FARUKH SHEHZAD

ISLAMABAD, DEC 15: Pakistan’s cellular and digital services leader, Zong 4G, has partnered with the leading IT support and managed services provider, Smart Future Technologies Pvt. Ltd., as their connectivity partner. 

Zong is one of the leading operator to provide such customized solutions to corporates of all domains and sizes in the industry. The partnership with Smart Future Technologies is in line with Zong’s efforts to help businesses digitalize and streamline their everyday operations for optimal productivity.

Commenting on the partnership, Zong’s official spokesperson said, “Connectivity drives us forward and as the widest 4G network of the country, our mission at Zong has always been to provide the best services to our customers all over Pakistan. 

We welcome Smart Technology Solutions on board and are confident that they will immediately feel the immense difference between their old systems and our tailored connectivity solutions that make everyday communications as seamless for them as they can get.”

“We’re pleased to have partnered with Zong 4G which is Pakistan’s leading digital services provider, and hope that this partnership will reflect positively on our productivity,” said Brigadier (Retired) Arshad Kayani, Smart Future Technologies.

“Our decision to choose Zong 4G’s business solutions to meet our everyday connectivity needs was based on Zong’s extensive data network coverage, speed, and unmatched corporate services and solutions. 

Smart Future Technologies is one of the first companies in Pakistan to use Zong’s One-Net IoT Platform to offer Industrial 4.0 Artificial Intelligence based solution commercially, which will broaden Zong’s B2B offering. We’re confident that it will prove to be a long and enduring association,” he further added.

In a bid to create a digital ecosystem for its corporate customers, Zong 4G is working closely with corporate clientele across the country and is introducing customized solutions to disrupt everyday mundane processes, and innovative approaches to tackle both simple and complex problem statements.

Through these technologically advanced business solutions, Zong 4G aspires to reinvent how businesses operate, having an overall impact on the corporate ecosystem in Pakistan. 

Its unparalleled technological advancement and unprecedented telecommunications experience have acted as a major benefactor in developing these wide-ranging business solutions.

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ISLAMABAD: A former PTI member, retired Justice Wajihuddin Ahmed, has claimed that the now-estranged PTI leader Jahangir Khan Tareen used to provide funds of up to Rs3 million per month for now-Prime Minister Imran Khan’s household expenses.

Ahmed, who had resigned from the PTI five years ago after developing serious differences with PTI chief Imran Khan, made the claim while speaking on Bol news programme ‘Tabdeeli’, but offered no proof for the same.

“This belief is entirely false that Imran Khan is a [financially] honest man,” Ahmed said. “His condition is such that he hasn’t been running his household himself for years.”

“In the start, the Jahangir Tareen group used to pay Rs3 million monthly to run his house,” he claimed, adding that the amount was later increased to Rs5m after it was determined that Rs3m were not enough for the PTI leader’s palatial Banigala residence.

He further said certain people within the party would try to outdo each other in footing the bills for things like keeping Imran’s car fuel tank and “keeping his pocket full at all times”.

The former supreme court judge then quoted an unnamed PTI leader as saying: “How can a man whose shoelaces are not even his own call himself righteous?”

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Political Communication Dr Shahbaz Gill rubbished Ahmed’s claim as “completely false and illogical”.

“Whoever knows Imran Khan, knows his honesty and dignity. Wajih sahib often makes illogical remarks such as these in despair over being expelled from the party,” he tweeted.

At a press conference, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said: “Jokers like retired Justice Wajihuddin say things like these to increase their importance. Such people are not recognised by their families either so there is no need to pay much attention to them.”

Ahmed had formally resigned from the PTI in September 2016.

He had served as the party’s election tribunal head. He was tasked to head a commission in 2013 to investigate “irregularities” in the PTI’s intra-party elections that took place before the general elections in the same year.

The retired justice developed differences with the party leadership over implementation of the recommendations made by the tribunal.

