globalnews

Saturday, 5 July 2014

TV footage shows Murad losing temper but Arsalan ‘wasn’t slapped’

Former CJP’s son admits having a heated argument with PTI MNA but denies Murad Saeed slapped him

PTI MNA demands apology from Arsalan for ‘hurling abuses’ at party chief Imran Khan

Dr Arsalan Iftikhar, son of former chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, on Saturday denied there had been any physical altercation between him and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s Murad Saeed during the recording of a television programme on Friday.

Talking to a private news channel, Arsalan admitted that hot words had been exchanged between him and Saeed, a member of the National Assembly from PTI, but there was no physical clash.

Rumours spread on Friday suggested that MNA Saeed had became so agitated from allegations hurled against PTI chief Imran Khan by Dr Arsalan, that the MNA slapped him.

On Saturday both Arsalan and Saeed separately denied this.

“We only exchanged hot words at the talk show,” Arsalan said. “Had anyone slapped me, I would not have kept sitting quietly.”

On allegations that he abused the PTI chief, Dr Arsalan said, “Imran Khan used unparliamentary language against my father.”

Separately, Saeed denied slapping the former chief justice’s son and clarified his position through his Twitter account. Murad said that Dr Arsalan was abusing his party chief and demanded an apology.

Meanwhile, Absar Alam, the anchorperson of the show in which the altercation between the two young men took place played a video recording of Friday’s incident on his show on Saturday to dispel the slap rumours.

The footage shows Murad Saeed nudging Arsalan Iftikhar’s arm when the latter was criticising Imran Khan for levelling accusations at his father, the former chief justice.

Friday, 4 July 2014

Warid to invest $400 million in a year on LTE/4G technology

Warid is the only cellular service provider in the country that opted out of the April 23 spectrum auction. PHOTO: WARID TELECOM

KARACHI:

Warid Telecom will invest $400 million over the next 12 months in rollout costs for its Long Term Evolution (LTE) services; upgrade 70% of its urban network to fourth-generation (4G) mobile technology by the end of 2014, The Express Tribune has learnt.

The Lahore-based subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Group has contracted Ericsson – a leading global vendor of LTE infrastructure – as its technology partner to ensure steady and quick roll-out of these services, the company told its subscribers in a recent letter. The 4G services, according to the letter’s text, would be available to Warid’s customers by September 2014.

The Swedish communications technology provider will be upgrading Warid’s network as the latter plans to cover 70% of the urban areas by the end of 2014, said an official who requested anonymity as he was not authorised to comment. “Warid will be investing $400 million in rollout costs over a period of one year,” he said.

The smallest operator by subscription, Warid is the only cellular service provider in the country that opted out of the April-23 spectrum auction.

The company later announced its plans to launch 4G services and sought an early rollout but they couldn’t get the required approval from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority – telecom sector’s regulatory body.

Subject to the government’s approval, the company was hoping to commercially launch its LTE services in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad soon after Eid-ul-Fitr, an official had previously told this to a correspondent in an interview.

The PTA, however, was reluctant because of concerns raised by China Mobile Pakistan [Zong], the only operator to have acquired a 4G licence against an investment of $210 million. To counter the Chinese influence, Warid also mobilised diplomatic channels in Abu Dhabi to press the Pakistani government for an early approval, according reliable sources.

This time around, Warid has conveyed to its customers – in the aforesaid letter – that it will be able to provide its LTE services by September.

“This new date has come from the company’s government relations department, which is in talks with the regulator,” the official said. “Warid has to wait until the end of September,” he said, hinting that Zong would have launched its LTE services by then.

“Warid will be technically ready for the launch of 4G services by September,” the official said.

Giving details, the official said they already passed 50 Megabits per second (mbps) – though theoretically – during the test phase at their technical hub in Kot Lakhpat area of Lahore. This speed, he said, would come down to about 35 mbps when launched commercially. This means that the end users will get up to 6 mbps at an individual level – if an impact [reduction] of one-fifth is considered.

However, the official acknowledged that subscribers in some areas might receive as low as 3 mbps. “But over time, this will also improve,” he said. In order to get the PTA’s approval Warid needs to comply with the rules and regulations set for deployment of 4G services.

Mainly an urban-centric cellular service provider, Warid has a very low subscriber base – about 13 million subscriptions as of April, 2014. About 50% of the company’s network remains unutilised, giving it the capacity to hold additional traffic on its existing network, the company argues

Automobile portal: Carmudi looking to penetrate online trading

The company has raised $10 million from their investors a couple of months back only to penetrate more aggressively in Asian markets. PHOTO: FILE

LAHORE: With the expansion of e-commerce in Pakistan, traditional ways of trading are changing too, and among others, automobile sector is one of them.

