Thoughts and Ideas - Raheel Afzal

PTA's Drone Attack on IT Industry

2014-03-30T23:45:00.000-07:00

Over the past decade, Pakistan has been in its worst economic crisis ever because of various reasons, including, but not limited to, terrorism, the energy crisis and corrupt government. The country’s reputation in the world is on a steep decline. Pakistan used to be renowned for the production and exportation of textile products. Now, most of the textile units have been moved to Malaysia and Bangladesh. The main reasons are electricity issues, bribes from various authorities and unnecessary taxes.

The only industry that was doing well, despite Pakistan’s international reputation, was the IT industry. With the highly skilled and comparatively cheaper manpower, Pakistan has distinguished itself as an outsourcing destination. A senior programmer is earning 11% of what an American developer of the same skill set earns. Pakistan has an estimated 100,000 to 200,000 IT professionals who are employed in the outsourcing and software export activities. This industry has a lot of potential and capacity to grow, and it has been growing 25% per year in terms of direct export revenue generation. Currently 1500+ registered companies are operating in Pakistan.

A drone was dropped on this progress by the PTA last week, when they blocked hundreds and thousands of IPs. Companies that were outsourcing their developers and were connected to their clients via VPN are now idle because PTA has blocked all the VPN accesses. Hundreds of companies and thousands of IT professionals are about to lose business and jobs respectively. PTA has taken this step to encounter the “grey traffic” and VOIP issue. By not having trained IT Professionals, equipment and adequate training to use this filtering equipment, it has turned out to be a nightmare for the IT business in this county.

The role of PSEB (Pakistan Software Export Board) is questionable in this situation and has exposed the integration and communication loopholes between these very important institutions of this country. It’s a basic administration rule that whenever any policy is implemented as rule of thumb, all those areas that could be affected by it are identified. PTA should have coordinated with PSEB and asked for the list of IPs used by all the PSEB registered companies to avoid the damage that has occurred now.

When PTA representatives were asked to resolve this issue, they sent a form and a long procedure was started. A lot of companies have lost their valuable clients over this policy developed by the government of Pakistan.

In order to avoid this situation and minimize further damage, PTA should take two steps immediately.

Speed up the process of unblocking the designated IPs mentioned in the lists sent by PSEB registered software houses.
Collect the list of IPs from the PSEB registered software houses/call centers and allocate the most optimized Internet routes to them.

This matter requires the special attention of the Ministry of IT (Pakistan), PSEB and the higher management of PTA. Any delay to resolve this issue will cause unresolvable damage, which this country can’t bear in the worst economic circumstances.

Pakistan: 23rd of March

2014-03-23T07:41:00.000-07:00

We can see lot of emotional content on social media, national songs on TV channels and Happy Pakistan Day" SMS because history of this day is linked with 22-24 March's Lahore resolution. Which is historically wrong. Before 1957, 23rd of March was neither a "Pakistan Day" nor it was a "public holiday". Here is a brief history of 23rd of March.
First constitution was enforced on... 23rd of March and Pakistan was declared as "Islamic Republic of Pakistan" in 1956.
In 1957, 23rd of March was declared as "Republic/Constitution Day" and a public holiday was declared.
Same procedure was repeated on 23rd of March, 1958.
However, Ayub Khan declared Martial Law on midnight of 7 and 8 October 1958 and abrogated the 1956 constitution. Then it came 23rd of March, 1959, Constitution was abrogated and there was no democracy in the country and hence there was no point of having a "Republic/Constitution Day".
So, since 1959, 23rd of March has been known as "Pakistan Day" and it is linked with Lahore's gathering, 1940.
Where the point is, nothing happened exactly on the day 23rd of March, 1940. Resolution was presented by A.K Fazul ul Haq on 22nd of March and unanimously accepted on 24th of March, 1940.
We can live with the face of history shown to us but we should know THE FACT too.

