Sameer Nazir
KARACHI: K-Electric (KE) through its press statement has announced the successful installation of 103 new low-cost meters for the underprivileged society in Zarobi colony near Keemari/Clifton. The colony was previously a kunda infested area and hence the installation of low-cost meter scheme has been carried out to curb the usage of illegal connections.
According to KE press release, the company received almost 137 applications from the dwellers of this colony. As part of ‘One Stop Shop campaign’, the application forms were collected where the camps were set up by KE management in this area. Through this scheme, residents and shop owners of kunda infested areas could fill the application forms and get on-spot approval of the low-cost meters for a cost of Rs.2600. The press release added that more meters will continue to be installed in following days as well. The company is expected to receive around 200 more applications for the metered connections in this colony.
Considering the initiative taken by the residents of the Zarobi colony, KE’s spokesperson added, ‘‘The drive to convert hook connections to legal metered connections by dwellers of Zarobi colony gives out a very strong message to the masses, that if they want to turn their High-Loss areas into Low-Losses by reducing theft and losses in their respective areas, they will be exempted from Load-shedding’.
KE has been endeavoring to control power theft in the city and hence has been taking active measures to discourage kunda system by installing affordable meters in the disadvantaged areas. Zarobi colony was one such area where kunda system is prevalent due to which residents of the colony were facing problems like electricity theft and load-shedding. In an attempt to upgrade the system, the residents of Zarobi colony worked tirelessly along with KE team in order to get these illegal connections replaced by new Low-Cost Meters after agreeing to pay the cost of these meters as well- an act highly appreciated by KE. The scheme was previously conducted in several other areas as well including Mianwali colony, Pakhtoon Para Baldia and Syed Village and these areas are now free from kunda infestation.
Giving further details, KE also hopes that residents of other High-Loss areas in the city will discontinue resistance to positive change and cooperate with KE, as reduction in power losses would simply translate into lesser hours of Load-shedding and better supply of electricity.
Microsoft Devices Partners with Truecaller to Offer Free Premium Service for Nokia X Users
The partnership enables people to use Premium Truecaller features for 90 days; aligns the growth trajectory with Microsoft Devices’ expertise in emerging markets
Sameer Nazir
KARACHI: Microsoft Devices today announced its collaboration with Truecaller, the world’s largest verified mobile phone community, for Nokia X smartphones, which would allow people to have access to premium features of Truecaller for 90 days absolutely free. With this tie up, Nokia X users shall benefit with an enhanced Truecaller Premium experience.
Truecaller is a mobile app that helps you in identifying who is calling you; and protects you from unwanted calls. With over 70 million users worldwide, it has an unprecedented uptake in emerging markets. With this Nokia X tie up, Truecaller will be able to amplify it availability and uptake in countries in the MENA region namely, Pakistan, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Earlier this year in February, Microsoft Devices had announced its partnership with Truecaller where the app was available on the Nokia X app store. With this engagement, Nokia X users will avail an enriching experience of Truecaller.
While commenting on the partnership, James Rutherfoord, Vice President, Microsoft Devices North Africa, Levant and Near East said: “Our partnership with Truecaller is a testament of our continued commitment towards development of telecom services in emerging markets. Nokia X users can now avail the remarkable benefits of Truecaller totally free of cost for 90 days, thus augmenting their Nokia X experience manifolds.”
“Microsoft Devices is a trusted and popular brand in emerging markets and we are excited to see the culmination of two popular consumer products that would provide unmatched experience to people in the MENA region. Our partnership with Microsoft Devices will help get closer to our consumers and help them take the right call.” said Kari Krishnamurthy, VP Growth and Partnerships for Asia, Middle East and Africa at Truecaller.
The premium Truecaller application includes an advertisement free Truecaller experience, verification of profile views and 30 contact requests per month.