Tag: telecommunication

  • Telecom companies block 9,000 SIMs of non-filers under FBR directive

    Telecom companies block 9,000 SIMs of non-filers under FBR directive

    Telecom operators have taken action by blocking the mobile SIMs of approximately 9,000 individuals who have not filed their taxes, following directives from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

    According to a spokesperson from the FBR, this measure has been expedited, with telecom companies receiving updated data daily for the purpose of blocking SIMs.

    It has been revealed that the FBR has already provided data for around 30,000 individuals whose SIMs are earmarked for blocking.

    However, the spokesperson acknowledged that there is still a substantial number of approximately 506,671 individuals who have not filed their Income Tax Return for Tax Year 2023 but are obligated to do so.

    Initially, telecom operators were hesitant to execute this directive, citing various legal concerns. Nevertheless, they eventually consented to manually block SIMs in smaller batches.

    The FBR had issued an Income Tax General Order (ITGO) in late April, instructing the disabling of mobile phone SIMs belonging to over half a million individuals not appearing on the active taxpayer list.

    At the time of issuance, telecom companies were directed to furnish a compliance report by May 15 regarding this matter.

  • Unregistered sims are being used by fraudsters, terrorists

    Unregistered sims are being used by fraudsters, terrorists

    Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Cyber Crimes has submitted a report on the fraudulent acquisition of biometrics of mobile SIMs to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

    As restrictions have tightened, counterfeiters have also invented new methods, according to the FIA report, including the use of fake thumbprints for SIM registration.

    According to the report, more than 80,000 SIMs registered on silicon thumbs were reported in four years. Fraudsters are said to obtain fingerprints by luring people into registering for voter lists or for obtaining cheaper essential items etc. which are then imprinted on silicon thumbs and SIMs are consequently registered.

    According to the report, it has been revealed that unregistered SIMs are being used by terrorists. More than 3,500 SIMs obtained on fake registrations are active right now out of which 93 cases were registered over the past four years, 193 people were arrested, and 294 fake biometric devices were also used.

  • IT minister denies involvement in internet suspension resulting in billion-rupee losses

    IT minister denies involvement in internet suspension resulting in billion-rupee losses

    Following the internet blackout in Pakistan, Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Syed Amin-ul-Haque distanced his ministry from the blockage, stating that they were not taken into confidence.

    According to Geo, Haque revealed that mobile internet services were suspended without the Ministry of IT’s consultation. Since 2017, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has not been under the Ministry of IT, and the PTA has been operating independently.

    The minister explained that blocking social media websites or the internet was not the solution to any issue, and he urged people to be open-minded rather than resorting to using a VPN to access blocked sites.

    Haque suggested that instead of completely blocking the internet, it could be blocked in specific areas. He emphasized that the IT sector suffered losses of billions of rupees due to internet blockages.

    The suspension of mobile broadband and restricted access to Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube occurred after violent protests arose in response to the Rangers personnel arresting Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan from the Islamabad High Court. At least ten people died, and dozens sustained injuries during the days-long protests.

    After almost a seven-day suspension, the government restored access to social media platforms such as Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook. The suspension was recommended by the interior ministry and is the longest continuous shutdown in a country that often suspends communication as a tool to quell unrest. Telecom operators suffered an approximate revenue loss of Rs820 million, which was a significant blow to the sector as the economy remained in a fragile state.

    Additionally, the government blocked major social media platforms, including Twitter and Facebook, while YouTube services were slower to control the spread of disinformation.

  • Pakistan earned $1,523 million by providing IT services to various countries: report

    Pakistan earned $1,523 million by providing IT services to various countries: report

    Pakistan has earned US$1,523.280 million by providing different Information Technology (IT) services to various countries during the first seven months of the current fiscal year 2022-23, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

    This represents a growth of 2.38 per cent as compared to US$1,487.865 million earned during the same months of the fiscal year 2021-22.

    During July-January (2022-23), the export of computer services climbed by 2.87 per cent as it increased from US$1,191.575 million last fiscal year to US$1,225.730 million this year.

    The exports of software consultancy services saw an increase of 5.57 per cent, from US$430.309 million to US$454.283 million while the exports of hardware consultancy services also rose by 158.07 per cent from US$1.357 million to US$3.502 million.

