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Tag: PTA

  • PTA suspends PUBG

    PTA suspends PUBG

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Wednesday suspended online gaming application namely PUBG with immediate effect due to adverse effect on children health.

    According to a statement issued by the authority it had received complaints from different segments of society. Therefore, it has been decided to suspend the PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) game.

    The PTA has received numerous complaints against PUBG wherein it is stated that the game is addictive, wastage of time and poses serious negative impact on physical and psychological health of the Children.

    The authority noted that cases of suicide attribute to PUBG game were reported. The Lahore High Court (LHC) has also directed PTA to look into the issue and decide the matter after hearing the complaints. In this regard, a hearing is being conducted on July 09, 2020.

    The authority also decided to solicit views of the public with reference to the said online game. In this regard public is encouraged to provide feedback through [email protected] by July 10, 2020.

  • Pakistan imports mobile phones worth Rs18.2 billion in March

    Pakistan imports mobile phones worth Rs18.2 billion in March

    KARACHI: Pakistanis have spent Rs18.2 billion for import of mobile phones in March 2020 despite the reality of business halt after lockdown to contain coronavirus.

    According to data released by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the import of mobile phones was at Rs18.2 billion in March 2020 as compared with Rs16.13 billion worth mobile phones imported in February 2020, which is 12.72 percent higher.

    The import is 65 percent is higher in the month of March 2020 when compared with Rs11 billion in the same month of the last year.

    Industry sources explained that the rise in import of mobile phones was due to return of many Pakistanis living abroad due to spread of coronavirus.

    They said overall import during the month contracted due to several restriction after the outbreak of coronavirus.

    The overall import of mobile phone increased by 107.76 percent to Rs153 billion in July – March 2019/2020 as compared with Rs73.64 billion in the corresponding period of the last fiscal year.

    The unprecedented growth during the period was due to strict enforcement against smuggling of mobile phones. Besides, registration through a platform provided by Pakistan Telecom Authority (PTA) also encouraged the use of registered mobile phones in the country.

  • PTA monitors telecom operators amid coronavirus pandemic

    PTA monitors telecom operators amid coronavirus pandemic

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is monitoring packages offered by telecom operators amid coronavirus pandemic.

    A statement issued on Monday, the PTA said that the telecom operators have launched many offers/initiatives for their subscribers.

    Some are offering discounts or temporary upgrades at low or no cost during the crisis to help their subscribers stay connected.

    Details of these offers/packages are being regularly updated on PTA’s official website: www.pta.gov.pk

    In view of coronavirus pandemic and to provide immediate ease and facilitation to the general public, PTA has taken number of initiatives.

    These steps include sending awareness messages to subscribers for protection from Corona. So far 811.97 million messages have been sent since 19th March 2020 in Urdu, English and regional languages to mobile users across Pakistan.

    Awareness SMSs in Urdu and English have also been sent to the travelers/suspected persons who may have come into contact with coronavirus patients during travelling.

    More than 0.53 million messages have been sent to the travelers and suspected persons since 19th March 2020. Similarly, Corona Awareness Ring Back Tones (RBTs) have been initiated on 131.75 million subscribers’ mobile devices.

    To facilitate operations of educational institutions, call centers etc. 72 IPs have been whitelisted since 19th March 2020.

    During the period, PTA has allocated 12 different short codes and 6 UAN (Toll Free) numbers to Government entities working on controlling the pandemic.

    PTA has also facilitated in arranging donations by Mobile users in ‘Prime Minister’s COVID-19 Pandemic Relief Fund-2020′. Mobile subscribers can donate Rs 20/SMS by sending a text message on code 6677.

  • PTA allows free SMS for Ehsas Program

    PTA allows free SMS for Ehsas Program

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Thursday announced to make charge-free the SMS sent to Ehasas Program.

    A statement issued by PTA said that to facilitate people sending SMS to BISP code 8171 for Ehsas Program registration, all SMSs will be free with no charging from April 10, 2020.

    This decision to make SMS service free of charge has been taken in view of problems faced by some mobile subscribers with no balance, who now will be able to send SMS on 8171 with zero balance.

