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Pakistan Computer Association (PCA) was established in December 2000 as an
autonomous, non political, non partisan, non-profitable and service oriented
organization. The Computer Association has been formed with the involvement of
professionals, specialists, manufacturers, institutions and the related
organization of Computer and Information Technology within the country.
Objectives
- To assist in the utilization, enhancement and promotion of computers and
information technology within the country and help to develop strategies to meet
the necessary requirements for the development of literacy and skills regarding
computer science.
- To provide and protect the necessary rights and privileges, benefits to
individuals, institutions, companies and organizations affiliated to the
activities of PCA.
- To provide support and facilities to all general, corporate and honorary
members of PCA.
Activities
-To exchange knowledge, skill and technology in the field of Computer and
information technology with similar types of organizations within and outside
the country
- To assist in the field of technology transfer, export, import and formulation
of national policies.
-To assist in the institutional development of Computer Technology.
- To assist and develop the synchronization and standardization in the field of
computer training and education.
- To develop coordination among computer professionals with their services.
- To organize and conduct seminars, workshops, talk and training programs and to
provide consultancy and R & D services.
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| PCA termed VAT impracticable, asked for broader consultation |
 ISLAMABAD: The imposition of broad-based Value Added Tax (VAT) would be an impractical step of the government under the situation where businesses were already suffering due to multiple factors like smuggling heavy taxes, soaring electricity/gas prices & high mark up, said Furqan Murtaza, the acting president of Pakistan Computer Association (PCA), Islamabad. While speaking at the meeting of Islamabad Chapter of the association, he said that without tackling these hurdles, imposition of VAT would put businessmen at disadvantage proving disastrous for business activities in the country.
Furqan Murtaza said that to avoid strike calls, agitation and closure of business and trade, its high time for the government to take the stakeholders on board on this key issue and remove all reservations of businessmen before taking any final decision on VAT.
He opined that the tax projections of Rs.600 billion from VAT, was not a realistic target and it had created new fears in the businessmen as VAT might unleash a new series of notices to them. He feared that VAT would promote tax evasion culture instead of enhancing tax revenue.
The acting president of PCA Islamabad warned that the retailers, wholesalers & dealers were not ready to come under the new VAT law. Therefore, he said, FBR should engage all stakeholders in dialogue including the FPCCI, Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Trade Bodies and tax bar associations to obtain their input and build a consensus before implementing VAT.
He said emphasized on a proper communication with the business and trade for understanding the implementation of the VAT law and stressed that before considering any new tax, businessmen should always be taken on board to achieve desired results. |
· admin on May 04 2010 13:37:19 ·
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| PCA urges for long term measures to confront with power crisis |
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Computer Association (PCA) has urged the government to take the business community into confidence in regard with long term measures to confront with power crisis. Due to ill-planned policies, the occurrence of cruel load shedding has not only affected business activities but it has also created huge problems for the students especially those who have to use computer frequently. Arshad Junjua, the acting president of the PCA said this while chairing the special meeting of the Association held here on last day.
Arshad Janjua said that the IT professionals are facing the same messy situation and emphasized on a long term solution of the problem instead of eye-wash measures and early closer of the markets. He said that the power crisis is badly hampering the computer industry and destroying the future of the students.
He expressed his disappointment over the grave situation and informed the participants that as a result of unfavorable business conditions and long spells of load shedding, 66 % of Computer industry has already forced to close down its business and rest is struggling for its survival while facing such harsh conditions
The office bearers of PCA said that a proper strategy should have been evolved to reduce power load shedding and to provide relief to students as well as industry but ironically nothing has happened in this regard. The other participants of the meeting also expressed their concern that the students, especially who rely on IT related technologies are suffering a lot as they are not able to complete their studies and courses with in time.
The participants PCA meeting said that significant decline of the purchase of computer and related equipments have been recorded recently and load shedding of electricity is one of the key reasons of this unprecedented decline. They urged the government to correct the affairs on priority basis and take immediate step to reduce the time of cruel load shedding. Ends |
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· admin on April 25 2010 22:09:59 ·
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| Number of local computer assembling companies decline |
KARACHI: The number of companies assembling computers locally declined to nine from over 19, following relaxation in the rules and regulations of imported technology, according to statistics gathered from various research reports.
With the growth of the used computer industry, local computer manufacturers witnessed significant decline in their businesses. Closure of Viper Technology operations will result in the unemployment of over 200 graduates, said Khushnood Aftab, Chief Executive Officer, Viper Technology, while talking to The News.
“The local computer manufacturers were providing solutions for more than a decade,” he said adding that being an LCM, the company ensures that the solutions provided by it are at par with any international standards.
