Muharram processions underway amid tight security

Police officials stand guard at MA Jinnah road during a Muharram procession. PHOTO: PPI

Tight security arrangements were put in place throughout various cities and towns in the country ahead of Muharram processions which began today (Thursday) and will continue tomorrow (Friday).

The procession routes in Karachi have been sealed by containers and bomb disposal squad?and sniffer dogs are continuously sweeping the area. More than 5,000 police and 4,000 Rangers?personnel have been deployed across the city to protect the procession, Express 24/7 reported. According to an earlier report in The Express Tribune, a security official had said 6,000 Rangers personnel would be deployed across the whole of Sindh. The city of Karachi is distributed into three zones, where the Rangers personnel will be on duty. The main processions will be monitored in the Command and Control Room through CCTV cameras while smaller processions will also be provided security by the Rangers.

In Lahore, 600 Rangers have been put on guard for processions till Muharram 10th. Some 20,000 Punjab policemen have been deployed in Lahore. Superintendent of Police (Security) Faisal Rana had earlier briefed that the route of the main procession in Lahore had been cleared and surrounded by barbed wire barricades, and 27 cameras would be installed in Mochi Gate, where the main mourning procession will begin. Pillion riding has also been banned in Lahore for two days and helicopters are monitoring sensitive locations.

The Muharram procession in Karachi will?start from Nishtar Park, pass through its traditional route which?includes Numaish Chorangi and?reach Imam Bargah Ali Raza where Zuhr prayers will be offered. Later the procession will pass through MA Jinnah Road, Bolton Market, Bombay Bazar and?end?at the Imam Bargah Hussainia Kharadar.

Similar processions will be taken out in other towns and cities of Pakistan.

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Intel And Microsoft Squeeze Symantec In Security Software

Not in an enviable spot

Microsoft recently started to offer an antivirus software product “Security Essentials” for free to businesses with 10 or fewer PCs and started to distribute the software through its Microsoft Update distribution system. ^[]

We believe that this step could further hurt antivirus software companies, especially Symantec, which is the dominant player in this market through its flagship product Norton. Intel also announced its acquisition of McAfee, which is in the process of being finalized and could present future challenges for Symantec given that it is a well known brand for antivirus software.

With Microsoft and Intel moving more aggressively into this space, we could see the landscape for antivirus software quickly change in the coming years. Below we assess the potential market share impact for Symantec. We currently have a price estimate of $22.33, roughly 30% above the current market price.

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Microsoft Security Essentials

Security Essentials was introduced in September 2009 and replaced Microsoft’s paid Windows Live OneCare subscription service. According to an accuracy rating agency, Security Essentials identified 98% of over half a million malware samples, ^[] which was second behind Symantec’s Norton. ^[]

The fact that Microsoft’s Security Essentials is free and conveniently installed through the Windows Update system gives Microsoft a distribution advantage and so consumers could opt for Security Essentials and replace Symantec’s Norton antivirus software. Moreover, the decision to provide Security Essential to businesses with 10 or fewer PCs for free could also enable Microsoft to gain a foothold with growing businesses that could become larger paying enterprise clients in the future.

Norton’s Current Leadership Threatened

Norton antivirus software constitutes around 29% of the $22.33 Trefis price estimate for Symantec’s stock. Symantec’s Norton is the market leader in the antivirus software market with a share of around 52% as of 2009. We believe that Symantec will slowly continue to lose market share to around 46% by the end of Trefis forecast period; however this could accelerate if competition heats up from tech giants Microsoft and Intel.

Symantec has lost share in the past in part due to higher prices than competitors and due to the fact that Norton’s PC requirements frustrates some users. Norton antivirus software is priced at $39.95 ^[], which is much higher than many antivirus products in the market (like AVG, Kaspersky Labs, Trend Micro and CA), and its software can be difficult to uninstall which frustrates some users.

Norton Antivirus 2011 promises better features like faster installation and faster virus scans. Another important security feature includes Norton’s approeach to virus and spam detection. Its new software will run behavior and reputation-based checks rather than the signature-based check which should make it more accurate. It works on the principle that a file or an email credentials will first be checked against Symantec’s server, which will have an extensive database of known issues. This proactive rather than reactive approach to software security holds a lot of promise in our view.

Due to its market leadership and new products, our base case suggests that Norton’s market share may not decline at a faster rate. However, the dual threats of Microsoft and Intel in its core businesses is a concern.

There could be downside of more than 10% for Symantec’s stock if its market share declines to 30% by the end of Trefis forecast period, instead of 46% that we forecast. This does not factor in potential pricing declines due to heightened competition which could add further pressure in this scenario.

