Mobilink launches Pakistan’s First Handset Recycling Program

Islamabad – January 13, 2009 – Mobilink, the country’s market leader in cellular communication services with more than 30 million customers and a subsidiary of Orascom Telecom company has initiated Pakistan’s first “Handset Recycling Program” to share the benefits of cellular communication with the hearing impaired and the disabled and minimize the environmental impact of cellular waste through recycling.

Bilal Munir Sheikh, Vice President Marketing, Mobilink stated, “The Mobilink Handset Recycling Program, in collaboration with Pakistan Association of the Deaf and Disabled Welfare Association, is a first of its kind, nation-wide drive which reflects Mobilink’s commitment to give back to the community. This project is unique in terms of its environment-friendly approach. It is also a wonderful way of making people realize how their obsolete phones can actually make a difference in the lives of these special people and actually involving them in the process.”

Old and damaged cell phones, batteries, chargers and accessories irrespective of the model and make can be donated by simply dropping them in the recycling bins that have been especially placed for this purpose at select Mobilink CS centers across Pakistan.

Mobilink has teamed up with Ring Pakistan, a leading multinational specializing in GSM products and after sales service, to restore functionality using the highest environmental and social standards. Repairable and partially repairable cell phones and accessories will be shared with the Pakistan Association of the Deaf as well as the Disabled Welfare Association.

According to Irfan Mumtaz, President Pakistan Association of the Deaf, “The core objective of PAD is to empower, educate and develop leadership skills in deaf community and promote the self help organization concept amongst the deaf community. These handsets will be a great asset as the hearing impaired individuals rely solely on SMS messaging as their mode of mobile communication.”

Javed Rais, Founding President, Disabled Welfare Association added, “At a time when every thing is available at your fingertips, there is no reason why the disabled should not reap the benefits and we are grateful to Mobilink for taking this lead.”

The donated phones, found to be completely useless will be properly disposed off by Wastebusters, an internationally recognized fully integrated waste management organization, to minimize the environmental impact of cellular waste, after productive utilization of the functional components.

In the past, Mobilink has introduced various socially responsible services including the Mobilink Voice- Service-to-Teach, an innovative IVR service allowing visually impaired individuals to access audio books from the Punjab Board Matriculation curriculum; Mobilink PCO, a self-employment solution enabling people from all walks of life to earn a secured livelihood; and Mobilink Kisan Service, an IVR based service providing farmers access to price & weather information along with valuable advice on harvesting matters. Mobilink will continue to introduce more such service in the near future as well that are novel, socially inclusive, improve accessibility and connect the people of Pakistan in ways that truly reshape their lives.