan, Zong has reportedly bagged 9 million customers in commercial, urban, deserted and mountainous cities. (There are un-official reports that Zong has crosses 10 million subscribers’ mark)

The cellular operator is strengthening its position by further expanding its network in nook and corner of the country with handsome foreign direct investment and latest technology.

Following is a roundup of Zong’s popular services:

Zong LBC Packages

Zong emerged as a trend-setter with its unique offer of Location Based Charging (LBC) in Pakistan. It started its offer first in Lahore and then in Karachi, Faisalabad, with ultimately covering more than 100 cities.

These LBC packages such as Lahore Unlimited and Karachi Unlimited – went successful and got wide popularity among the subscribers as players like Mobilink and Ufone also followed it and introduced their LBC packages to retain their share in the stiff competitive market.

Zong MNP Offers

The operator intensified war in the cellular sector and grabbed its share not only through its normal packages but with MNP too. It has played a key role in the industry to promote MNP service by its advertisement and became successful by acquiring huge number of customers from others’ networks.

Other operators followed the same suit later on and came up free minutes and SMS with supporting advertisement to attract customers of rival networks through MNP facility.

Mobile Internet

Zong is a pioneer in introducing internet mobile services on daily and hourly subscriptions. This trend was copied as all operators have now designed and offered their daily internet packages.

Mobile Handsets

Previously mobile handsets were being sold by mobile operators but Zong adopted this approach of offering low-end handsets with low cost bundled with free minutes and SMS on yearly basis.

Besides, Zong’s branded Android Ideos were first to hit Pakistan, which were primarily aimed at low-mid end customers.

Zong Daily Subscription Offers

Zong has emerged as a popular brand with its unique bundle offers. It started daily subscription of its call package and SMS bundle two and half years ago which were later followed by different operators in the industry.

Zong Call Unique Rates

The call rates were different and facilitating for customers, as Zong left no stone unturned to provide packages that a customer actually needs to use in her or his daily life.

The Z20, which was introduced on the occasion of T20 World Cup, was one of its kinds. Similarly, 100 pay 100 offer was proved to be a matchless package offered by any operators so far. This package was widely availed by customers in the limited time period.

It also offered, 12 Anay, 45 paisa per half min, 65 paisas per half min, Family Package and etc. and remained unbeaten in cellular sector on its unique call rates offer.

Zong Special Number

Zong presented special number offers for new customers keeping in mind their choice and desire of exclusivity. Subscriber got numbers on their Names, Important Dates Shorts Phrases and Zodiac Sign.

M9: What is your plan?

M9, a brand of Zong was introduced in December 2010. It offers most unique package plan for the customers with the liberty to have their choice for number.

The idea to attract huge customers through numbers is a tremendous technique that Zong has really focused on. It fast introduced special number offer, then MNP and by M9, where customers got their lucky number with the advice of numerologist.

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Affordable Nokia Lumia 610 Launched in Pakistan

Nokia Lumia 610, claimed to be the most affordable Lumia series smartphone, is now available in Pakistan. It was released worldwide in April 2012.

Powered by a Windows 7.5 OS, Nokia Lumia 610 offers the sleekness of the Windows smartphone coupled with the affordability and reliable warranty of Nokia.

The Nokia Lumia 610 is designed as the perfect introduction to Windows Phone for a younger audience. Running on the Windows Phone 7.5, the Nokia Lumia 610 comes with Nokia Music with Mix Radio, Creative Studio, WiFi tethering, Flip-to-Silence and Play To.

The device comes preloaded with Nokia’s suite of experiences including Nokia Maps, Nokia Drive and Nokia Transport, in addition to over 100,000 apps to choose from on the Windows Marketplace., the built-in Microsoft Office app and Xbox Live. People Hub makes it easy for people to keep in touch with friends, providing instant access to social networks and bringing all mobile, email, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn contacts into one place.

"The Nokia Lumia 610 will introduce Windows Phone to a new generation of local smartphone users, offering them something different and valuable in terms of pricing and features," said Arif Shafique, GM Operations, Nokia Pakistan. "With Nokia services, quality apps and a plethora of built-in features coupled with a fast and friendly interface, Nokia Lumia 610 has everything in the package to make it an instant hit among the aspiring youth of Pakistan.”

