Petition seeking permanent ban on Facebook filed

News Paper: Business Reorder

LAHORE (July 27 2010): A petition has been filed before the Lahore High Court (LHC) seeking permanent ban on Facebook, a social networking website, in Pakistan pointing out introduction of another anti-Islam competition by the website. The website had already faced an interim ban in country for holding a blasphemous caricature competition.

The petition was filed by Chairman Judicial Activism Panel (JAP) Muhammad Azhar Siddique stating that the website "Facebook" has again announced a contest named "Everybody Burn-Quran Day" and also displayed blasphemous pictures of Khana-e-Kaaba. In view of the facts submitted above, it is respectfully prayed to block/ban Facebook permanently in Pakistan. He also prayed that the authorities in Pakistan be directed to this effect that no material with respect to blasphemy of any religion be published, displayed, visualised or aired in country.

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Foreign entrepreneur keen to invest in IT sector

News Paper: Business Reorder

ISLAMABAD (July 26 2010): Foreign entrepreneur of computer sector has assured the Pakistan Computer Association (PCA) for making huge foreign investment in the computer and Information Technology sector in view of huge potential of computer industry in Pakistan.

During a meeting between Philip Lau, General Manager for Asian Emerging Countries, HP International and the PCA here on Sunday, GM of Philip Lau had shown willingness to invest in computer sector. He said that the computer and Information Technology sector has tremendous potential to grow and it has shown remarkably performance despite the challenging law & order situation.

The delegation led by Munawar Iqbal, Central President of PCA comprised senior members of the association, including Abdul Rehman Tahir and JamalYouaf.

While talking to the delegation of the PCA, foreign investor said that Philip Lau Pakistan is rapidly emerging in Computer and IT sector. Hence, it offers unbound opportunities for international investment. He said that HP International has always considered Pakistan as an important country to initiate new ventures and its focusing on Pakistani market and would soon bring substantial investment in the sector. He said that with growing literacy rate in the country, computer and IT sector is expected to expand further more briskly.

Lau said that the role of universities in Pakistan, besides the efforts of computer industry is commendable for the growth of this vital sector of the economy. He assured the delegation that HP would develop a strong network in Pakistan aiming at maximum benefit to end users and cultivate effective business mechanism with local industry, especially, to resolve vendors' related issues amicably. Zahid Farooq Zahid, PSG country Manager and Arshad Arain, Partner Business Manager were also present on the occasion.

Earlier, Munawar Iqbal presented a detailed outlook of computer and IT industry in Pakistan. He said a better devilry system and expanded network of international companies would enhance the overall productivity and performance of the sector. He apprised Lau about the role of PCA as a vibrant platform of the computer vendor's community across Pakistan. Lau lauded the efforts of PCA and assured the delegation that his company would make resolution of all issues pertaining to computer industry on priority basis.

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Dell organises road-shows for notebook lovers

News Paper: Business Recorder

KARACHI (July 21 2010): Dell, a global leader in computers, notebooks and net-books technology, Tuesday held road shows in Karachi and Lahore for notebook lovers in these cities. Dell's innovative products, Inspiron 3010, 4010 and 5010 were showcased along-with Dell Studio high-end notebooks at fantastic prices along with enticing promotions on purchase. Drawing large crowds, this exciting activity also featured, through lucky draw, gift hampers for participants as well as bumper prizes including a Dell notebook.

Through these consumer interactions, Dell aims to encourage notebook enthusiasts to gain more insight into cutting-edge products. The aspiring customers now have the freedom to confidently choose the best-suited information-technology tools for themselves.

Being an innovative brand, Dell has always tried to engage Pakistani consumers through innovative, exciting and fun filled activities, thus introducing them to the latest, most reliable technologies. Marketing Head for CSMB at Dell, Nubla Iftikhar was also present at the road-shows
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Government urged to encourage branding process

News Paper: Business Recorder

ISLAMABAD (July 20 2010): To revive industry in Pakistan, government should encourage branding process in Pakistan. Ibrahim Qureshi, the president of Pakistan Computer Association (PCA) Lahore Chapter said this while speaking at the meeting of PCA, which was aimed at evaluation of post-budget business activities in Pakistan.

Qureshi said that the IT and computer sector of Pakistan has immense potential however, the governments, both federal and provincials need to encourage local computer brands in Pakistan.

He said that the role of governments in every country is primarily to protect the interests of its people. However, he said, it's an irony that the decision-making at official levels in Pakistan does not reflect this approach. He said that instead of encouraging local industry, multinational companies have been given undue advantages on the cost of local manufacturers.

He urged the government to facilitate and encourage branding in Pakistan, as it would attract considerable foreign and local investment as well as creation of new job opportunities and overall economic uplift of the country
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Pakistan top on porn search: Google denies

ISLAMABAD: Google officially denied the accuracy of its search trends that declared Pakistan as the top nation searching for illicit material on the internet, according to Dawn sources.

Internet Service Provider Association of Pakistan has also declared statistics regarding pornography in Pakistan as flawed.

Referring to the news about illicit search trends in Pakistan, Google’s public affairs head of South-East Asia said that the statistics were based on limited data therefore they cannot be regarded as final opinion.

There are eight million users of internet in Pakistan which makes only five per cent of the country's total population.

-www.dawn.com

wi-tribe offers summer packages

KARACHI (July 17 2010): wi-tribe, country's most reliable wireless broadband internet service, has launched a series of tempting summer packages for all customers, both new and existing. In addition, wi-tribe's 'Upsize GB' offer lets all internet users spend more time online doing what they enjoy most, whether it's chatting with friends or downloading from their favourite sites.

That's because for just Rs 99, customers can increase their monthly volume by an additional 5 GB. Talking about the new offering, wi-tribe Pakistan's Director of Marketing, Ali Fahd said, "We wanted to offer something useful and relevant, but at the same time special, to our customers. Demonstrating the level of commitment we have towards all our customers, we think this new offer will really enrich everyone's multimedia experience." For more information on wi-tribe's 'Upsize GBs' campaign or the new summer packages, please visit www.wi-tribe.pk/upsize
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Government urged to open more IT universities

LAHORE (July 15 2010): Chairman NetSol Technologies Limited, Salim Ghauri has urged the government to open more Information Technology (IT) universities in the country. In a statement issued on Wednesday, he said there was a time when medicine and engineering were considered only viable options for students pursuing higher education.

However, degrees in business, IT, media and arts were now are in vogue, as students pursue jobs that pay well. Attractive and lucrative packages in these disciplines, particularly in IT industry due to widening dollar-rupee parity, were alluring great number of youngsters and there was a need to establish IT universities in the country.

Ghauri also appreciated the role of Higher Education Commission (HEC) in catering the different choices in education pursued by students within the last decade and said a change in education policy has played vital role, as the HEC extended licences to 84 universities throughout the country since 2000, with an emphasis on developing disciplines that were not explored before. He said this shift in national policy has helped in development of new industries since late 1990s.

He further said the number of institutions catering to higher education, especially in information technology and business had increased from 18 to 78 in 1998 since steps were taken to improve higher education system. He also appreciated the government for encouraging students for international scholarship programmes, leading to a sea change in IT industry of Pakistan.

Since 2000, he said, around 16 universities were set up in Karachi, Out of which two are not operational and four are being run by the government while the rest are being run privately. He said it was a matter of great satisfaction that most of them cater to students who wish to pursue degrees in IT, commerce, business studies and fine arts.
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