Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Tariq Kirmani appreciated the efforts of the team involved in the project and expressed confidence that it would enable the largest oil marketing company in the country to further reduce financial costs and improve profitability.

Mr Amar Zafar Khan said that the deal denotes the strong branch network of UBL on whose strength the recently privatized bank has been able to offer to PSO at much competitive price a service which will reduce the transaction time from an average three working days currently to a mere one day.

The web-based UB online banking system offers several additional benefits in terms of security of funds, account reconciliation, round-the-clock availability of online data and ease of use for both PSO and dealers.

PSO CARTAGE CONTRACTORS TO BENEFIT FROM CHANGE: TARIQ KIRMANI

The Managing Director of Pakistan State Oil (PSO), Mr Tariq Kirmani, implored cartage contractors to change with the changing times, an exercise that would tremendously benefit them in the long run.

Addressing a large number of cartage contractors who were awarded appreciation letters for implementing the latest changes in tank lorry fleets, Mr Tariq Kirmani said that the changes in PSO were not extraordinary and such changes should have been made years ago. "We have only implemented what is done by good companies," he said.

Mr Kirmani said that status quo was not acceptable at PSO. "We are teaching our employees, our dealers and our cartage contractors that you have to change," he said. "The change that we are seeking is in your interest."

He said the top management at PSO was trying to communicate at all levels that the wrongs of the past could not continue. "We should do what we believe in," he told the cartage contractors. "If we do something for which our conscience pricks us, we will have to face the consequences sooner or later."

Mr Kirmani told the cartage contractors that they have to see the whole picture by putting all the pieces together. "Those who fail to do so are left behind in the race," he asserted.

The Managing Director said that PSO had once again bid the lowest for the Wapda tender, a fact that showed that the oil-marketing giant was a responsible firm. "We do what we say," he stated.

The General Manager Logistics, Mr M Z Tamimy, told the cartage contractors that some vested interests were creating problems.

Asking the cartage contractors to tell others that strikes did not serve any purpose, he said the message should be spread throughout Pakistan that the culture of strikes had gone away from the country.

"Adulterated product is no longer acceptable," Mr Tamimy declared, pointing out to the cartage contractors that their growth was linked to that of PSO.

Later, the Managing Director distributed certificates among the cartage contractors.

NUCLEAR SOUTH ASIA IS SPIRALING INTO INSTABILITY: DR. HOODBHOY

Addressing the participants at a seminar organized by the Preston Institute of Management, Science & Technology (PIMSAT), Islamabad campus Dr. Pervez Hoodbhoy, a renowned nuclear physicist and Professor of Physics at the Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad said it was his firm belief and also that of leading peace activists, academics and journalists that nuclear South Asia is spiraling into instability, an arms race, deepening poverty and an ever-greater threat of nuclear war both deliberate and accidental.

He said in 1998, over a billion people were thrust into the nuclear shadow as India and Pakistan blasted their way onto the world stage as nuclear weapons states. While it may have strengthened the element of deterrence vis-a-vis Pakistan, it has undeniably made both countries more vulnerable than ever-before to nuclear war, either deliberate or accidental, he said. Dr. Hoodbhoy maintained that the nuclear arms race between the two major nuclear rival states—India and Pakistan, has overwhelmed the economies of the two countries, bringing unbearable sufferings to the people. He said teaming millions in India and Pakistan have been deprived of their fundamental right to even the basic amenities of life such as food, shelter, health, education and employment. Naturally, with major part of the country's resources being diverted towards massive build up of conventional and contemporary arms and nuclear arsenals, on both sides of the divide, such a dismal scenario was bound to develop. Dr. Hoodbhoy expressed the hope that both India and Pakistan, in the interest of peace in the region and for the progress and prosperity of its two people, would make sincere and urgent efforts to denuclearise itself.

Earlier, speaking on the occasion, Preston's Director Marketing & PR, Mr. M. Fazal Elahi extended a warm welcome to Dr. Hoodbhoy on behalf of the management, faculty and students of Preston and other guests. Mr. Elahi thanked the distinguished speaker for enlightening the participants to the seminar on such a burning issue, and also for providing them the opportunity to see the documentary entitled "Pakistan & India Under the Nuclear Shadow" produced and directed by him. In the end, the Program Director of Preston Islamabad Campus, Commodore (retd.) Muhammad Saleem presented a Shield of the Institute to the distinguished guest speaker.

MICROSOFT AND MOBILINK GSM SIGN 3-YEAR ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT

Microsoft Pakistan and Mobilink GSM (Pakistan) have announced the signing of the renewal of their existing Enterprise Agreement, which is to run for 3 years.

The new agreement will provide Windows operating system, Office suite and client connectivity licences to 550 desktop users at Mobilink, an increase of 10% desktops on the previous agreement. Both companies anticipate that the agreement will help the cellular company to initiate new and innovative technology concepts and introduce effective systems in the organization.

"As a premier telecommunications company in Pakistan, it is of paramount importance that we are able to offer superior cellular services to our customers. This is only possible by using best of breed products. We are able to do this by using technology and infrastructure products from Microsoft," said Mr. Al Barry, President and CEO, Mobilink GSM.