Nokia Lumia 610 Specifications:

• OS: Microsoft Windows Phone 7.5 Mango
• Chipset: Qualcomm MSM7227A Snapdragon
• CPU: 800 MHz ARM Cortex-A5
• GPU: Adreno 200
• Design:
• Dimensions: 119 x 62 x 12 mm
• Weight: 131.5 g
• Display:
• Type:TFT capacitive touchscreen, 65K colors
• Size: 480 x 800 pixels, 3.7 inches
• Memory:
• Internal: 8 GB storage, 256 MB RAM
• Card Slot: No
• Connectivity: GPRS, EDGE, HSDPA, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth, USB
• Camera: 5 MP, autofocus, LED flash
• Sensors: Accelerometer, proximity, compass
• Battery:
• Standard battery, Li-Ion 1300 mAh (BP-3L)
• Stand-by: Up to 670 h
• Talk time: Up to 10 h 30 min
• Music play: Up to 35 h
• Price: Rs. 20,000

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Even a Deleted Mobile Video Can Take Someone’s Life

Before reading this article – I would like you to watch above given video from the TV Show “Hasb-e-Haal”, of Dunya TV, aired on February 25^th, 2010.

It talks about an objectionable video of a girl taken by a boy, which he had actually deleted, got leaked out. We won’t discuss their relation or if he should have shot the video or not – even we won’t discuss on how brutal is to upload someone’s video on internet – but we want to alarm everyone about a very serious issue.

Videos that you shoot on Mobile Phone and then delete -  may remain in memory. It’s similar to data stored on computer hard disk, if deleted – is recoverable through software.

No further words on this inhumane incident.

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Call Rates to Pakistan Increase by 300-800% With ICH in Place from Today

In middle of severe opposition from Competition Commission of Pakistan, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority and Ministry of Information Technology today lead the LDI operators to implement International Clearing House (ICH) from today.

It maybe recalled that ICH will streamline all incoming international traffic through a centralized gateway (operated and maintained by PTCL) through which all LDI operators will share the revenues for international incoming traffic based on their current market share with fixed termination charges.

Competition Commission has expressed its concerns relating to implementation of ICH and has said that commission could litigate the matter if ICH is implemented.

However, PTA – backed by Ministry of IT – went ahead with the plan and ICH is principally considered operational starting today.

All public listed companies have notified their shareholders (and stock exchanges) of their participation in ICH regime.

Call Rates to Pakistan Increase

Move, which is said to eliminate gray or illegal traffic coming to Pakistan, has increased call pricing for those calling to Pakistan from abroad. Calls from USA to Pakistan are likely to be charged at as high as 16 $cents per minute, up from 4-6 $cents per minute charged before ICH implementation.

We are receiving reports from all over the world indicating that rates for calls to Pakistan increased by 300 to 800 percent, depending on respective state and network.

Skype has also increased per minute charges for calls to Pakistan, which is now charging 14.5 $cents per minute as standard tariff. Skype has also taken back special calling plans (bundles) that it used to offer for Pakistani calls.

According to industry experts, monthly incoming international traffic to Pakistan is around 1.5 billion minutes per month, which will translate into US 120-150 million dollars of increased burden on Pakistani expats for making calls to Pakistan.

 CCP has said that it is receiving complaints from overseas Pakistanis over the issue of ICH and increased call charges for making calls to Pakistan.

Economic impacts are yet to be fully calculated with the implementation of ICH.

Can CCP Block ICH?

Technically speaking Competition Commission of Pakistan can’t bar PTA from implementing ICH.

CCP as a anti-competition body can’t restrict the government from implementing any policy, such as ICH in this case. This doesn’t come under CCP’s mandate to issue show-cause notice or to penalize a government body, such as Ministry of Information Technology.

Legal experts tell ProPakistani that CCP’s laws have been violated through a MoIT policy directive (upon which ICH is being implemented). Breach of CCP’s laws can’t be justified with an MoIT policy directive only, instead a legal framework or legislation is required to compensate CCP’s legal obligation.

However, at the same time, CCP is not entitled to issue show-cause notice to a government body to cap it from issuing a policy directive. Hence there’s no way it can restrict private companies from implementing ICH, which is covered by a policy directive.

