Ali Naseer

Looking forward to the discussion and learning. Pl join us.

A behind-the-scenes moment from JazzWorld HQ after today’s spectrum auction. Big milestones are built long before the final result - through preparation, teamwork, and a shared commitment to building stronger digital foundations for Pakistan.

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The long-anticipated news of @PTCLOfficial acquisition of @telenorpakistan is finally out. This is big news for the industry and will definitely have long-lasting, (hopefully, positive) implications for the country and customers. - Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) are a common phenomenon in the business world. In-market consolidation is not necessarily bad news. Even large markets like India, China, and the USA are served by three main telecom operators. Duplicating expensive infrastructure costs (especially those based in USD, which consume our foreign exchange) is not a good idea. - However, with PTCL being 62% government-owned and 12% publicly owned, this acquisition seems more like nationalization as opposed to foreign direct investment, which is what the government has been trying to promote. - One must ask why the two foreign entrants in Pakistan in 2004 have been forced to exit (Warid in 2016 and Telenor in 2023). Collectively, they invested over $5 billion into Pakistan but couldn't justify continuing operations. Is it the market or our policies (like dollar-based spectrum prices, exorbitant taxation, long drawn endless litigation process, etc.)? What messages does it send to future investors? - Urgent introspection and reforms are required to avert a #DigitalEmergency. This includes delinking spectrum from dollar pricing, lowering taxes on internet usage and smartphones, reducing right-of-way charges, and simplifying the process, etc. Can't help but feel a bit sad. Telenor was a worthy competitor and a place I called home for 6 years. Formed many friendships there, learned about marketing, telecom, management, and leadership. Pakistan has a better workforce because of the progressive work practices we learned at Telenor. Thank you and goodbye. Lastly, congratulations to PTCL and good luck. Mergers are never easy!

@aamir_ibrahim01 @jazzpk @HBLPak @UBLDigital @SystemsLtd @MeezanBankLtd @WIPO @UN @GI_Index C’mon Pakistan, let’s rise together!

Congratulations to @Jazzpk, @HBLPak, @UBLDigital, @SystemsLtd, @MeezanBankLtd, and #ColgatePalmolive on their well-deserved recognition in the Global Innovation Index 2023, released by @WIPO (a specialized @UN agency). However, Pakistan's overall ranking in the @GI_Index clearly falls short of its true potential. To build a stronger global brand for Pakistan, we must elevate our efforts✨ #InnovationForProgress Let's take this challenge with determination and unity to shape a brighter and more progressive Pakistan! 🚀🌟 #RiseTogether #BrandPakistan

Group CEO of VEON @Kaan_Terzioglu and his senior leadership team of VEON & Jazz including the CEOs of Jazz, Jazz Cash and Mobilink Microfinance Bank visited my Karachi residence for Dinner & Discussion. @aamir_ibrahim01 @VEONGroup @jazzpk @NutshellGroup

4G for all!

In their zeal to show performance, institutions are now trying to outdo each other. State excess is never a good idea.

According to @GSMA 4 out of 10 people in Pakistan use a mobile phone. Today, #HandsetAffordability remains the biggest challenge when it comes to adoption of hi-speed networks across the globe. Handset affordability in 🇵🇰 has only gone from bad to worse in recent years owing primarily to a steep dollar rate spike, import bans, and excessive taxes. By adopting an integrated approach, we must prioritise #SmartPhoneInEveryHand and a #BroadbandInEveryHome along with, strengthening the enabling environments to drive greater #DigitalInclusion for all. #SDGs #EnablingTech

@naveedkbut Not sure about the background music!

Ufone Tower, view from Jinnah Avenue

As various stakeholders reflect on options to deal with economic challenges, especially of managing the Pakistan's forex reserves, there is need to avoid being hopelessly closed (and bureaucratic) and mindlessly open (at any cost) to foreign investment. Fortunately there are global models to learn from. 1. Mining: The African continent, ravaged by exploitation of natural resources without benefiting its people is not a model to emulate. Minerals extracted and removed abroad for refining and value addition deny the source countries their full value. Diamonds are not mined in Belgium but Belgium has created a market for the diamonds mined in Africa which it cuts and polishes. Indonesia on the other hand is a good model to consider. It banned export of ores - iron, lithium etc., opting to refine, smelt and convert these minerals into more value-added form such as batteries for EVs before exporting. Watch their minister at a recent global meeting explain Indonesia’s strategy. Pakistan has been exporting copper in the form of ore. With large reserves of copper, gold and other minerals likely to be unearthed at Reko Diq, we must explore the opportunity to establish onshore refining and smelting. Secondly, we should seriously ponder if diluting Pakistan’s share in the JV is of long-term benefit to the country. Lastly, what about rare earth and its strategic value to Pakistan? x.com/i/status/15329… 2. Agriculture: Even if Pakistan’s population growth rate falls to half the present, it will have25 Mnmore mouths to feed in 10 years. That is approximately the size of another Karachi. Food security should therefore be the primary objective of our agriculture policy. India’s ban on export of rice, sacrificing $9 bn of export earnings is a good example of securing food for its people. A key purpose of ME investors in agriculture is to ensure food security for their people. If we can’t grow more ourselves by using the right seeds, technology and water and are desperate for FDI, we should at the very least negotiate an equitable share of food for our people. 3. FDI: Today’s inward foreign investment, welcome as it may be, is tomorrow’s outflow of profits, that is when our forex reserves permit. Given Pakistan’s risk profile, the foreign investor payback target is relatively short; they also have multiple alternatives to investing in Pakistan and don't need to compromise returns. We should therefore channel FDI into sectors with potential for exports/forex earnings or those that reduce import reliance. That way, FDI can create a positive impact on the external account. Of course, FDI should also be encouraged into sectors for which local investors lack knowhow, capital or risk appetite. And, whilst we roll out red-carpet for new foreign investors, we should correct the policies that hurt existing investors, both foreign and local. Policies that place a disproportionate and growing burden of taxes, restrictions on remittances, high energy cost, poor protection of intellectual property, smuggling, under-invoicing, unlevel playing field vs the rapidly growing informal economy and more. Good to remember that the best ambassadors for the country are existing investors.@FinMinistryPak @PakPMO @investinpak

@qureshik74 Emotional baggage

What is the most expensive thing you own which you don’t need?

@nadeemhaque Less rewarding but possible

Is it possible to be neutral in Pakistan and gain respect?

#DunyaKoBataDo #JazzSuper4G #making #ConnectionBinaTension

@AishaFSarwari @guardian But massive congrats, nevertheless

Waking up to @guardian featuring you for the books to read this year, is both surreal and frankly, scary. Thank you so much to Mohsin Hamid to lending his star power to my memoir: theguardian.com/books/2023/jun…

@AishaFSarwari @guardian Why did Mohsin Hamid get an advance copy and I did not?

Latest Market Report by @Speedtest ranks @Jazzpk as Pakistan's fastest broadband outperforming not just other mobile broadband but also fixed broadband providers as well. Thank you @ExpressNewsPK for the acknowledgement