Telenor Pakistan’s Chief Strategy Officer & VP Corporate Affairs, Aamir Ibrahim presented a cheque of Rs. 2 million to the Federal Minister for Information & Broadcasting and Governor of Gilgit-Baltistan, Qamar Zaman Kaira in an effort to augment government’s efforts for the affectees of land-sliding in Attabad, Hunza.

The minister for Information and Broadcasting appreciated the initiative taken by Telenor Pakistan and said, “civil society, corporate sector and philanthropists should come forward to help the government in its relief and rehabilitation effort for the victims of the recent land-sliding in Attabad, Hunza.”
“The land-sliding occurred in a remote area where relief and rescue effort through normal land route was very difficult. However, the government provided relief in the area through air and land routes. Relief goods were airlifted from Islamabad and other areas for the stranded people of the area”, he added.

Telenor Pakistan’s Chief Strategy Officer & VP Corporate Affairs, Aamir Ibrahim extended his support to the cause and said, “Telenor Pakistan has stood by its Pakistani brethren at all times of need and has always contributed towards the relief efforts, financially and through its network and human resource. Being the first and one of the largest mobile operators in the Gilgit-Baltistan, the area holds special significance for us which is demonstrated through our constant engagement in cultural, economic and social activities for the region.”

Telenor Pakistan currently runs a number of community support initiatives aimed at helping communities help themselves. In addition to becoming a disability friendly organization, Telenor Pakistan also takes a lead in extending support to disaster victims. In wake of October 2008 earthquake in Baluchistan, it was the first telecom operator to reach the affected area that provided communication facilities and a month’s supply of food items to 160 families. Other than providing crisis communication support to Edhi, National Crisis Management Cell, press and relief organizations, Telenor Pakistan also made a contribution of Rs. 65 million to the President Earthquake Relief Fund and International Red Cross. Telenor Pakistan runs an active and socially conscientious program of responsible initiatives, intended for social change and community support.

The SOS Children’s Village Rawalpindi started functioning in 1989 with 15 family homes. Since then, five more have been added, and the project now has a capacity for 200 children. The 8 acre site was donated by the Government of the Punjab. The setting of the complex is an attractive one as it is located in undulating countryside, on the banks of the Soan River. It is also the biggest SOS complex in the country

The Families and children of SOS Village in Rawalpindi spent an evening with PTCL and  SAMAA TV. SOS Children had iftar with the distinguished guests present at the occasion.

Leading representatives of the business community, government and media were present at the event, celebrating the true spirit of the Holy month with the children of SOS Village.

In his message for the occasion, President, Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) Walid Irshaid said, “It is a very good feeling to be amongst these beautiful children,” he also added “SOS is doing a remarkable job by providing these children with shelter and all necessities of life.” He further added “PTCL works very strongly for community development. As leaders in the communication industry, it is our responsibility to understand the needs of the people our country especially the children of Pakistan. He appreciated SAMAA’s efforts for initiating responsible media activities and realizing the importance of sharing this Holy month with the most deserving.”

Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) distributed gifts and sweets amongst the children at SOS village.

Amir Jahangir, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SAMAA also shared his thoughts and commented that, “media has an important role to play in creating value for the community and the audience it caters to.”

Mobilink has become the first Pakistani company to support a global environmental initiative by a large group of international corporate leaders, being coordinated by the University of Cambridge, UK – Programme for Sustainability Leadership.

Mobilink has signed the Copenhagen Communiqué, which calls on governments to agree on an ambitious, efficient and equitable international climate framework at the final negotiating meeting in Copenhagen this December. The Communiqué is a definitive statement to express the will of a large part of the international business community that wants a strong and effective international climate framework. The Copenhagen Communiqué will be conveyed to governments around the world, through the office of the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon.

Omar Manzur, Director Public Relations and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Mobilink stated, “Mobilink is committed to reiterating the importance of having a proactive approach towards climate change and this global initiative is expected to facilitate a coordinated response. As the first company to sign the Copenhagen Communiqué from Pakistan, Mobilink has once again endorsed its pledge to promote clean and green business activities”.

