Zouhair appointed CEO Oracap; Rashid named new President & CEO of Mobilink

Islamabad, November 12, 2008: Mobilink, the country’s market leader in cellular communication services with 30 million customers and part of Orascom Telecom (OT), today announced that the Board of Directors at OT have appointed Rashid Khan to succeed Zouhair A. Khaliq as President & CEO of Mobilink with effect from December 01, 2008. Effective same date, Zouhair Khaliq has been appointed CEO of Oracap, a fully controlled subsidiary of Orascom Telecom Holding (OTH), and banking arm for the whole Group.

Zouhair A. Khaliq was appointed as the President & CEO of Mobilink on June 01, 2003. He has over 24 years of Board level and senior management experience primarily in the telecom and technology field and has a long-standing affiliation with OT in various senior positions including previously held positions as Executive Officer Operations and Group CFO. During his five and a half years at Mobilink the Company grew from under one million customers to over 30 million, deployed over US$ 2.5 billion worth of network, a nationwide optic fiber cable network and launched wireless broadband services under the Mobilink Infinity brand. In the process Mobilink today stands as not only the largest telecom solutions provider in the country but also has the distinction of being the largest private sector company in Pakistan.

Announcing the organizational changes, Naguib Sawiris, Chairman & CEO Orascom Telecom Holding said, “On behalf of the management team of Orascom Telecom Holding, I would like to wish Zouhair and Rashid the best of success in their new roles within the OTH Group.”

Rashid Khan brings vast management experience in telecommunications, IT, and other technologies to this country. For the last 14 years he held several management positions within the cellular business arena in the emerging markets. Earlier to that, for almost 15 years, he worked for various international companies where he acquired extensive working experience in developed markets, as well. Prior to this appointment, Rashid Khan was the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Banglalink (also an Orascom Telecom Company), the fastest growing cellular operator in Bangladesh. During his 2 years at Banglalink, the company grew by more than 3 times, achieved the No. 2 position in the market, and recently crossed the 10 million customers’ milestone. He had served as Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Mobilink from 2003 to 2006 before the assignment in Bangladesh.

Commenting on Rashid’s appointment, Zouhair said, “Rashid’s in depth knowledge of the cellular industry and proven operational leadership make him the ideal choice to lead Mobilink. I am confident that under his leadership the Mobilink team will continue to reshape communication and reshape lives! I am looking forward to driving new strategic initiatives at the Group level and nothing pleases me more than welcoming a former colleague to take on this challenging role and continue the great traditions established at Mobilink”.

"I am honored to take over the leadership of Mobilink and to continue to grow this company” said Rashid. “Mobilink has always been a pioneer and continues to be the leading telecommunication services provider in Pakistan. I wish Zouhair continued success in his new role and look forward to maintaining this tradition of leadership and innovation, and help the company grow as it enters a new phase in its operations,” he added.