May 08  - 21, 2000

PEPSI APPOINTS REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT

Pepsi Cola International (PCI) has appointed Faisal Farid, a Pakistani, as Vice President (Marketing) Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan Business Unit. He has replaced Richard Evans.

Faisal joined PCI in 1991 and has held senior positions in marketing in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, two of Pepsi's key markets. As Marketing Director in Saudi Arabia he played an integral role in building Pepsi's leadership position in that market.

Saad Abdul Latif, President North Africa, Middle East and Pakistan Division, while commenting on this new development said. "Faisal's appointment places an outstanding professional in a critical position. The depth and breadth of Faisal's thinking coupled with his consumer insight will add tremendously to the overall business plans of the Business Unit and PCI.

Faisal was recently working as Director Marketing, Pakistan Business Unit, a position where he gathered general management experience of the fastest growing core market for PCI. In this position he was very effective in furthering Pepsi's marketing agenda as well as consolidating and upgrading the company's bottling system in the country.

PAK LIBYA BOARD APPROVES SETTING UP OF FIRST EVER I.T. VENTURE CAPITAL FUND IN PAKISTAN

The 56th Board of Directors meeting of Pak Libya Holding Company (Private) Limited was held on May 7, 2000 at the Company's Registered Office at Karachi under the Chairmanship of Dr. Khaled F. Zentuti. Mr. Zaigham Mahmood Rizvi, Managing Director and Mr. Ramadan A. Haggiagi, Deputy Managing Director also attended the meeting.

The Board discussed the performance of the Company and expressed satisfaction on its overall activities. The Board approved two projects in the IT sector involving a total amount of Rs. 75 million including first ever IT Venture Capital Fund in Pakistan namely PakVenCap.com (Pvt) Limited, being established by Pak Libya. The Board also approved equity participation of Rs. 50 million in an Internet and Data Network Project, another upcoming IT venture. Inclusive of these two projects, Pak Libya has recently sanctioned a sum of Rs. 545 million to eight projects. These projects included one of the leading newspaper groups, a leading Polyester Fibre manufacturing group, two leading leasing companies and a textile unit. The Company also participated in a syndicated short-term demand facility for one of the leading power generation and distribution companies.

The Board also appreciated the efforts made by the Company in diversifying its operational activities in line with changing market scenario. The Board was particularly appreciative of Pak Libya's efforts in promoting IT Sector in Pakistan by way of establishment of first IT Venture Capital Fund namely PakVenCap.com (Pvt) Limited (proposed) to assist serious and genuine I.T. amateurs, professionals and budding I.T. entrepreneurs to convert their nascent projects into real life applications. Pak Libya had recently sponsored a "Talent Hunts" Scheme through which Pak Libya would be organizing a series of I.T. Talent Hunt exhibitions in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad to identify viable projects for providing venture capital financing. The Company has also reactivated its Subsidiary Company into a trading company namely Union International (Pvt.) Limited (UIL). It is the first export-house in Pakistan, based on E-Commerce concept. UIL will also be concentrating in African and Middle Eastern market to boost Pakistan's exports. It will maintain business information portals on Pakistan based on E-Commerce approach and is fully geared to play an active role as an Export-Import House of the country. Pak Libya has also been sanctioned a credit line of US $ 4 million by the Islamic Development Bank under IDB's Export Financing Scheme which is the first Trade Finance Credit Line issued to a financial institution in the country.

The Company is also playing an important role in the area of Capital Market and resource mobilization through listed instruments of finance. Pak-Libya is having as its associate, an Investment Advisory Company-Asian Capital Management (Pvt.) Limited, which is playing a major role in the promotion of Mutual Fund Sector of the country. It is also a Co-Manager of an existing Mutual Fund-Asian Stocks Fund. Pak Libya has also promoted a Fixed Income Securities Fund in the name of Munafa Securities Mutual Fund, with a paid up capital of Rs. 150 million and is aimed at investing in low risk, stable instruments of finance like TFCs. The fund will attract investor groups desiring to have a regular income stream, with low risk appetite.

What is PTA?

PTA was formed under the Pakistan Telecommunication Act, 1996. It is a regulatory body, which regulates the establishment, operation and maintenance of telecommunication services. It also promotes and protects the interests of telecommunication service providers and users, ensuring that the consumers get high quality services at competitive prices, with a reasonable range of choice.

