October 17, 2002	Thursday	Sha'aban 10, 1423

KARACHI, Oct 16: The closing down of voice chat channel by the Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited has adversely affected the exporters’ activity who depend on the facility for developing their products in consultation with their foreign clients.

In a letter addressed to Minister for Science and Technology, Atta-ur-Rehman, the ex-chairman of Pakistan Bedwear Exporters Association (PBEA) has lamented that Yahoo and MSN messenger services provided exporters instant voice chat link with customers over Internet.

However, the clamping down on non-PTCL means of communication in PTCL’s attempt to boost revenue has damaged export trade as cheap and smooth link with customers has come to a sudden halt, he added.

He further said that bedwear export industry, like other industries, was using the technology to their advantage. But after the withdrawal of this facility over Internet the cost of developing design in consultation with clients has increased, and in future exports will definitely bear the brunt.