PAKISTAN'S FIRST MULTIMEDIA WORK DISPLAY BY ARENA STUDENTS

Arena Multimedia, leader in multimedia education, had a multimedia work display, which was arranged by its students on November 02' Manzer Akber Hall, Arts Council. This is the first time in the history of Pakistan that any such exhibition has been organized in the field of multimedia. The main objective of this work display was to bring the potential of our students/young generation in front of the world and provide them a chance to gain appreciation and recognition for extra ordinary efforts.

The program started at 10:30 a.m. and went on till 8:00 p.m. The inauguration of the program was done by Mr. Arshad Khalil, Master Franchisee, Arena Pakistan and the business partners Arena Multimedia. Award distribution took place at 6:00 p.m. by the chief guest, Mr. S.H.Hashmi, Orient Mccan. Guests from the corporate market, Press and Arena management along with the students visited the program.

TERADATA, A DIVISION OF NCR HOLDS SEMINAR ON DATA WAREHOUSING IN TELCOS

Teradata, a division of NCR organized "A Seminar on Data Warehousing in Telcos: Making the Right Decision" recently in Islamabad. The seminar is also part of an activity of Working Group of United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) on Data Warehousing.

Nisar Memon, Federal Minister for Information, who was the Chief Guest on the occasion, spoke about the importance of information technology for the progress of our nation. He also pointed out that we should focus on this era of change by creating a niche market in the world for us.

The Chairman, Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA), Maj. Gen. Shahzada Alam, who was the Guest of Honour, while speaking on the occasion said, "Telecommunications Sector in Pakistan has seen many changes in the last few years, and still more is expected to happen, as this is the fastest growing sector with a tremendous potential for further developments".

Syed Veqar ul Islam, Country General Manager, NCR in his welcome note, spoke about the importance of taking quick decisions in today's world. "We live in an era of information. Unless we are willing to empower the people who actually interact with the customers or are in the field with relevant information about their customers, territory and business, to me the quality and the benchmark of our customer services will always be a question mark."

The Seminar was largely attended by senior executives from Corporate and Government sectors, especially from the field of telecommunications. The representatives of PTCL, PTA, Ufone, Mobilink, Millicom, etc. also attended the seminar. The speakers emphasized the importance of this technology for Pakistan which is set to usher in a new era in managing Customer Relations.

The Keynote Speaker, Mr. Arshad Khan, CEO, Ufone gave his address on "Customer Focus and Customer Relationship Management", emphasizing on the importance of "managing your customers effectively for customer satisfaction."

Mr. Tariq Rashid, Chief Information Officer, Mobilink gave a detailed presentation on "Operational Systems: Efficiencies & Issues," in the telecommunications industry followed by a presentation by Mr. Faisal Khaliq, PS Manager, Teradata, a division of NCR, on "Building a Data Warehouse; Data Warehouse Usage".

ABOUT TERADATA DIVISION

Teradata, a division of NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR), is the global leader in enterprise data warehousing and enterprise analytic technologies and services. For more information, visit www.teradata.com.

EMIRATES HOLDS ANNUAL AWARDS FOR TRAVEL AGENTS

Emirates, the award-winning airline, recently held the sales awards ceremony to honour the best performing agents from North Pakistan (Islamabad and Peshawar regions) for the years 2000-01 and 2001-02 in Islamabad, recently.

Present on the occasion were UAE Ambassador to Pakistan, HE Mr. Ali Mohammad Bin Hammad Al-Shamsi; Keith Longstaff, Sr. General Manager Commercial Operations, West Asia & Pacific Rim, Emirates; Abdulla Nasser Abdulla, General Manager Pakistan, Emirates and Ejaz Butt, Sales Manager, North Pakistan, Emirates.

The awards were given to Top 10 agents from Islamabad, and Top 5 agents from the Peshawar region for the year 2000-01 and 2001-02.

Speaking on the occasion, Keith Longstaff said, "There is no doubt that our success in the Pakistani market would not have been possible without the overwhelming support we have received from the travel and cargo agent community in the country."

"In Pakistan Emirates has been achieving high load factors, which is absolutely marvellous for which I would like to congratulate all of you and Emirates' Pakistan team which is very professionally and effectively piloted by Mr. Abdulla Nasser Abdulla, General Manager Pakistan and composed of people like Mr. Ejaz Butt our Sales Manager for North Pakistan", he added.

He also thanked the government of Pakistan and the Civil Aviation Authority for their invaluable support.

The following travel agents were presented with the awards:

Crown Travel, Bonds Travel, American Express, TSC, Waqas Travel, Altaqi Travels, United Travels, Baba International, Shakil Express & Omar Travels from Islamabad and Shah Corporation, Royal International, United Travel, Pakistan Express and Orakzai Travel from Peshawar.

Emirates has recently added new routes like Mauritius, Osaka, Perth, Casablanca and Khartoum and with the addition of the cargo-only routes of Liege and Shanghai, now flies to 63 destinations in 45 countries in Europe, the Middle East, the Far East, Africa, Asia, Australia and plans to add North America to its growing list of destinations next year.

During the course of the preceding year Emirates announced its largest-ever aircraft order that was valued at a massive US$15 billion. The order includes 25 Boeing 777s, 22 Airbus A380s, eight Airbus A340-600s and three A330s.