Sultan ul Arfeen 1941 – 2019
Chairman of Arfeen Group, Chairman Telecard Limited, Chairman Envicrete Limited, and many more entities, a visionary, a man ahead of his time, a humble person and above all, a gentleman.
The story of Pakistan’s Telecommunication journey will not be complete without the mention of Sultan ul Arfeen Sahib. Right from the establishment of Pakistan’s first Earth Satellite Station back in mid-seventies at Deh Mandro outside Karachi, to the regular introduction of new communication solutions to address the challenges in Pakistan till the late 2010s, the role played by the Arfeen Group under the tutelage of SA (as he was known within the group) is too large and diverse to capture in a short piece, but here is an inadequate summary.
Understanding very early the immense potential for Mobile Communications in a country with inadequate telecom infrastructure and high population growth, SA successfully lobbied the GoP to allow Cellular Licenses in the private sector in the late 1980s when very few countries of the world had cellular service. Later, when the approvals came through, he spearheaded the team to bring in foreign partners and expertise to launch Pakistan’s first Mobile Cellular company in the private sector, Instaphone, in the early nineties. The brand became a household name later on. SA remained on the Board of the Company, to guide and steer it for many years and the group remained a partner in the venture. His vision and effort started the transformation of the telecommunication scenario in the country and today the small beginning has transformed into a cellular eco system of over 180 million subscribers.
With the breakup of Soviet Union, the newly emerged CIS states offered an opportunity to enhance telecommunication services in the region. Arfeen Group, under the direction of SA, participated in the opening up of telecommunication services in Uzbekistan and partnered with a foreign group and the Govt. of Uzbekistan in providing management and marketing expertise to Uzdonrabita, today the largest cellular operator of Uzbekistan.
Around the same time, realizing the low penetration of land lines in the country, slow pace of roll out of fixed line service, and taking advantage of start of deregulation of the telecom sector in the country, SA was instrumental in steering the group to start a Payphone Operations under the brand name of Telecard. The company later on operated the largest number of payphones in the country serving as the critical link for those who had no other access to telecommunication facilities. Telecard was the first private sector telecommunications entity to become a publicly listed company in the country.
With deep insight into the telecommunications challenges in the rural areas, and a firm grip on the cutting edge technologies available, SA on the basis of his strong conviction on taking the Wireless Local Loop route to open up rural Pakistan to telecom services, set up a pilot Wireless Local Loop based payphone system supported by substantial financial outlay by the Group. However, due the usual red- tape related issues, it was another 8 years before commercial service could be launched after securing all necessary government approvals. Telecard became the first WLL operator in Pakistan and the largest Wireless Payphone operator in the country providing the critical communication link for millions of people who had no other access to telecommunication facilities, thus connecting the rural areas to the rest of the world.
Another testament to SA’s vision is the formation of Supernet in 1996 with a view to provide not only internet services to Pakistani consumers, but also to enable data communication for enterprise IT systems. Taking advantage of key new technologies of the time and forming alliances with large foreign partners, Supernet set up a multi- platform business to provide services to different segments of the new and rapidly evolving market. Today, the initiative taken by SA has blossomed into the largest enterprise-focused communication solutions provider which enables mission critical operating systems of banks, mobile operators, business of all sizes, and government entities. The network spans the ranges of Karakoram to the sandy shores of Gwadar providing cutting edge technology and connectivity solutions.
SA had a love for new technology to solve existing problems which was not limited to telecoms. He was also the visionary behind setting up Envicrete, which continues to provide cutting edge construction solutions to the Pakistani market.
Mr. Sultan ul Arfeen will be fondly remembered not only for his vision and deep insight into telecoms but also as a person who touched the lives of innumerous people who met him. Quick to offer his support and advice on not only professional matters but personal challenges as well, he was always accessible despite his busy schedule. He was a down-to-earth individual with no airs about him despite rubbing shoulders with global business leaders. A loving father, a caring husband and a glue to his larger family. He will be sorely missed by those whose lives he touched in many ways.
