June 12,2003

Islamabad. Consumer Rights Commission of Pakistan (CRCP) has welcomed the decision of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) of imposing a fine of Rs. 60 million on M/s Mobilink due to its poor service quality. The decision came after an open hearing held by PTA on the quality of service of M/s Mobilink on June 2, 2003. The Authority found serious problems in services quality of the M/s Mobilink and directed it to compensate its consumers worth Rs. 60 million and submit a compensation package to the Authority. CRCP said that the decision of the PTA was indeed in line with the spirit of regulatory regimes to ensure the protection of interests of all stakeholders, including consumed.

While reflecting on the issue, Mian Abrar Hafeez, secretary general CRCP, said that the quality of service in telecommunication sector in general and cellular phones in particular was not satisfactory and consumers were bearing the cost of inefficiencies of the cellular phone companies. “M/s Mobilink, which is one of the biggest cellular phone service providers in Pakistan, is not very careful about its quality of service. Consumers are facing numerous problems in the Mobilink service such as non-reliability in connectivity and disconnection during the call, etc”, he said. Mr. Abrar Hafeez appreciated the initiative of PTA to hold open hearing on the issues related to the quality of service of M/s Mobilink and termed the decision of PTA satisfactory. In line with the decision, the Mobilink has submitted a compensation package to the Authority worth Rs. 60 million according to a press report.

Mr. Abrar Hafeez highlighted the role of CRCP in the proceedings of PTA and explained that interventions of CRCP in the proceedings of the Authority aimed at protecting the interests of consumers. He stressed the need for an autonomous and independent regulatory framework, which could decide matters independently for protecting interests of all stakeholders, including consumers.

CRCP secretary general stressed that benefits of the compensation package submitted by M/s Mobilink should be passed on to the consumers of Mobilink in a transparent, expeditious and equitable manner. He also appreciated the step of PTA to give show cause notice to other cellular and fixed phone companies and hoped for an impartial and meritorious decision.

CRCP Hails PTA's Decision To Fine Mobilink for Poor Service Quailty