PTA Policy Framework

1. Universal access to telephone and other modern telecommunication services.

2. Introduction of modern terrestrial, cellular and satellite services.

3. Facilitate foreign private investment in telecommunication.

4. Development of indigenous know how and industry.

5. Facilitation of privatization of telecommunication facilities.

6. Maximizing the economic impact of value added services.

7. Facilitate the correct impact of telecommunication facilities in social and economic development.

8. Provision of a level playing field for all, specially new and small operators, with the ultimate goal of unbundling the service.

9. Work out regulations to protect the interests of end users.

10. Ensuring transparency and non-discrimination in licensing.

11. Creation of a backbone for reliable connectivity.

12. Promote the use of Internet.

Functions of PTA

1. Regulate the establishment, operation and maintenance of telecommunication systems and the provision of telecommunication services in Pakistan.

2. Receive and expeditiously dispose of applications for the use of radio frequency spectrum.

3. Promote and protect the interests of users of telecommunication services in Pakistan.

4. Promote the availability of a wide range of high quality, efficient, cost effective and competitive telecommunication services throughout Pakistan.

5. Investigate and adjudicate on complaints and other claims made against licensees arising out of alleged contravention of the provisions of this act, the rules made and licenses issued thereunder and take action accordingly.

6. Make recommendations to the Federal Government on policies with respect to international telecommunication, provision of support for participation in international meetings and agreements to be executed in relation to the routing of international traffic and accounting settlements.

7. Perform such other functions as the Federal Government may assign from time to time.

Powers of the PTA

1. Grant new licenses for any telecommunication system and any telecommunication service on payment of such fees as it may, from time to time specify.

2. Monitor and enforce licenses

3. Receive applications for the use of radio frequency spectrum and where applicable, under law and refer such applications to the Board for assignment of spectrum within a period of thirty days.

4. Establish and modify accounting procedure for licenses and regulate tariffs for telecommunication service in accordance with the law.

5. Regulate the transfer of licenses.

6. Prescribe standards of telecommunication equipment and terminal equipment, certify compliance of such equipment with prescribed standards and issue approvals for terminal equipment and of approved installer as prescribed by law.

7. Provide guidelines and determine the terms if interconnection arrangement between licensees where the parties to those arrangements are unable to agree

8. Carry out inspections of Telecommunication equipment and any premises owned or occupied by the licensees and summon any person for investigation and inquiry.

9. Develop national telecommunication numbering plans.

l0. Collect information about telecommunication services within and outside Pakistan and review their impact.

11. Issue regulations for exercising its powers and performance of its functions.

Responsibilities of the Authority

1. Protect the rights of the licensees.

2. Ensure that all decisions and determinations are made promptly, in an open equitable manner, non discriminatory, consistent and transparent manner.

3. Dispose all applications expeditiously.

4. Give the persons affected by its decisions due notice and provide them with an opportunity of being heard.

5. Encourage, except subject to exclusive right of a company in basic telephone service, fair competition in the telecommunication sector.

6. Ensure that the interest of telecommunication service are duly safeguarded and protected.

Organization of PTA

The Authority consists of a Chairman and two other members. All important decisions are made in the meetings of the Authority which are held normally once a week.

PTA Organization consists of eight Divisions, which are stated as under:

Division No. 1: Policy and Licensing

There are three groups of this division, each headed by Director.

Group No. 1: Policy and Research: This department is responsible for policy issues concerning market and technology research.

Group No. 2: Licensing Radio Based Services: This department is responsible for licensing Radio Services like Cellular, Satellite and GMPCS etc. It is also responsible for FAB licensing and Radio Frequency Allocation licensing.

Group No. 3: Licensing Non-Voice Services: This department is responsible for licensing Non-Voices services like Internet, Data-Communication and other Electronic Information services.

Division No. 2: Economic Studies Division:

This Division is responsible for conducting economic studies relating to telecommunication systems and their operations. It has two groups.

Group No. 1: Tariff: This group deals with issues relating to Tariff and Interconnect.

Group No. 2: Finance and Accounting: It covers costing, financial analysis and account keeping etc.