Carmudi, a venture of Rocket internet, the world’s largest incubator, is also benefitting from the growing e-commerce market of Pakistan. The company is operational in the country since January 2014 and is claiming a 200% month on month growth. It caters to all segments but is especially popular in the population segment under the age of 30.

“We target Pakistan with a clear vision to win this market; there is no point to be number two for us,” Carmudi global Managing Director Stefan Haubold told The Express Tribune. “Pakistani market has a potential to grow, especially after the spectrum auction for 3G and 4G has been successfully completed. This auction will not only benefit our portal but the business environment of the country in general. Modern way of doing business should have some requirements and for Pakistan, access to 4G spectrum is the first requirement.”

The company has raised $10 million from their investors a couple of months back only to penetrate more aggressively in Asian markets. The management is anxiously waiting for people to get access to 3G or 4G technology in Pakistan, after which they see a dramatic change for online business and intend to capture this opportunity. The company is ready to pump in the money required for the portal to access the top position.

Though the venture has some common Standard Operating Procedures which they implement in all countries but the portal adapts to the market. “There are many different things in different economies which need to be understood first. For instance, some markets are more inclined towards reconditioned cars than new ones and some are opposite. We understand the flexibility of the market and our local officials deal with the market sentiments accordingly,” he said.

Talking about the competition of automotive portals in Pakistan, Haubold said that they are in this market for six months only. Their competitors had an edge for being the first automotive portal in Pakistan. “We have a lot of ground to cover and still very long way to go. We have some issues but will fix them over the time.”

Carmudi is operational in 20 countries but for the management the Asian region (excluding India) is their biggest market because they make biggest impact in such markets. “The population of around 1 billion is the major reason; the younger population with an urge to adopt modern trends is another reason for us to spend aggressively in Asian markets,” said Haubold.

Amir Khan Arrested: Latest Details and Updates

British boxing star Amir Khan was reportedly arrested after an incident where he allegedly injured two men following a confrontation in Heaton.

Miranda Newey of the Bolton News reports that neither of the victims were seriously hurt, with injuries to a cheek and a leg, according to police. They were apparently acquaintances of the boxer, although a direction connection was not established.

The report included comments from a witness:

Amir was saying don't you know who I am, I am AK.

We have always looked up to him as a role model with him being a Muslim and successful.

It is going to cause tension in the community. He is a world champion, an adult, the people involved are aged 19.

Sky Sports News provided an update on the situation:

No further details about the nature of the incident or the charges was provided.

Khan last fought in early May when he defeated Luis Collazo by unanimous decision to become the WBC Silver and WBA International Welterweight champion. It marked with third straight victory to bring his career record to 29-3.

He's been mentioned as a potential opponent for undefeated and current pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. It's too early to tell whether this situation will have any impact on the possibility of him landing that bout later this year or in 2015.

Once further details are released it should paint a clearer picture about how it will affect Khan moving forward. That said, putting himself in a position where this type of negative attention would result is a mistake to begin with, even if it only ends up being minor.

The Bolton News report notes Khan was previously arrested in 2006 after an accident that resulted in an injury to a pedestrian. He was fined and banned from driving for six months as a result.

More information about the current incident will be provided as it becomes available.

20 Signs You're Just Not Meant For A 9 To 5 Desk Job

Not all of us are same. While a financially secure job is all most men look for, there are a few of us who are just not made for the ‘office’ picture. There is so much more we want from life than just coffee breaks, appraisals and privileged leaves. And there is no way we’re settling in for anything less satisfying. If you think you’re one of us, this one goes out to you! Here are 20 signs you’re just not meant for a 9-5 desk job.

1. You want to be able to decide when to begin your day. You want to work when you want to, the way you want to. There goes the concept of 9-5 in the bin.

Signs You Are Just Not Meant For A 9-5 Desk Job

2. Formals? No way. You want to live in your denims - that’s who you are. Following dress codes is a ridiculous concept anyway that you just refuse to follow.

3. More than that, you’re just too restless to be seated at one place for 8 hours. It’s almost like being chained.

4. You see no point sitting inside a glass box knowing there is a whole world out there.

5. Your mind just doesn’t work around those boring computer screens and a phone that reminds you of hospitals every time it rings. You want something like a whole wall to express yourself!

6. Nothing puts you off more than seeing people hate every minute of their day at work. You’d rather be around inspiring people who love what they do, because your work is your passion, not a ‘job’.