    It may be mentioned that PTA is extending full support to BISP, without any financial benefit, in its efforts to reach out people wanting for help through mobile technology.

  • Ufone tops PTA’s key performance indicators

    Ufone tops PTA’s key performance indicators

    ISLAMABAD: Ufone has topped to achieve key performance indicators (KPIs) set for performance of cellular mobile operators by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), a statement said on Wednesday.

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  • New mobile phone registration payment validity is seven days: PTA

    New mobile phone registration payment validity is seven days: PTA

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Friday said that payment of duty and tax for new mobile phone registration has to be made within seven days.

    In a statement, the authority said that the validity of all applications and payment slip identification (PSID) is seven days. During this period the applicant has to pay duty and taxes with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

    The PTA said that after lapse of seven days in which payment has not been made then the application/PSID would automatically deleted from the system. In such cases the claimants could not make payment at banks on invalid PSID.

    The authority said that in case expiry the applicants need to re-submit application for issuance of new PSID.

    The PTA introduced Device Identification Registration Blocking System (DIRBS). As par law all the new mobile phones has to get registration through this system within 60 days before linking to any local cellular provider.

    The PTA facilitated the registration of new mobile phones through three different ways including website, SMS and franchise of mobile operators/service centers.

  • Committee directs PTA to take harsh measures against hate speech on social media

    Committee directs PTA to take harsh measures against hate speech on social media

    ISLAMABAD: The Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat on Wednesday directed Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to take harsh measures against hate speech and religious intolerance on social media.

    The Committee met under the chairmanship of Syed Amin-ul-Haque, MNA in Parliament House and directed PTA to assert its regulatory role on telecommunication sector for improvement in service delivery and coverage in far flung areas.

    The Committee also directed PTA to take stringent measures to address the menace of hate speech and religious intolerance on social media.

    The Committee was given a comprehensive briefing about the regulatory mechanism of PTA and its future initiatives.

    The Chairman PTA apprised the Committee that PTA was actively pursuing its role as regulator on the telecommunication sector.

    He informed that PTA had ensured service delivery in accordance with the terms and conditions specified in the telecommunication licenses, modernization of services, regulate competition between telecom operators besides protecting consumers’ interests.

    Responding to a query of a Member, the Chairman PTA apprised that the Authority also ensures effective compliance of telecom services in far-flung areas by operators through Universal Support Fund (USF).

    He assured that PTA would take up the provision of telecom services through USF in Baluchistan and erstwhile FATA Districts.

    The Chairman PTA further informed that installation of Mobile Towers especially in the residential areas was allowed after a stringent process of verification and compliant to universal health and safety standards.

    The Committee appreciated the performance of PTA, however, directed to take appropriate measures against fraudulent element defrauding people of their money through mobile networks, obscenity, spreading hate speech, sectarianism and religious intolerance.

    He informed that investment conducive environment created by government had resulted in 70 percent rise in mobile devices assembly which would ultimately result in their manufacturing in Pakistan.

    The Committee while reviewing compliance of Committee’s earlier directives/recommendations appreciated the timely response by the Establishment Division.

    The Committee recommended for developing Standard Operation Procedure for disposal of cases of deputation in Federal Government Department under wedlock policy.

    The Committee directed Federal Public Service Commission to conclude inquiry into the alleged unauthorized amendment in FPSC rules within six weeks.

    The meeting was attended by Ali Muhammad Khan, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs MNAs; Ali Nawaz Awan, Aamir Talal Gopang, Muhammad Aslam Khan, Ms. Uzma Riaz, Mir Ghulam Ali Talpur, Mohsin Dawar, Additional Secretary, Establishment, Chairman PTA, Secretary Federal Public Service Commission and Senior Officers of the concerned departments.

  • Two cellular companies pay $449 million as license renewal fees

    Two cellular companies pay $449 million as license renewal fees

    ISLAMABAD: The government has received $449 million from two cellular companies as license renewal fees.

    “The government of Pakistan has received payment amounting to $224.6 million and Rs 35.262 billion (equivalent of $224.6 million) from two cellular companies respectively as their license renewal fee,” says a press statement issued by the Ministry of Finance on Tuesday.