The only way left behind to challenge ICH is by filing a lawsuit against the implementation in the courts, which can be done by any individual or a company. But we will have to see if that happens. Reportedly, no individual or company is yet ready to go legal against the implementation of ICH.

Karachi Stock Exchange notices for Implementation of ICH:

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LinkedIn to Setup Offices in Pakistan, Not Really [Updated]

LinkedIn, world’s largest networking website for professionals, is making its way to start operations in Pakistan by setting up local offices in the country, reported Express Tribune citing Saleem H Mandviwalla, Chairman for Board of Investment (BOI) in Pakistan.

Chairman BOI said that board had detailed discussions with a LinkedIn Director for the move.

Mr. Saleem Mandviwalla further revealed that LinkedIn is likely to start setup offices in Pakistan by year end or early next year with initial investment of USD 10 million. “This will lead to the setting up of LinkedIn’s proper operations in Pakistan”, the chairman said.

Mr. Salaeem further mentioned that LinkedIn has shown great interest in Pakistani market which poses huge potential for internet companies with its 30 million internet users and growing.

Stats say that there are 1.2 million LinkedIn users in Pakistan, which largely consists of business professionals and decision makers of the country.

Board of Investment has said that it will use LinkedIn as an effective tool and an important platform for its business development activities.

Via Express Tribune

Update (September 27th – 1:30 PM)

Express Tribune has now reported that its earlier report, that was produced by APP (Associated Press of Pakistan) was untrue and that LinkedIn has denied opening offices in the country.

“While we are exploring some commercial opportunities in Pakistan, we currently have no plans to open a local office,” LinedIn spokesperson Darain Faraz was quoted as saying.

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Ufone Offers 600 SMS for 45 Paisas

Ufone has announced reduction in daily SMS bundle of 600 SMS for its Uth customers which was earlier offered at Rs. 1.99 plus tax is now being offered for 45 Paisas only.

With this daily bundle offer, Uth customers will be able to send 600 SMS to any network with a validity of one day.

This is a limited time offer which will remain valid till November 05, 2012 only.

Package Details:

• Number of SMS: 600 to any network
• Price: Rs. 0.45 + Tax
• Validity: 24 Hours
• Auto re-subscription: Yes

How to Subscribe:

• Send Sub to 612

How to Un-subscribe:

• Send Unsub to 8612

Terms & Conditions:

• Daily SMS Package for Uth customers will be valid for 24 hours from the time of subscription.
• This package will auto re-subscribe Daily SMS Package after 24 hours.
• This SMS package might not be available during Eid holiday.
• This is a limited time offer till November 5th, 2012 only.

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Glow Super Dosti Offers New Unlimited Mobile Internet and SMS Bundles

Glow introduces new and improved SMS and Mobile Internet bundles for Super Dosti Package.

Now send 500 SMS’s to any number, any network in Pakistan in just Rs. 1.50/day and enjoy unlimited mobile internet in just Rs. 10/day.

‘Super Dosti Package’ offers 11 F&F numbers including one Super Dosti Number which is free forever. This tailored package offers the lowest F&F call rates across all networks at only 45 Paisas per 30 seconds.

Monthly subscription charges for Super Dosti Number are just Rs. 10 per month and users will be charged Rs. 1 on the first call made to their Super Dosti or FnF numbers everyday.

Spreading the colors of friendship, Glow ‘Super Dosti Package’ is a perfect blend that caters to the youth of Pakistan with best rates ever.

Activation Process:

• To activate Super Dosti Package users can SMS ‘Super’ to 7777 or call 100 for details.
• To activate 500 SMS simply type ‘Glow 500’ to 7777
• To activate unlimited** mobile internet simply type ‘DM’ to 7777

*Valid from 1am till 10pm (Mobile Internet)

**100MB fair usage policy applies (Mobile Internet)

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What is Fake SMS Sender and How to Trace it?

Sending fake SMS messages from someone’s mobile number without his/her knowledge or consent, a term that is technically known asSMS Spoofing, is an old phenomenon.

We were tipped by multiple readers about the availability of such SMS faking software in local market, however we then decided not to carry the news as it could aware the fraudsters of a new technique of fooling people.

