iWorld
Pakistan decides against selling stake in telecom firm to Etisalat
MUMBAI: In what is being seen as a setback to privatisation initiatives in Pakistan, that country’s government has cancelled the $2.6bn sale of a controlling stake in state-owned Pakistan Telecommunications (PTC) to the United Arab Emirates-based Etisalat.
Media reports indicate that the UAE operator failed to make the agreed payment by the deadline given. Pakistan’s Privatisation Commission isued a statement that said, “In spite of the necessary facilitation within the transaction framework, Etisalat failed to make payment of the balance bid amount within the mutually agreed extended timeline of 28 October 2005”.
This announcement comes at a time when foreign telecom carrIers are looking to expand into South Asia. As had been reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com Vodafone Group, the world’s biggest mobile-phone company, is buying 10 per cent stake in Bharti Tele-Ventures Ltd (BTVL) for approximately Rs 67 billion ($1.5 billion).
Analysts weer quoted in reports saying that Etisalat had raised several issues soon after its successful bid, including a deferred payment structure, permission to list PTCL shares in the UAE market as well as in Karachi, and various tax exemptions.
Etisalat may have been pressing for the concessions because it paid a price that exceeded market expectations and was far higher than other bids
The Pakistan government is now said to be examining the possibility of whether the stake should be awarded to China Mobile which was the second highest bidder.
iWorld
Hari Om OTT premieres Bhagwan Jhulelal Sai series
First devotional show on Jhulelal Sai streams in Sindhi and Hindi.
MUMBAI: Hari Om OTT just turned the tide for devotional dramas because when Jhulelal Sai steps onto the small screen, even the waves start streaming in two languages. Hari Om OTT, India’s leading devotional streaming platform launched in June 2024, has premiered Bhagwan Jhulelal Sai, a milestone series that marks the first-ever show dedicated to the revered deity of the Sindhi community. The show, starring Manish Raisinghani as Jhulelal Sai / Varun Dev and Parag Tyagi as Mirkh Shah, launched on Jhulelal Jayanti and is available in both Sindhi and Hindi.
The series chronicles the life, journey and teachings of Bhagwan Jhulelal Sai, blending mythology with historical elements to deliver an authentic and inspiring narrative for global audiences.
Manish Raisinghani said, “Portraying Jhulelal Sai and Varun Dev was not just a role, it was a spiritual journey and a moment of immense pride for my family and community. This one holds a special place in my heart, especially since the show is coming in our very own Sindhi language as well.”
Parag Tyagi added, “Jhulelal Sai is the first-ever show that beautifully blends mythology with history. Hari Om has achieved something truly special by bringing the stories of our gods and goddesses to audiences in their authentic language.”
Hari Om OTT CEO Avinash Dugar said, “With Bhagwan Jhulelal Sai, we’re excited to share this inspiring story with the Sindhi community and beyond. We will continue to showcase the stories of Indian culture and Sanatan Dharma to the world, presented in their own language.”
The premiere builds on Hari Om OTT’s track record of acclaimed devotional titles including Mata Lakshmi, Jai Jagannath, Shri Tirupati Balaji, Mata Saraswati and Chandra Dev, all focused on celebrating India’s cultural and spiritual legacy through high-quality storytelling.
In a streaming landscape crowded with fiction, Hari Om OTT is quietly proving that the most powerful stories aren’t made up, they’re the ones that have already inspired generations, now delivered straight to your screen in the language of devotion. Bhagwan Jhulelal Sai is now streaming on Hari Om OTT.