Chairman of Arfeen Group, Chairman Telecard Limited, Chairman Envicrete Limited, and many more entities, a visionary, a man ahead of his time, a humble person and above all, a gentleman.
The story of Pakistan’s Telecommunication journey will not be complete without the mention of Sultan ul Arfeen Sahib. Right from the establishment of Pakistan’s first Earth Satellite Station back in mid-seventies at Deh Mandro outside Karachi, to the regular introduction of new communication solutions to address the challenges in Pakistan till the late 2010s, the role played by the Arfeen Group under the tutelage of SA (as he was known within the group) is too large and diverse to capture in a short piece, but here is an inadequate summary.
Understanding very early the immense potential for Mobile Communications in a country with inadequate telecom infrastructure and high population growth, SA successfully lobbied the GoP to allow Cellular Licenses in the private sector in the late 1980s when very few countries of the world had cellular service. Later, when the approvals came through, he spearheaded the team to bring in foreign partners and expertise to launch Pakistan’s first Mobile Cellular company in the private sector, Instaphone, in the early nineties. The brand became a household name later on. SA remained on the Board of the Company, to guide and steer it for many years and the group remained a partner in the venture. His vision and effort started the transformation of the telecommunication scenario in the country and today the small beginning has transformed into a cellular eco system of over 180 million subscribers.
With the breakup of Soviet Union, the newly emerged CIS states offered an opportunity to enhance telecommunication services in the region. Arfeen Group, under the direction of SA, participated in the opening up of telecommunication services in Uzbekistan and partnered with a foreign group and the Govt. of Uzbekistan in providing management and marketing expertise to Uzdonrabita, today the largest cellular operator of Uzbekistan.
Around the same time, realizing the low penetration of land lines in the country, slow pace of roll out of fixed line service, and taking advantage of start of deregulation of the telecom sector in the country, SA was instrumental in steering the group to start a Payphone Operations under the brand name of Telecard. The company later on operated the largest number of payphones in the country serving as the critical link for those who had no other access to telecommunication facilities. Telecard was the first private sector telecommunications entity to become a publicly listed company in the country.
With deep insight into the telecommunications challenges in the rural areas, and a firm grip on the cutting edge technologies available, SA on the basis of his strong conviction on taking the Wireless Local Loop route to open up rural Pakistan to telecom services, set up a pilot Wireless Local Loop based payphone system supported by substantial financial outlay by the Group. However, due the usual red- tape related issues, it was another 8 years before commercial service could be launched after securing all necessary government approvals. Telecard became the first WLL operator in Pakistan and the largest Wireless Payphone operator in the country providing the critical communication link for millions of people who had no other access to telecommunication facilities, thus connecting the rural areas to the rest of the world.
Another testament to SA’s vision is the formation of Supernet in 1996 with a view to provide not only internet services to Pakistani consumers, but also to enable data communication for enterprise IT systems. Taking advantage of key new technologies of the time and forming alliances with large foreign partners, Supernet set up a multi- platform business to provide services to different segments of the new and rapidly evolving market. Today, the initiative taken by SA has blossomed into the largest enterprise-focused communication solutions provider which enables mission critical operating systems of banks, mobile operators, business of all sizes, and government entities. The network spans the ranges of Karakoram to the sandy shores of Gwadar providing cutting edge technology and connectivity solutions.
SA had a love for new technology to solve existing problems which was not limited to telecoms. He was also the visionary behind setting up Envicrete, which continues to provide cutting edge construction solutions to the Pakistani market.
Mr. Sultan ul Arfeen will be fondly remembered not only for his vision and deep insight into telecoms but also as a person who touched the lives of innumerous people who met him. Quick to offer his support and advice on not only professional matters but personal challenges as well, he was always accessible despite his busy schedule. He was a down-to-earth individual with no airs about him despite rubbing shoulders with global business leaders. A loving father, a caring husband and a glue to his larger family. He will be sorely missed by those whose lives he touched in many ways.
