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A daily review of media coverage of media and communications issues. |
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Attack on Media
Censorship |
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Channels barred from airing shows on CJ issue
Enraged by media coverage of the ongoing judicial crisis, the government on Saturday stopped satellite TV channels from telecasting programmes, including live talk shows and discussions, on the issue of the presidential reference against Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry. The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority sent a carefully-drafted letter to the managements of the private TV channels to inform them of the decision to ban TV coverage of the events related to the chief justice. Interestingly, Pemra also issued a press release later in the afternoon regarding the award of licence to DawnNews TV in which it claimed that no ban had been imposed on live coverage of programmes. The Pemra letter to the TV channels, a copy of which is available with Dawn, states: “No programme shall be aired which (i) is likely to encourage and incite violence or contains anything against maintenance of law and order or which promotes anti-national and anti-state attitude; (ii) contains anything which amounts to contempt of court; (iii) contains aspersions against the judiciary and integrity of the armed forces of Pakistan; (iv) maligns or slander any individual in person or certain groups, segments of social, public and moral life of the country; and is against basic cultural values, morality and good manner.”
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/06/03/top2.htm |
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Chief justice evokes ‘people power’ TV channels don’t cover rally live |
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Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry’s previous rallies were televised live by private domestic television channels, but none broadcast the motorcade after warnings from the government. One private television station, the Karachi-based Aaj TV, said it had been told not to cover the procession. “We have received a notice from the PEMRA that we cannot show live coverage from any place other than what is specified in our licence,” said Talat Hussain, the station’s news director. But Information Minister Mohammad Ali Durrani denied the government had barred live coverage. “I am not aware of any restrictions on media,” Durrani told AFP.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?date=6%2F3%2F2007 |
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Channels say barred from live coverage, Durrani denies |
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Pakistani news channels have shown live TV coverage of Chaudhry's rallies. But the situation Saturday was visibly different, as most stations only reported on Chaudhry's procession, showing previously recorded footage. Mohsin Raza, news director for the AYR news channel, said the government was exerting pressure on the coverage issue. "It's a kind of censorship of the electronic media," he said. One broadcaster said Friday his network received "verbal instructions" from the government not to show live coverage of Chaudhry's rallies. One private television station, the Karachi-based Aaj TV, said it had been told not to cover the procession. "We have received a notice from the Pakistan Electronic and Media Regulatory Authority that we cannot show live coverage from any place other than what is specified in our licence," said Talat Hussain, the station's news director. However, Information Minister Mohammed Ali Durrani told AP the government believes in freedom of the press, and that it had only requested the media abide by their code of conduct.
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_Fb_ShortNews.aspx?fbshortid=1964&fcatid=14&date=06/03/2007&bcatid=14&bstatus=Archive |
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Cartoon by Daily Times |
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Intimidation
Criticism of army won’t be tolerated, Durrani warns media |
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Criticism of the army is intolerable and nobody will be permitted to ridicule national security institutions, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Muhammad Ali Durrani said on Saturday. He was talking to reporters after a ceremony at the Information Services Academy (ISA). He pledged that the government would defend the freedom granted to the press by President Gen Pervez Musharraf and no ban would be imposed on the media. However, he said the propaganda against Pakistan and national security institutions, under the cover of press freedom, would not be permitted. Durrani said the army was guarding the borders and no criticism of the institution would be tolerated. Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Muhammad Ali Durrani said the media had a positive role to play in the country’s progress and in strengthening democracy. He said the best censor on the media was that which journalists imposed by themselves, adding that laws made for the country’s protection would be implemented.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\06\03\story_3-6-2007_pg7_25 |
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Killing
Tribal journalist among 5 killed in Bajaur blast |
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Five people including a senior tribal journalist were killed in an explosion in Malasyed, 20 kilometres from Khar in Bajaur Agency, on Saturday. Tribal Union of Journalists Vice President Noor Hakim, political tehsildar Wasil Khan, tribal elder Muhammad Ayaz and his son Parvaiz Khan were returning from Malasyed when their vehicle hit a remote-controlled bomb on the road. Hakim, Wasil Khan, Ayaz, Pervaiz Khan and a security guard, Hasan, died instantly due to the blast. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Daily Times Monitor adds: The Dawn News television channel reported that the men were heading towards Bajaur Agency after attending a jirga in Salarzai. Locals said the attack may be the result of personal enmity, but officials said they are investigating the incident from all perspectives, NNI reported. Bajaur has seen violence in recent months as Taliban-linked militants have been active in the region. At least 80 people were killed when military aircraft bombed a madrassa in Bajaur in October 2006. The authorities believed that the madrassa was being used to train militants.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\06\03\story_3-6-2007_pg7_6
