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Q: What it is that you love the most serving this industry and what bothers you the most and you could have fixed it if you could?
Mr. Ahmed: Putting a smile on a stranger face and helping customers with his/her travel inquires is the feeling touches my soul every day and that’s the loveliest moment of my day. Being in customer service business we do get some irate customer once in a while but hey it’s a part of business and our courteous and trained staff never let a customer go unsatisfied.

Q: Every business has ups and downs, what were yours? Give me 2 each.
Mr. Ahmed: That’s right. Every business has good days and some bad days and my bad days were year 2001 and 2002, which are obviously the effects for 9/11 incidents. Other than that I have never looked back in by business career and I thanked God everyday for His blessings.

Q: How present scenario of terrorism is transforming this industry?
Mr. Ahmed: I don’t don call it terrorism, its just safety. Every business has its safety measures and they do implement and follow them for customers’ satisfaction and their safety. Yes, some people do use this industry to create chaos in daily life but concerned authorities have their hand full rectifying them and combating them without hurting the industry. It does hurt the industry a little bit but just always wins at the end.

Q: I heard that you have started a call center in Karachi? Is it true?
Mr. Ahmed: Yes, Mr. Naushad it is true and I have the honor to step into this industry thus creating employment opportunities in our country and I do hope more Pakistani overseas business community should look into outsourcing opportunities in Pakistan.

Q: How long you have been doing this and how many call centers you have so far?
Mr. Ahmed: I have been running a success call center in Karachi for the last 1 year.

Q: Is that inbound or outbound call center?
Mr. Ahmed:: It’s an inbound and outbound call center.

Q: How many contracts you have for those centers, are those local or international?
Mr. Ahmed: Naushad, so far I have a local credit card company and a customer service contract in Pakistan. I am signing a contract with a US Airline and also closing a deal with a huge Travel Agency in UK for 24/7 reservation system. Keep in mind all customers’ calls handled in Karachi with the same level of professionalism and efficiency as here in US.

Q: I have heard so much how difficult is doing business in Pakistan, what was your experience? How did government respond to your project so far?
Mr. Ahmed: It is very true that doing business in Pakistan is difficult but if you follow the procedure and do things the right way everything will fall on you like a peace of cake. At the same time business routines have changed a lot in Pakistan and government is trying its best to cater more foreign Pakistani business with incentives and better business plans.

Q: Do you think Outsourcing business is better that travel industry or it is call of the day? Which one interests you most?
Mr. Ahmed: Travel business and outsourcing are two different business avenues and I enjoy both. I find charm in travel business and of course it also gives me travel benefits. On the other hand call center helps my revenue, plus it also generate employment opportunities in my country and I really feel proud in contributing our young generation’s future.

Q: Do you think we are lagging in this industry as India has gone far ahead? Should government be more supportive?
Mr. Ahmed: Sorry to say, yes we are. Actually we need more individuals to come forward in this industry and its never too late. Computer industry is there forever and Internet is in our lives for the rest of the days. I feel government should take more initiative measures and do welcome foreign Pakistani investors in this sector.

Q: How do you manage your time running two businesses at the same in two different continents?
Mr. Ahmed: Naushad, if you didn’t read the book Time Management, you should. I manage my time according to the priority

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