His party membership had been suspended in 2015, after which he presented a seven-point charter calling for the ouster of Jahangir Tareen, Pervaiz Khattak, Aleem Khan and Nadir Leghari from the PTI.

He alleged that the party was being run like a mafia without any institutional checks and balances.

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ISLAMABAD, DEC 14: Zonergy , Largest Solar and ESS solutions provider in Pakistan, has successfully achieved 5 billion sales target for the year 2021. Zonergy has strong footprint in all major cities of Pakistan making clean energy available to its consumer at affordable price with excellent after sales services.

Zonergy has established 50 plus franchises network across the country with an aim to expand its network to each city of Pakistan to embark upon the PM vision of Clean Green Pakistan and to help the country to overcome energy crisis and reduce their costs on fossil fuel energy sources and CO2 emission.

In short span, Zonergy has successfully acquired 30% market share of distributed PV energy storage in Pakistan which makes Zonergymajor player in the Renewable energy sector of Pakistan.

Zonergy has been providing Smart solar solutions to its commercial, Industrial and Consumer clients with best quality customize products and installation services. It is offering wide range of Solar products include Portable devices, Panels, On-grid and Hybrid Inverters and heating plates catering to the contemporary need of the consumer to large scale Industrial utility.

Being a Socially responsible Business Entity. Zonergy had donated millions of rupees to PM COVID-19 Fund along with supplies of Media equipment in fight against the pandemic. Zonergy had also signed CSR initiatives agreement with Punjab Ministry of Energy to uplift the deprived community with infrastructure development of educational and basic amenities in the region.

On this occasion Zonergy’s President Mr. Richard Guo praised the performance of the Pakistani team on making this landmark achievement through their sheer hard work and dedication. He further added “It’s a proud moment for Zonergy global for maintaining profitable business model in offshore units.

No doubt, we have proved once again that visionary leadership combined with wise management and dedicated workers can turn impossible to possible. I’m confident that we continue this trend for years to come and make real difference in the life of our consumers by offering best solar solutions at affordable cost.

Our vision is to transform energy sector in the world where each home and industry become indigenous clean energy producers and contribute towards national Energy building goal of self-reliance.

In 2022, we are going to invest more in Pakistan by expanding our offices to industrial zone and enlarge our sales and service team to provide better service to our clients in every corner of the country”.

Zonergy has ambitious expansion plan for the year 2022 in which Company intends to inject more investment in terms of providing Hi-Tech Solar products to its customers, generation more employment by increasing its workforce, expanding franchise network to provide quality services to every part of the country and helping the country to meet its growing demand of clean energy.

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3-day Pakistan Learning Festival kicks off in Karachi, A festival of agency, innovation and partnerships

KARACHI, Dec 14: The much-anticipated three-day Pakistan Learning Festival (PLF), an initiative of the Children’s Learning Festival (CLF), kicked off with a series of interactive sessions and activities on Tuesday, November 14, 2021 at the Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi. PLF is the flagship program of civil society organisation Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi (ITA)

The event, being co-hosted by the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi ; Secretary School Education and Literacy Department (SELD), Govt of Sindh Ghulam Akbar Laghari; and DC South Irshad Ali Sodhar, is being held in partnership with Bank of Punjab, Habib Metropolitan Bank, Oxford University Press (OUP), Room to Read (RtR), British Council Pakistan, National Foods, Sindh Education Foundation (SEF), EdLab Pakistan, Learning Pitch, CandyLand, Essa Laboratories, Lightstone Publishers, Sightsavers Pakistan, SOC Films, Telenor, Oxfam in Pakistan, UNESCO, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Museum and K-Electric.

Sindh Minister for Information and Labour Saeed Ghani inaugurated the three-day event as the Chief Guest along with SELD Secretary Laghari and CLF Goodwill Ambassador Ahsan Khan. The minister appreciated ITA and CLF’s efforts for providing an inclusive learning platform and a wonderful avenue to improve exposure to innovative and exciting new means of learning, especially post Covid-19.