http://nation.com.pk/daily/jun-2007/3/index7.php
http://www.dawn.com/2007/06/03/top3.htm
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Media Regulation
Live telecast not banned: Pemra |
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Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) Saturday said some TV channels were violating rules by carrying illegal live up-linking. The authority rejected reports that any ban was imposed on live coverage of TV programmes.The authority reviewed 'temporary up-linking permission' which deals with the provision for satellite TV channels to early "event-based" coverage in a meeting Saturday. The Authority resolved to stop such illegitimate practices by TV channels and decided to consider applications on case-to-case basis in future only to facilitate the event-based up-linking of programmes. The Authority decided in principle to grant a satellite TV license to M/s Pakistan Herald Publication (Pvt.) Ltd, formally known as 'DAWN TV'. The new channel would be a fresh and promising addition to the news/current affairs channels in Pakistan. With this addition, the number of Pakistani licensed private TV channels would grow to 23. The Authority, while examining the current status of electronic media in Pakistan, resolved to maintain level-playing fields for all the media operators. The Authority also in principle approved the grant of Mobile TV license "Content Provision Service" to M/s Telenor, one of the leading cellular companies in Pakistan. This is relatively a new phenomenon in broadcast revolution. The concept of TV content on mobile phones is rapidly growing and fetching popularity in countries like USA and South Korea. The mobile TV service is currently available on various technological modes like DVB-H, DVB-H, DVB-SH and DMB which are particularly designed to support the broadcast TV content on cell phones. It may be recalled that the PEMRA has already issued 103 FM radio licenses across the country and is endeavouring to have at least one FM radio in each district of the country.
(Express-1)
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_MainNews.aspx?bdtl_id=5982&fb_id=2&catid=14&date=06/03/2007&fcatid=14 |
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Media Protest
Media restrictions against fundamental right: PBA |
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The restrictions imposed on TV channels by the government are an “attack” on the fundamental right to the freedom of expression, the Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) said on Saturday. At a meeting to review the restrictions, the PBA passed a resolution, asking the government to show respect for the freedom of expression as guaranteed under the Constitution. The resolution said, “The government has given exemplary liberty to the media, but at this critical juncture its resolve is under test.” “The government should show tolerance and tolerate criticism,” the resolution said. The PBA respects the army, however the role of the army chief in government sometimes brings the institution into debate, it added.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_default.asp |
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PFUJ to move court |
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The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has decided to move the court against the ban on the live transmission by the private TV channels, a statement said Saturday. The PFUJ said the government's decision was in violation of the Article 19 of the Constitution of Pakistan. The statement said the PFUJ was also planning a one-day strike against the ban on live coverage of the meetings of the 'suspended' Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chau-dhry, by the country's private channels, attacks on the media and censorship.The Union has called a meeting in Islamabad today (Sunday) to evolve a consensus about the strike, the statement concluded.
(News-8)
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_CityNews.aspx?dtlid=100480&catid=3&date=06/03/2007&fcatid=14 |
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RSF slams ‘return of censorship’ |
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The Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF) or Reporters Without Borders has announced its support to the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) plan to oppose a return to censorship after the government announced new restrictions on press freedom, above all, a ban on live broadcast coverage of outdoor events. "This arbitrary decision is a new stage in the move back to the sinister times of state censorship," the Paris-based organization said in a statement received here on Saturday."We hope that, with the support of the public and international community, the protests of Pakistan's journalists will make the government back down. We were the first to hail the creation of privately owned TV stations. But it is not by gagging them that President Pervez Musharraf will solve the current political crisis," it said. Clearly very irritated by the extensive live coverage of a recent seminar in which the Supreme Court chief justice took part, Durrani said: "The armed forces of Pakistan have embraced martyrdom whenever the country faced any threat... We cannot, therefore, let the defenders of our frontiers be maligned and defamed." Cable and satellite TV operators, subsequently, stopped carrying some privately-owned television stations. A representative of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) told Reporters Without Borders that his union intended to call a one-day strike.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_default.asp |
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Govt policy about media must be changed |
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The policy about seeking prior permission of Pemra to live telecast any program on the electronic media in Pakistan will have to be changed and made lenient. This was suggested by Arif Nazami Editor Nation in telephonic interview with Sahara TV channel. He maintained that the ban on direct telecast had given rise to the question what electronic media would present after all.
