Ban Proposed on Sale of Used Computers

Ban Proposed on Sale of Used Computers

The ministry of information technology has been asked to draft a proposal for a ban on the import of used computers and IT accessories, on directions of President Asif Ali Zardari.
Earlier, LCCI had requested the president to ban the sale of used/old computers.
If ban imposed, no vendor/seller will be able to sell used/computers in the market, eventually causing computer prices go high by 4 times at least.
Computer manufacturers are terming used computers:

• high energy consumption devices
• dumping ground of electronic wastage for developed countries, causing environmental and social damage
• A hit on economy

While those opposing the ban on sale of used/old computer opine:

• High PC penetration due to availability of used/old computers in market
• Low priced computers
• Cost saving through in-expensive (internet) communication
• Increased awareness
• Boost in economy for multiple domains, such as, ISPs, vendors, FMCGs, advertising, media etc

Clearly computer manufacturers, Intel being the leader, are grouping up to run this on-media and off-media campaign for ban on sale of old/used computers to capture their share – instead of investing into country for setting up a manufacturing plant in the country, like they have in India.
If a computer manufacturing plant is deployed in the country, it will not only serve local economy but will also bring down the prices for new computers.
Before any conclusion on this and imposing ban, Government must realize all aspects and that a common man may not afford to buy a reasonable new computer costing well over 20,000.
As per estimates, there are total of 14,00,000 computers in Pakistan, out of which 60 percent are used/old computers, 24 percent internationally assembled new computers while 16 percent locally assembled new computers. ministry of information technology has been asked to draft a proposal for a ban on the import of used computers and IT accessories, on directions of President Asif Ali Zardari.
Earlier, LCCI had requested the president to ban the sale of used/old computers.
If ban imposed, no vendor/seller will be able to sell used/computers in the market, eventually causing computer prices go high by 4 times at least.
Computer manufacturers are terming used computers:

• high energy consumption devices
• dumping ground of electronic wastage for developed countries, causing environmental and social damage
• A hit on economy

While those opposing the ban on sale of used/old computer opine:

• High PC penetration due to availability of used/old computers in market
• Low priced computers
• Cost saving through in-expensive (internet) communication
• Increased awareness
• Boost in economy for multiple domains, such as, ISPs, vendors, FMCGs, advertising, media etc

Clearly computer manufacturers, Intel being the leader, are grouping up to run this on-media and off-media campaign for ban on sale of old/used computers to capture their share – instead of investing into country for setting up a manufacturing plant in the country, like they have in India.
If a computer manufacturing plant is deployed in the country, it will not only serve local economy but will also bring down the prices for new computers.
Before any conclusion on this and imposing ban, Government must realize all aspects and that a common man may not afford to buy a reasonable new computer costing well over 20,000.
As per estimates, there are total of 14,00,000 computers in Pakistan, out of which 60 percent are used/old computers, 24 percent internationally assembled new computers while 16 percent locally assembled new computers.

Govt committed to overcome challenges: PM

Govt committed to overcome challenges: PM

Updated at: 1912 PST,  Friday, March 05, 2010  ISLAMABAD: The government during the last two years not only made concerted efforts towards fulfillment of the promises made in the political manifesto but also remained committed to overcoming a number of inherited problems. The Prime Minister said this in his address aired live on Radio Pakistan as part of his initiative to take the nation into confidence on the steps being taken by the government in connection with the Constitutional reforms, the ongoing war against terrorism and matters relating to overall governance. He said the government addressed a number of challenges including war against terrorism, political and legal issues, energy crisis, food shortage and economic instability besides lack of confidence in the people. “We have committed ourselves towards ensuring the supremacy of the Parliament and the Constitution,” the Prime Minister pointed out, adding, “the government also honoured the Supreme Court’s ruling on the judges appointments.” As for the Constitutional reforms, the nation will soon get good news in this regard, Gilani said. He said the government took a number of landmark initiatives and steps including provision of internal sovereignty to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan; introduction and implementation of Balochistan package besides clearing long-standing arrears of NWFP. The Premier said the backbone of the terrorists has been cracked and the day is not far when the government will finally wipe them out completely. He also paid tributes to the armed forces for their impressive role in tackling the menace of terrorism. He said the frustrated terrorists when headed towards the settled areas had were once again defeated by the people. The poor are being provided special financial support of Rs70 billion under Benazir Income Support Programme and Waseela-e-Haq undertaken in a transparent manner, he claimed. Government had provided a subsidy amounting to Rs3 billion to the Utility Stores across the country besides raising salaries and pensions of the government servants. The minimum salary of was also increased to Rs6,000 from Rs4,600, he added. He urged the political parties and experts to give positive and practical suggestions to the government. “We don’t mind the criticism by the media and opposition but use it to make amends but it is also the duty of the critics not to ignore the moral grounds and facts,” he stressed. This was the first live address to the nation by the Prime Minister on the Radio in line with the government’s earlier announcement of addressing the nation on the first Friday of every month.