Actor Ahsan Khan thrilled the audience with his presence and talked about promoting learning and protection as well as making Faiz Ahmed Faiz popular in schools and classes.

The festival began with National Anthem sung by students of Deaf Reach in the packed Sohail Rana Open Theatre, followed by the diverse St. Joseph's Convent (SJC) Choir singing the inspirational CLF anthem ‘Humain Kitab Chahiye’ written by Zehra Nigah and composed by Rakae Jamil.

ITA CEO Baela Raza Jamil, shared with the audience elements of the magic of CLF and its transformation into PLF.

She shared how ITA and CLF continued to work during COVID so that learning never stops, adding that the PLF is a part of ITA’s efforts to mitigate the learning losses incurred due to school closures.

Ameena Saiyid, co-founder CLF and its advisor, acknowledged the contribution of sponsors and partners to the cause of promoting the joy of reading, creativity and learning among our children and teachers.

A selection of 28 colorful and exciting children’s books, produced by RtR and adapted into Sindhi by ITA under the Pakistan Literacy Project (PLP) were launched in the presence of esteemed guests.

Four other books – Aik Sabaq Seekha by child author Aminah Alavi, Kaun Badshah Banna Chahta Hai by RtR and translated in Braille by SightSavers, Hamara Adabi Jashan written and illustrated by Maria Riaz, and Amai and Shabnam by Fauzia Minallah were also launched. Meanwhile, BoP CEO and President Zafar Masud announced the winners of Young Author Award 2021-2022 as the guest of honor.

OUP Managing Director Arshad Saeed Husain, British Council Area Director Michael Houlgate, EDLAB Co-founder and Director Muhammad Baqar, Abdullah Khan from Telenor and Saira Khan from National Foods also participated and lauded the efforts of ITA and CLF in organizing this hybrid learning festival.

Kitab Gari, a mobile rickshaw library rightly called ‘Jadoo Gari’, was also launched at the PLF and engaged the children, teachers and families through interactive activities throughout the day.

The first day saw the grounds and halls packed with children with multiple parallel sessions taking place in venues named after Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, Sohail Rana, Haseena Moin, Ahmed Shah, Fahmida Riaz, Mohenjo-daro, Anita Ghulam Ali, Sadiqain ki Gali, Jamshed Nusserwanjee Mehta courtyard and Burns Road. The day was full of lively activities and sessions with the highlights being a conversation with Dr. Arfa Zehra, Zehra Nigah and Mahtab A. Rashdi ‘Adab, Zuban aur Tehzeeb’; poetry session ‘Aao Bait Bazi Seekhain’ by Syed Nusrat Ali; concert by SJC choir; book launches by PLP and young authors moderated by Rumana Husain, Dr. Fouzia Khan, Rashdi and Atiya Dawood; and panel discussion on Climate Change and Global Warming by Tofiq Pasha Mooraj, Azra Raza and a student which was moderated by Afia Salam.

The event thus served as a platform to connect literary figures, thinkers, poets, and artists who produce new knowledge, with the children, teachers, parents and caregivers who are searching for effective and accelerated ways of learning in such difficult and uncertain circumstances.

The multiple sessions and activities at PLF Karachi were all carefully curated and conducted by renowned Resource Persons.

This included theatre play ‘Jungle Jungle Zindabad’ by Sheema Kermani of  Tehrik-e-Niswan; Music, Math and Nature by Asif Sinan; Let’s Talk Films for Social Change by Samar Minallah; open mic session ‘Bol Ke Lab Azaad Hain Teray’ by Atif Badar and Seema Zahid; Cinema Ghar; Saying it with Gogi Cartoons by cartoonist Nigar Nazar.