    According to the statement, the license renewal fee of telecom companies collected by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority is a significant source of non-tax revenue for the federal government.

    “The government received Rs 35.2 billion from Jazz and US$ 224.6 million from Telenor in partial settlement for their cellular license renewal,” Dr. Hafeez Shaikh, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Finance, said in a twitter message.

    “Good news for the telecom industry and revenue collection of the federal government,” he added.

    Due to stay orders given by the apex court, the collection of this renewal fee from two telecom companies which was budgeted in previous fiscal year had been delayed.

    However, with the efforts of the Adviser to Prime Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, his team led by Secretary Finance and Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, due payment from the two companies has now been received by the government.

  • Zong becomes first operator to conduct successful 5G trial

    Zong becomes first operator to conduct successful 5G trial

    ISLAMABAD: Zong CMPAK has become the 1st Pakistani telecom operator to have successfully conducted the 5G trial, said a statement issued by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Friday.

    The PTA said that this year it unveiled its roadmap for facilitating public testing of 5G technology and related services in Pakistan in line with the policy of the government.

    Zong CMPAK has become the 1st Pakistani telecom operator to have successfully conducted the 5G trial.

    This is a proud moment for Pakistan and testament to the accelerating technological innovation within the country.

    Wireless technology developments, like 5G are expected to deliver increased flexibility, reliability and capacity to help meet requirements of a Digital Pakistan.

    This trial is the first one being conducted and there will be more on the different scenarios of 5G in the near future. PTA, as a regulator of ICT sector, is committed to supporting technology and innovation in Pakistan.

  • FPCCI seeks removal of protective duties on Pakistani products by Turkey

    FPCCI seeks removal of protective duties on Pakistani products by Turkey

    KARACHI: Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has urged Turkish authorities to remove protective duties imposed on Pakistani products.

    “Turkey should remove local preventive in PTA/FTA with Pakistan,” said Engr. Daroo Khan Achakzai, President, FPCCI in a statement on Friday.

    He said that in the past textile exports to Turkey was based on normal tariffs of imports but later Turkey imposed protective duties i.e. 18 percent which were very high, leading to decline in the earlier registered increase in the textile exports to Turkey.

    The volume of bilateral trade between both nations drastically reduced from US$1.08 billion to US$792 million after imposition of protective duty on textile.

    He appreciated the efforts of Government of Pakistan and Turkey to enter into Strategic Economic Framework (SEF) for enhancement of bilateral relations in trade, tourism, healthcare, hospitality, industry, education, housing, agriculture, aviation and banking.

    He further stated that Pakistan and Turkey has concluded nine rounds of negotiations including SEF; but so far the reports/outcome of negotiation has been not shared with the concerned stakeholders.

    He emphasized on the need of strong home-working of the government with the consultation of stakeholders for formulating list of concessionary items for FTA in trade with Turkey.

    Turkey being part of customs union with the EU, providing assumption that Pakistan may also have access to Turkish market under GSP+ status.

    This assumption was diluted due to refusal of Turkey to extend GSP+ status to Pakistan and Turkey proposed conducting negotiations on bilateral FTA between both countries.

    The President FPCCI urged the government to resolve all antidumping and non-tariff barriers before entering into SEF.

    Textile, rice, cutlery, crockery, badges, Musical instruments, surgical instruments, gloves, footwear, sports good, construction materials and leather products are the main exportable items of Pakistan that needs special market access to Turkey by reduction in tariff rates.

    He also stated that Pakistan offer Turkish for their participation in special economic zones which may add to the quality competition in specific housing, food and pharmaceutical industries.

    He also underlined the need of activation of train service with Turkey in order to reduce trade cost and transit time as trade through sea is not cost effective for both the nation.

    He further added that Turkey should promote trade directly with Pakistan instead of third countries like importing of surgical items from Germany that are originally manufactured in Pakistan.

    He also underlined the need of simplification of visa procedure for genuine businessmen and traders. He further added that Pakistan and Turkey both are active members of ECO, Developing eight and Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC). FPCCI will take up the above issues in the meeting between FPCCI and TOBB in the forthcoming meetings, he added.