Latest news with #HafeezurRehman
Business Recorder
24-05-2025
- General
- Business Recorder
Alkhidmat announces its ‘Qurbani campaign'
LAHORE: Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan has formally launched its annual Qurbani Fi Sabilillah 2025 campaign, announcing the sacrifice of 10,000 animals during Eid-ul-Adha to distribute meat among more than two million underprivileged individuals. The announcement was made here during a press conference held at Alkhidmat's head office. Dr Hafeez ur Rehman, President of Alkhidmat Foundation, stated that this year's campaign will benefit deserving families across Pakistan— including orphans, widows, prisoners, the transgender community, and other marginalised groups. In addition, the Foundation has made arrangements to carry out Eid sacrifices for displaced Palestinians in Egypt, Jordan, Al-Quds, and the West Bank. The campaign includes the sacrifice of 6,000 large and 4,000 small animals. 'With the support of our donors and volunteers, we aim to bring Eid joy to those who need it most,' said Dr Rehman. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
19-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Turkish envoy visits Alkhidmat Foundation HQs
KARACHI: The Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Pakistan, Dr Irfan Neziroglu, visited the national headquarters of Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan in Lahore on Thursday. He was warmly received by President Alkhidmat Foundation Dr Hafeez ur Rehman, Secretary General Syed Waqas Jafri, Vice Presidents Muhammad Abdus Shakoor, Syed Ihsanullah Waqas, Dr Mushtaq Mangat, and other senior officials. During the visit, the Ambassador was given a detailed tour of the Alkhidmat Complex and briefed on the organisation's ongoing humanitarian activities, both within Pakistan and internationally. These included relief projects, volunteer engagement, and various development initiatives. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Hafeez ur Rehman stated that Türkiye and Pakistan have always stood by each other during times of need. 'Our partnership with Turkish humanitarian organisations is a matter of great pride for us,' he said. Ambassador Neziroglu praised the services of Alkhidmat Foundation, describing them as exemplary. He emphasised the deep cultural and emotional bond between the peoples of Türkiye and Pakistan, noting, 'Our flags may differ in colour, but our hearts beat as one.' He also expressed a strong interest in expanding mutual cooperation, particularly in initiatives aimed at youth engagement and joint community service. The Ambassador acknowledged and appreciated the role of Alkhidmat volunteers during the recent earthquake in Türkiye, offering his heartfelt thanks for their timely and selfless support. As a symbolic gesture of commitment, Dr Neziroglu formally registered himself as an Alkhidmat volunteer and assured his continued support for the organisation's future initiatives. The visit concluded with the presentation of an honorary shield, a model of Minar-e-Pakistan, and traditional Pakistani gifts — a shawl and cap — by Dr Hafeez ur Rehman to the Turkish Ambassador. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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Express Tribune
04-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Starlink's registration process underway in Pakistan, PTA confirms
Listen to article The registration process for Starlink, a satellite internet service operated by SpaceX, is underway in Pakistan, according to a statement from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Tuesday. This development follows a meeting between PTA Chairman Major General (R) Hafeezur Rehman and the Starlink team at the GSMA Mobile World Congress 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. The discussion focused on improving affordable broadband access, particularly in underserved regions, in a bid to bridge the digital divide and accelerate digital transformation across Pakistan. "The discussion focused on improving affordable broadband access, particularly in underserved areas, to bridge the digital divide and accelerate digital transformation," read the PTA statement. During the meeting, the PTA chairman reaffirmed the authority's commitment to fostering innovation and enabling emerging technologies for nationwide connectivity. He also confirmed that Starlink's registration is in process with the country's satellite regulatory body, a necessary step for PTA to grant a licence for satellite-based internet services. Starlink, which provides high-speed internet access to remote regions globally, shared insights on its satellite-based internet solutions and their potential impact on Pakistan's remote areas. Both sides discussed regulatory frameworks and strategies for seamless service integration. Earlier this year, tech billionaire Elon Musk announced that Starlink had applied to launch its services in Pakistan and was awaiting government approval. The Standing Committee on Information Technology & Telecommunication has directed the PTA to expedite the process to ensure Starlink's services are introduced in the country as soon as possible. In 2022, Starlink approached Pakistan with plans to provide satellite-based internet services, but matters with the Pakistan Space Regulatory Authority are still under review. Until the licence agreement is finalised, Starlink's services cannot be offered in Pakistan. The PTA continues to work on finalising the regulatory process to bring Starlink's services to the country, in line with efforts to enhance Pakistan's digital infrastructure.
Express Tribune
04-02-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
NA committee stands firm on telecom dues
Listen to article ISLAMABAD: The Parliamentary Panel on Tuesday agreed not to grant any concessions to Long Distance and International (LDI) license companies in the recovery of Rs78 billion in dues. It also resolved to activate the Telecom Tribunal to expedite the matter. Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) Chairman, Major General (Retd) Hafeezur Rehman, informed the committee that in the past six years, Rs1,700 billion had been deposited into the national treasury from telecom companies in the form of taxes, yet not a single rupee had been spent by the government to improve the country's network infrastructure. The National Assembly's Standing Committee on IT and Telecommunications, which met on Tuesday, expressed its displeasure over the delay in necessary steps for digitisation, the launch of services by Starlink and Chinese companies, and the slow pace of projects related to IT park construction. Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on IT & Telecom, Syed Aminul Haq, also voiced concerns over the non-utilisation of Rs6 billion allocated for the Karachi IT Park project in the current financial year, the delay in the Personal Data Protection Bill, and the pending Artificial Intelligence Policy. The 11th meeting of the Standing Committee on IT and Telecom was attended by Syed Mustafa Kamal, Ahmed Saleem Siddiqui, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Ahmed Atiq Anwar, Umair Khan Niazi, Rumeena Khursheed Alam, Dr Mahesh Kumar, Adil Khan Bazai, Mukhtar Ahmed Malik, Parliamentary Secretary for IT Sabeen Ghauri, Secretary IT Zarar Hashim Khan, Special Secretary Azfar Manzoor, Member Telecom Jahanzeb Rahim, Chairman PTA Major General (Retd) Hafeezur Rehman, CEO Universal Service Fund (USF) Chaudhry Mudassar Naveed, and CEO Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) Abu Bakar. Joint Secretary Saima Ahad briefed the meeting on progress in public sector development programmes (PSDP) under the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication (MoIT&T) and its affiliated institutions. She stated that Rs24 billion had been allocated for this purpose in the current financial year. Committee members raised concerns over broadband services provided by the Special Communication Organisation (SCO) in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B). Syed Aminul Haq directed the MoIT&T to expedite improvements in broadband services in AJK and G-B, finalise the fiberisation policy, propose government funding for USF, resolve matters related to Starlink, and establish the Telecom Tribunal, with a report to be submitted to the committee. On members' suggestions, Haq instructed the MoIT&T to submit proposals for separate federal government grants to the Universal Service Fund, which receives 1.5% of telecom companies' revenue, so the matter could be raised with the prime minister. Haq emphasised that telecom companies focus their investments in urban areas, but government grants for USF are essential for expanding broadband services and laying optical fibre cables in remote and underdeveloped regions. With sufficient funding, broadband services and fiberisation across the country can progress quickly, benefiting the public and advancing the government's digitisation goals, while also facilitating IT export targets. "These steps are necessary to connect with the digital world and keep pace with technological advancements," he added.
