Is Telecom Sector Involved in Parchi System?: ProPakistani

Is Telecom Sector Involved in Parchi System?
Telenor Pakistan Turns 6
Ufone & JazzJazba Secured 3rd Position in Pakistan Web Awards
Bridging Digital Divide in Pakistan
Nexus S to Launch in Pakistan on March 25th
PTCL to Offer ICT Solutions to Sindh Government
Mobilink Jazz Super 5656 Quiz Service!

Is Telecom Sector Involved in Parchi System?

Posted: 15 Mar 2011 12:15 AM PDT

Is Telecom Sector Involved in Parchi System? is a post from: ProPakistani

job parchi Is Telecom Sector Involved in Parchi System? First of all, let me be clear that I am writing this after getting inspiration from Telenor's Khamoshi ka Boycott campaign.

After reviewing their earlier advertisements and criticizing them hard (based on our own viewpoint), I must admit that their this particular TVC about parchi system is indeed something to look at.

Though, call it pessimism or maybe I am more realistic, I don't find this campaign bringing a significant revolution in terms of changing the current parchi system in our culture, however, it indeed has triggered us to think the state of HR policies in various organizations.

And today, we will talk about Telecom sector!

I have spoken to more than a dozen telecom officials in last two days, and asked them about their HR policies, recruitment procedures and chances of being influenced by Parchi, references and the pressure from external sources in employing someone.

Public Relation departments of Mobilink, Telenor, Ufone, Warid and Zong were of the view that there is no 'parchi system', at all, in their respective companies, hence we can conclude from their conversations that Parchi System is something unknown to telecom sector.

Though, couple of of them, including Telenor PR Head, agreed to a point that they are at times asked and influenced by regulator, government officials, regarding jobs – but they never entertain such requests.

On other hands, when I spoke to other departments especially the HR officials in various organizations, they hinted us of parchi system, to some extent at least.

One of the official said:

Telecom companies are part of Pakistan 's socio system. So we can't separate this industry from the rest of the country. How can you think of a Telecom company not being influenced by regulator, government or those who have got higher stakes in management?

While I agree with this official, here is one more viewpoint from another unnamed official:

Parchi system was largely in-practice just few years back, when telecom sector was booming. I can give you names, examples, however, now – the situation is different. Every company is looking for best resource at best price so there are very little chances of hiring someone based on some external pressure.

After saying this, he agreed to following:

If someone has got a reference, and he is capable at the same time, then obviously the candidate has better chances to get the job.

From all this, I can safely say that evidences of parchi system are there in telecom sector too, maybe not as significant as in other industries/organizations.

Our readers, mostly being from telecom sector, we would like to request your input on this, to tell us "Have you seen anyone getting job in Telecom sector through Parchi System?"

Please share your personal stories, if any, in below comments or send us email here aamir [at] propakistani.com.

Based on readers' input (in comments and emails), we will do a follow up story in coming days, with more facts.

Telenor Pakistan Turns 6

Posted: 15 Mar 2011 12:10 AM PDT

Telenor Pakistan Turns 6 is a post from: ProPakistani

Telenor Pakistan today celebrated its 6^th anniversary by reiterating its commitment to bringing the benefits of telecommunications to people's everyday lives, said a statement.

Since its launch, the company has shown consistent high growth by performing above industry average every year. According to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority's latest annual report, Telenor Pakistan showed the highest growth rate of 14% in 2009-10.

Speaking on the occasion, CEO Telenor Pakistan Christian Albech said:

On its sixth anniversary, Telenor Pakistan has already crossed the 25 million subscriber mark. It gives me great satisfaction to tell you that of the total number of subscribers in the country today, every fourth is a Telenor customer.

With the belief in building around people, we have established an open culture that continues to be one of our biggest strengths. By introducing easypaisa, we have brought the bank to the unbanked population of the country and are continuing to spearhead growth through our Karo Mumkin philosophy.

Easypaisa has been the recipient of 'Best Mobile Money Transfer Entrant of the Year Award' at the world's first Mobile Money Awards and has also received a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's Mobile Money for the Unbanked Fund.

Among the numerous awards it has won, Telenor Pakistan has also received the Best Place to Work, Most Preferred Employer for HR Practices, Highest FDI Investor Award, and Superbrand of the Telecom Industry Award.

Ufone & JazzJazba Secured 3rd Position in Pakistan Web Awards

Posted: 15 Mar 2011 12:00 AM PDT

Ufone & JazzJazba Secured 3rd Position in Pakistan Web Awards is a post from: ProPakistani

The first Ever Pakistan Web Awards were given away, recently. These awards were organized by “The Xeptionalz” with the support of IT Ministry, Government of Sindh, Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) & City District Government Karachi (CDGK).