The company not only provides one-time solutions, but offers full warranty and after-sales services and on the corporate arena is offering managed, outsourced services, as well as service level agreements, said Khushnood.
At this stage, Viper believes that there is urgency in promoting the local computer manufacturers as an industrial asset rather than just computer dealers. Import of second-hand computers is creating hurdles in promoting the local computer manufacturers, he said, adding that these manufacturers play a key role in bridging price gap between new imported computers and used computers, thus, providing the consumers with versatility and competitive rates, said Khushnood.
The lack of government’s support will demoralise the local computer industry, leading to closure of foreign investment in the sector, said Viper Technology chief executive officer.
Local computer manufacturers are a major contributor in the IT growth of a country, as they not only support the economy, but also promote information technology in that country, he said.
Being a Pakistan-based organisation; Viper Technology expects the government to support the local IT industry by monitoring the import of technology, he said, adding that the company is not in favour of ban, however, the government should put a one to two years time limit on the import of obsolete technology.
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· admin on April 20 2010 07:23:47
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| PCA’s Office bearer to attend Entrepreneurship Summit, summoned by President Obama |
ISLAMABAD
Mr. Qureshi, while commenting on this international recognition, said that its great honor for him and his country that out of these 120 delegates from Muslim world only six have been profiled on US state department website besides a special a blog on his name
Meanwhile Pakistan Computer industry has facilitated Mr. Ibrahim Qureshi on this remarkable achievement and expressed the hope that he would prove to be a best ambassador of Pakistan at this highly important international forum and would be able to project the potential of Pakistan as a best place to make investments.<
It’s worth mentioning here that the President of PCA Lahore has earlier secured the Prime Minister of Pakistan Gold Medal Award and the Business Man of the Year Trophy. While felicitating Mr. Ibrahim Qurshi, the representatives of the Computer industry in Pakistan said that this remarkable achievement is an acknowledgment of his outstanding services for the promotion of computer information technology sector
“I would try to avail the opportunity to portray the true potential of Pakistan and redress the misconceptions”, Mr. Qureshi said and reiterated that Pakistan offers very conducive environment for the investment in various sectors of the economy. He said that during his interaction with international delegates, he would present the real picture as well as the opportunities this wonderful land offers to the world.
Meanwhile, Munawar Iqbal, the president of PCA central, Yousaf Jamal, Senior Vice President Arshad Janjua, General Secretary, Abdullah Malik, the President of PCA Islamabad and other office bearers of the association have warmly greeted Mr. Ibrahim Qureshi on this significant achievement and said that it’s a result of dedication and hard work of Mr. Qureshi in this vital
sector of the economy.
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· admin on April 14 2010 11:44:47 ·
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| Import of used computers: KCCI urges government to reject proposed ban |
 KARACHI (April 07 2010): Proposed ban on import of used computers & I T equipment will hamper the socio-economic development with drastic decline in the literacy rate. This was stated by Abdul Majid, President, Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) during a meeting with Advisor to Prime Minister on Information Technology, Sardar Muhammad Latif Khan Khosa at Islamabad.
A delegation headed by President-KCCI called on Advisor to Prime Minister on I T for apprising the concerned Ministry and the government about the apprehensions regarding the proposed ban on the import of used computers.
Abdul Majid said, "We are of the high opinion that government should reject the proposed ban on import of used computers and I T equipment while considering it as baseless proposal, owing to the benefits of used/refurbished computers being extensively operated as mandatory and essential office automation tools from modern hospitals to small clinics, recognised universities to primary schools and institutions, large scale manufacturing concerns to SMEs and elsewhere in the public and private sector".
President, Karachi Electronics Dealers' Association (KEDA), Muhammad Idrees demanded to lower tariff on import of second-hand/used computers and allied accessories. The advisor assured the delegation that their suggestion will be considered and proposal will be sent to abolish the tax which will further lower the price and make it accessible expanding the network of users of computers.
Advisor to Prime Minister on Information Technology, Sardar Muhammad Latif Khan Khosa, responded while contradicting "Neither any direction came from the presidency and nor the ministry of Information Technology sent any recommendation to impose ban on the import of second-hand used computers in the country". However, he said that while heading the Ministry of I T would urge for the expansion of network of computer's user across the country.
Sardar Muhammad Latif Khan Khosa has said the government is fully sensitive to the requirements of Information Technology in the country and in order to make Pakistan a knowledge based society, a wide range of measures are being taken.
Sardar Muhammad Latif Khan Khosa said, "A host of proposals are being worked out to introduce 'Import Substitution Regime' with the help of foreign and local investors to start local manufacturing of computers and IT related equipment at affordable price," the advisor added. -PR |
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· admin on April 08 2010 01:06:13 ·
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