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Burraq: Pakistan’s First Domestic Made Armed Drone

The United States Air Force has been using Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAV) in the war against terror for quite a while to target Taliban and insurgents in both Afghanistan and Pakistan.

In light of efficiency and productivity of these UAVs, Pakistan repeatedly requested USA to equip Pak army with drone technology, which were turned down. This was when Pakistan began its own UAV development program. The military funded different drones built by both the private and public sector.

The result is that Pakistan has made tremendous strides in UAV development. Mukhbir, Uqaab, Jasoos are just a few of the UAVs developed.

Pakistan in fact entered into a deal with the Italian firm, Selex-Galileo, for the licensed local production of UAV aircraft at the Kamra Aeronautical facilities. Falco UAV was built in these facilities and now the Air Force is looking to provide it firepower in the form of miniature missiles.

The Pakistan Navy also acquired rotorcraft drones from foreign sources while the Pakistan Army has been working to develop partnerships with China and has provided incentives to local manufacturers to continue developing advanced platforms within the country.

However these were all reconnaissance drones. There was awareness about the need for an armed drone capable of wiping out targets without the need for fighter jets and now it seems that the Burraq, under development for four years and billed as a long range and high endurance armed UAV aircraft, may be ready for deployment.

First news of Pakistan starting work on Predator-like drones surfaced in 2009, when it was revealed that NESCOM was flight testing a new design aircraft which was to be equipped with laser designator and laser guided missiles. Now it seems that all the pieces of the Pakistani drone development program puzzle are coming together. Sources suggest that it will be in flight by early 2012.

The Pakistani UAV program is just one indicator of the potential of this country. A domestic UAV program is beneficial in numerous ways. Firstly, it will aid the local manufacturing industry and all the money that would have flowed out of the country stays here.

If technology is purchased, it has to be used as it is provided, there is no room for customization and there's always the knowledge that the seller would be capable of neutralizing the technology in question if they wanted to since we don't know if they included fail safes in the designs if the technology were to be used against them.

With a domestic program, we can realize the full potential. This also provides a boost to different tech firms operating in Pakistan since someone has to supply all the things like materials to software to build the UAV. So not only is the Burraq is going to help bolster our defenses, it will also provide economic benefits.

The Burraq UAV is an example of how we can achieve whatever we set our minds to. In a world where foreign powers are looking to gain the upper hand when ever possible, such technological programs will work to keep them at bay while keeping our people safe. ProPakistani prays that we will continue to explore new research avenues and develop technology to protect the sovereignty of the country

Pakistan's Satellite PAKSAT-1R launched

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Beauty of Pakistan

Muree Pakistan

Karakoram Pakistan

Kalam Pakistan

Nanaga Parbat Pakistan

Ayubia Pakistan

HTC Evo 3D Launching in Pakistan

HTC Evo 3D, one of the first 3D android phones, is going to hit the stores in Pakistan from next week, revealed Android Pakistan, which is said to have direct information about the launch.

No words were said about the exact launch date for HTC Evo 3D, however, it is anticipated that launch may happen anytime around Eid-ul-Fitr. Not to mention, HTC Evo 3D is yet to be launched in various major markets of the world.

HTC Evo 3D is said to be the ultimate entertainment phone that boasts 1.2GHz dual-core processor, with 1 GB RAM and 1 GB of internal storage, and support for SD 2.0 compatible microSD memory card.

It is equipped with dual 5 megapixel cameras with auto focus and dual LED flash to shot 3D photos and videos of upto 720p resolution, that can be seen on the same device or you can output it on 3D TV using phone’s HDMI port.

Expected price of the HTC Evo 3D in Pakistan will be Rs. 60,000 – 62,000.

Pakistan Gets First Digital Forensics Firm

With rise of internet and mobile phone usage in the country, the dire need of digital forensics and information security solution was lying vacant.

To tap the demand, first of it’s kind fully digital forensics company has started it’s operations in Pakistan.

Hailing from Turkey, ‘Forensic People’ brings the experience of operating in 12 countries in the region. Their flyer says that they not only master in forensic of various digital formats but also provide trainings to corporate entities to remain vigilant.

Forensic People is currently working in areas, such as to investigate business frauds, Intellectual Property Right investigations, Decryption, password analysis and recovery and Legal consultation regarding e-Crimes and so on.

Currently they are in process of getting their local website up, but from what we have heard they are offering solutions in following fields:

• Computer Forensic
• Network Forensic
• Wireless Forensic
• Mobile Forensic
• Video Forensic
• Audio Forensic
• Voice Biometrics
• Live Forensic
• GPS Forensic
• Malware Detection
• Password Recovery
• Data Recovery
• Fast Imaging
• Steganography
• Forensic Accounting
• Consultancy

Pakistan to launch Remote Sensing Satellite in 2014

After the successful launch of communication satellite Paksat-IR, the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) plans to launch high resolution Remote Sensing Satellite System (RSSS) in 2014 to meet the national and international user requirements in the field of satellite imagery.

The system is planned to be a progressive and sustainable programme. Initially, the commission planned to launch an optical satellite with payload of 2.5 meter PAN in 700 km sun-synchronous or bit by the end of current, which will be followed by a series of optical and SAR Satellites.

SUPARCO Secretary Arshad H Siraj said it would be helpful in exploiting the potentials of space technologies for natural resource surveying and environmental monitoring. The system will also be significant in executing application projects of national significance, transfer technology to users in public and private sectors as remote sensing along with its allied technologies has become an industry in itself.

He said the commission was the pioneer in introducing these technologies in Pakistan using the satellite remote sensing techniques and the system would also be helpful in improving agriculture of the country, water resources, environment and other such issues.