A strong deal in Copenhagen will provide clarity and certainty about the future direction of climate change policy, making it easier for business to plan long-term investment and create opportunities for growth in the technologies of the future. The Copenhagen Communiqué aims to have 500 signatories, with every G20 country represented.

Mobilink was also a signatory to the previously articulated “Bali” Communiqué on Climate Change and seeks to inspire other organizations in Pakistan and the region, to come forward and help achieve a global out-reach for the success of this initiative.

In addition to tree plantations and cleanliness drives, Mobilink has also launched Pakistan’s first Handset Recycling Program to share the benefits of cellular communication with the hearing impaired and the disabled and minimize the environmental impact of cellular waste through recycling. Moreover, Mobilink has donated more than 8,500 bags made from recycled advertising skins to Care Foundation, Zindagi Trust and students who took shelter at Mobilink Camp for IDPs.

On behalf of PTCL, Executive Vice President Marketing Communications Ali Qadir Gilani presenting a cheque for sponsoring the National Press Club, Islamabad to the President NPC Tariq Chaudry and other delegates.

Telenor Pakistan under its flagship corporate responsibility initiative ‘Telenor Khuddar Pakistan’ is supporting “National Leadership Conference for Persons with Disabilities,” which is being organized by its long-term disability advisor, Special Talent Exchange Program (STEP) at the National Institute of Special Education (NISE). The conference, spanning from 12th – 14th August 2009, will be attended by distinguished leaders from all over Pakistan who are themselves, persons with disabilities. Social sector partners for the conference include Sight Savers International Pakistan, American Institute of Research, and Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education.

The National Leadership Conference for Persons With Disabilities aims at the ratification of the UN Convention on rights of persons of disabilities in the form of a declaration, the signing of which will take place on 13th August 2009. The conference will provide a platform to leaders with disabilities to deliberate and encourage social and structural reforms for long-term social inclusion of persons with disabilities in the society.

The conference will comprise of cross-panel discussions on critical articles of the UN Convention for persons with disabilities, talent search for persons with disabilities, interactive workshops and a musical evening, where all stakeholders will get together in an informal setting. Telenor Pakistan employees will be actively participating in panel discussions and interactive workshops. The corporate sector representatives from Telenor Pakistan will hold a panel discussion on ‘Corporate Sector and Development’ that will revolve around corporate sector reforms to create disabled-friendly organizations.”

The conference will be attended by the Minister of Social Welfare and Special Education, Imtiaz Kazi and the top management of Telenor Pakistan, as well as other distinguished leaders, from various segments of the society.

The conference will close on 14th August as a celebration of Pakistan’s 62nd Independence Day and will be attended by the Minister of Social Welfare and Special Education, Samina Khalid Gurkhi.

About STEP (Special Talent Exchange Program)
Launched in 1997, STEP is a self- help organization with the aim, to promote the empowerment, independence and inclusion of persons with disabilities across Pakistan. STEP has a membership of over 300 individuals and works in partnership with a range of national and international, public, private and voluntary organizations.

Karachi August 6: Speakers at a seminar on ‘Corporate Solutions’ held here on Thursday highlighted many of the services PTCL offers to Corporate Clients.

They pointed out that many advanced services such as 3G connect, leased plus, DSL, VPN, IP Connect, digital cross connect, DRS, VSAT, IPLC, Video and audio conferencing, business communications, broadband on the Go, managed SAN, I-Sentry, Unified communications and web hosting had been launched.

The speakers said presentations to familiarize customers from MNCs, banks and DFIs, pharmaceutical companies, the oil and gas sector and government departments with the services would be held soon.

The PTCL plans to introduce the services on the occasion of the country’s Independence Day, on August 14.

Telenor Pakistan has announced the launch of ‘Telenor Khuddar Pakistan’ as its flagship corporate responsibility initiative to help create dignified opportunities for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). The company aims to become the most disabled-friendly organization in Pakistan in terms of employment, service, and community support. Telenor Pakistan has been supported in its efforts by salient organizations in the field from across the country: Ministry of Social Welfare & Special Education, Sightsavers International, Sir Syed Deaf Association, Lahore Businessmen Association for Rehabilitation of the Disabled (LABARD), Network of Organizations Working for the People with Disabilities (NOWPDP), among others. Special Talent Exchange Program (STEP), a well-known cross-disability organization working for the rights of PWDs, has been chosen by Telenor Pakistan as its long-term disability awareness advisor.

