Economic Coordination Committee turns down revision in criteria

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (Nut-Desk)

A proposal to revise the criteria for release of additional spectrum to telecom companies has been turned down by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet. The ECC has decided to auction the additional spectrum in line with the past practice and complete the auction by the end of September 2021.

It observed that recommendations of the committee, headed by the adviser to prime minister on institutional reforms and austerity, did not cover exchange risk and payment in installments by the operators. The economic decision-making committee had considered recommendations of the committee for “Release of NGMS (Next Generation Mobile Services) Spectrum in Pakistan for Improvement of Mobile Broadband Services amid Covid-19”.

The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication informed the economic decision-making body that another committee on payment terms for spectrum price/licence fee in Pakistan had also deliberated on the “Issues of Cellular Mobile Industry for Digital Enablement”.

The IT ministry requested the ECC to approve the policy directive for the auction of NGMS spectrum in Pakistan. The ECC was also requested to deliberate and decide on the recommendations given by the committee on the issues facing the telecom sector for digital enablement.

During the ensuing discussion, the IT & Telecom Division informed the economic decision-making body that recommendations of the committee, headed by the adviser to prime minister on institutional reforms and austerity, were different from the policy directive for the auction of NGMS spectrum whereas the policy directive was in line with the past practice.

The ECC considered the summary, submitted by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, and decided that the ministry should ensure completion of the auction process by the end of September 2021 in line with the past practice.

 

Friesland Campina joins hands with Nutshell.

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (Nut-Desk)

Friesland Campina Engro Pakistan limited (FCEPL) have inked a strategic communication partnership with the Nutshell Communications Limited. Now, Nutshell communication will look after all the media communication work of friesland campina.

Photograph taken during the agreement signing ceremony shows (sitting form left to right) FCEPL chief financial officer Imran Husnain, Nutshell communication founder and CEO Muhammad Azfar Ahsan, FCEPL Chief Executive Officer Ali Ahamd Khan, Nutshell Communication Chief Growth Officer Rabia Ahmad.

FCEPL Marketing director Faisal, FCEPL Corporate Communication Assistant manager Ayesha Yousaf, Nutshell Communications chief operating officer Sadaf Mehmood, FCEPL Head of corporate communication sania sattar, Nutshell communication chief business officer Syed M Ayaz, Nutshell Communication chief strategy officer Amer Pasha, Nutshell communication head customer experience and new initiatives  sanya Shahid and head of media relations khurram zia.

According to the industry sources, this partnership deal will prove beneficial for both the groups as both are through professionals in their own spheres.

Mom to be actress Sarah khan chosen brand ambassador by Mamia Diapers

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (Nut-Desk) Leading actress Sarah khan has been chosen as brand ambassador by emerging brand Mamia Baby & Adult Diapers. The signing ceremony in this regard was held in a private hotel in Karachi, in which Sarah’s husband singer Falak Shabier was also present.

Sarah tied knot with Falak Shabier last year and they are going to be parents very soon. Sarah looks very glowing and ravishing in the ceremony.  The  Televisoin commercial will be shown on all well-known TV channels. Mamia diapers have good quality and economical price, Mamia diapers are available all over Pakistan and online.

It may be noted that Molfix diapers selected Aiza khan upon their launch in Pakistan a few years ago, similarly another brand Mamia has approached another mom be actress Sarah khan for launch in Pakistani market and like Aiza & Molfix partnership, it will also prove a successful collaboration indeed.

 

19-year-old Shehroze Kashif becomes world’s youngest mountaineer to scale K2

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-Desk) A 19-year old Pakistani climber shehroz kashif became the youngest person in the world to reach the summit of K2, the second-highest peak in the world.

Mr. Shehroze Kashif from Lahore achieved the feat of scaling the 8,611-metre high peak with the aid of bottled oxygen.

“Good News! Received the confirmation from K2 Base Camp that Shehroze Kashif has summited K2 8611-M. It’s a new world record! Youngest in the world to stand on top of K2 8611-M at the age of 19 years. Congratulations!,” Mr. Karrar Haidri, Secretary Alpine Club of Pakistan, said in a statement.

Before Mr. Kashif, Mr. Sajid Sadpara, the son of the legendary climber Mr. Muhammad Ali Sadpara, was the youngest person to have climbed K2 at the age of 20.

Mr. Kashif also scaled the world’s 12th-highest mountain, the 8,047-meter Broad Peak, at the age of 17. In May this year, he became the youngest Pakistani to scale Mount Everest.

Prime Minister Imran Khan congratulated the young mountaineer.

“Congratulations Pakistan!! Pakistani mountaineer Shehroz Kashif (@shehrozekashif2) has become the youngest mountaineer in the world to summit K2 – the world’s second highest peak,” Mr. Khan tweeted.

The U. S. embassy also congratulated him via twitter. “Congratulations Pakistan! @Shehrozekashif2 has set the record for being the youngest Pakistani to reach the K2 summit! What an amazing accomplishment! Congratulations Shehroze Kashif!” .