Dunya News, however, carried this news yesterday by claiming that a new system has been introduced in Pakistan through which anyone can send text messages with a number ID of his/her choice.

Dunya TV said that this new system, which it dubbed as “Evil Mobile Software”, will allow anyone to send text messages from any mobile number which can cause serious privacy and social threats for anyone, especially the girls.

Since the news has reached the masses now, we thought of telling our readers a way of tracing spoofed messages through which you can prove that messages (with your number as sender) were indeed not sent by you.

What Fake SMS Sender can do?

By definition, with a spoofed SMS or faked SMS sender the originator of text message can set sender’s number of his/her choice, making it possible for anyone to send text messages from any number.

For example, with Fake SMS sender I can send an SMS which will show sender’s number as 0300-0000000, or I can set sender’s name as “ProPakistani” or anything.

This technology is used to send masked messages with alphanumeric names such as: Ufone, Warid, QAU, GIKI and so on.

How These Software Work?

All these software available in local market use services of international vendors for sending fake text messages. Countless international companies offer SMS masking to their clients who use their brand names as message sender in their marketing campaigns.

Few evil geniuses in Pakistan have developed desktop applications (they have named it VBG Fake SMS Sender) which can send text messages with any senders’ number by using network of these international SMS vendors (through APIs).

These local fraudsters are now selling Fake SMS senders by posting ads on classified websites to mint money, which is of course illegal.

How to Trace Fake SMS?

If you are victim of Fake SMS, i.e. if someone has sent text messages with your number with objectionable content then you need not to worry.

There’s a way of proving that message wasn’t sent from your number and that it is a Fake Message.

There are two ways to trace a Fake SMS:

1 – SMS center number of any spoofed message or fake message will be an international number, such as +445566776654 or +22XXXXXX or anything but not a Pakistani number (Pakistani numbers start with +92).

The SMS Message Center Number is a phone number that acts as a gateway for sending or receiving SMS messages between cellular devices. Since spoofed messages are sent by International vendors only, it is likely that SMS center number of a spoofed message will be an international number.

If you don’t know, SMS center number of a text message can be found by going in to message details.

For all messages that are legitimately originated from Pakistani networks will have following SMS center numbers:

• For Mobilink Numbers: +92300000042
• For Ufone Numbers: +923330005150
• For Zong Numbers: +923189244444
• For Telenor Numbers: +923455000010

2 – If you are a victim of Fake SMS then you can prove it wrong by obtaining your call detail from your cellular company. Almost all cellular companies (except Mobilink) offer online call detail records or you can obtain this list for respective service centers of mobile phone companies.

Spoofed message or Fake SMS will not appear in your call record, since it was never sent using your cellular network. Hence you can prove that a particular message was not sent by you or your number.

What Law Enforcement Agencies Should do?

Very simple, search on Google for those selling these VGB Fake SMS sending software. Call them as customers and get their contact details to hunt them down.

Furthermore they can contact classified websites to get these ads removed from their websites.

What You Should Do?

Spread the word, educate your FnF the ways of tracing a fake message. Report fraudsters to police or NR3C.

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Mobilink Brings Nano-SIM to Pakistan

Mobilink has announced the availability of Nano-SIMs for its customers in Pakistan to ensure that Mobilink customers are enabled to use the iPhone 5 on the its network. Move is likely to be followed by other operators too.

Mobilink customers can simply walk into a customer care center and get their standard SIM replaced with the new nano-SIM.

The iPhone 5, launched by Apple recently, has introduced a nano-SIM tray instead of the standard SIM to optimize design and to enable the thin form factor of the new device.

Standard SIMs cannot be used with the iPhone 5 and Mobilink has taken urgent steps to ensure Mobilink customers can continue to use their preferred handsets on the network.

The Apple designed nano-SIM is 40 percent smaller than the current micro-SIM format and measures just 12.3mm wide by 8.8mm high, and 0.67mm thick.

For now this SIM standard has only been adopted by Apple in the new iPhone 5 but soon other mobile phone manufacturers are expected to follow the trend.

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Ufone Offers Per Second Charging For Hajj Roaming

Ufone has announced per second charging for all calls made to Pakistan or with-in Saudi Arabia and for all incoming calls for the Hajj Pilgrims when they are in Saudi Arabia.