(Nation-8)
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Media warnings |
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The journalist community of the twin cities are talking about the current statement of media advises as given by the information minister in one of his press conference to the media to stay limit bound. This new media alert has suggested many media power players to give a look to their media strategy which they are not going to change is the impression as given by these power players. However, journalists have totally ignored the current media advises from the government as the top guns of print and electronic media have shown their reservations and said if any move made to hamper the coverage of print and electronic media it will ultimately result in a bad site for many players within the government.
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_IsbNews.aspx?dtlid=100331&catid=17&date=06/03/2007&fcatid=14 |
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Journalists rally in Lahore |
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Lahore based journalists held protest rally against government acts to ban live coverage. Punjab Union of Journalists organized the rally on mall road. Media community chanted slogans against government curbs.
(Jang-8)
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City Council one against threat to journalists |
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Opposition and treasury benches in the City Council on Saturday expressed solidarity with journalists who have recently been threatened with bullets, but failed to table a joint resolution on the issue of freedom of press and expression. The opposition members walked out when treasury members did not agree to a resolution tabled by them which condemned a federal government ban on live telecast of events by television channels. The council meeting, presided over by Naib Nazima Nasreen Jalil, however, witnessed unity between both benches against life threats to three Karachi journalists. The journalists had found envelops carrying bullets and life threatening letters in their cars. The opposition and ruling members expressed solidarity with the journalists and pledged to stand by them. The opposition leader of Al Khidmat Group, Rafiq Ahmed, said in his speech that threats to Mazhar Abbas, Zarar Khan and Asif Ahmed was a condemnable act. “They are threatened because they highlighted the truth. The government is responsible to investigate the matter and protect the lives of the journalists,” he said. On that occasion, Haq Parsat member Imran Ahmed said that threats to the journalists was a conspiracy against the Karachi city. He said that time had come to establish a media advisory committee consisting on the representatives of political parties having appropriate representation in the National Assembly and journalists. The committee would workout and resolve all matters and issues related to the print and electronic media. Both benches exchanged harsh words when the issue of freedom of press and expression was being discussed.
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http://nation.com.pk/daily/jun-2007/3/nationalnews7.php |
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Curbs on media slammed |
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Journalists of Attock district criticized the govt’s moves to reportedly restrict live television coverage of events and increasing incidents of violence against journalists in Pakistan.
(Dawn-18)
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News Editorial “Censorship and the judicial crisis” |
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“There are many more questions but these are some of the more pressing ones that come to mind. Surely, it wasn't the print or the electronic media that did all these things. As has been pointed out several times in the recent past – and not just by this newspaper but by pretty much the whole print and electronic media – the media is a mirror and reflects reality. If it takes sides or begins to show a one-sided version of events as they unfold then it should be held accountable and that will be reflected via the erosion of its credibility (a la PTV). Also, if for the sake of argument, it is accepted that the media is presenting an unbalanced anti-government version then what about coverage in the international media and what of perception on the street against the government's policies and actions, especially post-March 9?”
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_news.asp?id=8 |
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Media ki Azadi? |
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Hameed Akhtar the Express columnist in column Media ki azadi? (Freedom of media?) Comments, “We request to federal information minister to argue army and army command to follow the sayings of Quaid rather than criticizing media. This can result positive outcomes to strengthen institutions.”