حکیم صاحب کا مطب اور اُلو‏

2011-12-31T00:39:00.000-08:00

کسی جگہ 2 آدمی رھتے تھے وہ دونوں بیمار ھو گے۔ کسی آدمی نے ُان کو 1 حکیم صاحب کا پتہ بتایا۔ وہ حکیم صاحب کے پاس گے۔حکیم صاحب نے کھا تم دونوں کی جان 1 اُلو میں ھے۔ وہ دونوں اُ لو ڈھونڈنے جنگل چلے گیے۔ دیکھا تو اُلو بیمار تھا۔وہ اُلو کو حکیم کے پاس لے آے۔ حکیم نے اُلو کو ٹھیک کر دیا۔ اب وہ دونوں لڑنے لگے۔ 1 بولا اُلو میرا ھے دوسرا کھتا ھے اُلو میرا ھے۔حکیم بولا "پاگلو لڑو نہ اُلو کی صحت میں تم دونوں کا فاہدہ ھے اسکی حفاظت کرو"۔ اُنہوں نے حکیم کی بات مان لی۔ آپ نے کراچیی کے جلسے میں بھی دیکھا ھو گا۔ اُلو اُن دونوں کے درمیان بیھٹا تھا۔ حکیم صاحب راولپنڈی میں 1 محفوظ مقام پہ بٹھے "صحتمند اُلو" اور اُس کی حفاظت کرنے والوں کو دیکھ رھے تھے۔اور خوش ھو رھے تھے۔حکیم صاحب کے مطب کا پتہ بتانے والے کا کالم تو آپ روز ملک کے معروف اخبار میں پڑتھے ھی ھیں۔ کہانی ختم

OS Novice: Posting to blogspot with iPhone

2011-03-27T12:17:00.000-07:00

OS Novice: Posting to blogspot with iPhone

Hajj Scandal 2010

2010-12-14T01:02:00.000-08:00

Those who want change in political setup are indicating that clashes between govt. And judiciary are going to reach at its top in coming days. Secretry establishment stated that prime minister's order of appointing Rao Shakeel is equivent to charge sheet against him and there may be somthing happened against him. Indication are that NRO issue can be started again in January. On the other hand govt. Sources say that those who are making hajj scandal as consparicy will not succeeded and prime minister can ask for the resign from hajj minister. Minister of hajj not giving resign. He said that he would publish the names of all the persons who were involved in this scandal. He did not deny corruption during hajj however he claimed that he was not involved in it. Who knows :-(

Pakistan - Not everything is wrong

2010-10-29T10:02:00.000-07:00

Western media and news papers consider Pakistan as dangerous area but despite the fact that corruption and terrorism increased in Pakistan still Pakistan's Per capita income and reserves increased. If govt. Of Pakistan overcome corruption Pakistan can go on the way of prosperity with great speed. Pakistan is full with natural resources and worlds most famous people are scattered in this country. Pakistan's nation is the only nation that defeated 4 army dictators during 63 year. An army dictator dismissed one the Chief Justices twice but the struggle of Pakistan's civil society and media restored his position. Pakistan is at #5th in terms of copper and gold reserves. Pakistan has 339 million oil reserves, coil reserves are of 17500 tons and natural gas reserves are of 29.790 million cubic. Pakistan has 220 million tons of salt reserves. If Pakistan's govt. improve its policies they can overcome energy crisis. Abdul Sattar Edhi is running world's largest ambulance service. Dr. Abdus-Salam got Nobel prize in physics. Dr. Samar Mubarak Mand is working on a project to solve the energy crisis in the country. Pakistan's student Ali Moeen Nawazish set world record by obtaining 23 A grades in senior Cambridge. 10 years old Baber Iqbal is world's youngest software engineer. Pakistan's army is world's 7th largest army in the world. Recently Pakistan's army Pakistan Army has won the coveted Gold Award at the prestigious Cambrian Patrol Exercise. 2.5 million Pakistani are using internet. 10 million Pakistani are using mobile in other words Pakistan is among the countries where every 2nd person has access to mobile. Pakistan has Largest number of women in Parliment in Asia. In 1999 Pakistan's GDP was of 750USD which is reached at 1850 million USD in 10 years. Per capita income increased from 450USD to 1250USD during the last ten years. Foreign reserves were 200Million USD in 1999 now these foreign reserves are at 1400USD. Foreign investment increased from 100Million USD to 500Million USD.