PM Gilani addresses nation today

PM Gilani addresses nation today
Updated :   Friday  March  5 , 2010  12:00:58 AM



ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani addresses the nation Friday evening to take the masses into confidence over the proposed constitutional amendments the government is going to introduce in the Parliament, reported ARY NEWS.

In his address, to be telecasted on TV and radio at 7:00 p.m. today, the PM will apprise the nation of the progress of Parliament’s Constitutional Reforms Committee (CRC) presently working to formulate the recommendations for 18th Constitutional Amendment with consensus of all the parties having representation in the Parliament.

The PM will inform the nation of the proposed amendments in the most-debated and controversial articles of the Constitution, relating to provincial autonomy, abolishment of Concurrent List, procedure for the appointment of judges in the apex courts, future of the seventeenth constitutional amendment, balancing of power between the President and the Prime Minister and other.

The CRC is likely to present the draft of its recommendations to the PM by March 13 that will later be tabled before the Parliament in the form of 18th Constitutional Amendment for debate and approval, the channel added.

World Cup Shirts to Be Made Out of Recycled Plastic Bottles

World Cup Shirts to Be Made Out of Recycled Plastic Bottles

BY ARIEL SCHWARTZ Thu Feb 25, 2010

The best way to highlight your company's environmental commitments is to bring them into the spotlight. We're guessing that's the motive behind Nike's move to make this summer's World Cup shirts out of recycled plastic bottles. The shirts will be worn by all nine Nike-sponsored teams, including England, Brazil, Portugal, and the Netherlands.

Nike's bottles-to-T-shirts operation is fairly straightforward. Recycled polyester comes from a Taiwanese supplier that cuts up, melts, and spins plastic bottles into a yarn for the shirts. Each shirt will consist of 100% recycled polyester and approximately eight plastic bottles. The shirts are slightly more expensive to produce than standard jerseys, but Nike claims that the costs ultimately even out because less material is needed for production. And on the outside, players and fans won't be able to tell the difference between the bottle-filled jerseys and the regular polyester shirts worn by non-Nike teams.

Environmentally savvy soccer lovers will also have the chance to check out Nike's shirts--the brand is using 13 million plastic bottles to produce jerseys for fans. All in all, Nike's initiative will stop 254,000 kg of polyester waste from being dumped in landfills.

Nike isn't the only company to manufacture shirts out of plastic bottles. Coca-Cola'sDrink2Wear shirts are also made out of recycled bottles, and Patagonia started manufacturing fleece out of post-consumer bottles in 1993 with little fanfare. But by featuring the technology at sporting events watched by millions, Nike is letting the world know that the technology is worth our attention.

Rashid to boycott by-polls in Lahore, Jhang

Rashid to boycott by-polls in Lahore, Jhang

Updated at: 1850 PST,  Sunday, February 28, 2010  LAHORE: Chief of Awami Muslim League Sheigh Rashid Ahmed has announced that his party would boycott by-elections in NA-123 Lahore and PP-82 Jhang. Addressing a press conference he said, “the actual face of Punjab government has come into light following the rigging and coercion exercised by it during the recent by-election in NA-55.” He said those who call him disloyal had themselves ditched their workers before fleeing to other countries. “I will continue to expose this no.2 leadership,” he added. Sheikgh Rashid claimed that police and Patwar Khana were misused in Rawalpindi while ‘two men stabbed me in the back’. He requested the Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry to set up a commission to probe the use of force and rigging in NA-55. “The N-League’s win in NA-55 was followed by a breakfast meeting with the Prime Minister,” Sheikh Rashid maintained, adding, it is actually a loss and not a win. To a question he said, a physician, musician and politician never retire. Well Rashid Sb i have heard you some where saying that political parties never run away from elections and now .....