You can see the complete $22.33 Trefis Price estimate for Symantec stock here.

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Cisco Plugs Into Network Security Business, Stock Eyes $24

Taking bigger steps into security

Cisco’s revenues from sales of network security products like Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and firewalls have risen from an estimated $1.1 billion in 2005 to around $1.9 billion in 2009. ^[]

Though Cisco is not as dominant in this area as the routers and switches business, it still commands a respectable 35-40% market share. ^[] Cisco’s primary competitors like Juniper, H-P, Check Point and McAfee are also seeing revenue growth, contributing to the overall growth of network security market.

While we expect Cisco will continue with its gradual growth trend in network security sales, the Trefis member community predicts a slight decline. We currently have a Trefis price estimate of $24.04 for Cisco’s stock, about 24% above the current market price of $19.44.

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Growing Demand for Network Security

Cisco’s revenues in network security products are tied to its network routers and switches business. Customers generally tend to buy an entire solution to meet their network infrastructure requirements, and Cisco has capitalized on its ability to deliver both core network equipment and security products.

The network security market slowed in 2009 mainly due to restricted spending by companies due to the recession but is now beginning to pick up. According to Infonetics Research, network security appliance and software revenue increased 7% worldwide between Q1 and Q2 2010, totaling $1.4 billion.

The three top vendors saw firm sales growth in the most recent quarter: Juniper (+12%), Check Point (+9%) and Cisco (+8%). Cisco was held back in recent quarters by supply constraints on some of its components that are fixed now. ^[] This will allow it make up for lost ground vs. its competitors.

The Trefis community forecasts that the network security revenues will increase from $1.8 billion in 2010 to $2 billion by 2016 while Trefis estimates an increase from $2.1 billion to $3.1 billion during the same period. The lower community forecast corresponds with a slight decrease in price estimate.

Our complete analysis for Cisco’s stock is here.

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Cisco Plugs Into Network Security Business, Stock Eyes $24

Taking bigger steps into security

Cisco’s revenues from sales of network security products like Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and firewalls have risen from an estimated $1.1 billion in 2005 to around $1.9 billion in 2009. ^[]

Though Cisco is not as dominant in this area as the routers and switches business, it still commands a respectable 35-40% market share. ^[] Cisco’s primary competitors like Juniper, H-P, Check Point and McAfee are also seeing revenue growth, contributing to the overall growth of network security market.

While we expect Cisco will continue with its gradual growth trend in network security sales, the Trefis member community predicts a slight decline. We currently have a Trefis price estimate of $24.04 for Cisco’s stock, about 24% above the current market price of $19.44.

Special Offer: Looking for the next ten-bagger stock selling for under $3 per share? Remember Baidu, True Religion and Chico’s FAS when they were cheap stocks? Click for the Top 40 Stocks under $3 from Forbes Low- Priced Stock Report.

Growing Demand for Network Security

Cisco’s revenues in network security products are tied to its network routers and switches business. Customers generally tend to buy an entire solution to meet their network infrastructure requirements, and Cisco has capitalized on its ability to deliver both core network equipment and security products.

The network security market slowed in 2009 mainly due to restricted spending by companies due to the recession but is now beginning to pick up. According to Infonetics Research, network security appliance and software revenue increased 7% worldwide between Q1 and Q2 2010, totaling $1.4 billion.

The three top vendors saw firm sales growth in the most recent quarter: Juniper (+12%), Check Point (+9%) and Cisco (+8%). Cisco was held back in recent quarters by supply constraints on some of its components that are fixed now. ^[] This will allow it make up for lost ground vs. its competitors.

The Trefis community forecasts that the network security revenues will increase from $1.8 billion in 2010 to $2 billion by 2016 while Trefis estimates an increase from $2.1 billion to $3.1 billion during the same period. The lower community forecast corresponds with a slight decrease in price estimate.

Our complete analysis for Cisco’s stock is here.

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Bank robbery in Lahore, security guard arrested on suspicion

SP CIA says bank staff or guards have often been found involved in several robbery cases.

LAHORE:?A bank robbery took place today (Monday) in Lahore’s Azam Cloth market in which Rs4 million were looted by armed robbers.

Security personnel at the bank say four armed men forced their way into the bank, right after opening. The robbers took bank staff hostage and took the money from cash counters before fleeing.

Police have arrested the security guard deployed at a bank on suspicion of abetment in a robbery. Superintendent Police Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) says bank staff or guards have often been found involved in several robbery cases.

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"Additional 3,000 to be deployed in Karachi security personnel.