The SUPARCO is aimed at contributing to the socio-economic development of the country by demonstrating the potential of space technologies for natural resources surveying and environment monitoring, he added.

Pakistan entered the space age with the formal launching of a second hand purchased Paksat-I in January 2003.

“Since then, our scientists and engineers had been making endeavours to launch indigenous satellite and ensure country’s permanent presence in the space”.

In replying to a question, the SUPARCO secretary said under the vision 2040 of Pakistan’s Space programme, more satellites would be launched, which would help improve socio-economic condition of the country. As far as launch of spaceship is concerned, no such planning is in considerations and the focus is to launch more communication satellites, he maintained.

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Pakistan’s first Communications Satellite PAKSAT-1R launched

Pakistan’s first Communications Satellite PAKSAT-1R, as a part of Pakistan’s Space Programme 2040, was launched on Thursday at 2117 hrs on board China’s Satellite Launch Vehicle from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre.
Besides others, launch was witnessed by Secretary Defence Lt Gen Syed Athar Ali (R), Secretary Foreign Affairs,    Salman Bashir, Director General, Strategic Plans Division Lt Gen Khalid Ahmed Kidwai (R) and Ambassador of Pakistan to China, Muhammad Masood Khan, said a press release issued here.
PAKSAT-1R has a total of 30 transponders, 12 in C-band and 18 in Ku-band.
The satellite will be deployed at 380E in the Geo-stationary orbit and it will replace the existing satellite PAKSAT-1.
PAKSAT-1R has a design life of 15 years and will provide TV broadcasting, Internet and data communication services across South and Central Asia, Eastern Europe, East Africa and the Far East. This satellite now enables extending of communication services to all areas of Pakistan.
The National Command Authority (NCA) recently approved Pakistan’s Space Programme 2040 during its meeting at the Strategic Plans Division (SPD) on 14 July 2011.
Earlier, the contract for the development of PAKSAT-1R was signed between Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) and China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC) in October 2008 during the visit of the President of Pakistan to China.
Pakistani engineers have worked closely with their Chinese counterparts during all stages of development of the satellite in China. Some experimental units developed at SUPARCO have also been integrated on the satellite for technology evaluation.
China and Pakistan have enjoyed more than 20 years of cooperation in Space Science, Technology and Applications.
The launch of Paksat-1R Satellite is a major milestone for both countries towards strengthening of this cooperation.
SUPARCO will continue its efforts for launching of other satellites including Remote Sensing Satellites, to ensure that the space technology applications fully contribute to socio-economic development and national security in Pakistan.

Pakistan to Launch Paksat-1R Satellite This Month

Pakistan is all set to launch its Paksat-1R satellite in next week or so in collaboration with China.

Paksat-1R is successor of Paksat-1 and will replace it as Paksat-1 is successfully going to complete its life, this year.

This Pakistani geostationary and advanced communication satellite will be launched from Chinese satellite launching site in second week of August, based on weather conditions.

Paksat-1R happens to be the first locally built satellite by scientists and engineers from Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission under the technical guidance and financial assistance from counterpart China National Space Administration of People’s Republic of China (PRC).

It carries communications payload to facilitate the introduction of a range of new services, including broadband Internet, digital television broadcasting, remote and rural telephony, emergency communications, tele-education and tele-medicine. The satellite is expected to have 15 years lifespan, and will be operated from Suparco Satellite Ground Station.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to China, Masood Khan unveiling the launch schedule, said:

Paksat-1R is going to be a new symbolic development in Pakistan-China relations, as it will broaden the horizons of cooperation between the two countries. It will revolutionize the use of broadband Internet, digital television broadcasting and mobile telephony. It will spur our economy, strengthen the education and health sectors and help us with disaster preparedness and response.

We are now looking at cooperation in remote sensing satellites. It is a long term project with many civilian uses. A remote sensing satellite will cover areas like agriculture, oceanography, disaster management and mitigation, crop monitoring, earth observation, water resources management, weather forecasting and urban planning. Such an application will have a direct positive impact on Pakistan’s socio-economic development.

Khan said that Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) is establishing the necessary space technology infrastructure in Pakistan and we would want to develop our spaceflight programme with cooperation of China.

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Pakistan Beauty

Cross-border attack of Pak and Afghan: Security forces kill 11 militants, regain control of Bajaur

An overnight operation by security forces and local lashkars against a cross-border attack in Bajaur Agency ended on Friday when the army regained control of the area.

Several hundred militants had crossed over from Afghanistan and occupied three villages in Bajaur Agency.
Express 24/7 correspondent Iftikhar Firdous reported that security forces regained control of the Bara Mokha, Sarkai and Mano Zangal villages after a successful operation in which 11 militants were killed.
Three men from the lashkar and one security official were also killed in the operation against militants. Officials said that the death toll is likely to rise.
Updated from print edition (below)
15 killed in cross-border attack in Bajaur Agency
Several hundred militants crossed the border from Afghanistan to Bajaur Agency on Thursday, resulting in hours of clashes that killed 15 people.
The dead included nine militants, three lashkar volunteers, a soldier and two women, sources said. However, government official Muhammad Ilyas Khan told AFP that 17 people had been killed, including three women, while three children had been injured.
The attack, close to Afghanistan’s Kunar province, occurred when around 300 militants attacked three villages at around 4:00am. “Tribesmen from the local lashkar (militia) joined paramilitary forces and the army artillery pounded shells,” Khan said. Following the attack, security forces were deployed in the area.
The militants eventually fled and the firing stopped around 1.00 pm, local government and security officials said. Security sources put the number of attackers around 200.