The offer which is pre-activated on all prepaid number will allow Ufone customers to make as many calls as they want to your family back home in Pakistan or in Saudi Arabia for just Rs. 1/sec and receive calls from anywhere in the world for Rs.0.15/sec only.

Ufone customers will have to select Mobily (Etisalat) in Saudi Arabia as they native network to avail this offer.

Terms & Conditions:

• This promo is for prepaid customers only; Offer is not valid for Post-paid Subscribers;
• This promo is effective from 27th September to 10th December 2012.
• While roaming in Saudi Arabia now calls to Pakistan & Saudi Arabia only in PKR 1/sec and receive calls only in PKR 0.15/Sec from anywhere in the world.
• No subscription will be required to avail this promo; this offer will be provisioned by default on all Ufone Prepaid numbers for international roaming.
• Per second charging can only be applicable when subscriber is latched to Mobily Saudi Arabia.
• Per second charging is only applicable for outgoing calls to Saudia Arabia& Pakistan and for incoming calls from anywhere in the world.
• There are no hidden daily/monthly charges on this offer.
• Standard published rates and charging shall apply on roaming to other networks in these selected destinations.

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iPhone 5 Reaches Pakistan But Nano SIMs Are Yet to Surface!

We have been told that iPhone 5 has reached Pakistan with really limited stock in open market while retailers (and online shopping stores) are still waiting for iPhone 5 devices to be available by early next month or in second week of October at most.

iPhone 5, at this point of time, is being sold in open market at Rs. 90,000 to Rs. 97,000 as an exclusive offer for those early adopters who want to outshine in their circles. These iPhone 5 devices are believed to be shipped by individuals coming from USA to Pakistan.

Online retailers and phone stores are expecting to sell iPhone 5 devices around Rs. 80,000 to Rs. 90,000 when smartphone will be available at mobile markets in less than 2 weeks from now.

While on the other hands, Nano SIMs – compatible with iPhone 5 – are still not available with any telco. Mobilink had claimed the availability of Nano SIMs, however, we are getting reports that stock is yet to arrive at service centers.

A Facebook update by Mobilink reads:

For all the potential iPhone 5 holders, Mobilink is introducing the new nano-SIM SOON!

Mobilink customers will soon be able to simply walk into a customer care center and get their standard SIM replaced with the new nano-SIM.

Those who are inquiring for Nano SIMs from Mobilink are entertained with altered version ofMicro SIMs, i.e. by cutting, grinding and curving the Micro SIM with nail filer.

We are yet to get hold of pricing details of Nano SIMs.

We are expecting other operators to launch Nano SIMs too, so let’s see who will be quickest to bring Nano SIMs in Pakistan in real.

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Jazz Jazba Begins Generation Tour with Atif Aslam

Mobilink has decided to give Ufone’s Cricket Song a musical competition by announcing its collaboration with Atif Aslam under the banner of its youth brand, Jazba, for Pakistan’s first ‘rock-umentary’, which will be filmed during a ten-city concert tour being dubbed as “Jazz Jazba Generation Tour”.

‘Jazba Generation Tour’ is a nationwide series of concerts by Atif Aslam, which will provide exclusive backstage footage of Atif Aslam’s experiences during the tour, his interactions with his fans and an intimate look at the man behind the superstar.

The ‘Jazba Generation Tour’ also promises to provide one of the Pakistan’s greatest musical initiatives, as Jazba is simultaneously launching four (4) contests in line with the brand promise of ‘Juro Gey Tu Jano Gey’, which encourages Pakistan’s youth to commit to their passion.

These contests are being organized at 100 universities across Pakistan and aim to identify talent in categories such as of ‘Best director’, ’Photographer’, ‘Music Band’ and ‘Wardrobe Designer’. Winners will get the opportunity to be part of the tour and showcase their talents with Jazba and Atif Aslam.

Campaign promotion kicked off with an event in Lahore where Atif Aslam and Qurat-ul-Ain Baloch rocked the fans who had gathered at Mall Of Lahore and gave their best wishes to the artists.

