Anti Pak SMS campaign?
By Shalini Singh

The Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) was formed in 1947.  Due to paucity of funds, it was taken over by the Government in 1961.  It was converted into a Corporation in 2002.  The Associated Press of Pakistan sells its stories to hundreds of local newspapers, magazines and online media.

Even as some mainstream media and right wing publications in both countries regularly attack each other, the technology media has been more balanced.  NASSCOM invited its counterparts from Pakistan to one of its premier conferences held this February in Mumbai.  Tech and telecom blogs from both countries have made it a point to see the positives across the border.

But it seems the virus of negativity can seep into tech blogs as well. The following Associated Press of Pakistan story has been picked up at least one prominent telecom blog leading to angry anti Indian comments by some Pakistani techies.

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Anti-Pakistan SMS campaign launched in India       

NEW DELHI, Mar 4 (APP): At a time when revolution in telecom is bringing the world together by providing instant communication access over long distances, Indian Government has launched a SMS campaign to discourage its population from making calls to Pakistan. Reportedly, since Jan 21, 2010 an SMS is being received on the mobile phones to exercise extra care while calling anyone in Pakistan. Whenever a call is made to Pakistan, the caller receives an SMS; “You just made a call to ISD Code 0092 (Pakistan’s international dialing code). We urge you to exercise caution while calling unknown number and sharing personal details as it can be misused”.

Launching of anti Pakistan campaign based on SMS technology is the latest ploy employed by the Indian spin-doctors to vitiate the public mindset.

With a massive anti-Pakistan propaganda campaign on print and electronic media in full swing, harnessing the sweep of cell phone technology will only serve to further pollute the Indian masses’ mind.
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