On Sunday, February 5, first meeting of Media Town residents was held at society's office. More than 30 residents and those who are constructing their houses attended. The residents discussed their problems with the office bearers. It was decided that each resident or under-construction house will pay 1,000 rupees per month as service charges for water supply, garbage collection and security. The Media Town has been providing water free of cost since 2010 from the money raised through possession fees and from its own resources.

It was decided to construct a mouse in the society, organise garbage collection, launch efforts for the completion of Sui Gas scheme in A block left incomplete by SNGPL. The residents were also briefed about the financial situation and ongoing efforts to set up a school in the locality in partnership with the private sector.

So far their are 85 houses in total being built or inhibited by journalists. It was suggested that a deadline should be fixed for possession of plots and hold regular monthly meetings on the first Sunday of every month at society office.

Media Town is a residential project of Rawalpindi-Islamabad Press Club situated adjacent to Police Foundation and Bahria Town in Loi Bher, Rawalpindi/Islamabad. The society has all basic facilities like water, electricity and gas. Only A block is without gas so far and the work is progress to complete the Sui Gas supply lines on urgent basis.

February 2, 2010

Journalists are considered the defenders of rights of the people and they are expected to expose the excesses committed by the government on the citizens of Pakistan, but sadly when it comes to their own rights, they are too hapless. People say that even the most corrupt police department dreads journalists, but it is no more valid in today's moneyed world. SNGPL (Sui Northern Gas Pipelines) is also a public utility department which considers itself above everything and openly challenges the journalists to do whatever they can, but it would not provide gas to their residential colony– Media Town, Loi Bher, Rawalpindi.

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Media Town is a housing project of Rawalpindi-Islamabad Press Club for the media personnel and journalists. It is adjacent to Police Foundation (O-9) and Bahria Town. It lies some 7.5 kilometers from Islamabad International Air Port turning on the main Islamabad Express Way. One can easily reach to Margalla Road, the farthest end of Islamabad in the foot of Margalla hills, in 20-25 minutes via Islamabad Express Way, no matter if it is rush hour. However, there could be traffic hold ups due to VVIP movement between Islamabad and the Airport. Continue reading →

After nine months of efforts, today I was finally able to withdraw my money from Moneybookers.com. I signed up at MB, because PayPal, the leading global online payment system did not work in Pakistan. I had to receive some money for the photographs sold at a website. Continue reading →

Media Town: The Rawalpindi Press Club housing scheme

On December 13, 2008, Chief Minister of Punjab provinces inaugurated the Media town, a housing scheme for the journalists of capital Islamabad and adjoining garrison city of Rawalpindi. The scheme, launched on March 21, 2007 with an estimated cost of 925.147 million rupees, spreads on 200 acres and has 1,643 residential plots. It is located off Islamabad Highway and borders with Bahria Town and PWD housing society.

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Building a house is a huge task which demands time, energy and strong nerves. This is what I feel after I started construction of my house at Media Town Rawalpindi on September 28, 2010. I am indebted to Mr Mujtaba Shahid who guided me from first steps and he continues to give advice and his time. I am really on a very tight budget as the investments which I had made in real estate have rally gone at the lowest ebb. A bad time to sell, but have to build now as later hike in construction material is imminent, especially in the wake of massive monsoon flooding in Pakistan which has affected 14 million people. Continue reading →

August 2, 2011

I moved to the new house on Thursday. Mazda truck made two trips and rest of the stuff was moved in various car trips and one Suzuki van. Monday night moved the last tranche of stuff, mostly fragile crockery via car and the other stuff via a hired Suzuki van. The premises was cleared by 10 pm. Now the packets are lying all over the house and once cupboards are cleaned, start putting things in order.

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December 28, 2010

The steel net weaving work resumed today after a day off taken by steel workers to look after their wounded colleague in hospital. Tomorrow electrician will start his work and on Thursday we have planed to pour concrete. Light rain is forecast on Wed/Thu. Praying that the rain should happen in early or late hours. Rain on Friday and afterward would be good for the new concrete. Continue reading →

A suicide bomber Monday blew himself up at a bank in Pakistani capital Islamabad killing a security guard and wounding four others, police said. The second bomb blast in less than 24 hours instilled fear among the people.

The suicide attack took place at private SILK bank (formerly Saudi-Pak Bank) at I-8 Markaz (commercial center) in Pakistani capital Islamabad.

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Islamabad, May 21, 2011: Pakistan on Saturday mulled measures to curb gray telephony by  recommending enhancement of punishment from three years to seven years and fine from Rs. 10 million to Rs. 50 million besides making it
non-bailable offence and offering rewards for informants.

In this connection a high level meeting was held in the Ministry of Interior presided by Federal Minister for Interior, Senator A. Rehman Malik to examine the ways and means to curb Gray Traffic in Pakistan. Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Secretary, Ministry of Information Technology and DG, FIA were present. Representatives of PTA and other government departments also attended.
After extensive deliberations, the following decisions were taken:-

1.      The capacity of monitoring system which is presently only 30% needs to go to the level of 100%. Ministry of Information Technology has been requested to move the matter for sanction of funds.

2.      It was also observed that the recent blockage of unauthorized SIMS will have a positive impact in reduction of Gray Traffic. Public has been advised that all those who have got more than the prescribed limits of SIMS should surrender immediately to PTA as a thorough scrutiny of the SIMs has been ordered and any body found in possession of those SIMS shall be proceed with in accordance with the law.

3.      It has also been observed that V fone system is being used by the Gray Traffickers. It was decided that more than three lines by any individual/premises/department will have to get an NOC from the PTA and its information shall be supplied to the FIA.

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