Sadia Khurram, Director Marketing, Mobilink highlighted, “The ‘rock-umentary’ is Jazba’s initiative to showcase Atif’s musical journey, his development into Pakistan’s biggest rock star, and to provide him a platform to inspire the many millions who look up to him. As Pakistan’s leading youth brand, we are also very glad to present the ‘Jazba Generation Tour’, which will provide our youth an opportunity for healthy entertainment, especially at a time when such activities have become so scarce.”

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Microsoft Revamps its Website

Back in June 2012, Microsoft launched a preview for the upcoming Microsoft.com, which seemed entirely different from its old layout. And by far at Friday, the preview design went live on Microsoft.com that reflects a fresh and brighter look with less clutter than before.

The latest design of this website fits to any screen resolution you display the homepage in. This new home page consist a dominant element that is the large banner advertising Microsoft products and services. Right now, it is showing teaser banner of Bing on it with Skype and Visual Studio.

It is quite interesting to see that these designs are different depending on which web browser you use to access the Microsoft homepage. The above showed homepage is displayed to Google Chrome, Internet Explorer 10 and Opera users only. Other than it, Firefox and Internet Explorer users would see an entirely different design, as following:

In both designs, the top of the page is nearly identical while the search bar is displayed prominently as well as the links to products, downloads, security and buy. But the first difference is the distinction between home and work on the Firefox and IE9 page while you can switch between work and home on the IE10 and Chrome design page as well, as it will not change the teaser banner at the top.

Currently, it is not clear that why Microsoft decided to launch the site with varied designs based on browsers.

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Ufone Announces Full Toss Offer

The T20 World Cup fever is getting more nerve wrecking as the tournament has come into the super 8 phase. Everyone has their hopes high and is looking forward to a magical performance by Team Pakistan.

Keep in view the trending excitement, Ufone has announced the latest Uth Full Toss offer, which will allow Ufone customer to make Re. 1 /hour calls round the clock. Keep reading for more details on it.

Offer Details:

• Call all Ufone numbers at Re. 1 per hour
• Uth Full Toss will be valid from the time of subscription till mid-night of the same day.
• Offer comes at a daily charge of Rs. 2 per day
• This offer is available for all prepaid customers

How to Subscribe:

• The offer can be subscribed by dialing *2001#.

Terms and Conditions:

• Heavy Scene offer is now renamed Full Toss offer
• Uth Full Toss will be valid from the time of subscription till mid-night of the same day.
• Daily charges of the related Uth offer/package will be applicable
• Full Toss is only for prepaid customers
• Uth Full Toss is not for those customers who subscribe to Super Call offer
• Calls made on free numbers and short codes are not included in this offer
• Full Toss rate will not apply to Location Based Offers
• Terms & conditions apply
• 19.5% FED on usage and 10% WHT tax at recharge or bill applies
• Using SIMS without proper documentation is a crime – PTA

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Get Mobilink Number with 03000 Series

Mobilink has announced the availability of a new series from its 0300 lot, the prestigious numbering plan from its early days, the 03000 numbers.

Mobilink has said that it will be giving away one million new numbers from 03000 series, with no mention of special pricing for the series.

However, it is assumed that special numbers, also called as golden numbers, (such as 0300-01111111) will come at hiked rates ranging from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 100,000.

03000 numbers are available for both prepaid and postpaid customers.

Unlike Warid, Telenor or Zong, Mobilink is yet to establish a procedure for booking numbers online. so if you want to buy a number from 03000 series then hurry up and rush to Mobilink service Centers to avail the offer.

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PTCL Sponsors Hajj for its 40 Employees

Pakistan Telecommunications Company Limited (PTCL) is sponsoring Hajj for its forty employees. In this regard company held a farewell reception in honor of the forty departing hajjis who have been sponsored by the company under the employee welfare scheme.

Held at a local hotel in Islamabad, the reception was attended by PTCL employees. As part of its organizational commitment to provide incentives and encouragement for the employees, PTCL sponsors the Hajj of 40 employees each year according to a pre-defined process.

“PTCL is proud to help realize the life-long dreams of our dedicated employees for performing Hajj,” said Senior Executive Vice President (SEVP) HR, Syed Mazhar Hussain, while addressing the reception “We are committed to develop a performance based culture across the organization. All our employee welfare schemes adhere to this philosophy”

The reception was attended by senior PTCL officials as well as employees who expressed deep appreciation for their company.