Not only this, the Art of Bookmaking by OUP, STEAM activities by Science Fuse, numeracy-heritage by SBP Museum, tiny tales and arts & crafts by British Council Library, Environment and Climate Change Corner by the Grand Maali of Pakistan Tofiq Pasha Mooraj, Digital-3D activities by Wonder Tree, Learning Pitch, Teach the World Foundation (TTWF) and Popup Learning; interactive activities by SEF and DIY arts and crafts by Naunehal Magazine attracted hordes of inquisitive children in the courtyard.

The arts and crafts workshops, such as those by the acclaimed Salma Habib, also generated a lot of interest. The day closed with indeed an unforgettable concert Ali Hamza Rakae Jamil and Rappers Waqas aka “Kakay”.

The PLF/CLF/TLF are ITA's flagship nationwide programs, promoting learning and above all social emotional learning especially at the time of COVID-19.

They have a nationwide footprint, having completed 74 CLFs in all provincial capitals, Islamabad and over 25 districts of the country, digital CLFs and PLFs, collectively reaching over 1.6 million children and teachers since its inception in November, 2011.

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ISLAMABAD, DEC 13: As part of its 'Let's Go Digital' mission, Pakistan's cellular and digital services giant, Zong 4G, has partnered with Molvi Abdul Haq School, Karachi to construct a digital lab there.

The digital lab was inaugurated by the Honorable Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Syed Amin Ul Haque on Saturday, 11th December 2021 in the presence of the top management of Zong 4G.

Leading the digital transformation in the country, Zong has set up a computer lab at the school for digital and curriculum learning. There is presently a computer curriculum and teachers at the school, but no computers through which students can practice and gain experience. 

Zong's digital lab will bridge the digital divide, enabling young children and their teachers to access digital education and letting them keep up with the rest of the world in terms of modern education.

Speaking at the occasion, Honorable Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Syed Amin Ul Haque said, “Pakistan is moving towards its mission of digital and social inclusion. Even more encouraging and promising is how the country’s ICT sector is serving as the primary vehicle in that uphill journey. 

By establishing this digital lab, we are deepening digital inclusion and I am thankful to Zong 4G for working hand-in-hand with the Government of Pakistan to accelerate the journey towards Digital Pakistan, a goal that is finally starting to take shape.

Commenting on the partnership, Spokesperson of Zong 4G  Said, "The digital lab at Molvi Abdul Haq School strive to bridge the digital divide that still exists in Pakistani society, particularly among the country's neglected sections. 

The program is in line with Pakistan's Digital Pakistan agenda, in which Zong plays a key role. This is just one of the many efforts we've made and will continue to make to digitally empower Pakistanis and create opportunities for them."

In Pakistan, Zong has recently boosted its efforts to promote digital education. The company recently teamed up with the Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) to create "How to E-lance," an online course.

Through these efforts, Zong aims to expand the scope of digital learning and aid even more young people, both men and women, in becoming digitally connected and capable of tapping into the immense opportunities that exist in the digital world.

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ISLAMABAD, DEC 13: Knowledge Platform, Pakistan’s leading edtech venture, is proud to announce the launch of Parhai Buddy, Pakistan’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered learning coach. Based on the principle of student-centric learning, this intelligent learning system enables a learner to travel along a personal learning pathway to master concepts and progress rapidly.

Parhai Buddy has been initially launched for Grades 6-10 Mathematics, General Science, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Later, English language learning will be added. Parhai Buddy has been launched on the company’s Learn Smart Pakistan platform: https://www.learnsmartpakistan.org/.

Any learner may register and improve his or her skills by as little as 15 minutes of AI-driven online learning each day.

Parhai Buddy sets a learner on his or her journey by taking a short diagnostic test and generating a customized learning pathway. Evaluating the learner’s performance based on his or her performance and the performance of other learners, Parhai Buddy recommends skills-based videos, games and tests. The learner’s pathway is continually adapted as he or she engages further, and new strengths and weaknesses emerge.

Students are expected to master over 1,800 concepts or “skills” in Mathematics and Sciences by the time they reach grade 9. Learning gaps are developed if these skills are not mastered. This is where Parhai Buddy comes in. Parhai Buddy takes the learner back to skills from previous gradesif needed to strengthen the learner’s foundations. 

