ISLAMABAD, DEC 09 (DNA) _— A study conducted by a multinational networking and telecommunications company, Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC), has suggested that there existed great economic potential, consumer and environmental benefits of 5G connectivity in 15 national emerging markets including Pakistan.

“With regulatory and government support, all fifteen countries could benefit from GDP growth between 0.3 and 0.46 percent through 2035, with an estimated three-to-seven-fold cost-to-benefit ratio,” the company said in a news release here on Friday.

Titled the “Future Value of Mobile in Emerging Markets,” the report examined the impact of multiple 5G spectrum deployment options to facilitate enhanced mobile broadband and fixed wireless access (FWA) across consumer, industry, logistics, rural and public services clusters, and spanning several business case options, including verticals.

The detailed methodology included using national government statistics and reports based on population density distribution and existing national infrastructure such as road and rail networks, and agriculture to create a cost-to-benefit model across the different deployment options.

“Deployment options are based on the starting assumption of having 5G baseline rollout added to existing mobile radio network sites,” the report added.

Additional options explored the extra benefits of adding Low-Band 5G spectrum coverage beyond the baseline (delivering wider geographical coverage at the lower end of 5G capabilities and suited to agriculture or logistics deployments) or Mid-Band 5G spectrum coverage.

The study said expanded Mid-Band 5G coverage was identified as the key success factor – with the potential to deliver about 80 percent of the economic benefits. “Benefits from the Smart Industry and Smart Rural clusters account for 85-90 percent of the total economic benefits in each emerging market.”

It observed that agriculture was significant sector in all 15 countries, including Bangladesh, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Africa, Thailand and Turkey, accounting for up to 10 percent of GDP in some markets.

The report estimated that enhanced rural 5G coverage could deliver up to 1.8 percent uplift in long-term GDP from agriculture. “The 5G will also promote sustainable farming methods, increase efficiency and reduce agricultural waste.”

It said baseline 5G deployment cost was estimated between USD 3-8 billion per country. An additional 20-35 percent investment is required to extend coverage.

Andrew Lloyd, Head of Government and Policy Advocacy, Ericsson said the report provided “a detailed breakdown, based on comprehensive research into realistic and achievable scenarios in each of the 15 countries, of the potential economic, social, environmental and national benefits of 5G in these markets. With the backing of governments, regulators and policy makers, each of these 15 countries, and their citizens, stand to benefit significantly from 5G connectivity.”

In addition to economic benefits, he said the 5G could also reduce climate impact, increase social inclusion, well-being and tackle the digital divide in areas where fixed infrastructure availability is poor. =DNA

ISLAMABAD, DEC 09 (DNA) _— President Dr Arif Alvi on Friday said fighting corruption is a serious concern for developing countries especially Pakistan as it weakens security and hinders economic growth.

In his message on International Anti-Corruption Day, he said corruption contributes to instability and poverty and is a dominant factor driving fragile countries towards state failure. President Alvi said Pakistan reaffirms its commitment to eliminate corruption in all its forms and manifestations and promote transparency and accountability in our governance system.

“Corruption is a serious challenge faced by both developing and developed countries and requires consistent efforts, effective monitoring and controls, committed leadership, and an active civil society to curb this menace from society,” he said. He said the scourge of corruption and its various manifestations, moral or financial, are responsible for some of the gravest threats facing the nation. 

President Alvi said corruption deprives the nation of precious and scarce public and private resources, creates social and economic disparities, erodes the economic edifice of society, and weakens state institutions. He said the International Anti-Corruption Day provides everyone with an opportunity to reflect on the progress we have made over the past years in the fight against corruption, but also to think about the work that remains to be done in the years ahead. 

“Elimination of corruption is a mission but we will not succeed in this fight unless we are fully committed to its elimination, and are guided by the ingenuity, expertise and energy of those who are on the frontlines of this fight,” he stressed. 

The president said although Pakistan has taken a number of actions to eliminate corruption and ensure accountability, however, much needs to be done in this regard. “The fight against corruption cannot be won unless all segments of society join their hands in the efforts to uproot corruption,” he said.

 The president said the role of civil society was also very critical in detecting the root causes of corruption, exposing corrupt acts, shifting social norms, and mobilizing support for ambitious reforms based on moral values, justice, fairness and equal opportunity for all. “When anti-corruption efforts are well-rooted, they are more likely to be effective and sustained. It is, therefore, vital that we come together with a collective response to eradicate corruption,” he added.

