The Seoul International Cartoon & Animation Festival 2010 is advancing with a new vision.

SICAF, celebrating its 14th festival, has tried to realize the imagination of animations and to be a driving force for the development of cultural contents. We should devote our energy to the realization of bigger imagination getting the cultural age of the 21st century. So we will try to make this SICAF 2010 as a progressive and evolved festival with new imagination. The exhibition, mixed with expertise and popularity, whose spectators can participate in, will be more reinforced than before.
International Digital Cartoon Competition:

SICAF proposes the present and the future of digital cartoon that dreaming various development and propagation. International Digital Cartoon Competitions’ cartoons makes a view point of “open type” beauty and possibility of industrial extension. Digital cartoon exhibition relief inventive  digital cartoon and propose digital cartoons of future by “new experimental cartoon”.

It’s an opportunity for PSEB member IT companies to take part in the said festival to earn business in animation.
Deadline for  International Digital Cartoon Competition:

The deadline has been extended till 26th April 2010, for participation in the competition.

The computer systems of scores of Indian embassies, military establishments and corporate bodies, as well as the email account of the Dalai Lama, were hacked by a Chinese cyber spy ring as reported by Hindustan Times.

Hundreds of documents, including classified files, were stolen, says a Canadian cyber security team that monitored the ring — the Shadow Network — for eight months.

The Shadow Network focused on India, especially its military. The Canadians, in effect, hacked the hackers and saw many documents themselves. 

“We snuck behind the backs of the attackers and picked their pockets,” team member Ronald Deibert told NYT.

The Chinese hackers stole foreign ministry reports on India’s policy in West Africa, Russia and West Asia. They got National Security Council secretariat assessments of security situations in Assam, Nagaland, Tripura and Manipur as well as the Maoist problem.

The penetration of India’s defence establishments was remarkable. Three air force bases, two military colleges and an array of military institutes like the Army Institute of Technology, Pune, were broken into.

The Canadian team saw the hackers access over 300 military documents.

The hackers seemed interested in any defence information they could find: from sensitive issues like live fire exercises and Project Shakti — the army’s artillery command system — to more innocuous material like personnel files.

“This is a very serious, broad spectrum assault,” said strategic technology expert Ajay Lele, whose own agency, the Institute for Defence and Security Analysis (IDSA), was robbed of 180 documents.

The Shadow Network broke into computers of analysts and stole reports on India’s missile systems. It hacked those of academics and journalists for work on Kashmir. Data was also stolen from firms like Tata and DLF. The Canadians informed

Indian intelligence on March 24 and were instructed on how to dispose of the classified data.

The ring is believed to be based in Chengdu, in China’s Sichuan province. The cybersleuths, based at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs, avoided saying this was government-approved but did say it was “possible”.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu said: “We have from time to time heard of this kind of news. I don’t know the purpose to stir up these issues.”

However, the Indian security establishment has little doubt the Shadow Network is cast by Beijing. Says K. Santhanam, former IDSA head: “These rings are normally consortia in which Chinese academia, intelligence and military work together.”

Indian officials said the foreign ministry server was breached last year and a security audit “traced the Internet protocol addresses left in the wake of the hacking back to mainland China”. The air force too reported an officer’s account being hacked last month and the Net trail led back to China.

The hackers had a clear India focus, says the report. Of 130 Net protocol addresses compromised, 62 were from India.

Apple has opened its stores for iPad sales in US. Unlike iPhone launch in 2007, crowds were much smaller on iPad launch. Apple’s flagship stores in major US cities have started sale of iPad. Apple also announced Pre-orders through its website and collected thousands of orders online. Industry analysts are predicting sales of 4 to 7 Million units in next 1 year.

Surprisingly, people traveled from all over world to buy iPad on launch day because it will not be available in mostly countries for at least another few months. Apple is also going to launch iPad in major 9 countries at the end of this month.

iPad is launched with over 1000 new applications. All these apps are made just for iPad.

Telenor Pakistan has launched the ‘Karo Mumkin’ campaign with the aim to position itself as a leader in innovation, and provide the people of Pakistan with a platform for inspiration and realization of possibilities. The campaign is designed to showcase the vision of Telenor Pakistan which seeks to explore new business opportunities in telecommunications, financial services and media. The occasion also marks Telenor Pakistan’s 5th anniversary.

Director Marketing Telenor Pakistan Usman Javaid introduced the ‘Karo Mumkin’ campaign. “Everyone has an idea or a dream that they wish to transform into reality. With its products and services, Telenor Pakistan hopes to inspire hope and self-belief in the people of Pakistan. Just recently, Telenor Pakistan transformed an opportunity into an achievement by launching the country’s first real mobile banking service, easypaisa. In the same tradition, we aspire to extend this faith to everyone that any possibility can be realized if pursued with commitment, confidence and belief,” said Usman.