Division No. 3: Standardization and Specifications:

This Division has two groups:

Group No. 1: Type Approval, does licensing for Terminal Equipment based on quality standards for equipment.

Group No. 2: This group is responsible for preparation of equipment and Antenna Standards and Promotion of Industry Standards.

Division No. 4: Engineering Division

There are two groups under this Division:

Group No. l: The Network Engineering and Technical Analysis.

Group No. 2: Deals with service quality. It is also incharge of the test laboratory.

Division No. 5: Consumers Division:

This department deals with consumer complaints and consumer protection issues.

Division No. 6: Legal Issues

This Division is responsible for advising all Divisions on legal issues.

Division No. 7: Administration:

Administration including office services, financial and personnel.

Division No. 8: Press Relations and Library:

Press, Publicity and all Information activities (e.g. Publications) including the PTA library are under this Division.

Who funds the PTA?

PTA generates its revenues from license fees

PTA and new technologies

PTA actively encourages new services. Internet services are an example of this attitude.

PTA is also encouraging new companies to enter the market with Hi-tech telecommunication services like satellite services.

How does PTA help telecommunication consumers?

The telecommunication consumer is of prime concern to PTA. For that purpose the Authority has set up a consumer complaint department which looks into matter concerning consumers. PTA has developed and implemented guidelines for quality of service to be provided to PTCL customers.

Procedure of PTA work

Licensing: Applications are invited through the press. Frequency Allocation:

Forms are available at the PTA offices for applications.

Consumer Complaints: These complaints could be addressed to any of PTA's offices.

Silver Jubilee Convocation of Preston University

Education plays a vital role in the formation, development, growth and refinement of the personality and character of the youth. This was stated by Dr. Najma Najam, Vice Chancellor of Fatima Jinnah Women University, while addressing as Chief Guest at the Silver Jubilee Convocation of Preston University held at a local hotel. She said that the education institutions have enormous responsibilities as well as power in their hands to mould the students' entire life which ultimately reflects to community and whole nation. Dr. Najma Najam hailed the efforts of Preston University for imparting quality higher education to the Pakistani youth over last 16 years through their nationwide network of campuses. She awarded Bachelors and Masters degrees to 200 graduates of Computer Science/Business Management. She felicitated the outgoing graduates and said that use of acquired professional skills and honest hard work can earn the graduates a good name for the university, parents, community and the entire nation. Dr. Najma congratulated Preston University Management for holding the Silver Jubilee Convocation and lauded this occasion as a distinction in Preston University's history.

In his welcome address, Dr. Abdul Basit, President, Preston University said that Preston University persistently strives to fulfil its obligations as educators to transform the students into excellent, professional citizens that this institute, community and nation can be proud of. He prayed for Allah's blessings in this noble endeavour. Dr. Abdul Basit said the holding of Silver Jubilee Convocation was a milestone in the history of Preston University. He said this university will continue to provide higher education opportunities to the Pakistani youth at an affordable cost, and will continue to attempt to develop professionals with perspective of global compatibility. He also highlighted the new programmes initiated by the university in the field of Textile Engineering/Management and Fashion Designing etc. at Karachi, Lahore and Faisalabad campuses.

The vote of thanks was presented by Air Marshal (R) A. Rashid Shaikh, Director General Academics. The University plaque was presented to the Chief Guest by the President of Preston University.

"agricultural Crises In Sindh"

Pakistan is an agriculture based country, our economy majorly depends on the high yield of growing crops. Sindh is the second largest province of country having its major contribution in agricultural productivity. But unfortunately agriculture in Sindh has been suffering many crises like drainage problem, water logging and salinity , less availability of water etc. SZABIST, an Institute of high profile held a conference to discuss the study on " Agricultural Crises in Sindh" with a number of speaker and experts on wednesday.

The study has been done by center for information and research SZABIST (Shaheed Zulfiqar Bhutto institue of science and technology). This study highlights the harm caused by the faulty Left Bank outfall drain (LBOD) including its tidal link to the crops and the huge loss incurred due to the to this. The study uncover the role of WAPDA, the world Bank and the consultants regarding the loss. This study also raised the issues like inefficient land reforms in Pakistan due to poor administration and low community participation.