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Neon and Trakker-NAV Launch Portable GPS Navigation Devices

With the expansion in Pakistan road infrastructure, On-road navigation assistance is now an important requirement, especially considering the deteriorating law-and-order situation due to which drivers are hesitant to stop and ask for directions.

Worldwide, over 70% of all Vehicle owners prefer to have their cars installed with PNDs due to the convenience to reach the destination using optimum routing and in shortest time.

If you were specifically waiting for such a Car Navigation Device, which could assist you find your destinations with turn by turn voice guided help, then here is a good news for you:

Neon & Trakker-NAV have launched multiple models of Portable Navigation Devices (PND) bundled with Trakker-NAV Pakistan Maps, which they are claiming as first ever Portable Navigation Devices for cars that are made available in Pakistan.

Portable Navigation Devices, which are mountable on car windscreen are available in 3 models including 5″ LCD, 7″ LCD (with WINCE Operating System) and 7″ LCD (with Android Operating System & internet connectivity).

Portable Navigation Device Prices:

• The basic model N-5000 is priced at Rs 12,999/-
• Up-spec model N-8000 with Android Operating System & wifi connectivity is priced at Rs 15,999/-

Coverage:

The Trakker-NAV map covers more than 100 cities all over Pakistan and offers over 200,000 Destinations & Points of Interest (POI). Trakker-NAV has developed the Pakistan map in collaboration with Sygic, which is one of the leading European companies specializing in mapping technology.

The PNDs have initially been launched in Karachi market and are available with selected dealers.

The Launch in Punjab is scheduled in the second week of October.

The Trakker-NAV maps, which are being installed in Toyota Corolla Altis version by Indus Motor Company Ltd., has received tremendous customer response on account on its utility and user-friendliness.

More Information:

Information on the outlets can be obtained from the Toll Free Hotline No 08000-2626 or you can visit their website here.

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YouTube Isn’t Opening in Pakistan Anytime Soon: Officials

Reports that we are getting from Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, Ministry of IT and Telecom and from what it appears from Google’s stiff position and decision for not deleting anti-Islam video or even blocking its access locally in Pakistan, we are somewhat certain that YouTube isn’t getting unbanned in the country anytime soon.

YouTube ban in Pakistan, which has now entered into its third week, is seemingly going to last for long, especially when Google is not in any mood of blocking the access of anti-Islam video in Pakistan, unlike it has done in several other countries.

PTA and MoIT officials, during their interviews with ProPakistani, were determined that YouTube will remain blocked unless Google decides to take the video offline – internationally or at least locally in Pakistan – since the decision is covered by a court order.

PTA officials, who wanted to remain unnamed, told me that procedures were initiated to get the video clips blocked in Pakistan, but YouTube didn’t respond positively as Pakistan has no legal control over the company.

When asked if MLAT (Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty) – an agreement between two countries for gathering, exchanging and enforcing public and criminal laws – is an obstacle because Pakistan hasn’t signed MLAT with USA, the PTA officials explained that USA doesn’t have MLAT with Libya, Indonesia or Singapore too, where the company chose to block the video due to US government pressure or on-ground offices in those states.

PTA officials said that countries, where Google has its physical presence or has infrastructure (datacenters) in place, were better positioned to get the movie clips blocked.

“Unlike Google, Facebook had removed the blasphemous content from its website for users in Pakistan and was hence unblocked after two weeks in 2010. Google, however, has decided otherwise and this is why it will remain blocked until it acts”, the official said.

When asked about the future of YouTube in Pakistan, PTA officials said that Google will have to play sensibly by removing the video clips from its website if it wants to retain its customers in Pakistan.

“Prime Minister will not order the restoration of YouTube, unless the anti-Islam video is accessible in Pakistan”, confirmed us an MoIT official who is keeping a close eye on the whole situation. Statement of MoIT official made more sense at a time when PPP government is facing reputation issues and is vigorously preparing itself for next general elections.

YouTube ban has disrupted variety of other Google services, causing serious performance issues for individuals and businesses in the country. Android, Google’s mobile operating system, is so badly impacted that almost no service, including Gmail, Maps, Contact Sync, Play Store, is functional making all Android devices almost useless. There are sorts of Google’s web services also not accessible to users in Pakistan due to YouTube ban.

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