By the same token, a learner with strong foundations can progress more rapidly. The learner also has an option to speed up his or her learning process at any time by taking a placement test.

Each learner is provided with progress reports and detailed data on his or her level of proficiency in each skill.

Knowledge Platform’s Founder and CEO, Mahboob Mahmood stated:“We are thrilled to lead educational changein Pakistan. It took us over two years of studying the performance of students across Pakistan and training our engine to recognize patterns and recommend solutions.

While personalized learning is always important, it is particularly important at this time. Over the past eighteen months, students have suffered massive learning losses due to the coronavirus pandemic.

While they may have moved on to new grades, the foundational skills of many students are not where there should be. Parhai Buddy enables each student to catch up and move forward at his or her own pace.

If schools and school networks also engage with the data and reports from these personal learning journeys, they can develop learning interventions that are highly tailored to student needs.

We look forward to working together with our many education partners to fuse digital and teacher-led learning across Pakistan.”

Knowledge Platform, Pakistan’s leading edtech venture, serves 300,000+ students and 1,000+ schools across Pakistan. For additional details, please visit https://www.knowledgeplatform.com.pk/parhai-buddy/

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ISLAMABAD, DEC 13: The Government of Japan has announced a US$ 4.35 million grant to procure essential oral polio vaccines as part of its continued support to Pakistan for its polio eradication efforts.  

This latest grant will be utilized for the procurement of 24 million oral doses of vaccines. It will allow the programme to reach around 21 million children under five years old with focus on the high-risk districts with persistent poliovirus transmission. The vaccines will be used during vaccination drives planned in 2022.

According the National Action Plan (NEAP) 2021-2023, the Polio Porgramme’s strategic goal is to permanently interrupt all poliovirus transmission in Pakistan by the end of 2023.

The notes of the grant were signed and exchanged between the Government of Japan and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the grant agreement was signed and exchanged between Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and UNICEF.

"The Polio eradication efforts made substantive progress this year by limiting the virus circulation resulted significant decrease of Polio cases despite challenges posed by COVID-19. The programme is confident to permanently interrupt all types of polioviruses by the end of 2023," said Dr. Shahzad Baig, National Coordinator of the Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme.

Appreciating the support of the Government of Japan, Dr Shahzad said, "We are grateful to the people and the Government of Japan for their unwavering support for the children of Pakistan, the new funding will enable us to reach every child with the essential polio vaccine."

WADA Mitsuhiro, Ambassador of Japan, appreciated the significant progress made this year in controlling the spread of poliovirus, saying that “we are now only one step away from the goal, polio-free Pakistan.”

He reiterated his support to the initiative for eradicating all types of poliovirus by the end of 2023 and noted that “Japan has provided assistance in maternal and child health, polio eradication, and routine immunization in Pakistan for decades and will continue its support that will directly benefit vulnerable people.”

"We are glad to witness collaborative effort between Polio program and Expanded Program on Immunization, represented by recently conducted Measles Rubella and Polio campaign. We are also honored that numerous Polio program experiences are utilized to fight against COVID-19, such as 1166 helpline, PCR test capacity at Polio Laboratory and vaccinators’ trainings by JICA Project.

We have a strong desire to witness the all types of polio virus interruption by the end of 2023 as suggested by Government of Pakistan. We appreciate the unwavering leadership of Government of Pakistan, with the highest respect to the frontline health workers.," said Shigeki Furuta, Chief Representative, JICA.

"Pakistan has achieved tremendous success against interrupting Polio virus this year. From 84 reported polio cases in year 2020, the incidence has come down to one case in the last eleven months," said Aida Girma, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan, highlighting the consistent efforts of the Government of Pakistan and partners.

"The last mile towards eradication, however, will be tough and requires continues support from the partners like Government of Japan to achieve a polio-free status," said Aida while acknowledging the support of the people and Government of Japan. 

