Category: Information Technology

The All Pakistan Private Schools and Colleges Association (APPSCA) on Friday rejected the proposed closure of educational institutions due to the coronavirus pandemic and threatened to hold countrywide protests.

Addressing a press conference against the government’s possible decision to close educational institutions, the office bearers of the APPSCA said that in the case of an extreme emergency, they are ready to close educational institutions from 15 December 2020 to 5 January 2021 in consultation with all the stakeholders.

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President APPSCA, Malik Abrar Hussain, said that any attempt to close educational institutions will be unacceptable and that the government should not provoke them to hold nationwide protests.

He stated that in case of an emergency, the APPSCA is ready to close schools from 15 December 2020 to 5 January 2021 in consultation with the stakeholders. He added that strict lockdowns should also be imposed on all the government offices, markets, transport and railways services, and educational institutions, highlighting that thousands of educational institutions that were closed in the lockdown are now facing financial problems.

If the closure of schools is inevitable, the government should first provide a relief package for the private education sector, demanded Hussain, adding that the academic year had already been wasted.

Hussain further said that the Internet is not available to everyone across the country. He asked how would the children in rural and backward areas learn online when there is no electricity in their areas.

He emphasized that the government should not make a final decision without consulting the stakeholders.

Educational institutions had been closed for six months from March to September this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, said Central Secretary-General, Ashraf Hiraj.

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The Secretary-General remarked that due to this closure, educational institutions are still suffering from a severe financial crisis.

“We salute the teachers who continued their education through online classes,” said Hiraj, noting that it is very surprising that the government is considering closing schools from 23 November.

It had been announced earlier in the summer that a winter break would not be granted, but now it seems likely that the government is going to call for extended winter vacations.

The officer bearers said that they want to present their recommendations to the government before the meeting scheduled for 23 November.

The post All Pakistan Private Schools Association Threatens to Protest Against The Govt appeared first on .

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Under the directions of the Prime Minister of Pakistan to kick start operations at the Gwadar Port, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has taken the initiative which resulted in the arrival of the first fish carrier containing 200 tons of fish from international waters at Gwadar.

The fish will be shipped to China in reefer containers opening up a new era of prosperity and growth for the people of Baluchistan and the economy of the country. Pakistan Customs is geared up to realize the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan for transforming Gwadar into an International Transit trade Hub and facilitate trade through Gwadar Port.

FBR has already notified International Transshipment Rules vide SRO 218(I)/2020 dated 10.03.2020. A dedicated Directorate of Transit Trade has also been established at Gwadar to work closely with the stakeholders and transform Gwadar into a Transit trade hub.

As a result of this proactive approach and support of all stakeholders, in the coming days, more vessels containing international cargo including LPG, Steel Pipes, DAP fertilizer for transit to Afghanistan are scheduled to arrive at Gwadar Port. This reflects the confidence of the international business community and shipping lines in the economic potential of the port and excellent trade facilitation measures put in place by Pakistan Customs.

Gwadar is the future of Pakistan and will help the country in earning much needed foreign exchange in the future.

During the recent visit of a high-level Pakistani delegation to Afghanistan led by Advisor on Commerce, the Afghan businessmen have shown interest in making an investment for trade through Gwadar Port.

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The cellular license renewal and additional spectrum auction in 1800 and 2100 MHz bands in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K) and Gilgit Baltistan (GB) may face a delay as no qualified Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) consultant has set any criteria for its consultancy.

PTA has initiated the cellular license renewal and additional spectrum auction in 1800 and 2100 MHz bands in Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan.

It had decided to hire a consultant(s) or a consulting firm(s) for the renewal of cellular licenses and for an additional spectrum auction in AJ&K and GB and had invited Expressions of Interest (EOI) from local (Pakistani, AJ&K and GB) consultants and consulting firm that are on the Active Taxpayers List of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) of Pakistan.

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The authority had also extended the deadline for hiring consultants or consulting firms for the renewal of cellular licenses and an additional spectrum auction in 1800 and 2100 MHz bands in Pakistan, AJ&K, and GB.

The deadline for the submission of bids for hiring consultants for the spectrum auction in AJK & GB has also been extended from 20 October to 5 November 2020.

The consultants who had applied for the job did not fulfill its criteria. Therefore, PTA will invite EOI from local (Pakistani, AJ&K, and GB) consultants and consulting firms again. Consequently, the process is likely to be delayed, sources added.

