Breaking: Zong, Askari Bank Step Into Branchless Banking: ProPakistani

Breaking: Zong, Askari Bank Step Into Branchless Banking
PTA Awaits Detailed Order on One SIM Per CNIC Judgment
Pakistani Students Develop GUI Platform for Configuration of Cisco Routers
Zong United Kickoff Semi Finals in Lahore on Saturday
Jazz Offer Free 500 SMS on 2 Charged Messages
Cyber Secure Pakistan, 2012: Securing Pakistan

Breaking: Zong, Askari Bank Step Into Branchless Banking

Posted: 23 May 2012 07:39 AM PDT

Zong, in collaboration with Askari Bank, has stepped into branchless banking, also commonly known as mobile banking, told us sources close to the development.

According to details we have got so far, Zong is going to bring a full-fledged branchless banking solution, to become second telecom operator (after Telenor) to offer a mobile banking solution of this scale and third such mobile banking implementation (after Easypaisa and UBL Omni) in the country.

Sources further confirmed us that Zong yesterday took the first step towards the solution by starting a pilot project. We are told that this pilot project would be followed by a full scale nationwide commercial launch in around two months.

As per sources, the pilot project will include most of the branchless banking products that Zong is going to offer, in addition to some other products such as salary disbursements.

It merits mentioning here that Askari Bank, backed by the Army Welfare Trust, was awarded a branchless banking license few months ago.

It is likely that Zong's mobile banking would become ultimate disbursement solution for Askari Bank salary and pension disbursements to army men, pensioners and other related account holders, who will be able to completely control their bank accounts through mobile phones.

In the past we have seen Telenor acquiring Tameer MicroFinance Bank, Mobilink acquiring Waseela MicroFinance Bank and Ufone acquiring Rozgar MicroFinance Bank, this would be a first implementation of its kind where a Telecom Operator and a Commercial Bank would provide Branchless Banking services under a relationship where none of the parties has any shares or controlling interest in each other.

The active involvement of China Mobile, ZONG's parent company, united with the standing of Askari Bank points towards a service that should ideally be much unique with an added level of acceptance and trust amongst the masses.

PTA Awaits Detailed Order on One SIM Per CNIC Judgment

Posted: 23 May 2012 03:45 AM PDT

As we reported yesterday, a judgment has been issued by Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudry, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), to Pakistan Telecommunication Authority(PTA) to bring an immediate halt to illegal sale of mobile phone SIMs in Balochistan.

Judgment was issued by a three-judge bench hearing a petition on the law and order situation and human rights violations in Balochistan at Quetta Registry of the apex court.

Preliminary judgment said that PTA should take measures necessary to make sure that only one SIM could be issued against a single CNIC in Baluchistan Province.

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, in this regards, is waiting for detailed order to get the orders implemented. A PTA official while speaking with ProPakistani said that short order has been received, however, authority is waiting for detailed judgment to proceed further in this regards.

Cellular companies are internally working out to see how best to act on the judgment. They have obtained the short order from supreme court at their own to know the details.

It merits mentioning here that cellular companies can not proceed directly on supreme court's orders. Instead, they will wait for PTA's directive to implement the highest court's order.

An official of cellular company confirmed ProPakistani that nothing has been communicated by PTA on one SIM per CNIC rule as of now. However, a meeting is expected in next few days to detail down the implementation of SC order.

As per details we have got, Supreme Court judgment, directed PTA to make sure that no mobile subscriber (in Balochistan) posses more than one SIM of one operator on one CNIC – or in other words, a mobile subscriber can not have more than one SIM of one operator on his/her CNIC in Balochistan.

More details (such as deadline for the implementation of One SIM per One CNIC, and other modalities) are to follow, when supreme court will issue detailed order.

Officials of mobile companies aren't sure of the impact of this order – "it is too early to comment on it" an official maintained, however, he was of the view that this won't impact the subscriber’s' count at large, mainly due to low mobile phone penetration in Balochistan region.

Reports suggest that Balochistan has less than 4 percent of total mobile phone subscribers' base. Stats for Baluchistan’s share for Traffic and revenue generations aren't much different than the subscriber base.

in December 2009, as per PTA, cellular penetration in Balochistan was mere 32.6 percent, compared to 59.6 percent countrywide penetration. PTA then said that Balochistan had 2.6 million subscribers out of 97 million total mobile subscribe base in the country.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Pakistani Students Develop GUI Platform for Configuration of Cisco Routers

Posted: 23 May 2012 12:33 AM PDT

Four Pakistani students from Sir Syed University Karachi have developed a user-friendly, easily manageable software with graphical user interface to configure/control a variety of large-scale cisco routers, which are usually controlled/configured through command line.

Ilyas Ghichki, Obaid Shakeel, Muhammad Nabeel and Syed Tabish Illyas from Telecom department of Sir Syed University developed this software as their final year project which, according to them, will simplify the process of configuring routers – that are essential part of today's computer networks.

Ilyas Ghichki, while speaking with ProPakistani maintained that system has been tested and implemented successfully for different series of Cisco routers.