Ever since its launch on 15 March 2005, Telenor Pakistan has been a driving force in changing the local market to the customers’ advantage. In the past five years, the company has introduced a number of revolutionary first’s, has created the second largest mobile network in Pakistan, and provides the country’s widest EDGE-enabled GPRS connectivity with a strong rural foot-print. It is the largest European investor in Pakistan having invested more than $2 billion, and has several corporate responsibility initiatives to its credit.

The ‘Karo Mumkin’ campaign invites people to realize possibilities by coming forward and sharing ideas. Participants can register on the ‘Karo Mumkin’ web portal and respond to the question “Where do you see Pakistan in the future?” An idea that best describes the future Pakistan will be selected by a national jury of specialists as well as public voting and aired on the “Karo Mumkin” TV show.

To participate entrants need to visit the webportal www.telenor.com.pk/karomumkin or send an SMS to 576 or call 0345-555 5540. Entries must be sent in before 31st March 2010.

Charges for sending an SMS are Re1 plus tax per min for IVR and 50 paisa plus tax per SMS. For calls, standard charges apply as per package plans.

The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has foiled 11,396 attempts of obtaining Computerized National Identity Cards (CNIC) by confirmed aliens.

Such applications were blocked permanently and cases were marked as fraud, said a NADRA spokesman while clarifying exaggerated figures reported by a section of press.

Referring to some reports regarding 25,000 Computerized National Identity Cards issued to aliens, he said that the management in 2008 on its own initiative had started taking actions against aliens, making a list of suspects who had their computerized cards made through fraudulent means.

He said that in 2005 NADRA had acquired biometric technology which helped in big way to detect those aliens whose cards have either been blocked or marked as fraud so that they cannot be used in any circumstances.

The spokesman said that NADRA is working on zero tolerance policy and any staff member regardless of the position is dealt with ruthlessly if found involved in illegal activities or in connivance with alien registration process.

The National Alien Registration Authority (NARA) is registering aliens in the country; however, NADRA has also created a biometric alien watch list that consists of photographs and fingerprints of Afghans as well as illegal immigrants.

Each CNIC gets issued only after passing through this watch list and any match gets blocked as `confirmed alien’.

He said that strict action had been adopted to ensure national database authenticity, which includes documentary proof of applicants’ residence and citizenship, family roots in Pakistan, attestation of particulars and confirmation of nationality by public representatives and cross-referencing Manual Registration System and Census 1998 data set.

NADRA has also identified and cancelled over 12,074 cases where aliens succeeded in obtaining Computerized National Identity Cards when the biometric systems were not available. These confirmed aliens include 2491 in NWFP, 241 in FATA, 1079 in Punjab, 6609 in Sindh,1490 in Baluchistan, 113 in Islamabad, 6 in Gilgit/Baltistan and 45 in AJK.

Elaborating the difference between the process of `blocking’ and ‘cancellation’ of card, he said that a card is blocked on a suspicion of other nationality and marked as suspect in database.

After extreme ground verification if it is proved that the suspect is not Pakistani, only then he is marked in ‘Confirmed Alien List’ resulting in cancellation of his card.

NADRA has increased its registration in Balochistan by 35 percent during the last two years to enable the Baloch youth to benefit from various facilities and schemes like BISP. These views were expressed by Deputy Chairman NADRA, Tariq Malik, during his visit to NADRA Regional Headquarter Quetta, said a press release issued here on Friday. General Manager NADRA Baluchistan Muhammad Khalid Alizai and other high-ups of NADRA were also present on the occasion. “Balochistan is on our priority list and these steps are being taken on the directive of President Asif Ali Zardari. I believe that Balochi nationals will play a key role in development of the country. NADRA is making all out efforts to get the adult population in Baluchistan registered in a minimum possible time to facilitate them in getting education, health, employment and other facilities,” said the Deputy Chairman NADRA.

“NADRA has so far registered 66 percent of the total eligible population of Balochistan and with public cooperation we can soon register total adult population,” he added. Malik said that NADRA has recently established six registration centers in various cities including Dera Bugti, two each in Quetta City, Pishin, Killa Abdullah and Sherani. “In addition to these, two female staffed centers in Quetta and Pishin are registering female applicants only to facilitate the women registration ill the region. NADRA has also established 10 semi mobile units in Ziarat, Mashkhel, Nokundi, Kholu, Dukki and Jafferabad,” he added. There are 28 mobile registration vans already working in Balochistan registering scattered population in far flung areas. Tariq Malik randomly visited NADRA registration centers without any security even in highly tense areas where the law and order situation is dismal.