The new funding is part of the continuous support of the Japan Government in the Polio Eradication programme since 1996. To date, the grant and loan contribution from the Government of Japan has amounted to approx. US$ 230.497 million dollars to support the Polio programme in Pakistan through UNICEF. 

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Islamabad, DEC 13: AAA Associates held a conference of the realtors and builder’s community today, at the Head Office of AAA Associates Phase 7, Bahria Town, Islamabad. The conference was conducted to discuss the new real estate policies, and immovable property valuations implemented by Government. Propertiers and builders from the twin cities participated in it. The meeting was presided by Chairman AAA Associates Sheikh Fawad Bashir. 

Chairman Federation of Realtor's Pakistan Musarat Ejaz Khan and the Vice Chairman of the Federation of Realtor’s Pakistan  Mr Najeeb Gul Abbasi were the chief guests of the session. MD AAA Associates Lt. Col. Shahzad Ali Kiani (r) was also presented at the conference. 

The session was attended by the Executive Member of the RCCI, Sardar Tanveer Sarwar, Active Member Federation of Realtors Malik Habib, and Mr Mubashir Hayat, Chaudhry Mushtaq, Naveed Kayani, Zafar Chaudhry, Munawar Shaikh Tayyab, Raja Zahid, Chaudhry Qaiser, Professor Tariq, Waseem Kayani, Daniyal Khan, and Babar Dar. 

In a recent move, the government has massively increased the valuation rates of immovable properties between 100 to 600 percent and in some cases up to 1000 percent depending on residential and commercial areas in Islamabad, Rawalpindi. The session discussed the implications of this drastic increase in the valuation rates on the Real Estate Industry. 

The participants unanimously expressed strong reservations on these rates, considering them unjustified and impractical. They will prove fatal for the currently booming real estate sector and It will put the industry on a halt.

Therefore, the session agreed on a justified and practicable valuation rate that, while offering a high revenue to the government, should be practical and implementable to the industry. The Association will forward the proposed rate table to the RTO for consideration and implementation. 

In the end, the Chairman AAA Associates Sheikh Fawad Bashir thanked all the guests for their participation. 

He highlighted the need for unified action by all builders and realtors in order to enable sustainable development in the sector and continued congenial relationships with the regulating agencies and the government.

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Karachi, DEC 13: On a beautiful Sunday morning, more than 140 passionate golfers came together at the Karachi Golf Club to support education for the less privileged at TCF’s 18th Annual Golf Tournament. 

The tournament was hosted by The Citizens Foundation (TCF) – a leading non-profit organisation that builds and operates schools in the urban slums and rural areas of Pakistan – to raise funds and bring less privileged children back to school amid the COVID-19 crisis.

Now in its 18th year, TCF’s Golf Tournament was played under a Texas Scramble Format while strictly adhering to Covid-19 safety guidelines. Siddiqsons Team Abdul Rahim, Qazi Amir Hussain, Yashal Shah and Omar Khalid emerged as winners of the tournament while Team Zee Zafar Mehmood, Abdul Rehman, Irfan Rashid and Humayun Zafar secured the runners-up title.

The tournament was also attended by Mr. Mike Nithavrianakis, Deputy High Commissioner Karachi and Trade Director Pakistan, as the Chief Guest who also distributed prizes during the presentation ceremony. He commented, TCF’s commitment to providing education to under privileged children throughout Pakistan is phenomenal. The transformational impact that this has on so many pupils is changing their and their families’ lives for the better.” 

“I am so thankful to the golfing community for their support in generously donating to TCF. The funds raised will help a large number of deserving kids and allow TCF to continue to reach more and more young people.”

Speaking at the event, Mr. Mushtaq Chhapra, TCF’s Co-Founder and Director said, “Every year, our incredible community of golfers gather to put up a great game of golf whilst also creating life-changing impact for less privileged children. 