There were more than 130 websites nominated in 35 categories. Each Category Winner was given “Silver Award”.

The Diamond Award for the best website in Pakistan was granted to SATMAP TRG for 1st Position. The site, www.satmaptrg.com, was nominated under category “IT/ITeS”.

The Platinum Award was given to www.tribune.com.pk for 2nd Position in the category “Press & Media”.

Ufone and JazzJazba websites were conferred Gold Awards having tied-up for third position in the ceremony of first Pakistan Web Awards 2010 held here in Karachi.

The two websites: www.ufone.com & www.jazzjazba.com nominated under category of "Cellular/Telecom Companies" were qualified jointly for 3rd Position or Gold Award.

Special Award was granted to Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) for extraordinary creation of www.pakistan.pk, the National Rabta Informational Portal of Pakistan.

The Jury Panel was consisted of Mr. Arshad Khalil, CEO KTF Education, Arena Multimedia, Mr. Talib Syed Karim, Rector and Executive Director of Management Excellence Center, Institute of Business Management, Mr. Sohail Aziz, Council Member at Marketing Association of Pakistan and Representative of Messe Berlin in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, Barrister Zahid Jamil, IT Law Expert, National Response Centre for Cyber Crimes, Pakistan and Mr. Atiq Ur Rahman, Head of Marketing, RAKCODS & Business Development Advisor at Riphah International University, UAE.

Sindh IT Minister Raza Haroon as chief guest of the event lauded the creative, informative and facilitation features of the websites.

He said the Web Awards may be made an annual happening in order to keep our websites ready to compete globally by this healthy competition.

The revamped look of Sindh Government Web Portal, http://www.sindh.gov.pk/, and Sindh IT Department’s websites,http://www.sindh.gov.pk/dpt/IT/index.htm, were also demonstrated at The Web Awards ceremony.

Following is the complete list of award winners:

Category	Winner
Advertising Agencies	www.magnuscommunications.net
Agriculture	www.imtiaz.biz
Automotive	www.pakwheels.com
Banks	www.kasb.com
Cargo Services	www.unitedamericanline.com
Cellular/Telecom Companies	www.jazzjazba.com
Cellular/Telecom Companies	www.ufone.com
Corporate	www.engro.com
E-Commerce & Online Shopping	www.beliscity.com
Education	www.ilmkidunya.com
Employment Web Portals	www.rozee.pk
Engineering	www.aeib.ae
Event Managers/Organizers	www.cherryontop.ae
Exhibitions & Conferences	www.itcnasia.com
Foreign Missions & Trade Offices	UKinPakistan.fco.gov.uk
Government Organizations	www.pta.gov.pk
Health	www.pakdonor.com
Hotels	www.avari.com/property/avari-towers
Industries & Production	www.shanplastic.com
Institutions	www.hup.edu.pk
Internet Service Providers	www.dsl.net.pk
Investment	www.vantage.ae
Management Consultants	www.trgms.com
NGO’s	www.lrbt.org.pk
Other IT/ITeS	www.satmaptrg.com
Personal	www.aafiamovement.com
Plastic, Packaging & Printing	www.cranberrymktg.com
Press & Media	www.tribune.com.pk
Real Estate & Developers	www.maymar.com.pk
Social Media	www.pakdesk.com
Software Development Companies	www.trgworld.com/trgtech
Web Designing & Hosting	www.a2zcreatorz.com

Bridging Digital Divide in Pakistan

Posted: 14 Mar 2011 09:30 PM PDT

Bridging Digital Divide in Pakistan is a post from: ProPakistani

Digital divide is a term used to define the gap between people with effective access to digital world and those who have no or limited access to modern technology in their daily lives.

Last one decade is widely considered as a decade of revolution as far as Pakistan Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) industry is concerned. Mobile Phones and Broadband Internet have replaced land lines and Internet Cards respectively. But has it really reached through out the country or merely some big cities making them envied for the larger chunk of our population living in villages and small cities. We will have a look on this in following:

While in Pakistan, during the past decade the usage of Mobile phones and Internet has tremendously increased but our rural areas are still greatly devoid of this phenomenon. Though Mobile Phones have reached majority of the population but the Internet phenomenon haven't reached as compared to Mobile phones.

While mobile phones are being used only as a mean of communication, Internet can be utilized to change the social conditions of any population.

Though Mian Shehbaz Sharif's Punjab Government is providing facility of computer labs in Government schools through out the Punjab but there are no teachers to make these labs function and what function can they do when there is no electricity in the country.

In this regard efforts of Universal Service Fund (USF) founded by Government of Pakistan in 2006 are also recommendable. USF promotes the development of Telecommunication services in under-served areas through out the country.