Water issues in Pakistan

2010-10-13T15:43:00.000-07:00

Coordinator of World Water assembly and chairman Sindh Taas agreement used to inform Pakistani nation about his concerns of India's voilation of that agreement. According to Sindh Taas agreement India can take only 2.85 million acre feet water for its 1.34 million acre area. How ever india is getting more then 45 million acre feet water. Pakistan's rivers are becoming barren and quickly converting into streams. Hundreds miles long defense line is dying because of this water stealing from indian side. Pakistan's ministry of water and electricity and ministry of food and agriculture is not telling true facts and figure to the media and nation thats why India is doing worst voilation of human rights and international agreements.

Martial law In Pakistan Clear Indications

2010-09-25T06:49:00.000-07:00

Recent political activities are clearly indicating a change in govt. or even the current political system. One thing is confirmed that just like all the previous political arrangements in the history of Pakistan, Pakistan army will again be the key player. sources said either the army would take direct control or they will bring a in-house change. In either case departure of the current govt. is written. One strong scenario would be that the resolution of NO-Confidence will be submitted against the govt. Major allies of the govt. like MQM and Fazulrehamn(JUP-F) will vote in the favor of that resolution. Recent meetings between MQM and PML(N) at highest level are the clear evidence. However Nawaz Sharif may not be the head of new possible in house Govt. Despite the fact that it will be of PML(N)'s government. Chaudry Nisar would be a strong candidate. Chances of direct take over are minimum but not impossible. US govt. (which has a huge influence in Pakistan's politics as far as foreign factors are concerned) is against the direct take over however they are not in the favor of this unpopular govt. Top allegations Failed in good governance Did not do much in the flood for providing relief to the victims President's personality is a big hurdle for collecting funds for flood victims from international community. Corruptions charges Unpopular decisions which brought Pakistan in unstable state. Lets pray for our country.

Pakistan a shining Star

2010-08-16T04:24:00.000-07:00

Pakistan is celebrating it 64th Independence day while facing terrorism and natural disasters but there are some good news as well. Pakistan is standing at 26th position economic in terms of Purchasing power. Pakistan stands at 47th position in terms of USD scale. World Bank declared Pakistan as 10th largest country in terms of economic reforms in 2005. World bank also declared Pakistan as fastest growing economy after China in 2005. Pakistan's average economic growth is better then world's average economic growth since its Independence. Pakistan's per ca-pita income increased 11 times since the time of independence(1947). World Bank and International Financial cooperation consider Pakistan's business environment then India, China and Russia including the list 181 other countries. Pakistan has 6th Largest coil mines. Below is the chart which describe the Pakistan's economic growth as compare to its Independence time.

Item	1947	2010
Steel Production	0 Ton	4.9 Million Ton
Vegetable Oil	2000 Ton	0.8 Million Ton
Sugar	10000 Ton	32 Million Ton
Cloths Production	3.5 Million Sq. Meter	670 Million Sq. Meter
Cement Plants	4	27

Production of un-ginned cotton is increased 968 time, rice increased 909 times, sugar cane increased 807 times and wheat increased 623 times as compare to time of Independence. The length of roads increased from 50 thousand and 367 kilometer to 0.2 million kilometer. The production of natural gas at this time is 3.9 million cubic while at the time of Independence there was no natural gas production in the country. Number of Hospitals and dispensaries are increased 231 and 566 times respectively. There was no professional college at the time of independence now there are 1795. There were only 2 universities at the time of independence now there are 132. Literacy rate increased from 11% to 57%. Progress in the field of telecommunication is also excellent. Earlier only 0.6 out 1000 had reach of telephone, now it is increased up-to 600 out of 1000. this ratio of equal to China and better then India. Pakistan is 4th fastest growing country in the word in terms of broadband internet. According to Global Services Location Index Pakistan ranked at 20th position in terms of providing better IT Services.

