May 11, 2006	Thursday	Rabi-us-Sani 12, 1427

ISLAMABAD, May 10: The Pakistan Telecom Authority (PTA) has directed the PTCL management not to announce any tariff packages without the prior approval of the authority.

According to a press release, the PTA issued this directive in the wake of a new package announced recently by the PTCL. Under the PTA fixed line tariff regulations the PTCL was mandated to seek prior approval of the authority before announcing any packages.

The authority while taking strict notice of PTCL announcement of a new package warned the operator that any violation of the directive would result in necessary action under the Pakistan Telecom Act (2006).

Under the Fixed-line Tariff Regulations 2004, PTCL was required to submit tariff proposal to the PTA one month prior to its announcement but the PTCL failed to do so.

The PTA was also examining the “anti-competitive” implications of the announced package and what benefit should accrue to PTCL as an incumbent operator.