Ghichki told me that command line interface or even the graphical user interface that comes with Cisco devices is hard to understand, making it tougher for network administrators to remember the command or usage. He claims that this first of its kind solution will ease down the process of network configuration.

The Cisco IOS software, operating system for routers, is a complicated real-time operating system consisting of multiple sub-systems and tens of thousands of possible configuration parameters on command line, which are hard to remember resulting into potentially high rate of error in configuration and maintenance. Cisco offers certifications to those who gain expertise in router configurations for designing a computer network.

Developed on Visual C# .NET, this software provides GUI platforms for various types of configuration for entire series of Cisco routers. It includes the configuration for all interior routing protocols and all types of most common used tools for large scale routers, especially those that are deployed at ISPs.

Illyas said that this was a final year project, but they have plans to enhance the functionality before floating this software into market for commercial usage.

Below are few screenshots of the software.

Zong United Kickoff Semi Finals in Lahore on Saturday

Posted: 22 May 2012 11:20 PM PDT

The semi-final games of ZONG United Kickoff Football Tournament 2012 are all set to be played on Saturday, May 26, 2012 at Punjab Football Stadium Lahore.

The first semi-final match will be played between Charlton United Karachi Vs Carrick United Karachi and the second semi-final will be played between Rooney United Faisalabad Vs Vidic United.

The thrilling two months long and one of its kind football tourney is now getting into the final stages after witnessing keen competition amongst the teams of enthusiastic young footballers of Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi / Islamabad, Multan and Faisalabad.

The knock-out matches including quarter-finals were played in the major cities of Pakistan earlier. Now the four teams which topped in their groups and beat their opponents in the quarter-finals will compete vigorously in the semis.

After the final will have been played, the winning team of the tournament comprising 16 players, accompanied by 16 other outstanding players during the overall matches, will fly off to Abu Dhabi, courtesy of ZONG for a one week professional training camp at the Manchester United Soccer School in Abu Dhabi.

"The tournament has been a very exciting time for everyone involved in it, from the players and their families, to all of us in ZONG and to the thousands of fans across Pakistan who have witnessed the matches so far," said Usman Ishaq, Executive Director Commercial, ZONG, and added: "Just like ZONG is the fastest growing network in the country, football is the fastest growing game in popularity in the country and our coming together is very natural."

The venue for the semi-finals will be done up to provide a variety of attractions for the large number of football enthusiasts expected, including food stalls, Dragon Dance, Marching Band and a Light Show. It will also have face-painting and hair-cuts for children in Wayne Rooney hairstyle, to add to the fun and excitement of the occasion.

Jazz Offer Free 500 SMS on 2 Charged Messages

Posted: 22 May 2012 11:14 PM PDT

Jazz SMS Jazz Offer Free 500 SMS on 2 Charged Messages Mobilink Jazz is now offering its customers another SMS offer, which will allow customers to send 500 text messages to their Friends and Family just by sending 2 charged SMS in a day.

This package is specifically viable for those who don't subscribe to SMS packages. But if and when they send 2 SMSes a day, network will offer them 500 text messages to be sent over next 24 hours.

It merits mentioning here that offer comes at a daily charge of 20 paisas, that's in addition to the cost of base price you will have to spend on 2 charges text messages.

Offer:

Just send 2 Charged SMS per day and send 500 FREE SMS for the next 24 Hours.
Offer only available on Jazz Packages.

How to Avail Offer:

Just Dial *767# to avail this offer.
For un-subscription*767*4#

Charges:

Dial *767# with initial charges of Rs. 0.20 +T and Offer will be on recursive with daily charges of Rs. 0.20+T / day for the offer.

Offer Details

Fair usage policy of 500 All local Network SMS valid for 24 hours after sending 2 Charged SMS offer
The criteria of charged SMS include Onnet, Offnet and IDD SMS charged as per the base tariff of the package and not included SMS through bundles, features and VAS related SMS will not qualify for the achievement of the threshold of 2 Charged SMS
If a customer has subscribed to a bundle and wants to avail this offer he can do so by
- Consuming the free SMS of the bundle and then sending charged SMS to qualify
- If the bundles are on recursive he might have to unsubscribe from the bundle since he would continuously be getting the bundle SMS
The offer is only available on Jazz commercial packages and not available on Jazba packages, PCO, JSP and Retailer
If customer migrates to a service class where this feature is available, feature will not be un-subscribed and he will be able to carry forward
Offer is valid till 11th June.
USSD commands available are
- For subscription*767#
- For SMS left and expiry time*767*2#
- For un-subscription*767*4#
19.5% FED on usage and 10% withholding tax apply on recharge
5% operational fee and 2% service fee apply on all recharges

Cyber Secure Pakistan, 2012: Securing Pakistan

Posted: 22 May 2012 10:04 PM PDT

By Zulfiqar Ali Malik

Cyber Secure Pakistan 2012, a Conference geared at spreading awareness relating to cyber security issues in Pakistan, recently held in Marriott Hotel, Islamabad. CSP '12 was one of its kind event in Pakistan where people from all the walks of life associated with the cyber world actively participated.

From bloggers to developers, authorities to personalities, hackers to victims, all kinds of internet users attended the conferences and the active participation was seen throughout a full day event.