He asked for public feedback and listened to the public complaints which were mostly regarding blocked cards. Tariq Malik convinced the complainants that NADRA needed to do due diligence before issuing ID cards in national interest so that only eligible Pakistanis get registered in the database. He lauded the efforts of NADRA staff and directed them to further improve the performance and facilitate the citizens as customer care is one of the prime objectives of NADRA. Malik said that Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) has been introduced in 26 more districts and this success of BISP phase one will pave the way for phase two of BISP

National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has achieved ISO 9001:2008 certification for its two National Registration Centers (NRCs).

The audit was conducted by an internationally accredited body Bureau Veritas Certification (Pvt.) Ltd recently.

“This is a landmark achievement attained as an outcome of upbeat efforts by NADRA teams to promote advanced technologies and the highest quality management standards to enable fast paced registrations for the citizens of Pakistan,” said NADRA Deputy Chairman Tariq Malik.

“Quality is a journey, not the end and NADRA is leading the best standards for managing registration requirements and delivery of National Identity documents for Pakistanis.” “We are consistently monitoring and improving our service delivery as our officers randomly visit the registration centres as mystery customers and we are always looking forward to valuable suggestions from civil society and media to help us improve our services further,” he further added. This certification has mapped and aligned existing registration procedures with International Quality Standards focusing on improved customer satisfaction and service efficiency.

NADRA has already achieved CMMI certification by Carnegie Mellon USA, ISMS (ISO 27001) and ISO 9001:2008 for other directorates. It is pertinent to mention that recently ID World Achievement Award 2009 by ID World Congress based in Italy was awarded to NADRA Deputy Chairman Tariq Malik for outstanding performance after the selection from 250 candidates of 75 countries

The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) signed on Monday a memorandum of understanding with a civil society organization in a bid to educate and motivate citizens to get registered with national database.

Under the MoU signed with ‘Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN), NADRA will identify the areas where the registration of people is low and FAFEN will run the public mobilization campaign to bring folks out for registration.

The goal is to achieve the target of 100 per cent registration through creating awareness and motivation among the people in the rural areas by using FAFEN help, said NADRA Deputy Chairman Tariq Malik who signed the agreement with FAFEN Chairperson Mossarat Qadeem.

To supervise the project, a member joint committee will be formed comprising a senior member from each side. The committee will also identify such areas where CNIC coverage is very low especially among the women. Such areas will be chosen as the model areas for the aggressive campaign.

According to MoU, the role of FAFEN was restricted to creating awareness of the CNIC while it would not be allowed to collect any forms, application, materials, documentation, personal or private data or information or collection of any fee from any person on behalf of NADRA.

FAFEN along with other civil society organizations undertakes nationwide voter education campaigns in order to motivate and inform potential voters to increase public confidence and increase the participation of women first-time voters (youth), ethnic and religious minorities, and other marginalized groups.

NADRA has already registered 98 per cent of the male population and 71.2 per cent of the female population in the country. Overall percentage of the registered population in the country is 86 per cent.

Presently, only 12.28 million citizens eligible for the registration are yet to be registered.

The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has been designated as Asian leader for providing identity-based multi-biometric technology solutions.

“NADRA’s e-govt solutions are relevant to Europe, Central Eastern Europe, Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Russia who look at the success story of NADRA and learn how to use it as a strategic partner to develop similar solutions,” said Mike Chamberlain, Chairman of the UK-based PIRA International, according to NADRA Deputy Chairman Tariq Malik.

Tariq Malik told The News from Prague that Mike Chamberlain was speaking at an international conference on ‘The Future of Personal Identification’ being held in Prague from January 26 to 29 under the auspices of PIRA International, an expert in market sizing, strategic forecasting and assessing the impact of biometrics, RFID, Smart Card technology and trends.

“I think NADRA has poised itself as a world leader in Asia and has a strong presence in the future of personal ID market when we talk about strategic forecasts and analysis to 2014 trends,” said Chamberlain. “It’s definitely going to assert itself as a dominant Asian player in near future,” he added.

Tariq Malik told the conference that transparency and outreach in any financial institution, human development and women empowerment programme is not possible without identity-based secure identity cards. He said that Pakistan had witnessed so many failed programmes just because those lacked transparency, which shattered the confidence of foreign donors. He said efficient handling of internally displaced persons and the launch of Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) by the Pakistan Government restored that confidence

The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has so far issued 29,598 debit cards to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) of South Waziristan and Tank.

Through these cards, an amount of Rs191.481 million has been disbursed among these IDPs, says a press release issued here on Friday.

Of the 59,019 applications received from IDPs of South Waziristan, 38,524 families were declared eligible and the data was shared with NGOs for providing food and non-food assistance and preparation their debit cards, Deputy Chairman of NADRA Tariq Malik said.

So far, NADRA has issued 22,594 cards to the IDPs. Besides, the authority issued 7,400 debit cards from its Tank site.