SC directs govt to appoint PTA chairman within 15 days

Appointments should be made before proceeding with the 3G auction, says chief justice.


Web Desk September 02, 2013
The chairman and other members should be appointed in fifteen days, says Chief Justice. PHOTO: FILE

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary has directed the government to appoint a chairman and other members for Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) in the next fifteen days, Express News reported on Monday.

“The appointments should be made before proceeding with the 3G licence auction,” said the chief justice.

The chief justice said that there is no existence of an organisation that can control grey traffic worth billions.

During the hearing Justice Jawwad S Khawaja also questioned the government’s intention of having a regulatory authority for cellular companies in Pakistan.

Pakistan’s cash-strapped government had promised to sell 3G mobile telephone licences to raise revenue, match regional rivals and drive prosperity.  However, the process has been beset by delays since the cabinet has to first appoint members to constitute PTA.

Even Afghanistan, Pakistan’s far less developed western neighbour with a weaker economy and more fragile state, has the technology.

But Pakistani consumers struggle to transfer data by phone, video streaming is often interrupted – although technically YouTube is banned – and video calls problematic.

A growth in broadband penetration is expected to lead 1.3% growth in gross domestic product (GDP) of Pakistan.

COMMENTS (4)

Techie | 11 years ago | Reply

Its the SC that seems to handle every odd in pakistan,why the Govt. is unable to play its role? The developed countries have already switched onto 4G, but we underdeveloped still pursuing for 3G auction!

Omar Rawi | 11 years ago | Reply

@Ashras Uzair, check your fact before writing. Afghanistan's three mobile companies (Etisalat, Roshan and MTN) run 3G, and its not a military device or technology so NATO takes it back. The Afghan government is auctioning 4G this year my friend.

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