Pakistan’s mobile phones production surpasses import

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Adviser to Prime Minister for Commerce and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood said that the number of mobile phones manufactured locally has surpassed the number of devices imported during the period between January and July 2021.The production of mobile phones by local manufacturing plants has surpassed the number of mobile phones imports in the country. During Jan-July 2021, the production of mobile phones by local manufacturing plants was 12.27 million and imported mobile phones recorded at 8.29 million.

This trend reflects a positive uptake on PTA’s Mobile Device Manufacturing (MDM) Authorisation regulatory regime whereby local manufacturing within the first year of regime introduction has resulted in production of 12.27 million phones in a short span of seven months including 4.87 million 4G smartphones.

The successful implementation of Device Identification Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS) along with conducive government policies including the mobile manufacturing policy has created a favourable environment for mobile device manufacturing in Pakistan.

It has also contributed positively to the mobile ecosystem of Pakistan by eliminating counterfeit device market providing a level playing field for commercial entities and has created trust amongst consumers due to the formulation of standardised legal channels for all sorts of device imports.

It is important to highlight that the government of Pakistan introduced a comprehensive mobile manufacturing policy to encourage and attract manufacturers to establish their units in Pakistan. PTA in light of the policy issued Mobile Device Manufacturing (MDM) Regulations on January 28, 2021. Till now, 26 companies have been issued MDM authorisation enabling them to manufacture mobile devices in Pakistan.

Airlink set for biggest IPO at PSX

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Airlink Communication Ltd, a cell phone distributor in Pakistan, is set for the largest ever Initial Public Offering of Pakistan’s private sector. The company has ventured into manufacturing recently – assembling TCL, ITel and Tecno cell phones in the country.

The company will be selling 90 million shares at a base price of Rs65 per share, which will amount to Rs5.85 billion in total at base price.

The book building will be held on August 30 and 31 and the price will be decided with institutions and high net worth individuals bidding via the Dutch auction method. The general public will be able to buy the company’s shares on September 6 and 7. JS Global Capital Limited is the consultant and book runner to this issue.

JS Global is set to bring the largest ever initial public offering of Rs6 billion to the capital market as the consultant and book builder of Airlink Communication Limited, a statement said.

Airlink Communication Ltd, a cell phone distributor in Pakistan, has ventured into manufacturing recently for the Transsion Group China. As a vertically integrated company, it also has retail stores for distributing top international smart phone brands like Samsung, Apple, Huwawei, Xiaomi, Itel, Techno, TCL and Alcatel.

The company would be selling 90 million shares at a base price of Rs65/share.

Airlink sales grew from Rs140 million in 2012 to over Rs47 billion in 2021, showing an unprecedented growth as e-commerce and digitisation continued to expand at a fast pace. All the big smart phone manufacturers such as Samsung, Itel, Tencho, Infinix, TCL and Alcatel would now be assembled in Pakistan. Further Xiaomi, the largest smart phone manufacturer of the world would also soon start assembling in Pakistan.

These big brands not only want to venture into Pakistan to fulfil the demands of the 5th largest population, but also aim to start exporting within the next 12-24 months, with bodes well for the country’s economy.

“We have seen the stock markets flourishing during the last 12 months and it is expected that on the back of the improving macro economic situation the markets will witness more IPOs and liquidity in days to come,” the statement added.

TikTok testing five and 10-minute video time limits

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Video-sharing app TikTok is experimenting with the time limit on its uploads, with chances of the video duration to be expanded to five minutes or longer according to the Pocket-lint .

In December 2020, the platform lengthened the maximum length of the videos to three minutes.  TikTok’s social media consultant Matt Navarra indicated via Twitter that the limit on the video may be increased once again.

As seen in Navarra’s tweet, some users have already begun receiving the option to upload five-minute video clips on TikTok.

Some specific users will receive a notification by the app reading: “Upload videos up to 5 minutes long from your device. Make sure you’re using the latest version of TikTok before trying out the feature on your app or tiktok.com.”

Besides the 5-minute option, some users have also received an option to upload videos with a time limit of 10 minutes. The notifications suggest that the application is still weighing the ideal limit to roll out for all users.

In addition, more changes in the application are expected soon with TikTok Stories — which follows the same format as Snapchat and Instagram — rumoured earlier this month, and TikTok Shopping announced earlier this week.

TikTok Shopping is a partnership with Shopify and will offer business users on TikTok the option to add a shopping tab to their profiles. The tab will allow such users to feature products and provide links to online stores for payment.

Shahid Afridi advises girls to live life according to principles of Islam

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi has advised girls to live their lives according to the principles of Islam.This was said by the swashbuckling all-rounder as he visited the Bakhtawar Girls Cadet College in Nawabshah . Afridi was invited to visit the college by its principal Brigadier (Retd) Dr Muhammad Amin.  Afridi was accompanied by members of the Tableeghi Jamaat as well during his trip to the college.

During his visit to the college, Afridi lectured the female cadets on women’s rights in Islam and urged them to adopt Islamic principles in life. He spoke at length about his life as a cricketer and then how he turned towards preaching religion.

He urged female cadets to study hard but also partake in sports at the same time. “Focus on your studies, social media and mobile phones are time wasting tools,” he said.

Speaking about his life as a cricketer, Afridi said at one point during his career, he thought about leaving the sport as certain captains wanted to end his career.

“However, I got a lot of help from Islam and Tableegh,” he said.