The key objectives of USF are:

To bring the focus of telecom operators toward rural population and increase the level of telecom penetration significantly in rural areas through effective and fair utilization of the funds.
To improve the Broadband penetration in the country.
To bring significant advances towards enhancement of e-services, both in rural as well as urban areas of the country.

Since USF's formation in 2006, it is working on Rural Telecom Projects in un-served areas, for which contracts have been signed with major Telecom service providers in the country for providing telecom services.

USF is also contributing to other fields. The special project 'ICT for persons with disabilities' involves providing ICT related equipment for special person's institutions.

Here is what Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) a non-profit group based in Islamabad suggests about how to measure and bridge the digital divide:

The importance of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to economic development has been recognized widely during the last decade. The development promises made by the significant growth of ICTs are challenged by the so-called digital divide. The 'digital divide' refers to the drastic differences in levels of ICT access between different population groups.

Pakistan also faces a Gender Digital divide where girls don't even know how to operate a mobile phone and a computer. The steps taken to bridge the digital divide in the country includes an accord with Microsoft in January 2010 called "Microsoft Computer literacy program"

A similar accord was signed by Punjab government with Microsoft in Jan 10 under which Microsoft will extend its support for the development of local IT industry. The company will also setup an innovation centre at software Technology Park.

Steps to Bridge Digital Divide in Pakistan

Here are some of the steps that need to be taken immediately by the Government to bridge the Digital divide in the country:

A federal level survey of every district and every village of the country to access the level of the predicament.
Provide sufficient funding and employ private-public partnership to reach to the masses.
Provide full support and necessary tools to equip the low economic background people.
Make a regulatory body independent of political influence.
Provide public with clear goals and direction for the project.

These are only the few basic steps to bridge digital divide in Pakistan for the smooth flow of knowledge to every corner of the country and uplift the standards of the poor classes of our country and bring them into the National fabric for better functioning of our economy and improve our image as a friendly Nation in the world community.

Nexus S to Launch in Pakistan on March 25th

Posted: 14 Mar 2011 09:29 PM PDT

Nexus S to Launch in Pakistan on March 25th is a post from: ProPakistani

Google's Nexus S is going to get launched in Pakistan on March 25th, this was revealed by Haris Nadeem on AndroidPakistan.com.

Moreover, it is said that Mobilink is going to partner with Samsung for the launch of Nexus S, just like they previously did for Samsung Galaxy Tab.

According to androidpakistan, Samsung's Nexus S will be priced around Rs. 49,999, in the start.

In past, we covered some details on hardware and specification of Nexus S here. More details on Nexus S will be communicated to you as soon as we get them.

PTCL to Offer ICT Solutions to Sindh Government

Posted: 14 Mar 2011 09:28 PM PDT

PTCL to Offer ICT Solutions to Sindh Government is a post from: ProPakistani

PTCL has signed a contract with Sindh Government to provide it a system which will ease of the tax collection procedure, reported Daily Times.

Under this agreement, PTCL will provide data connectivity solutions to Excise and Taxation offices throughout the province of Sindh for integrating the tax collection process.

This will not only facilitate taxpayers in submission of taxes but will also result in transparent and efficient tax collection processes in the province.

Excise & Taxation Department is the main tax-collecting agency of the provincial government. The department is responsible for levy and tax collection.

These services offer secure, reliable and integrated end-to-end domestic connectivity solutions to cater data connectivity demand of tax collecting department.

PTCL will equip the government of Sindh with its state of the art data center services, satellite communication links, videoconference and wireless broadband services.

The agreement signing ceremony was held at the office of Secretary Excise and Taxation Manzoor. A. Memon on March 14, 2011.

SEVP BZS Abdulla Yousef said,

PTCL is heavily investing in these ICT assets on behalf of our customers so that they can focus on their core competencies. PTCL is deeply committed to providing technology of international standards to government, educational and enterprise markets so that it can play a major role in the development of the country.

Mobilink Jazz Super 5656 Quiz Service!

Posted: 14 Mar 2011 09:25 PM PDT

Mobilink Jazz Super 5656 Quiz Service! is a post from: ProPakistani

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Participate in the Mobilink Jazz 5656 Quiz service to test your knowledge and give your luck a shot as Mobilink Jazz will be giving away a lot of fun prizes including MP3 players, gaming consoles, tablet pc, laptops etc. to the lucky winners of this quiz contest.

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All you have to do is send any text to 5656 and participate in the 5656 quiz service lucky draw by sending the correct entry.

The contest has begun from March 14, 2011 and will be ending on March 31, 2011. Therefore, hurry up people and join the race today to win exciting prizes by taking part in the super awesome 5656 Quiz contest ever. The lucky draw will take place in the 1^st week of April, 2011.

Remember, the more correct entries you send, the more chances of winning you have so without further ado, let the Quiz begin!

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Each SMS sent to 5656 is charged at Rs. 5+tax per