7. You can’t wait to scoot out of the office the moment the clock strikes 6 and do what you love, the rest of the day.

8. You hate how all offices run solely on hierarchy. You feel being pulled down by it more than being pushed forward.

9. No matter how much you try, your mind just drifts away every time you begin working. You can’t be contained. You have to be set free to bring out the best in you.

10. You’re probably too outgoing and ‘alive’ to fit in to the straight faced, lifeless people at work. Oh no, no, you don’t give two hoots about maintaining the ‘decorum’, whatever that is.

11. You want to create something of your own, not spend your whole life living an insignificant life, working for someone who probably doesn’t even know you exist.

12. You’re a perfectionist. You need your own space to do things, at your own pace – like waiting for the sun to set for that perfect picture. You don’t believe in doing things just for the sake of it.

13. Life is too short to waste in rat races. You refuse to be a part of the herd.

14. You hate Mondays, in fact you loathe ‘em. You desperately need to be in a place where you look forward to Mondays.

15. Travelling is not just your passion; it is your way of life. From the depths of the seas to the thin air at the top of mountains – there’s so much to see in just one life! There is no way you’re giving up what you love the most for a desk job.

16. You don’t believe in rules. No, not like a rebel-without-a-cause. You just want to figure it out on your own instead of going by what people tell you. You’re here to make your own way.

17. You don’t have ‘aims’ in life. Only dreams. And you want to live them all. You owe it to yourself.

18. You measure success by happiness and contentment, not by paycheques.

19. You want to earn by living, not live by earning.

20. You cannot even begin to list down the things you want to do in life. What you want to be is beyond professions and careers. It’s a feeling. You want to live. That’s your calling.

Prime minister to invoke Article 245 to deploy army in all major cities

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has ordered the deployment of the army in all major cities of Pakistan under Article 245 , Express News reported.

The army will be called in to assist civil institutions.

According to Express News Islamabad Bureau chief Amir Ilyas Rana, the decision was taken during a high-level meeting in Islamabad on Friday, which was disclosed to him by a federal minister.

Article 245 states “650[(1)] 650 The Armed Forces shall, under the directions of the Federal Government, defend Pakistan against external aggression or threat of war, and, subject to law, act in aid of civil power when called upon to do so.

651[(2) The validity of any direction issued by the Federal Government under clause (1) shall not be called in question in any court.

(3) A High Court shall not exercise any jurisdiction under Article 199 in relation to any area in which the Armed Forces of Pakistan are, for the time being, acting in aid of civil power in pursuance of Article 245:

Provided that this clause shall not be deemed to affect the jurisdiction of the High Court in respect of any proceeding pending immediately before the day on which the Armed Forces start acting in aid of civil power.

(4) Any proceeding in relation to an area referred to in clause (3) instituted on or after the day the Armed Forces start acting in aid of civil power and pending in any High Court shall remain suspended for the period during which the Armed Forces are so acting.”

Indo-Pak cooperation: Expert for easing visa regime, opening more transit routes

Indian researcher delivers lecture at SDPI, claims Modi government wants better ties. PHOTO: FILE

The newly-formed government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is keen in improving relations with all members of the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (Saarc).

This was stated by Tridivesh Singh Maini, an India-based policy analyst and researcher who delivered a lecture at the Sustainable Development Policy Institute on the evolving political economy of India-Pakistan relations on Thursday.

Maini revealed that political will for improving bilateral ties exists in India but some bureaucratic hurdles still remain which are bound lessen if the two countries pursue a path of building mutual trust.

He termed improvement in the visa regime, opening up more transit routes and facilitating the reunion of divided families as important things in this aspect.

He laid emphasis on the need for greater land connectivity between the two countries, saying logistical issues and poor communication linkages act as barriers which restrict trade opportunities. Talking about a greater need for liberalisation in the neighbours’ relationship, Maini said, “Before we run we must first learn to walk.”

A large part of the credit for the improved economic relations goes to the chambers of commerce on both sides which have forged strong linkages and improved people to people contact, he added.

He said while there have been significant leaps in the last decade, with trade and commerce via the Wagha-Attari border witnessing a significant increase, there is a dire need to open more land crossings. With the current Indian government’s emphasis on economic development and greater integration within the region, it is likely that bilateral trade will increase.

Ending his speech, Maini said over the past decade and a half, there has been continuity in India’s policy of sustained engagement with Pakistan and successive regimes in New Delhi have shown imagination in dealing with Pakistan, especially in the economic realm.

He admitted that there have been setbacks in the process but stressed that economic ties have carried on and hoped that this would continue and improve.