While sharing his thoughts on the appointment of the new PCB chief, Afridi said he expected Ramiz Raja to lead Pakistan cricket in a positive direction.

Babar Azam’s new hairstyle is an instant hit , goes viral among youth

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DesK)

Pakistan captain Babar Azam shared his new haircut on social media, and fans of the national team’s skipper can’t get enough of it. Returning after a successful tour of the West Indies, Babar Azam shared a picture of his new hairstyle with the caption:

“Feeling better already with the fresher and new look!” he tweeted.

Here’s how fans reacted to it:

Twitter handle @gayomarlic shared a popular meme from hit TV show “The Office” to express her love for the batsman.

The hairstyle was, apparently, enough to melt Ahmad.

Anupam Kher appreciates Shehzad Roy for correction on over viral video claim

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Bollywood actor Anupam Kher stood corrected over viral video claim and lauded Pakistani singer and social activist Shehzad Roy for his great work. Anupam accepted his mistake after Shehzad Roy humbly corrected him.

The Indian actor took to Twitter and responded to Roy’s tweet, saying “Dear @ShehzadRoy! I stand corrected my friend.”

He further said, “I loved the video. Keep up the great work you are doing with these kids!! Love and prayers always!!”

Commenting on it, the Teri Soorat singer said, “Sir @AnupamPKher Thank you. I am your fan and love the work you do. I will keep you updated about these lovely group of kids and their music.

Earlier on Friday, Shehzad Roy humbly responded to the claims made by Anupam Kher, saying, “Sir @AnupamPKher Thanks for sharing the video I shared a few days back. You say that these talented kids are from Bharat, a humble correction, these kids are in fact from Hunza, Pakistan. I am in touch with them and have sent them all the musical instruments they need.”

The Bollywood actor, on August 18, had shared a viral video of talented kids from Hunza, Pakistan and claimed they were from Indian village.

‘Taya Jaan’ Faysal Quraishi visits Iqra Aziz, Yasir Hussain’s newborn son

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUt-DESK)

Yasir Hussain and Iqra Aziz have welcomed a special visitor- Faysal Quraishi- into their house. The Quraishi’s visited Yasir and Iqra’s abode in Bahria Town to give their blessings to the couple’s bundle of joy, Kabir Hussain.

Soon after the visit, Yasir turned to his Instagram and appreciated the sweet gesture of ‘Taya Jaan’ Faysal.

“thankyou for coming @faysalquraishi bhai and @sanafaysal,” posted Yasir alongside a thread of photos with Faysal, his wife Sana and Iqra Aziz.

ISPR video Pays Tribute to Martyrs , families ahead of Defence day.

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) has released a video paying tribute to the families of the martyrs ahead of the Defence and Martyrs Day observed on September 06.

This is the second such video released by the ISPR ahead of the Defence and Martyrs Day in two days while paying tribute to the martyrs who laid down their lives to safeguard the homeland.

https://twitter.com/OfficialDGISPR/status/1431566593755172870?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1431566593755172870%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Farynews.tv%2Fispr-video-pays-tribute-to-martyrs-families%2F

DG ISPR Major General Babar Iftikhar also lauded the families of the armed forces who he said courageously face difficulties as their loved ones serve and guard the nation.

He said that a father who serves the nation in deep waters is no less than a superhero for his son.

It was on September 06 in 1965 that the Indian forces crossed the international border in the darkness of night to attack Pakistan but the nation foiled nefarious designs of the enemy.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1431566593755172870

Sanam Chaudhry ‘turns towards Allah’, removes photos from social media

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

It seems Actress Sanam Chaudhry has quit the showbiz industry. Actress has made an important announcement on her birthday. The star, who is famously known for her work in Ghar Titli Ka Par, has taken a step back from her career and ‘turned towards Allah.’

Taking to her Instagram on Thursday, Sanam shared a clip hinting at a celebratory surprise from her family upon supporting her decision.

“My family welcomed me this way, on turning to Allah … this is so heartwarming… Thankyou,” she wrote alongside the video.

Although Sanam has not officially declared to quit showbiz, she has removed all of her photos from Instagram and has only kept a few from her Nikkah ceremony.

Sonya Hussyn rejects LSA 21 nominations.

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Talented Actress Sonya Hussyn is calling out the ‘double standards’ of jury after the announcement of Lux Style Awards 2021 nominations. Turning to her Instagram on Friday, a disappointed Sonya highlighted some of her promising projects, including Saraab, that remained unrecognized.

“It is very disappointing to see that a project like Saraab did not bag even a single nomination at the Lux Style Awards 2021.” She added, “We talk about the need for meaningful content that also educates the masses with real issues but when [such content is] finally created they’re hardly ever recognised/nominated for awards. Aren’t those double standards?”

Sonya also questioned the authenticity of such awards, dubbing that the jury oversees the meaningful content and supports dramas that have been deemed commercially ‘hit.’

“Meaningful content or hit projects? Have never really understood the criteria for these award shows. If latter then why were some of my mega-blockbuster dramas like Aisi Hai Tanhai (based on social media abuse), Nazo (based on child abuse), Ishq Zahe Naseeb (based on dual personality disorder), Shikwa (based on societal pressures that widows face) and Meri Guriya (based on child abuse) never considered at all in the past?”

Lastly, the Ishq Zehnaseeb actor wrote, “I’ve been silent for seven years but really, were none of these [dramas] deserving? Not even a single project? Anyhow, in a country where veteran artists are given lifetime achievement awards after they’re gone, then who am I to question?”