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Electricity, Phone, Internet, TV, Radio, Public Transportation, Banking, Postal and Other Services in Pakistan

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The telecommunications business in Pakistan is experiencing rapid growth due to the increase in competition brought about by the emergence of new companies. Mobile phone subscribers have increased in numbers, with the subscribers reaching 95.54 million as of July 2009. The technology used in the telecommunications industry has improved with the sudden influx of domestic and foreign capital pouring into the construction of “fixed-line” and mobile networks. There are five dominant companies in terms of telephone and mobile phone services; the leading companies are Mobilink™ at the top spot, followed by Telenor™ coming in second, Ufone™ at third place, close by is Warid Telecom™ in the fourth position, and lastly by Zong™. The use of fibre-optics in the telecommunications industry has brought about great improvements in terms of service quality like call reception and internet services. Internet access was introduced in the early 1990’s; the service however was of limited nature.

By 2006 the penetration of the internet into the Pakistani society still remained at low levels but the numbers are growing. Following the introduction of the internet to Pakistani society, Broadband internet access came courtesy of Telstra™. The signs of changing attitudes toward technological advances like the internet and wireless technology are becoming evident in the country; Pakistan has pursued an aggressive Information Technology (IT) policy, which would bolster the country’s drive for modernization and in keeping up with the technology. The Pakistani market presents a huge potential in terms of viability for information technology especially with the support of the Pakistani government.

In terms of transportation, buses and trucks have replaced the rails as the main mode of long-distance travelling. In 1970, the road transport industry in Pakistan was deregulated and encouraged a large number of new independent operators. The Karachi Circular Railway was the only functioning Mass Transit System in Pakistan until now but bus companies such as Daewoo bus in Lahore are now available. However, if you want to travel by plane, then Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is your choice. It is the national carrier of Pakistan and runs international flights to Europe, Middle East, Africa, East Asia and its neighbouring country, Afghanistan. Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Quetta and Peshawar are the locations of their principal airports.