Mr. Syed Qamar-uz-Zaman,President of Sindh agriculture said, Tarbela Dam is being silted to justify the construction of Kalabagh Dam. He further said that Tarbela Dams could last for further hundred years by making some important changes. He also warned the deteriorating consequences if the affluents were poured into the kotri Barrage under the National Drainage Program (NDP),this will cause great harm to the lower Sindh areas. Proper land reforms should be designed, proper management of water and increase the availability of water , he added.

Chief guest of the evening was Mr. Iftikhar Soomro, minister for agriculture, livestock, fisheries, wild life, food and cooperation Government of Sindh, said that Government is taking measures to solve the problems, govt has announced the scheme to provide credit to the small farmers through one window operation.We should collectively make effort to progress the agriculture and to find out the remedy for drainage problem in Sindh. Every individual should come forward and access the government to progress the growers and agricultural activities in this area.He denied the slow growthin this sector, Agriculture is not stagnant in Sindh but productivity have been drastically improved during last couple of years in Sindh. There are verity of mangoes, bananas and other vegetables have been cultivated during last years and country can generate high revenues by exporting them.

He also emphasized that we should go for the corporate or big holdings rather than small holdings in order to get more yield and productivity like USA, Japan and Australia. Only 40% of the land is cultivated in Sindh, it is imperative that uncultivated land should also be utilized in other agricultural activities like live stock, fisheries.He added that available water is not properly utilized and wastage of water is harming the sector. He also emphasized on the zoning, mean area should be utilized according to its suitability i.e. rice should only be cultivated in areas with abundant rainfall. Environmental factor is very important in this regard, only those pesticides and fertilizer should use which are not causing harm to the soil fertility. Social structure of our country is also a big detriment for the development of agricultural activities in Sindh. Comprehensive marketing courses concerning agricultural sciences should launch in business institution in order to educate the public regarding agricultural activities. He stressed to remain optimistic regarding the progress of this sector and help the government to implement the designed programs. About 50% and 60% of water was wasted because of mal management. Concerned authority should launch shemes to rehabiliate the degraded land.

Utilization of even single drop of water should make possible and over irrigation should be avoided, said Mr. Nisar Effendi, chairman Abadgar sugar mills.he further said that cost should be reduced for farmers in order to fascilitate them

Mr. Hasan Ali Chandio stressed the importance of land reforms and the proper construction of canals is necessary and sophisticated technology should be used to avoid the wastage of water.

Ali Ersellan an engeneer and consultant said that water crises lie both in inefficient use and improper distribution, Shortage is a socially engeneered problem. quality of agricultural products can be increase by improving input and output structure,Dr Iqbal Panhwar added.

Mr. Khair Muhammad Junejo suuggested that all agricultural taxes should be consolidated to one common agricultural tax.Educating the farmers in rural areas is essential by having comprehensive programmes.

In its study, researchers and scholars proposed to set up the Land Utilizing Authority to launch comprehensiv research work on land degradation and its causes. It was suggested than there should be schemes for rehabilitation of landless grower. Land should be recovered from bib land lord and distribute among haris. IRSA should also be restructured.

By Faraz Siddiqui

 

"In the changing Scenario, India Pakistan Reconciliation is the need of the time".

Lt. Gen. (R) M. L. Chibber who is on a visit to Karachi at the invitation of Lt. Gen. (R) Sardar F. S. Lodi who invited him to the Greenwich University to speak to the Faculty, Students and Guests of Greenwich University on the subject of

"INDIA PAKISTAN RECONCILIATION"

The Gen. Said that both India and Pakistan should solve their problems and issues through talk instead of going for a war. He further said that youth can play a vital role in order to develop a positive attitude within the two nations.

A number of Ex-Armed forces Officers, and some renowned personalities of the city were also present. An interesting session of question and answers was conducted by the students of Greenwich University in which they asked various questions to the General.

Some of the important personalities who were present at the occasion were:

Lt. General (R) Sardar F.S. Lodi, Admiral (R) H. M. Siddique Chaudhary 1st Commander-in-Chief of Pakistan Navy, Lt. General (R) Jehanzeb Arbab Khan, Maj. General (R) M. A.Vahidy, Vice-Admiral (R) Shamoon A. Khan, Brig. (R) A.R. Siddiqui, Brig. (R)Shamim Manto, and Mr. Khaleel Isphani.