    According to APP, the export and import of computer software-related services surged by 11.89 per cent, from US$312.484 million to US$349.635 million whereas the exports of repair and maintenance services increased to US$1.594 million from US$0.770 million.

    The export of telecommunication services also witnessed an increase of 0.60 per cent as these went up from US$293.180 million to US$294.950 million during the months under review, the data revealed.

    Among the telecommunication services, the export of call centre services rose by 2.30 per cent during the period as its exports increased from US$118.669 million to US$121.398 million whereas the export of other telecommunication services decreased by 0.55 per cent, from US$174.511 million to US$173.552 million during the period under review, the PBS data revealed.

    Moreover, the exports of other computer services witnessed a decline of 6.70 per cent going down from US$446.655 million to US$416.716 million.

    Meanwhile, the export of information services during the period under review declined by 16.40 per cent going down from US$3.110 million to US$2.600 million.

  • Number of 3G, 4G users in Pakistan increases to 113.89 million

    Number of 3G, 4G users in Pakistan increases to 113.89 million

    The latest data from Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) reveals that the number of 3G and 4G users grew by 1.14 million from 112.75 million in April 2022 to 113.89 million in May 2022.

    Pakistan’s cellular subscriber base grew by 0.25 million to 193 million by the end of May 2022, up from 192.75 million at the end of April, according to Brecorder.

    By the end of May, cellular mobile teledensity had risen from 87.6 per cent to 87.67 per cent. By the end of May, the total teledensity had risen to 88.81 per cent, up from 88.74 per cent in April.

    The monthly penetration of Next Generation Mobile Services (NGMS) at the end of April had risen to 51.73 per cent, up from 51.24 per cent.

    Network providers

    The total number of 3G users on Jazz fell from 6.222 million at the end of April to 6.068 million at the end of May, a reduction of 0.154 million. By the end of May, the number of Jazz 4G users had risen from 36.567 million to 37.168 million.

    Zong 3G subscribers fell from 3.357 million at the end of April to 3.272 million at the end of May, while 4G users grew from 27.952 million at the end of April to 28.317 million at the end of May.

    Telenor 3G subscribers fell from 3.696 million at the end of April to 3.613 million at the end of May, whereas Telenor 4G users enhanced from 21.216 million at the end of April to 21.494 million at the end of May.

    By the end of May, there were 3.576 million Ufone 3G users, up from 3.673 million at the end of April. Ufone’s 4G users increased from 8.761 million at the end of April to 9.052 million at the end of May, a 0.291 million increase over the previous month.

  • GSMA funds £668,000 to three Pakistani startups

    GSMA funds £668,000 to three Pakistani startups

    The Global System for Mobile Communication’s innovation Fund has announced three Pakistani startups as winners out of 597 applications.

    These startups are working on the inclusion of Mobile, Internet and Digital technologies in Pakistan. The winning startups Vceela and Orenda Pakistan will get a grant of £668,000 (Rs146 million).

    The head of Asia Pacific GSMA, Julian Gorman, said that digital technologies would transform how people work and live in Pakistan. By 2023 the economic contribution of the mobile industry in Pakistan will reach $24 billion that is 6.6 per cent of the expected Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    Pakistan has also moved forward with significant mobile services tax reforms. “As we saw in the GSMA 2020 Digital Societies Report, which tracks the progress of 11 focus countries in the Asia Pacific, Pakistan is advancing its societal, economic and digital ambition, as outlined in Digital Pakistan Vision,” Mr Gorman said.

    Pakistan has achieved one of the highest scores overall as per the GSMA report on the digital society index.

    Federal Minister for Information Technology (IT) Syed Aminul Haq said that the Ministry of IT & Telecom (MOITT) lauded the efforts of the GSMA for its endeavours to bring revolutionary changes in the field of telecommunication in Pakistan.

    He added that the reforms taken by the incumbent government in the telecommunication sector have made it possible for investors in the broadband and communication sector to facilitate the investors’ sentiment.

    He said the “right way of policy” has been implemented by the government, which was one of the demands of the telephony and internet service providers for the last 24 years.

    Haque has also said that the government was taking steps to provided 3G and 4G services all across Pakistan, but the COVID pandemic has changed the landscape. However, the Telecommunication sector strategy has not changed because of high demand and technological relevance.

    Not just GSMA, even World Economic Forums (WEF) has ranked Pakistan as one of the best countries in terms of affordability of ICT services.