The event was arranged and organized by PISA and UltraSpectra. The sponsors included Google, TRANCHULAS, NIMIS, CCUREIT, MovingMinds, KasperSky, Interactive Group and National ICT, R & D Fund.

Media Partners of the Event included ProPakistani, mustakbil.com, CIO Pakistan, FM 91 and shashca.com. Pakistan Telecommunications Authority also supported this event.

The conference started according to the schedule and immediately after the arrival of guests, the proceedings begun. Mr. Wahaj us Siraj, CEO of Nayatel (Pvt.) Ltd formally started the proceedings of the seminar with the recitation of The Holy Quran in his unique manner of translating and explaining the verses along with the recitation.

The recitation of Quran was followed by the opening remarks by Mr. Ammar Jaffery, President of PISA, Pakistan Information Security Association.

In his remarks, Mr. Jaffery excellently explained the history of CSP, its need and importance. He drew the attention of the listeners and made them realize the importance of this conference in Pakistan.

Followed by Ammar Jaffri was the speech by Mr. Iftikhar Ahmad, the former Federal Secretary and Inspector General of Police. He also discussed about being secure in cyber space. Mr. Iftikhar Ahmad emphasized the need for proper legislation for cyber crimes in Pakistan just like the rest of the world to ensure cyber security.

His speech was followed by the address of Mr. Wahaj us Siraj, CEO of Nayatel (Pvt.) Ltd. He once again came to the podium to speak on the need for regulatory & policy framework for cyber laws and telecom industry. His speech was followed by the address of Mr. Shahid Nadeem Baloch, Project Director, NR3C which was followed by the address of the chief guest Mr. Tanvir Ahmad, Additional Director General, FIA, (Federal Investigation Agency).

In his speech the chief guest assured his complete support and guaranteed again and again that wherever his services or assistance is needed in this regard, he will make sure his presence and support, which was much appreciated by the audience and it was the conclusion of the starting session of the conference.

It was followed by Plaque Distribution and Hi-Tea.

After the first tea break, a very interesting discussion session – moderated by Mr. Zahid Jamil – Barrister at Law Jamil & Jamil – started. A panel discussion on the topic of 'Cyber Crimes Legislations – The way Forward'. The panel included Mr. Badar Khushnood – Consultant, Google Pakistan to present the International Perspective. NR3C presented the Government's Perspective. Mr. Muhammad Ali Khwaja, Senior Information Security Officer, ZTBL presented industrial perspective and members of civil society to present the perspective of the society.

Google Consultant for Pakistan, Mr. Badar Khushnood nicely answered most of the questions and handled objections raised against his organization and international cyber community. This panel discussion was fruitful, very interactive and knowledgeable.

After the panel discussion on 'Cyber Crimes Legislations – The way Forward', Badar Khushnood spoke on 'Top 10 things Google does for security".

It was followed by the speech of CEO, Trilliom InfoSec Systems, Mr. Mahir Mohsin on the topic of Combating APTs. Mr. Amir Jamil – Cheif Information Security officer, Interactive Group spoke on 'think before you click' in which he tried to create awareness among the audience about secure browsing.

A very interesting Blogger's Meetup was arranged by UltraSpectra in another room at the same time for the bloggers present in the conference. Mr. Zunnurain Khalid from UltraSpectra started the meetup with his opening speech. It was attended by many leading bloggers of Pakistan. Mr. Ammar Jaffri and Badar Khushnood also addressed the bloggers.

Zeeshan Shafquat, Hamad Dar, Shashca Team and bloggers like Syed Moazzam Ali were also present in the meetup. Hasan Raza told the bloggers about the importance of security and how their blog almost got hacked and how they recovered it.

After the meetup, all the participants gathered in the Crystal Ball Room of Marriott for lunch.

Followed by the delicious lunch, another panel discussion was initiated regarding 'Threats to Critical Infrastructure". It was moderated by Mr. Nahil Mehmood, Founder/Chief Architect, DeltaTech. The panel included Brig. Ashraf Mehmood – Dean MSC, Mr. Ammar Jaffri – President PISA, Mr. Ameen Shareef, Mr. Adnan Shahid – Chief Idea Officer, Ideogeny and Dr. Saad Naeem Zafar, Dean Faculty of Computing, Riphah International University.

Another interesting speech along many others was delivered by Mr. Zubair Khan, CEO Tranchulas. Gone in 60 seconds was its title. He very nicely expressed hacker's point of view of how they breach the cyber security. His speech drew attention of many listeners and was very much appreciated.

Closing remarks and vote of thanks was delivered by Mr. Nazir Baid, Chapter Leader Karachi, PISA.

Overall it was a great event by UltraSpectra and PISA. All the speakers, visitors, bloggers & attendants were highly motivated. According to Mr. ZunNurain Khalid from UltraSpectra, they are planning to organize same kind of conference in Karachi in near future. After the final tea, plaque distribution and catwalk by CSP Models on the stage, Movie Die Hard -4 was also shown.

Zulfiqar Ali Malik is founder of "Live at Campus", an online platform for students to write and share their creativity.

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Wednesday, May 23, 2012