Sultan ul Arfeen 1941 – 2019
Chairman of Arfeen Group, Chairman Telecard Limited, Chairman Envicrete Limited, and many more entities, a visionary, a man ahead of his time, a humble person and above all, a gentleman.
The story of Pakistan’s Telecommunication journey will not be complete without the mention of Sultan ul Arfeen Sahib. Right from the establishment of Pakistan’s first Earth Satellite Station back in mid-seventies at Deh Mandro outside Karachi, to the regular introduction of new communication solutions to address the challenges in Pakistan till the late 2010s, the role played by the Arfeen Group under the tutelage of SA (as he was known within the group) is too large and diverse to capture in a short piece, but here is an inadequate summary.
Understanding very early the immense potential for Mobile Communications in a country with inadequate telecom infrastructure and high population growth, SA successfully lobbied the GoP to allow Cellular Licenses in the private sector in the late 1980s when very few countries of the world had cellular service. Later, when the approvals came through, he spearheaded the team to bring in foreign partners and expertise to launch Pakistan’s first Mobile Cellular company in the private sector, Instaphone, in the early nineties. The brand became a household name later on. SA remained on the Board of the Company, to guide and steer it for many years and the group remained a partner in the venture. His vision and effort started the transformation of the telecommunication scenario in the country and today the small beginning has transformed into a cellular eco system of over 180 million subscribers.
With the breakup of Soviet Union, the newly emerged CIS states offered an opportunity to enhance telecommunication services in the region. Arfeen Group, under the direction of SA, participated in the opening up of telecommunication services in Uzbekistan and partnered with a foreign group and the Govt. of Uzbekistan in providing management and marketing expertise to Uzdonrabita, today the largest cellular operator of Uzbekistan.
Around the same time, realizing the low penetration of land lines in the country, slow pace of roll out of fixed line service, and taking advantage of start of deregulation of the telecom sector in the country, SA was instrumental in steering the group to start a Payphone Operations under the brand name of Telecard. The company later on operated the largest number of payphones in the country serving as the critical link for those who had no other access to telecommunication facilities. Telecard was the first private sector telecommunications entity to become a publicly listed company in the country.
With deep insight into the telecommunications challenges in the rural areas, and a firm grip on the cutting edge technologies available, SA on the basis of his strong conviction on taking the Wireless Local Loop route to open up rural Pakistan to telecom services, set up a pilot Wireless Local Loop based payphone system supported by substantial financial outlay by the Group. However, due the usual red- tape related issues, it was another 8 years before commercial service could be launched after securing all necessary government approvals. Telecard became the first WLL operator in Pakistan and the largest Wireless Payphone operator in the country providing the critical communication link for millions of people who had no other access to telecommunication facilities, thus connecting the rural areas to the rest of the world.
Another testament to SA’s vision is the formation of Supernet in 1996 with a view to provide not only internet services to Pakistani consumers, but also to enable data communication for enterprise IT systems. Taking advantage of key new technologies of the time and forming alliances with large foreign partners, Supernet set up a multi- platform business to provide services to different segments of the new and rapidly evolving market. Today, the initiative taken by SA has blossomed into the largest enterprise-focused communication solutions provider which enables mission critical operating systems of banks, mobile operators, business of all sizes, and government entities. The network spans the ranges of Karakoram to the sandy shores of Gwadar providing cutting edge technology and connectivity solutions.
SA had a love for new technology to solve existing problems which was not limited to telecoms. He was also the visionary behind setting up Envicrete, which continues to provide cutting edge construction solutions to the Pakistani market.
Mr. Sultan ul Arfeen will be fondly remembered not only for his vision and deep insight into telecoms but also as a person who touched the lives of innumerous people who met him. Quick to offer his support and advice on not only professional matters but personal challenges as well, he was always accessible despite his busy schedule. He was a down-to-earth individual with no airs about him despite rubbing shoulders with global business leaders. A loving father, a caring husband and a glue to his larger family. He will be sorely missed by those whose lives he touched in many ways.
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