 

Pak Govt. approved New Spectrum Policy

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (NUT-Desk)

Pak cabinet approved new spectrum policy for auction of additional mobile networks (spectrum) across the country including Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir so that the people of these areas could also have better mobile phone and internet facilities.The decision was taken at a meeting of the federal cabinet presided by Prime Minister Imran Khan.

After attending the meeting , IT Minister Aminul Haq briefed that the cabinet had approved the auction of additional spectrum across the country for 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz frequencies. He said the base price for 1800 MHz frequency was set at $31 million per MHz while the price of 2100 MHz frequency will be $29m per MHz.

The report highlighted that increased access to spectrum would result in enhancing the outreach of telecom services, hence, greater tax receipts for the government, which could offset the perceived loss in government receipts due to rationalization of spectrum prices.

GSMA’s 2020 report on Pakistan pointed out that the country had assigned significantly less spectrum to the operators compared with many developed Asian markets and several neighboring countries.

In the region, only Nepal has assigned lesser spectrum to mobile services and Pakistan’s mobile industry is one of the most spectrum-deprived in the world due to higher pricing if compared with the return on investment on the resource.

Mr Aminul Haq said following the cabinet decision his ministry would issue policy directions after which the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) would hold auction of the new spectrum in 35 to 45 days. He said the PTA would ensure transparency and fair play in the auctions.

Telenor witness decline in Average Revenue per User (ARPU) during half year end.

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (Nut-Desk)

Pakistan leading mobile network operator (MNO) Telenor closed the half-year ended June 30, 2021, on a mixed note. Telenor (Pakistan subsidiary) managed to grow operating profits by 17 percent year-on-year to Rs12 billion in 1HCY21, as per latest financial results announced by Telenor Group.The turnaround comes after this MNO recorded 11 percent yearly contraction in operating profits during CY20. On the other hand, average revenue per user (ARPU) continues to chart downward trend.

At the top, the total revenues reached almost Rs53 billion in the six-month period, showing a growth of 6 percent over 1HCY20. (Rupee figures are derived after conversion from the reported Norwegian Krone (NOK) data). At this pace, Telenor Pakistan is set to cross the Rs101 billion in topline that it scored during CY20. But it will still be shy of the level it reached in CY18, underscoring the need for faster revenue growth.

The ARPU is going down despite the operator reporting strong double-digit growth in revenues from data services (mobile broadband). It is likely that new users are pulling the average down amid existing users cutting back, necessitating the need to improve monetization of the subscription base. The operator is spending significant amount of capital on boosting its mobile broadband network – capex stood at nearly Rs9 billion in 1HCY21, up almost 9 percent over the same period last year.

As ARPU slides amid erosion of purchasing power in a price-sensitive market, operators in this sector have had to contain their spending in order to shield profitability from the effects of rising energy prices amid higher marketing spend due to stiff competition for data subscribers. In 1HCY21, Telenor Pakistan grew its EBITDA by 4 percent year-on-year to Rs29 billion, posting EBITDA margin of 54 percent (1HCY20: 55%).

Despite lower ARPU, Telenor Pakistan managed to post better operating performance in the analysis period. Yet, the group financials could have reaped more benefit had it not been for rupee depreciation negatively impacting growth in NOK terms. While the whole sector is feeling the pressure on the ARPU front, the latest budget also failed to excite (read: “Budget scare for digital economy,” published June 16, 2021). Operators need to beef up data monetization efforts in what remains a challenging environment.

Topline expansion is contingent on continued subscription growth and users spending more on connectivity. The revenue growth in the analysis period is driven mainly by the effect of addition of nearly 4 million subscribers, with the overall subscription tally reaching 48.8 million as of June 2021. This growth is healthy. But at the same time, the ARPU came down to Rs167 per month during 1HCY21, down 7 percent from Rs180 per month during 1HCY20.

General Electric records 47 % increase in industrial orders.

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (Nut-Desk)

Shares of General Electric (GE) record significant rose on Tuesday as it scored increased orders in aviation and other key divisions in comparison same period of previous year.

Aviation orders jumped 47 percent compared with the year-ago period when the travel industry was mired in the coronavirus downturn, as the company benefited from a series of new plane acquisition plans by major carriers. GE also garnered increased orders in healthcare, renewable energy and power.

Revenues also rose across GE’s business during the quarter, lifting overall revenues nine percent to $18.3 billion, above analyst expectations, and enabling the company to boost its projections for 2021 industrial free cash flow.

GE Chief Executive Lawrence Culp said that “Momentum is building across our businesses, driven by healthcare and services overall, with aviation showing early signs of recovery. “Based on our encouraging cash results, we are increasing our full-year free cash flow outlook.” Since being named chief executive of GE in 2018, Culp has overseen asset sales and cost-cutting moves after a bumpy stretch for the US giant, which was bumped from the Dow index.