Saray palace secret reveal

2010-08-05T01:11:00.000-07:00

London resident Indian journalist Shiam Bhatia reveal that in 2003 when he met with Benazir Bhutto in Dubai, she admitted that ownership of Saray palace. She said she never visited that palace however she said if that palace is purchased by Asif Ali Zardari then its not illegal. "Zardari is a businessman and according to international tax laws it his right to protect to his money", she added. However in 2004 when Musharraf forced Zardari to admit the ownership of that palace, Zardari handed-over the ownership papers to a British couple. That couple told news papers later-on that Bhutto's family favorite furniture still exist in that palace. Being friend of Zardari they helped him to come out from that scandal and prepared documents to look after that property.

Google Me

2010-07-01T01:17:00.000-07:00

News are coming that Google is planning to challenge the social networking sites like facebook.com, orkut.com and myspace.com. News from reliable source are coming that Google is trying to launch "Google Me". In terms of search engines Google is considered as "No. 1" company in the world. However by obeying the "business psychology" Google is not trying the fields as well including but not limited to Operating System, social networking. If they will comes up with something very interesting with lot features in these new fields. No doubt Google will be the "No. 1" company in IT, not just a search Engine.

Pakistan's Scientists

2010-06-30T09:38:00.000-07:00

Famous Scientist Dr. Sammar Mubarak Mand is working on an energy project for this country. Basically they are trying to produce electricity/energy from the coal mines in Baluchistan. There is an exception way for it because our coal mines are under the water and they will have to adopt the way to get energy for it.
That project is about to complete and according to Dr. Sammar Mubarak Mand, our coming generations will ask "Pakistan was really a poor country in past?"

Long Live Pakistan.
Long Live our Scientists.

Fake Degrees Issue In Pakistan

2010-06-26T09:04:00.000-07:00

The sources of Higher Education Commission(HEC), revealed that about 55 MNA's of Pakistan Muslim League(N), 41 MNAs of Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan Muslim League(Q) are having suspicious degrees.

This issue went into the peak when PPP's MNA Jamshed Dasti was declared as eligible for his seat because having that doubtful degree.

However this issue is reflects our overall face of our whole nation. However the law makers are joking with their people.

The hottest news in all that story is Minister of Law Mr. Baber Awan Malik also have suspicious Doctorate in Law degree.

Electricity Crises in Pakistan

2010-06-24T10:22:00.000-07:00

Supreme Court of Pakistan has asked Dr. Atique to submit the research material to court for further review. Earlier Dr. Atique claimed that Pakistan's govt. had forced him not to work on Solar Energy project on US's pressure. He also claimed that if he was allowed to do work on that project. Pakistan's people wouldn't have to suffered this electricity shortage and other related stuff like purchasing Rental Power Plants.

Worst Democratic Govt. in Pakistan

2010-06-15T07:19:00.000-07:00

Instead of solving the electricity shortage. This so called "democratic party is wasting nation's time unproductive matters. 1. Like by force they are asking shopkeepers to close their shops at 8:00PM. 2. Pakistan's govt. has "imposed" 2 holidays in week in all the govt. organizations and educational institutes. 3. They are not going for permanent solutions instead they are trying to arrange the rental power plant. These plants will be very costly. Our Tax paying people have to suffer all that. Shame on our Democratic Govt. :(

Raheel Afzal

2010-02-15T14:39:00.000-08:00

Hi, I’m Raheel Afzal and I write raheelafzalblog(who Raheel is) to describe myself.. I started raheelafzalblog in 2009 present myself on internet world in a better way. I really feel sometimes that bloging is such a great job and its a fun for everyone. This is an easy way to describe everything about yourself.

Raheel Afzal What I am doing

2010-01-29T16:46:00.000-08:00

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