With their generosity and support, we are bringing vulnerable children back into their classrooms after the COVID-19 crisis and reigniting their dreams! I am very grateful to all the participants, the Karachi Golf Club Team and our sponsors, who made this event a success yet again!”

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Washington, DEC 12: A smartphone can be a lifeline in an emergency, connecting you instantly to assistance and real-time resources.

If you’re preparing for or in the midst of an emergency, here are some of the best ways you can get your phone in the best shape to help you.

Make your battery last:

Assume your electricity can go out at any time and plan accordingly. Charge your phone and any additional devices ahead of time, leaving them plugged in until the last minute. Also charge any back-up batteries and laptops, then make sure all charging cords are collected in one place to take with you.

If the power is out, or if you’re no longer in a place with a power outlet, you’ll need to make any charges last as long as possible. To do that, follow these instructions:

• Turn on low power mode on your phone if it’s an option. On iPhones, go to Settings, Battery, and toggle on Low Power Mode so it’s green. On many Android phones, you can swipe down from top of the screen to see your notifications, and swipe down one more time to find a shortcut to the phone’s battery saver mode. Meanwhile, some recent Samsung phones offer even more aggressive ways to preserve battery life – go to Settings, then Battery and Device Care, Battery, and finally Power Saving mode to tweak these options as needed.
• Avoid draining activities. Don’t use your phone as a wi-fi hotspot for other people, don’t watch streaming videos and close any apps running in the background that might be using location. Turn off notifications you don’t need. If you’re in a safe place, you can turn off GPS to stretch the battery life.
• Wi-fi is less draining than cellular connections, so use it whenever possible. If you don’t need to be in immediate contact with anyone, you can even turn on Airplane mode for maximum power saving. Unless you’re planning on leaving your phone off for a long period of time, it’s better not to turn it off completely.
• Turn off Background App Refresh on iPhones. Go to Settings, General, Background App Refresh. If you have an Android phone, search in your settings for a feature called Data Saver and turn it on – it will prevent all apps except the ones you’ve selected from sending or receiving data in the background.
• Avoid phone calls, and especially video calls, in favour of texts when possible.
• Turn down your screen’s brightness.

Different ways to recharge your phone

Again, external batteries are the best to have. But in a pinch, you do have other options for recharging a device when the power is out.

• You can charge off a laptop if you have one. This is a good reason to charge your computers as well, even if you don’t plan on using them.
• If there’s a car available, you can connect through a USB port, whether it’s built in or through a lighter-port attachment. You can charge in many (but not all) cars by just turning them on to accessory mode – meaning you just turn the key once to fire up the radio but not the engine.

Contact for other assistance

Use your phone’s SOS service. Android and iOS both have built-in emergency options that will contact authorities. They also can be set up to send your current location to pre-chosen emergency contacts. It can vary depending on your device, so find out how it works ahead of time.

Share your location with friends

Your friends and family will want to know you are safe and your location in case you aren’t safe.

Send your location to everyone over text, so they’ll know where to look if you lose contact. If you are using a GPS location-sharing option, like the one in iPhone Messages, don’t just send your current spot one time. Select the option to share it indefinitely. You can turn this off later.

On an iPhone, you can also open the Find My app, select Friends and add people to share your location with. You can share your live location with others through Google Maps, though there are some limitations.

If you’re on social media and have service, drop a line to let people know you’re okay.

Get apps that work when cell service is spotty

If you’re struggling to find reliable internet and cellular connections, there are apps that could still help you stay in touch or give you helpful information. Download and set them up when you have plenty of bandwidth.

Zello: It’s a free messaging app for Android and iOS that lets people create and join group “channels” where they can send voice messages and images to many others at once. (Think of it as a free, smartphone-based walkie-talkie.) The app cannot be used at all if you don’t have an Internet connection.

Google Maps: Download the Google Maps information for surrounding areas in case you need to move fast and cell service isn’t available. Put in your main location, hit the three dots in the corner, select Download Offline Map. You can crop the exact area you think you’ll need.

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