Tag: coverage

  • 10,000 police officials deployed in Lahore for foolproof security

    10,000 police officials deployed in Lahore for foolproof security

    The Lahore Police has finalised the security measures for Youm-e-Ashur. For the 10th of Muharram, more than 10,000 police officers and security personnel, including 370 female authorities will be on duty.

    The provincial capital will host 227 majalis and 47 funeral processions. Pillion riding will be completely prohibited on the 9th (today) and 10th (tomorrow) of Muharram.

    On the paths of the major processions, it has been determined to halt mobile service at particular periods. The security of the main processions will be patrolled by more than 21 teams of Elite, 21 teams of PRU, and 26 teams of Dolphin Squad, according to The News.

    The organisers were also given instructions to make sure the code of conduct was followed in this regard.

    Using a video link, commissioners and regional police officers (RPOs) from all around Punjab gathered. The meeting was updated on the security preparations for Muharram by the additional chief secretary for the interior.

    The Regional Police Officers and Divisional Commissioners who were all present via video link gave a presentation to the audience on the security measures put in place in their respective divisions.

    Punjab Minister Raja Basharat instructed Commissioners and Regional Police Officers to personally inspect the security measures on the procession routes. He recommended adding more CCTV cameras to the procession’s established pathways.

    The provincial ministers will also visit various regions to examine the security measures, as will the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Law and Order.

  • PTA temporarily unblocks non-compliant smartphones

    PTA temporarily unblocks non-compliant smartphones

    A number of Pakistani users have regained cellular connectivity on smartphones that are not PTA compliant. This led many customers and sellers to believe that the PTA had unblocked all non-PTA-approved phones.

    Unfortunately, all of the reports claiming that the PTA has unblocked non-tax compliant phones are false as the majority of imported phones with unpaid taxes, are still blocked by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and cannot work with any cellular networks in the country.

    They can, however, continue to use Wi-Fi connections like before. Some people with unapproved phones had their phones unblocked at random in recent weeks, allowing them to reconnect to cellular networks.

    The telecommunications authority has made clear that it has unblocked an undefined number of non-approved phones solely to motivate people to pay taxes and have their phones properly unblocked.

    According to PTA spokesperson Khurram Ali Mehran, this was just a persuasive drill to get people to authenticate their phones and pay taxes, no matter how expensive they are.

    He stated that the PTA chose to unblock the phones at random and that they will all be blocked again within two months.

  • After electricity, telecom companies warn of phone call loadshedding

    After electricity, telecom companies warn of phone call loadshedding

    Following a massive tax hike, telecom companies in Pakistan have warned the public of initiating ‘loadshedding’ of phone calls, similar to power cuts, across the country.

    Telecommunication officials informed senators during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance that, like electricity, load-shedding of phone calls would be observed in the coming days, according to ARY News.

    During the meeting, telecom company representatives stated that the federal government has enhanced the advance tax on imported fibre optic cable by 15 per cent while boosting duty by 20 per cent.

    The senators were informed that the companies are experiencing severe financial difficulties as a result of the enhanced financial strain of importing fiber-optic.

    Telecom company representatives claimed that fibre optic cable is only used in 10 per cent of towers across the country, and that unless the government lowers fibre optic cable taxes, Pakistan will fall behind in the global connectivity race.

    After hearing the telecom companies’ arguments, the Senate committee recommended that the federal government reduce relevant taxes on fibre optic imports.