A spokesperson for the PTA said that local consultancy is required for AJ&K and GB. Two local consultants were unable to submit the bids as per the Request for Proposal (RFP) which is why fresh bids that will not delay the process except for two weeks additional required for its completion are being called for, he added.

The consultant(s) or consulting firm(s) will carry out the assignment according to the detailed RFP which includes, but is not limited to the renewal of licenses, Additional Spectrum Auction, and a Spectrum Rationalization Plan.

The objective of the consultancy is to devise a strategy for the existing Mobile Cellular License Renewal and the Additional Spectrum Auction in 1800 and 2100 MHz bands in light of the international best practices that are suitable for AJ&K and GB’s telecommunications market, are focused on regulatory consistency for the investors, and for mobile broadband proliferation and the future sustainability of the cellular sector with an overall economic growth of the region.

Furthermore, the consultancy is aimed at spectrum Pricing Benchmarks for renewal and auction with future projections for the next three years, targeting to achieve overall economic growth and to incentivize foreign investment while considering the impact of the previous benchmarks and other relevant factors.

One of the objectives is also Spectrum Rationalization or the Re-adjustment Plan with an objective to maximize efficient spectrum utilization in line with the international best practices for the assigned spectrum. The aim will be to assign the spectrum in a manner that will make a block size of contiguous frequencies by re-farming the existing assignments to make standardized block sizes.

Moreover, a transparent and competitive spectrum auction plan with an optimal outcome that promotes mobile broadband proliferation, the growth of cellular services, and the prevention of collusion between the bidders is required as per the consultancy assignment.

The PTA’s strategic vision is to create a fair regulatory regime to promote investment, to encourage competition, to protect consumers’ interests, and to ensure high-quality Information & Communication Technology (ICT) services.

The scope of work will include:

Conducting studies and assessments of the available or assigned spectrum in 900, 1800, and 2100 MHz in AJ&K and GB.
The international best practice on spectrum auctions or renewals and assignments keeping in view its aspects.
Consultation with relevant stakeholders including Cellular Mobile Operators, relevant governments, and Frequency Allocation Board (FAB) headquarters to assess the telecommunications market, and its regulatory, financial, and technical opportunities and challenges as specified.
The development of Policy Recommendations for Cellular License Renewal and Spectrum Auction Methodology comprised of the terms and conditions of licenses to be renewed, auction design, spectrum base price, rationalization plan, and any other relevant terms and conditions.
The development of an Information Memorandum including a license template, and assistance with conducting the spectrum auction as per the agreed-upon auction design.

The specific deliverables as per the timelines mentioned in the contract agreement are:

A report on the existing Cellular Sector Analysis with a focus on spectrum assignments. The report will include recommendations for Cellular License Renewal, the possibility of a new entrant, spectrum auction, and rationalization with timelines for the auction based on international best practices and stakeholder consultations applying technical, commercial, and due legal diligence.
A report on the spectrum valuation of 900, 1800, and 2100 MHz bands with future projections of 3 x Years. The determination of the prices will be done under strict confidence and will be provided in sealed envelopes to the client.
A report on the auction methodology design and process for the spectrum assignment.
Preparing Policy Recommendations (comprising renewal terms and conditions, spectrum blocks for auction, base price, auction design, spectrum capping, spectrum floor, spectrum rationalization plan, duration of the assignment, QoS, coverage, payment terms, auction participants, and other relevant terms and conditions).
Preparing an Information Memorandum along with the license template including the information mentioned in point 4, and a detailed auction design methodology, round increments, earnest money.
Assisting the PTA in developing and issuing necessary clarifications as and when required to the potential bidders.
Preparing bid documents and other relevant documents ancillary to the auction process.

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The consultant(s) or consulting firm(s) will carry out the assignment in accordance with the RFP document. They will be required to have relevant technical, financial, legal, and regulatory expertise to successfully carry out the assignment.

The method of selection will be Quality and Cost-based. Interested consultants and consulting firms will submit their proposals for consultancy titled ‘Cellular License Renewal and Additional Spectrum Auction in AJ&K AND GB’ fulfilling all the parameters set in the RFP.

The PTA – a regulatory authority for the telecommunication sector in Pakistan, AJ&K, and GB – was established as a corporate body under Section 3 of the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-Organization) Act, 1996 as enforced in AJ&K by virtue of the AJ&K Council Adaptation of the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-Organization) Act, 2005 and in GB by virtue of the GB Council Adaptation of Laws Act, 2012, by the AJ&K Council/GB Council. The PTA regulates the establishment, operation, and maintenance of telecommunication systems and the provision of telecommunication services in AJ&K and GB.