  • PM to take your calls on May 11

    PM to take your calls on May 11

    Prime Minister Imran Khan will once again take phone calls from Pakistanis on May 11, under the ‘Ap Ka Prime Minister Ap Kai Sath’ [Your Prime Minister With You] initiative. As per details, the PM will personally answer people’s queries.

    The news has been confirmed by Senator Faisal Javed, who said the calls would be broadcast live on television, radio, and social media.

    People who wish to voice their concerns to the PM can dial 051-9224900. He will begin taking calls at 1:30 pm.

    The premier has interacted with the public twice on February 1, 2021 and April 4, 2021.

  • Pakistan IT exports cross $1.5bn for the first time

    Pakistan IT exports cross $1.5bn for the first time

    The Pakistan Information Technology (IT) industry has experienced $1.5 billion in exports for the first time. In March, the industry received the highest export remittances of $213 million.

    According to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP, IT and IT-enabled services recorded a huge increase of $1.512 billion during the first nine months of the current fiscal year (FY) 2020-21.

    The industry observed an increase of $459 million, or 43 percent in comparison to the previous period in which the IT exports stood at $1.512 billion.

    The handsome growth in IT exports was driven through software consultancy, Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), e-commerce, telecommunication services, etc.

    Moreover, the Pakistani IT industry capitalized on the worst-hit market of India that is also a leading IT service exporter, but because of the COVID-19, the global industry has consulted experts in Pakistan.

    Pakistani software houses are getting a great influx of orders from countries like the US, UK, EU, and the East Easter or Gulf countries because they have a high demand for IT services.

    The country could further increase the exports from $2 billion to $3-3.5 billion in the next financial year if the stakeholders including software houses, the government, and concerned authorities develop an aggressive plan while minimising impediments in the IT sector.

    Furthermore, as per the old policies of the government, the IT sector was exempted from the tax network but the government has decided to reverse the decision.

    Companies are concerned about the immoral practices of government departments, and the recent raids on the IT companies from the intelligence agency also created a fearful working environment for the other software houses, which are considering setting up their offshore offices in different countries.

    On the other side, revenue experts said the IT industry with handsome balance sheets should contribute to support the ailing economy with taxes at a time when the industry is witnessing a peak time.

  • Waziristan at par with Pakistan after PM launches 3G, 4G services; ‘olive revolution’ also announced

    Waziristan at par with Pakistan after PM launches 3G, 4G services; ‘olive revolution’ also announced

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has announced that 3G/4G internet services will become operational in Waziristan from today (Wednesday).

    PM Imran shared that the news with the people of Waziristan while addressing a Kamyab Jawan Programme’s cheque distribution ceremony in Wana.

    “We are trying to resolve your problems. From today, 3G and 4G services will become functional,” he said, adding that it was the demand of the youth of the area that they had 3G and 4G services.

    The premier shared that 3G and 4G services were not available in the region earlier as the government feared that it might be used for terrorism. He added that he spoke to the army leadership about the issue and was informed that it was a need of the youth of the area.

    “I spoke to the army and we decided that we will provide this facility,” said PM Imran.

    The premier assured the people that the government will also allocate more scholarship for the people of the area.

    He also told the people that he will bring an olive revolution to the area, as the product is commonly grown there.

    “Olive will bring a lot of money to the area,” he said, announcing that a dam will also be built in the area to resolve water woes of the locals.

    The PM assured the people that his government will work on uplifting the poor segments of the society and backward areas including the tribal districts.

  • Govt gives ISI Rs1.66 billion for upgradation of agency’s telecom project

    Govt gives ISI Rs1.66 billion for upgradation of agency’s telecom project

    The government’s Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) has approved a “supplementary grant” of Rs1.66 billion for the upgradation of Special Telecom Monitoring Project at the directorate of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

    According to a press release issued by the Press Information Department (PID), the ECC has also approved a supplementary grant of Rs500 million for the construction of Special Education School at the Defence Complex in Islamabad.

    The proposals for “technical supplementary grants” were moved by the defence division, the press release said.

    The committee has also instructed the ministry of national security and research to ensure procurement of wheat as per 8.25 million tonnes target set for the public sector this year.

    The ISI is the premier intelligence agency of Pakistan, operationally responsible for gathering, processing and analysing national security information from around the world.

    It is currently headed by General Faiz Hameed.