4:26 AM
Syed Muneer
Jobless plus Hopeless
An interesting thing one executive said was that there is no shame in work, but there's plenty of shame in waiting for charity.
The Ultimate Currency War
After the 2008 financial crisis, the liquidity trap induced policymakers to venture in unconventional endeavors. On the fiscal front, much has been discussed regarding the effectiveness of fiscal policy to pull developed countries out of the sluggish recovery.
Not giving Gold Medals in KU Annual convocation 2011 -A very good Decision
Its a very good decision by KU Administration to not giving gold medals to the position holders because everyone knows how they got positions in their respective discipline. Karachi University administration said that due to unavailability of sponsors we are unable to give gold medals to position holders.The main cause behind no interest of sponsors in giving sponsorship for gold medal might be they knows about checking system in KU.They have seen that what KU's gold medalist do in market after passing out.
A mighty question mark on PML-N " Merit Laptop Scheme"
All Pakistan knows better that what is the main motive behind these "SASTI ROTI" and "MERIT LAPTOPS" schemes.Just "1" vote from every individuals.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Pakistan military makes iPads
Kamra: After building jet fighters, submarines and other weapons, Pakistan’s military has built a homegrown version of the iPad named PACPAD 1.
It all comes together at an air force base in Kamra in northern Pakistan, where Pakistani engineering and Chinese hardware assembled the PACPAD 1 and it is available in the market.
The device runs on Android 2.3, an operating system made by Google and given away for free. At around $200, it’s less than half the price of Apple or Samsung devices and cheaper than other low-end Chinese tablets on the market, with the bonus of a local, one-year guarantee.
Supporters say it will boost the economy as well as a troubled nation’s self-esteem.
The PAC in the name stands for the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, where it is made. The PAC also makes an e-reader and small laptop.
Only a few hundred of each products has been made so far, though a new batch will be completed in the next three months.
PAC’s website at http://www.cpmc.pk says the goal is “strengthening the national economy through commercialization” and lauds the collaboration with China — something that likely resonates among nationalists.
PAC officials say a second-generation PACPAD will be launched in the next three months, able to connect to the Internet via cell phone networks and other improved features. It said the Kamra facility could produce up to 1,000 devices a day.
During a brief test, the tablet with its 7-inch screen appeared to run well and the screen responsiveness was sharp.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Shoaib Akhtar is stalking me: Meera
Meera has lashed out against former cricketer Shoaib Akhtar, accusing him of stalking and harassing her. Revealing that she was in a year-long relationship with Akhtar that ended in 2010, the actor says that he has been making her life hell with repeated phone calls. “Shoaib nihayati badtameez hai. Jabse unko pata chala hai ki mere nikaah ki baat ho rahi hai, wo mujhe phone kar ke pareshan kar rahe hain. Unko sharam aani chaiye (Shoaib is extremely ill-mannered. Ever since he came to know that talks were on for my wedding, he’s been calling and disturbing me. He should be ashamed of himself),” Meera told an Indian daily over phone from Lahore. The alleged affair came into limelight last week when Pakistani media quoted Meera as saying: “Shoaib and I had an intimate affair and he proposed to me. Sadly, he also proposed to my cousin at the same time, which reflected that he wasn’t a balanced person.” In response, Akhtar has said, “I never had any affair with Meera. The problem is that if a well-known cricketer even smiles at a girl, she thinks he is in love with her.” A shocked Meera reacts by saying, “He is lying, seeking publicity through my name. He insults everyone around him. Unke isi attitude ki wajah se unka career khatam ho chuka hai. He is nowhere. He calls me daily and asks me to come back into his life but I will not repeat the mistake.” She further says, “Shoaib doesn’t respect women, wo sirf unhe physically use karna jaante hain. He abused me on phone last night when I refuse to give him a second chance.” Confirming reports that both she and Akhtar were offered Rs 5 crore to take part in reality show, Bigg Boss, she said, “I refused. I can’t be in a house with B-grade people. I’m a big celebrity in Pakistan.” Déjà vu? In 2010 Veena Malik, accused Pakistani cricketer Mohammad Asif of physically abusing her after a failed relationship. She even filed a complaint against Asif for threatening her. Later, when Asif got embroiled in a match-fixing scandal, Veena even deposed before the International Cricket Council.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Bill on Balochistan lands in US congress
WASHINGTON: A bill has been tabled in the US House of Representatives calling upon Pakistan to recognize the right of self-determination for Balochistan.
Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) introduced a House Concurrent Resolution that the Balochi nation has a historic right to self-determination.
The bill states that the Balochi people “have the right to self-determination and to their own sovereign country; and they should be afforded the opportunity to choose their own status.”
“The Balochis, like other nations of people, have an innate right to self-determination,” says Rohrabacher. “The political and ethnic discrimination they suffer is tragic and made more so because America is financing and selling arms to their oppressors in Islamabad.”
Reps. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) and Steve King (R-IA) have also signed on as original co-sponsors of the bill.
Rep. Rohrabacher is Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Telenor Gets Majority Stakes in VimpelCom, Drops Arbitration Claims
Telenor Group, in a latest development, has bought 234,000,000 VimpelCom preferred shares from Weather Investments for US$374,400,000, to increase its voting rights at VimpelCom from 25.01 percent to 36.36 percent and to become majority stake holder in VimpelCom, said a statement issued by the Telenor Group.Just to recall, Mr. Naguib Sawiris and his family last year bought 29.63 percent stakes in VimpelCom through Weather Investments in exchange of Orascom Telecom.
Weather’s shares in VimpelCom, after this transaction, will come down to 18.28 percent.
In connection with this new buyout of shares, Telenor has withdrawn all its claims against Altimo Holdings & Investments Ltd., Altimo Cooperatief U.A. and VimpelCom in the pending arbitration proceeding, and will work to expand the VimpelCom Board to eleven members.
Check below the previous and present voting rights of various groups in VimpelCom:
It merits mentioning here that Mobilink is currently fully managed by VimpelCom, which is now majorly owned by Telenor Group, also the parent group of Telenor Pakistan, creating a potential situation for conflict of interest in Pakistan and Bangladeshi markets.
To put in simpler words, 5 out of 11 directors at VimpelCom board (who directly manages Mobilink) come from Telenor International, a group that also controls Telenor Pakistan.
This translates into a proposition according to which Mobilink and Telenor Pakistan will be owned by same group (Telenor International) at a parent group level.
The outcome can potentially form a cartel in Pakistan which may not be favorable for competitors such as Ufone, Warid Telecom and CMPak.
Though Competition commission of Pakistan had approved the deal, but this new transaction may arise new situation for the industry, especially when 3G auction is round the corner.
In a related news, Telenor wants to drop its Indian joint-venture partner Unitech after the Supreme Court revoked their mobile licences in the country and is seeking a new local partner. Telenor said it would seek indemnity and compensation from Unitech.
And Unitech has replied by threatening counter legal action.
