UBL Omni Introduces ATM Cards for Mobile Accounts: ProPakistani

UBL Omni Introduces ATM Cards for Mobile Accounts
Eric Schmidt, Chairman Google, Quietly Visits Pakistan
Telenor Talkshawk I-Champ Competition in AJK Concludes

UBL Omni Introduces ATM Cards for Mobile Accounts

Posted: 15 Jun 2012 12:33 AM PDT

Cash withdrawals, till now, for mobile accounts were possible through retailers only. UBL Omni has taken the mobile banking services to next level by introducing "No Name ATM cards" for its Omni Account holders.

These No Name ATM cards are currently available for Level Zero accounts. UBL has said that the idea of launching this card is to bring maximum facility for Omni Account Holders.

With No Name ATM Visa Debit cards, Omni account holders will be able to withdraw cash from ATMs, pay bills at ATMs, transfer funds, Payments to Merchants through ATM Machine, 1-Link, POS Machines.

In other words, customers can now enjoy the luxury of regular bank account with their mobile Omni accounts.

Internet shopping is currently not available with Omni ATM cards.

With introduction of ATM cards for Omni account holders, UBL is aiming to minimize the operational cost involved in manual transactions.

How to Get Omni ATM Cards?

We are told that the process for getting this card is very simple. All you need to do is to go to a Omni Shop, and ask for No Name ATM Card. Retailor will instantly give out a card to you after filling a registration form.

Customers will have to call Omni Helpline (111-825-777) to get the PIN and card activated, just like we do with other debit/credit cards.

Following particulars are required at the time of opening of the account:

Original CNIC
Yearly Service Charges: Rs. 150/-
Mobile Phone/Number

For more details call helpline or visit your nearest Omni Shop.

Eric Schmidt, Chairman Google, Quietly Visits Pakistan

Posted: 14 Jun 2012 11:42 PM PDT

Eric Schmidt, Executive Chairman and ex-CEO of Google, quietly landed in Pakistan yesterday to meet senior leadership of the country, we just got confirmation from the sources.

While his visit is kept hidden from media for reasons not known to us, Eric is likely to fly back today.

Sources tell us that this two day visit was primarily focused on bettering company's relations with Pakistani government, which remained bumpy over the time.

It is unclear so far if Google will issue an official statement on Eric's visit to Pakistan or not. It maybe recalled that Eric Schmidt is Executive Chairman of Google and his visits to countries around the world is part of company’s efforts for strengthening relations with governments.

Through state run news agency we know that Eric Schmidt yesterday met Prime Minister, Mr. Yousaf Raza Gillani in Islamabad.

Express Tribune, while carrying APP's report, has said that Gillani sought Google's help in tracking cross-border movement across the Durand line.

The Prime Minister highlighted that over 40,000 people crossed the hundreds of kilometers long border on a daily basis and it was virtually impossible to keep a physical check at some locations due to the rough terrain despite presence of Pakistani check posts.

The Google chief said that building up and maintaining of databases through use of information technology was crucial to deal with security issues as well as law and order situation.

In a strange move, Gilani sought Google's help in establishing Universal Service Centers at union council levels throughout the country. Government is planning to auction this project under the umbrella of USF.

Bypassing all the necessary modalities and auctioning procedures, Mr. Gilani offered Google setting up of Universal Service Centers which probably could be better done through local firms.

We are not even sure if Google can provide hardware, software, maintenance and trainings for such a project.

The Prime Minister maintained that Pakistan deeply acknowledged and recognized the efforts being carried out by Google for undertaking various community-based projects in the country.

Google has faced action from Pakistan, including threats of being blocked if it failed to cooperate in restricting access to objectionable content available on Google and its various services including video sharing social network YouTube, which was blocked in 2010.

Pakistan has also sought cooperation from Google to clamp down on accounts operated for and by terrorists. Having said this, it must be noted that Pakistan has rarely contacted Google for content removal requests or for acquiring information of Google users.

Telenor Talkshawk I-Champ Competition in AJK Concludes

Posted: 14 Jun 2012 10:06 PM PDT

Telenor Pakistan has concluded the first phase of its nationwide knowledge-based initiative 'Telenor Talkshawk Internet Champion' in Azad Jammu & Kashmir.

In line with the MoU signed between Telenor Pakistan and the AJK Education Department earlier this year, internet workshops were conducted in 83 government schools engaging over 18,500 students encompassing the semi urban areas of AJK.

Fifty Mobile Internet Labs were also set up in fifty different government schools.

The grand finale of the competition was held yesterday at Govt. Boys High School No 2 Plate Muzafarabad announcing 50 finalists. A winner will be selected from these 50 students through a final competition who will win a visit to Norway's Opera Mini. This will be the next step towards educating about digital tools and highlighting the significance of internet in the modern world.

The AJK Minister for Social Welfare & Women Development Farzana Yaqoob, the chief guest at the event, appreciated the enthusiasm of the students throughout the competition and said, "The project is in line with our commitment to encourage the youth of AJK to utilize the latest technology and make a positive contribution to the society. We are hopeful that the collaboration between Telenor Pakistan and the Government of AJK will serve as a foundation to help empower the digital generation in the region."

Speaking on the occasion, Aamir Ibrahim, Chief Marketing Officer, Telenor Pakistan thanked the AJK Education Department and AJK Information Technology Board for helping Telenor Talkshawk Internet Champions program achieve this milestone. He said, "We believe that every child in AJK has the potential to become successful and contribute to the society and the nation; all they need is encouragement and guidance. We appreciate the support extended by the Government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and hope to take this initiative to all the provinces of Pakistan. On behalf of Telenor Pakistan, I also congratulate the winners of Telenor Talkshawk Internet Champions.''

Tours made to various schools in AJK under the umbrella of Telenor Talkshawk Internet Champion presented the advantages of using the internet and digital tools to become future digital prodigies. Through training halls, experience zones and competitions, the children were encouraged to use internet/mobile internet as tools that will empower them to gain knowledge and become well informed citizens.

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Friday, June 15, 2012