ISLAMABAD (MEDIA)
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has instructed all the cellular operators of the country to immediately stop all kind of chat packages including voice and sms at any time of the day. According to directive No CPD-1(227) 13-PTA dated August 29 2013 with subject ‘Directive relating to packages offered by CMTOs contrary to moral values of society’, issued by the Authority stated that cellular operators continue voice and sms package (bundle offers) with different names despite ban imposed by the PTA. The PTA had imposed all kind of late night packages through directive no CPD-1(227) 12-PTA dated November 14, 2012. However, the cellular operators start selling these packages with different names and times. Later, PTA conducted a survey through its zonal offices and Services divisions to verify the implementation on its directive issues to the telecom industry. The survey revealed that the chat packages (voice and sms) are still operational under different names in clear violation of PTA directive. Keeping in view the foregoing, all cellular mobile operators are hereby once again directed to immediately stop all kind of chat packages (voice and sms) irrespective of time of the day and submit compliance by September 02 2013’, the directive states. Earlier, when PTA had imposed ban on night packages last year all the all cellular operators approached the Islamabad High Court and later withdrew the petition when the PTA has submitted some with some transcripts of mobile call recordings it had intercepted during late-night conversation of consumers with obscene contents. However, the cellular operators’ consortium had approached the Supreme Court on it and proceeding on their petition is still pending there.