(Express-Column)
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Media per crake down ka Andesha |
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Jang columnist Irshad Haqqani in ‘Media per crake down ka Andesha’, (Fear of crake down on media) comments, “Now emphasize on word freedom is enhancing. Media circles are expressing fears that government is planning some crake down against media. Such acts will weaken the political position of president. ”
(Jang-Column)
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Post Editorial “Media censorship, again?” |
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The recent judicial crisis has exposed the Musharraf regime in many ways and left it weak in the process. Instead of handling the matter in an intelligent manner after the initial gaffe, the government keeps on making blunders one after the other. The so-called media ‘freedom’ is now being challenged by the very regime that claimed to have given unfettered freedom to the media for the very first time in Pakistan. Information Minister Muhammad Ali Durrani’s recent press conference on the issue of regulating the media by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) is the exact antithesis of the Musharraf regime’s claims of ‘unprecedented media freedom’. When the judiciary is under threat from the establishment and genuine democratic forces are being kept at bay, there is no hope for media freedom. This proves that freedom of expression can only be possible in a country where there is an independent judiciary and an empowered parliament.
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_EditorialNews.aspx?dtlid=100388&catid=10&date=06/03/2007&fcatid=14 |
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Media Miscellaneous
Journalist robbed |
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Unidentified robbers looted cash and gold ornaments from the house of Mukesh Ropeta, reporter of The News & Geo TV channel, here on Saturday. Reports said five armed men made their way into the house of Mukesh Ropeta in Kamora Muhalla at about 9 am. They held the family and labourers, who were carrying out construction work in the upper portion of the house, hostage and looted Rs 700,000 and gold ornaments worth Rs 150,000. The robbers, who also snatched mobile phones from Dr Ghansham Das, Mithoo, Kishan alias Baboo and Mukesh Ropeta, locked the family in a room and fled. Later, journalists, traders, labour leaders and activists of political and religious parties staged a demonstration and a rally against the robbery. They also staged a sit-in on the National Highway and blocked the traffic for half an hour. The protesters marched on the roads and reached the DPO office, where they chanted slogans against the DPO. Later, the DPO came out of his office and offered to hold talks with the protesters, but they refused to hold talks and asked the DPO to get the looted cash and ornaments recovered and the culprits arrested.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_news.asp?id=2 |
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Opp seeks debate on threats to press, media ban |
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The opposition on Saturday submitted separate adjournment motions to the National Assembly and Senate secretariats, seeking debate on threats to journalists and the ban on live coverage of outdoor events by private TV channels. Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy Parliamentary Secretary Izhar Amrohvi submitted the motions to the respective secretariats of the two houses and said that opposition parliamentarians, especially ARD members, wished to raise the two issues in both houses.He said opposition MPs were concerned about threats to three senior journalists Mazhar Abbas, Zarar Khan and Asif Hussain in Karachi after the judicial crisis and the inaction of the government regarding the matter, despite the inspector general of Sindh police having been brought into the picture. The threats arrived in the form of bullets wrapped in envelopes, telling the reporters to refrain from reporting on certain events.Amrohvi said the government’s intentions to curb the live coverage of outdoor events by private channels went against the Constitution and violated press freedom and human rights. “Members also expressed concern about Information Minister Muhammad Ali Durrani’s statement expressing displeasure about the live coverage of recent events related to the judicial crisis,” he added.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\06\03\story_3-6-2007_pg7_26 |
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Pemra can take action on govt complaint: Durrani |
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Federal Information Minister Muhammad Ali Durrani has said that Pemra can take action against media on the complaint of government and common citizens. In an interview with BBC he said that earlier media was informed about violation of rules and asked them not to repeat that in future to avoide any action against them.
(News-9)
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Media ought to impose self-censorship, says Durrani |
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No new laws are being introduced to curb press freedom but the media should observe the existing rules and regulations of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra), said Minister for Information and Broadcasting Muhammad Ali Durrani on Saturday. "The government would ensure affective implementation of the media laws," he declared while talking to newspersons at the Information Service Academy. He said while the government did not believe in censorship, the media should adopt self-censorship. Durrani said the present government had introduced press freedom and it would protect it. "We welcome criticism on the functioning of the government or its functionaries, but nobody would be allowed to malign the judiciary or the armed forces, the symbols of national sovereignty," he added. He said the government and the media together would not only protect the press freedom but would also unmask those political elements who were issuing confusing statements about the press freedom. He said even the judiciary has questioned this negative propaganda launched through the media. Also, the media is also exposing those involved in "the malicious and negative propaganda." The minister said that it was the responsibility of all Pakistani citizens to defend national sovereignty. Asked about the reported suspension of a private TV channel's transmission, the minister said the government was in touch with the administrations of all the television channels and the matters would be resolved under the Pemra laws.