For the quarter, GE reported a loss of $1.2 billion, compared to a loss of $2.2 billion in the 2020 period. Factors behind the loss included interest payments and other costs connected to debt reduction.Shares rose 3.5 percent to $13.37 in pre-market trading.

1st recipient of Nishan-e-Haider , Capt. Sarwar Shaheed remembered on 73rd martyrdom.

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (Nut-Desk)

Pakistani nation observed the 73rd martyrdom anniversary of Brave son of soil Capt. Sarwar Shaheed on Tuesday 27th July. Captain Raja Muhammad Sarwar holds the distinction of being awarded with the Nishan-e-Haider, Pakistan’s highest military award, for the first time in the country’s history, owing to the tremendous valour that he displayed in the battlefield during the war in Kashmir and achieving martyrdom in the process.

Director General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Babar Iftikhar, in his tweet on the occasion said: “Nation pays tribute to Capt Muhammad Sarwar Shaheed, NH, on 73rd martyrdom anniversary. His matchless chivalry, unwavering resolve & fortitude shall always be remembered. The supreme sacrifice he made, will keep inspiring defenders of the motherland in times to come.”

Raja Muhammad Sarwar was born in Singhori village in Gujar Khan district on November 10, 1910. His father, Raja Muhammad Hayat Khan, served in the British army as a constable. The British government gifted Raja Hayat Khan with property near Samundri because of his services during the First World War.

Raja Sarwar obtained his early education from Islamia High School in Faisalabad. He joined the army as a sepoy in April 1929 and served in the Baloch regiment till 1941. He was commissioned in the Punjab regiment in 1944 and also got promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant that very year.

He joined the Punjab regiment in 1946 and achieved the rank of Captain, months before the creation of Pakistan. Once the country emerged on the map of the world in 1947, Raja Muhammad Sarwar volunteered to be a part of the battalion formed to regain Kashmir.

He was given the rank of Company Commander of the Second Battalion of the Punjab Regiment. Under his leadership, the regiment was able to force the Indian forces to retreat out of certain regions of Gilgit-Baltistan. However, his battalion faced heavy resistance from the opposing forces present in the Uri sector as the soldiers pushed forward to take over a well-guarded enemy position.

As he along with his battalion continued moving forward, the intensity of gun-fire, grenade attacks and mortar fire. He received martyrdom on July 27, 1948, after receiving multiple shots on his chest as he attempted to cut a barbed wire barrier while making an effort to progress further into enemy lines. In recognition of his courage, Captain Sarwar was awarded with the Nishan-e-Haider by the Pakistan army. Sarwar Shaheed College, located in Gujar Khan, was named to honour him.

Ali Sadpara, John Snorri and Juan Pablo’s Mohr bodies found on K2.

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (Nut-Desk)

Bodies of Pakistani mountaineer Ali Sadpara, Iceland’s John Snorri and Chile’s Juan Pablo Mohr have been found, confirmed Gilgit Baltistan Information Minister Fateh Ullah Khan to national media.

Sajid Sadpara, along with Canadian filmmaker Elia Saikaly and Pasang Kaji Sherpa, is summitting the K2 to find the bodies of his father and his companions Snorri, and Mohr. The mountaineers had gone missing on February 5 and were declared dead a few days later after their bodies were not found and the rescue mission was called off.

 

The team had reached Camp 4 this morning and flew a drone around the area in search of the bodies, sources said. Through the drone, the team was able to detect a body above Camp 4 near the bottleneck.

GB information minister told media that the team had located the first body at close to 9am this morning near the bottleneck area of the mountain.

“First, the body of John Snorri was located at 9am below the bottleneck. He was wearing yellow and black coloured clothes,” said Khan. He added that the second body was located at 12pm but they have not been able to identify the other two bodies.

The minister said that Snorri’s body was identified as the army’s focal person had confirmed the colours of his clothes. Khan said that the army helicopters are on stand by for the rescue mission and that the digging process to recover the bodies is underway right now. He added that the army and the government are on alert.

Mia Khalifa getting divorced after two years. Annouced on Instagram

Posted on by Ali Qasim

Lahore (Nut-Desk)

Mia Khalifa, a Lebanese-American influencer, former Adult Movie star has announced that she and her husband Robert Sandberg are getting divorced. She posted a note on Instagram to tell her followers about how the couple tried their “absolute hardest” to make their marriage work.

Mia was engaged to Robert, who is a Swedish chef, in March 2019 and tied the knot three months later. She now runs her YouTube channel called Mia K, where she talks about botox, tours, sports and fashion. She has over 24 million followers on Instagram.

“We can confidently say we gave it our all in making our marriage work,” she said. “But after almost a year of therapy and efforts, we are walking away.”

The influencer added that there is no one single reason for their split, but “unresolvable and fundamental differences” that neither can blame the other for.

“We’re closing this chapter with no regrets and starting our own,” said Mia. The two will stay connected through their family, friends and the love for their dogs.