With launch of Khuddar Pakistan, which took place on Thursday at a hotel in Islamabad, the company has achieved many industry-first milestones: Telenor Pakistan now has the largest number of persons with disabilities as employees in the mobile sector. It is also the first company to have formal disability training sessions, a corporate products & services and careers website that is fully accessible by international standards, recruitment advertising that explicitly welcomes qualified persons with disabilities to apply, and the first office building and Sales & Service Center in Islamabad in the mobile sector that is fully accessible. The company has also set up assistive technology training labs for persons with disabilities at National Institute of Special Education and Special Talent Exchange Program (STEP) in partnership with Sightsavers International, and is sponsoring the ‘Khud-dar Pakistan Blind Cricket Talent Hunt’ in partnership with Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC). The company is also launching an inspiring disability awareness program on Radio Pakistan in August, has prepared a comprehensive service manual for persons with disabilities to be available soon, and has initiated the first company-wide employee volunteerism drive in the corporate sector to work with PWDs.

In his address at the launch event, the Guest of Honour, Secretary Social Welfare and Special Education Imtiaz Kazi praised the commitment and effort behind Telenor Khuddar Pakistan and the wide range of activities the company was involved with. Kazi said, “Telenor Pakistan has made a daring move to be an agent of change in the corporate sector. We require other companies to come forward too. The corporate sector can play a leading role in changing attitudes, breaking taboos, and recognizing the talent of persons with disabilities.”

CEO and President Telenor Pakistan, Jon Eddy Abdullah, addressing the inauguration ceremony said, “Some 7-10% of Pakistanis have disabilities, and most of them face adversity at every corner, fight negative social perceptions, are turned away by lack of accessibility, and cannot get adequate trainings and assistive technologies. With Khuddar Pakistan we want to start making a difference in the lives of our fellow persons with disabilities by addressing just these issues with the help of key partners. There has to be an organized effort in this regard and we believe with our expertise in providing mobility and our commitment to empower communities, we can play a role here. We still have a lot to do.”

SSP Islamabad Traffic Police Sultan Azam Taimoori presenting a souvenir  to PTCL SEVP Commercial Naveed Saeed at handing over ceremony of  over 200 umbrellas to Islamabad Traffic Police as a part of PTCL’s CSR Initiative.

SSP Islamabad Traffic Police Sultan Azam Taimoori presenting a souvenir  to PTCL SEVP Commercial Naveed Saeed at handing over ceremony of  over 200 umbrellas to Islamabad Traffic Police as a part of PTCL’s CSR Initiative.

Jun 05: President and CEO PTCL Walid Irshaid has resolved, not to leave the embittered IDPs (Internal Displaced Persons) alone in this critical hour of need.

Addressing an event regarding dispatch of a heavy consignment of medical supplies, food and commodities for IDPs worth Rs. 10 million, the President PTCL, vowed to come upto the expectations of Nation regarding assistance for IDPs.

PTCL has launched SMS campaign in UAE in connection with financial assistance for IDPs, he told. This will yield fruitful results, he hoped.
Company has set up PCOs in camps to facilitate the affectees. They now remain in contact with their near and dear ones due to these PCOs, he added.

PTCL had earlier dispatched medicines valuing Rs 1.5 million to camps for the affectees, he informed. PTCL employees working in Swat and Buner are also among the affectees and they have been provided residences in PTCL  colonies, he added. Rs 10000 each has been disbursed among the employees to meet their expenses, he pointed out. 500 employees of company were performing their duties in these areas and 350 among them are affectees while remaining 150 employees were still performing their duties in affected areas and were helping security forces, he indicated.

Company felt that camps lacked lady doctors, therefore, it lady doctors and nurses had also been sent to camps for the treatment of women affectees living in the camps, he told.

PTCL president Walid Irshaid had met Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday and handed over cheque of Rs 20 million on behalf of company for IDPs.