Later, addressing information officers from all the four provinces and the AJK, Durrani said the Information Ministry is to perform as a bridge between the government, the media and the people. "The enormous task before the ministry is to enlighten the people about the massive economic achievements, reforms programme and the mega development projects launched by the incumbent government. This has to be done in a scientific way," he said.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_default.asp |
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Website launched for complaints of illegal detentions |
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A website was launched on Saturday to receive complaints about illegal detentions and delays in the registration of FIRs through the Internet. District and Sessions Judge Hyderabad Zafar Ahmed Khan Sherwani launched a website www.hyderabadcourts.org in order to facilitate the people. With the launching of this website people will be able to lodge complaints against police about illegal detentions and to also register complaints against any delay in the registration of FIRs. The website will also display the lists and hearings of cases and visitors of the website will be able to see the previous case records. The DSJ Hyderabad told newsmen during the launching that the main reason for launching the website was to facilitate citizens and save the time of people as well as of court employees.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_news.asp?id=2 |
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Court launches website |
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The district and sessions judge Zafar Ahmed Khan Sherwani on Saturday inaugurated the website of the district courts www.hyderabadcourts.org to enable people to electronically lodge complaints with the court. Speaking to journalists Mr Sherwani said that every citizen could submit an application about the illegal arrest or wrongful confinement of his relative for immediate action by court. He said that complaints were rampant about police’s refusal to file FIRs. In such cases an application could be submitted through the website along with relevant documents to get the FIR registered.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/06/03/local.htm |
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Intermedia cricket tournament second round from June 5 |
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Second round of Intermedia cricket tournament being organized by Rawalpindi Islamabad press will start from June 5, 2007. Daily Dawn, Jinnah (colors) Azkar and Khabrain have already qualified second round. Sports committee has advised players to bring office cards to participate matches.
(Express-2)
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Television
Channels were off air |
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People in the twin cities have tuned their TV sets for many times again and again but they could not trace the two channels AJJ TV and ARY One world news channel. But they very next day the citizens come to know that both the channels were off aired because of unknown reasons. When the scribe asked when of the top official at the Pemra on condition of anonymity said we haven't done any thing to off air these channels it may be a technical fault with the cable operators. But to all odds the operators in the twin cities put a mum so to safe guard them selves from further music of the high ups of the Pemra officials. Though the channels remained off whole day on Friday while no official from the government has given any statement on any such move and avoid any statement to media officials for the said issue.
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_IsbNews.aspx?dtlid=100331&catid=17&date=06/03/2007&fcatid=14 |
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Cable Operators
‘Vigilante’ cable operators will boycott anti-army TV channels |
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The Cable Operators Association of Pakistan announced Saturday that from now on it is going to monitor television programmes against national security, the armed forces of Pakistan and the judiciary and will close down any channels showing programmes projecting and promoting hatred towards the armed forces of Pakistan or against the sanctity of the judiciary. This announcement came at a press conference held at the Karachi Press Club. Immediately after it was made, journalists bombarded CAP Chairman Khalid Sheikh with questions on the legality of the decision and the association. “How could CAP decide the policies of the television channels as it is an unregistered association as its letterhead shows?” they questioned. The chairman’s response was that it was the cable operators who directly bore the brunt of the pressure against a programme. “We immediately receive a phone call to shut it down from one section or the other because we are directly connected to the public,” he stated.
(Nation-3) (Express-1)
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_MainNews.aspx?bdtl_id=5986&fb_id=2&catid=14&date=06/03/2007&fcatid=14 |
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Advertising
TV ads target kids |
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Nowhere is the truth more piercingly reflected than in the media that the world is a commercial place. While the level of impact on adults may be challenging, the result is demoralizing for our kids. Television shows no longer just offer entertainment for kids. They are a platform for must-have items that parents are likely to buy, training our kids to become consumers before they've even reached the age of three. Parents need to be conscious of the commercial messages found in all advertising -- print, movies, videos, music videos, computer games and the Internet. These messages show how cool it is to prop up consumption of candy and other unhealthy foods, and sanitize violence.