Malik said right scrupulous are currently conducting an undercover operation against those involved in massacres of the target.

KARACHI: Minister of the Interior Rehman Malik said additional 3,000 members of security staff is deployed in Karachi to the law and order situation under control.

Talk to the media with sind Home Minister Zulfikar Mirza, Rehman Malik said right scrupulous are currently conducting an undercover operation against those involved in massacres of the target.

He said security are very close to their targets.

The Minister of the Interior promised to establish the writ of the Government throughout the country.

He said Karachi is worn to peace by taking action against criminals regardless of their membership.

Speaking on the occasion, Zulfikar Mirza has appealed to the leaders of political parties to avoid the games of blame which complicates the already tense situation.

Update (see below) print edition

Repression likely problem areas

The authorities are on the verge of launching a campaign of repression on the blemishes of difficulty of the city, particularly where the target shooting were trailing.

It is learned that the high authorities of page have instructed police and intelligence officials to provide information on the composition of the sensitive areas, the political influence and activities of criminals.

Officials said correspondent that the authorities have asked capital city police officers across the city to identify areas with a high probability of illegal weapons and criminals.

According to instructions, police officers were also requested to share their suggestions for successful operation of recherche.Ils also learned to identify previously involved in the fire of vehicles and tire in manifestations, from people in the air, murder and attempted murder.

Details of individuals involved in drug trafficking, land grab and street crimes are also searched.

This seems to be that the two meetings of large-scale sind Premier House and House sind Governor decided jeudi.La strategy on how to take action against criminals and features anti-people, however, must be reduced in secret.

The decision was made the meeting house CM.

Participants of the meeting at the House of the Governor has agreed to keep pursuing the "political conciliation" President Asif Zardari and MQM Chief Altaf Hussain.

Attended the meeting, the Minister of Interior Rehman Malik, sind Governor Dr. Ishratul Ebad Minister sind Qaim Ali Shah, representatives high top PPP and MQM, also forged a consensus on the launch of indiscriminate action against mafias of all hues - land, drugs, money and weapons extortion.

He developed the harrowing incidents shooting target for the three months in Karachi and patterns hidden behind these events.

Minister of the Interior Rehman Malik and sind Home Minister Zulfikar Mirza informed the meeting about the carnage of Shershah.Sources said that meeting decided to launch an action in sensitive areas by loopback outside localities light Enforcement Act Shershah incident report.

Earlier, the meeting house CM discussed in detail the Act and the status of the order in the province, especially in Karachi and cooked on ways on how to take action against criminals.

The meeting discussed the mode of action to be taken against the "anti-people" elements "in the light of the guidelines of of President Asif Zardar" and designed a strategy which must be kept confidential.

The meeting decided to descend on the criminal elements so that peace is restored in the metropolitan area.

In this regard, all political parties and groups will be taken with confidence - as a consensus - measures will be taken against the troublemakers indiscriminately.

Earlier, the Federal Minister of the Interior Minister provincial Chief met and he sent a special message from President Zardari him concerning the status of the law and order.

The two officials promised to take stringent measures to restore order in the city.

House of Mardan

Police have been ordered to stop Karachi target murderers without showing any thanks to them, sind Home Minister Zulfiqar Mirza said Thursday.

Talking to journalists in the House of Mardan, seat Karachi's Party National Awami, he said that everywhere where it was felt necessary police conduct operations to stop criminals.

"I was able to take the nod as a wife (ANP) and now I'm going to take another nod (MQM)", said Mirza.Il said that no operation or measures could be taken in any part of the city without its prior authorisation occupies only the burden of safety in the province.

"Our intelligence agencies are active and we know where and when to take action ', he ajouté.Il regretted that those already stopped for target shooting have been released by the courts because of the continued low.""This time we do ensure that evidence and the case of prosecutions are strong so that the perpetrators are punished," he said.

He refused to disclose political affiliations persons detained on charges of murder of target, saying that he would destroy the process of reconciliation as a whole. "We would rather keep our mouth closed.?

PDA sind Chapter President Shahi Syed has announced the end of the party to the proceedings of the Assembly of the sind boycott after having met with the Minister House sind.

The two discussed views on how to control the murders of target and to restore peace in the city.

While Shahi Syed said his party supported moves control the massacres of the target, he wanted to indiscriminate action against the coupables.Il however, prevents massive protests by the party if the Government has mounted a unilateral transaction to a single party.

M. Mirza assured the leader of the ANC as a solid reason not conduct any operation against community as a whole.(Fawad Shah has contributed to this report)

Published in the Tribune Express, October 22 ^nd, 2010.

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