President Alvi said enhancing parliamentary oversight and constructing a legislative framework that deters corrupt practices and promotes transparency is essential in addressing corruption. “Enhancing the capabilities of criminal justice institutions to investigate and prosecute corruption is also crucial to exposing malign influence,” he said.

 In addition, he said, procurement processes that comply with international anti-corruption standards will ensure a level playing field for investors. He said most importantly, a robust civil society and free press are critical to hold public officeholders responsible for their actions.

“It is high time to unite the role of key stakeholders and individuals in the elimination of corruption by sharing best practices and examples of preventing and countering corruption worldwide,” he said. The president said this could be achieved by strengthening international cooperation against corruption, tackling linkages with other forms of crimea and enabling the recovery and return of stolen assets.

Also, developing innovative solutions, advancing prevention through education, leveraging youth engagement and mobilizing allies in civil society, academia and the private sector in line with the dictates of United Nations Convention Against Corruption could be the solution. He reaffirm the commitment to eliminate corruption, promote transparency and accountability, and purge this evil from society. “I am hopeful that Pakistan can emerge as a strong and prosperous nation if we make committed, concerted and sincere efforts to root out this menace from our society,” he said. =DNA

ISLAMABAD, DEC 09 (DNA) _— The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has appointed 15 Monitoring Officers (MOs), including a District Monitoring Officer (DMO) to ensure complete compliance of the code of conduct during the ongoing election campaign for the local government (LG), scheduled to be held on December 31 in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).

“The DMOs will ensure complete compliance of the code of conduct by keeping a close vigil on canvassing of all candidates, and take necessary action against the violators,” a senior official of the ECP told a state run news agency. 

Around 1,773 candidates are flexing their muscles for different slots in 101 union councils across Islamabad. District Commissioner Gujranwala Tanveer-ul-Hassan has already been appointed as the DMO to monitor the campaign.

While 14 monitoring officers will also closely monitor the election campaign of political parties and candidates in local bodies polls in Islamabad. Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja has already issued instructions to punish the violators of code of ethics sans any discrimination. =DNA

From Qazi Shoaib Khan / DNA

ATTOCK, DEC-09 – District Food Controller Rawalpindi Sufian Asif Awan has said that over 80 truckers point has been established to supply flour to the masses on daily basis at their door steps in various markets and bazaars across the district. He was briefing newsmen about the anti-wheat smuggling activities by the food department on Attock-Rawalpindi district border at Brahma-Bhattar toll plaza near here on Friday.

Ruling out paucity of flour or artificial shortage of the basic commodity in the district, Mr Awan has said that with the recommendation of the concerned assistant commissioners of the relevant tehsils, flour is being supplied to as many as 2200 shops on daily basis across the district. Responding another question, Mr Awan has said that with the recommendation of the concerned assistant commissioners of the relevant tehsils, flour is being supplied to as many as 2200 shops on daily basis across the district

Mr Awan has said that in line with directives of the district administration regarding strict monitoring of flour mills, the food department launched a crackdown against the flour mills for not providing required quota. “The food department will take action against hoarders and those involved in the cartelization of wheat causing a price hike as we have a surplus of agricultural commodities in the Rawalpindi division” He added. Responding to another question, Mr Awan has denied claims about flour shortages in the district and added that an ample quantity of flour was available at all sale points.

Talking to newsmen on this occasion, Peraviz Butt President central Karyana association Rawalpindi district rejecting the paucity of flour for the common consumers in the district. He said that association with other stake holders including flour mills association and food department is supplying flour to 40 different bazars on daily basis. He said the trucks carrying flour send by flour mills and later sold under the supervision of association and food department. He said that the flour millers are supplying flour bag at Rs 640 per bag to the shopkeepers and they sale it on retail price of Rs 648. 

Meanwhile assistant commissioner HassanabdalArif Qureshi paid surprise visit to food check post at JehriKass on Hassanabdal- Hazra route on early hours of Friday to monitor the working of the check post. On this occasion, he checked the attendance of the staff and movement of trucks especially entering from Punjab to Hazara division.

Qazi Shoaib Khan, District Correspondent, Attock