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_IsbNews.aspx?dtlid=100343&catid=17&date=06/03/2007&fcatid=14 |
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Music
Special report on Music in Pakistan |
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Editorial Face the Music, “There came a time in our history when, alongside the music that was popular, came popular music. This wasn't our own, traditionally speaking, but was immensely liked by the young people. The likeness grew and more young people started making popular music and a lot more started listening to them.Together with corporate sponsorships, media boom, FM radio channels, concerts, underground bands, hundreds of thousands of amateurs running a parallel show, we are witnessing a phenomenon.
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http://jang.com.pk/thenews/jun2007-weekly/nos-03-06-2007/spr.htm#1 |
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Permanent ban on Ibrar’s song demanded |
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President All Pakistan Private Schools Management Association Adeeb Jawadani has written a letter to acting chief justice of Pakistan to impose permanent ban on Ibrar’s controversial song “ne perveen”.
(Nawa-i-Waqt-3)
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Books
CPJ asks govt to protect author |
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The Committee to Protect Journalists on Saturday expressed concern over the safety of journalist Ayesha Siddiqa. Ms Siddiqa told the CPJ on Friday: “I feel increasingly isolated and physically threatened.” In a statement issued here following a phone call from Ms Siddiqa, author of Military Inc.: Inside Pakistan’s Military Economy, CPJ director Bob Dietz asked the government to provide her protection. “We are greatly concerned about the safety of Ayesha Siddiqa,” said Bob Dietz, CPJ’s Asia Programme Coordinator.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/06/03/nat4.htm |
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Library culture is dying |
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Days are gone when the enjoyment of book reading was a cultural mode of our people, despite the meagre literacy rate. Now when the government has been claiming the elevation of literacy rate, the library culture is seeing its off days. The city of Rawalpindi had three public libraries running by Cantonment Board, National Centre of Ministry of Information and the Municipal Corporation.
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_NatNews.aspx?dtlid=100344&catid=2&date=06/03/2007&fcatid=14 |
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Telecommunication
‘$1bn mobile phones imported this fiscal’ |
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Pakistan imported cell phone sets, valuing over $1 billion, during the current fiscal year. This was revealed by the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) in a presentation to the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue the other day. In the presentation, the FPCCI criticised the government’s liberal policy about import of luxury items including cellular mobile phone sets and luxury cars that it said were widening the trade gap between imports and exports and adversely impacting national economy. It, however, did not mention any figures about the import of luxury cars. The FPCCI also pointed out that the country was faced with $9.4 billion trade deficit which it said would increase by $13 billion by the end of current fiscal. It suggested the government take necessary measures to check import of luxury items for bridging the growing gap between imports and exports.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\06\03\story_3-6-2007_pg7_16 |
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Customers opting for low-cost imitation mobile phones |
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Copied set of Nokia N93i available for Rs 10,000 to 12,000, Sony Ericsson K810i’s imitation set costs Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000. Sales of low quality imitations of branded mobile phones, especially those from China, are on the rise and badly affecting the sales of the original manufacturers. Imports of top mobile phone brands like Nokia, Sony Ericsson and others, equipped with advanced technology such as digital cameras and MP3 players are on the top. These expensive mobile phones are very popular among the youth and for the last couple of years, their demand is on the rise. Copies of these mobile phones, equipped with same functions and software are openly being sold in the market as they are they are comparatively much cheaper as against the original brands. In addition, shopkeepers are also offering warranties for these imitation mobiles, similar to that of branded set.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\06\03\story_3-6-2007_pg5_1 |
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Countrywide mobile phone banking soon, says Awais |
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Federal Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (IT&T) will initiate fast Internet connectivity and mobile phone banking within next six months. Federal Minister for IT&T Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari said this while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the Global Business Management Solution (GBMS), an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) for the Ready-made Garments and Hosiery industry, at a local hotel on Saturday. The GBMS is the first locally developed and implemented open source ERP in Pakistan. He said the fast internet facility would initially be provided in cities having 200,000 population, adding that this would increase usage of computer, which would help increase the productivity.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\06\03\story_3-6-2007_pg5_4 |
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Updated at 11:00 PST (06:00 GMT) |
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