Islam & Pakistan! Technology & Me!
Technology
Mobile Banking to grow!
12 years ago
When I predicted the rise of mobile banking in Pakistan a few months back, I could see it happening while many of my readers remained uncertain about how the users would react to it. I will dedicate the next month on this blog to introduce you to mobile banking concepts. For now, as an introduction and recap, let me put forth a few estimated numbers for Pakistan:
- 25 Million bank accounts
- Approximately 6 million card holders (mostly debit/ATM cards)
- Approximately 4500 ATMs
- Over 90 million PTA reported mobile phone subscribers
- Actual number of mobile subscribers safely estimated to be above 60 million
Do I need to say any more? Thus the Telenor venture appropriately named ‘EasyPaisa’. Thus the soft-launch of Ufone’s mobile banking initiative with HBL (initially). Anybody who understands the potential is gearing up to introduce easy to use financial services for mobile subscribers in Pakistan.
We’ll discuss this more with time. Have a great day!
Prevention of Electronic Crimes Ordinance – Draconian Law
22 years ago
The Prevention of Electronic Crimes Ordinance 2007 requires some serious revisions before it is passed by the Parliament in coming sessions. A PILDAT forum on the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Ordinance 2007 was held on October 26, 2009. The Forum included as its speakers Mr. Ejaz Khan, techno-legal expert and Partner Aqlaal Advocates, Mr. Tariq Khosa, Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and MNA’s Ms. Anusha Rehman Khan and Ms. Marvi Memon.
The session was not attended by Interior and Information Technology Ministries and Standing Committees of both the Senate and the National Assembly despite invitations.
Below is the briefing of the happenings at the forum via PILDAT. (more…)
Why Blog?
172 years ago
Why Blog? This is a question I have been asked over and over again. I was asked this question again at an event held at the Avari Towers in Karachi called “Are You Online”.
A wonderful discussion with a very attentive and involved audience was inspiring indeed. In this blog post, I have attempted to answer a few questions asked that day in a bit more detail. For now, these are the six (6) points I believe really make ‘blogging’ a very powerful alternative to main-stream media:
Telenor EasyPaisa
62 years ago
By Arsalan Tariq Mir
Now everyone has guessed about it. Yes EP is easypaisa, a unique branch-less banking solution from Telenor and Tameer Bank commercially launches tomorrow. The innovative product umbrella of easy-paisa promises to give complete convenience and empowerment that one has always wanted in life.
Through this brand now not only Telenor customers but every one in Pakistan, no matter if you are a mobile user or not or even if you use services from other operator, you can avail the easypaisa service by visiting the nearest easypaisa authorized shop, Telenor Franchise, Telenor Sales & Service Center or Tameer Bank branch.
This gives an equal chance to everyone to enjoy secure branchless banking with instant transactions.
Mobile banking and Telecom companies a challenge to the banking industry
132 years ago
Mobile commerce, mobile payments, cell phone based financial transactions (or whatever you would like to call them) have been discussed and debated all over the world over the past few years. Basic m-commerce applications have been introduced already in several countries, including Pakistan.
It is widely anticipated that telecom operators and vendors pose a serious challenge to the banking industry as they take electronic banking or e-banking mobile.
Speaking of statistics, a total of 1.6 billion bank accounts exist worldwide. Compare this to 4 billion cell phone users. Speaking of Pakistan, the banking industry is host to close to 20 million bank accounts as compared to over 90 million cell phone subscribers. Telecom operators and vendors have good enough statistical evidence to believe they already have a head start! (more…)
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