It is authorized to undertake consultancy on the terms and conditions that it may determine for licensing the radio frequency spectrum for any telecommunication system and service, as it may periodically specify.

The post 3G/4G License Renewal in AJK May Face Delays: PTA appeared first on .

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The concept of rollable displays is becoming more popular ever since TCL, Oppo, and a few other tech giants showed off their versions of the technology on possible future devices. LG already has a rollable TV that goes for a whopping $60,000, but now the Korean company has published a patent for a rollable display laptop.

LG’s new patent shows a unique new laptop form factor that can unroll its display to have a 13.3-inch screen as well as a large 17-inch panel. Additionally, the images show that the keyboard and touchpad can also fold away to take less space, thus becoming even more portable than it already is.

In the image above, the laptop display can be seen extending from 13.3-inch size to 17-inches. The keyboard and touchpad can also be seen with the ability to fold in half thanks to two hinges on the right and left edge just underneath the keyboard. There are no details as to how this form factor works just yet.

However, as with every other design patent, we recommend taking the information with a grain of salt as these ideas often never go past the drafting stage.

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The launch of Xiaomi’s next flagship lineup, the Mi 11 series, is still a few months away and we are starting to get mixed reports on its specifications. In earlier reports, we heard that the Xiaomi Mi 11 would have a 50MP main camera but newer leaks are suggesting that it will have a 108MP triple camera setup instead.

The leak comes from XDA Developer’s Chief Editor Mishaal Rahman who claims that the Mi 11 is codenamed “Venus” and it will have a 108MP main sensor. The main sensor will be accompanied by a 30x zoom camera, and an ultrawide lens that will double as a macro camera.

What’s consistent in these leaks, however, is that all of them confirm the Snapdragon 875 SoC and a curved display. There are no other display details mentioned in this leak, but earlier reports have said that it will have a QHD+ resolution with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. It will have a cornered punch-hole front camera as well.

The Xiaomi Mi 11 series is expected to break cover during January next year, around the same time as the Galaxy S21 lineup is expected to debut. More accurate and detailed leaks will surface as the launch date draws near, so stay tuned.

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Federal Minister for Planning, Asad Umar, addressed the youth of the country and said that he wants to share the good news with them.

He said that Prime Minister Imran Khan has decided to set up a National Youth Council, which he would head. He said that PM Imran has strived for the betterment of the youth of Pakistan, and the youth has been a crucial part of his rise in the political environment.

He added that the National Youth Council, along with the Prime Minister, would formulate policies according to their needs.

Federal Minister further informed that fifty people will be selected for the National Youth Council. Furthermore, he assured the audience that the selection process for the National Youth Council would be transparent and based on merit. Applications for the National Youth Council are available on the Kamyaab Jawaan website.

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According to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), approximately 838,770 metric tons of rice worth $499.485 million was exported during the first four months of the current financial year as compared to the exports of 1,176,228 metric tons worth $633.797 million in the corresponding period last year.

This data showed that Pakistan’s rice exports during July-October FY21 decreased by 21.19 percent as compared to the exports in the same period last year.

It also revealed that the basmati rice exports had reduced by 34.87 percent as compared to the exports during the same period last year.

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During July-October FY21, approximately 170,729 metric tons of basmati rice valued at $168.745 million were exported against exports of 283,458 metric tons worth $259.099 million in the same period last year.

Also, vegetable exports grew by 20.16 percent during the last four months as around 156,286 metric tons of vegetables worth $66.554 million were exported, compared to 197,596 metric tons valuing $55.386 million exported during the same period last year.

The data also mentioned that during July-September FY21, the exports of meat and meat products registered a growth of 5.83 percent as 30,403 metric tons of meat and meat products worth of $102.968 million, as compared to the exports of 25,442 metric tons valued at $97.300 million during the same period last year.

It is noteworthy that within the last four months of the current financial year, Pakistan’s food group imports grew by 43.49 percent as different food commodities worth $2.272 billion were imported, against the imports of $1.583 billion during the same period last year.

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Conversely, Pakistan’s food group exports during the review period decreased by 16.77 percent that was recorded at $1.331 billion from July-October FY21 as compared to $1.359 billion in the corresponding period last year.

On a Month-on-Month basis, the food commodities exports posted a 13.42 percent reduction in October 2020 as compared to October 2019, whereas Pakistan’s imports during the period under review grew by 15.14 percent.

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