October 26, 2003

I AM writing my experience so that people benefit and save their time, money and peace of mind and not be deceived by attractive announcements.

Following a fairly successful academic career, I am now a doctor. It was on the basis of my ability to nail one good mark sheet after another, that my friends and family encouraged me and successfully persuaded me to phone and have myself registered with the programme that sks you if you want to be a millionaire? Little did I know that this little act of mine would rob me of my time, money and peace of mind, and be deceived by attractive announcements in the months to come.

It all started with a phone call, something for which I paid about Rs26 per minute excluding the taxes and all. A few days later I received a call from a girl. She identified herself as Miss Alvina Khan who explained that in order to participate in the programme, I had to buy and become a Gold Card Member. For that I would have to pay Rs2000 following which I will receive my Gold Card within 15 days. Thereafter, I will receive 25 telephone calls in a year through which I will be asked questions, and if I answer correctly I will be selected for the Fastest Finger First stage of the programme.

The process sounded quite simple, still I was skeptical. That is why I asked her to explain it to me again so that I can read the “fine print” before giving the money. The girl was courteous and explained to me the whole procedure, and laughed, and said, “If you become a Gold Card Member it’s almost a guarantee that you are a participant in the programme otherwise you can come and take your Rs2000/ back from my pocket.”

This girl definitely knew her work, or she wouldn’t be in marketing, now would she? Yes, I started receiving telephone calls and was asked different questions. However, I wasn’t able to answer in the first five or six attempts. But the question I was asked on September 3, I answered absolutely correctly. I informed Alvina and she told me that I will be contacted within a week, and if I wasn’t, I can call her again.

I was not contacted and I called Alvina again, desperately waiting for my turn to win one crore rupees. She asked to me talk at the helpline and I did. There I was introduced to some Mr Mazhar. I told this gentleman the whole story, from A to Z, and asked him for further progress. It was September 10 and it was during this conversation that I came to know of the ‘fine print’.

Mr Mazhar informed me that “when your answer was found to be correct, there took place a ballot between other correct answers and probably somebody else was selected”. This is the fine print that I had suspected of since I became a member on June 12 and gave Rs2000 after borrowing it from my mother.

I was stunned and very angry. “What’s all this drama of asking questions when again a balloting has to take place? Who am I to react to the company or programme policy, but as a client I should have been informed about this, before my money was taken from me. Had I given you my money after knowing this I would not have said a word after hearing this. But what does hiding this mean? This is dishonesty on your part” and I slammed the phone in disgust.

Immediately I gave Alvina a ring. But she being a smooth-operator told me that Mr Mazhar has given me absolutely wrong information. “Call me after two days and I will get it sorted out,” is what she told me.

I called her again, not for one crore rupees this time, but for the Rs2000 which were not mine. Alvina said that I will shortly be receiving an invitation letter for the programme. I did not believe her. However, more disturbing news came my way as I was told that the man who had given me the “wrong information” had been fired as he was spoiling the name of the channel due to incomplete and wrong information. I never wanted this. But as I went into it deeper, I found out that everything was just turning out to be fake. Shallow promises were the only thing that was the truth around here.

Anyway, two uneventful weeks passed before I picked up the phone and I called the helpline again. And unbelievably, it was Mr Mazhar who picked up the phone. I was a bit relieved that a man had at least not been fired due to my repeated telephone calls. Also, I lost trust in Miss Alvina Khan and in all things that she had said would happen.

Now, I wanted to talk to someone senior in the channel. And I was connected to someone who was introduced to me as one of the senior personnel. He again lent me a patient ear and told me that he would talk to the manager, Mr Shakil and respond immediately.

Now, this part of the story is the most interesting.

I received a phone call from him, twenty minutes after my call. His exact words were

“Should I tell you the truth or should I lie? Nothing will happen madam, somebody else has been selected. If three persons answer correctly, we have to (conduct) balloting. And as you say you should have been told about that before or it was hidden from you, then yes......Who will buy a card from us if we tell you everything clearly and truthfully?”

That was an eye-opener. I hope it opens our eyes.

I am a doctor and if I hide a part of the information from the patient, and that too due to patients’ feelings and weak heart, I can be sued if he/she came to know of that part after a few months or years. I can be sued for many millions if I am a practising abroad to pay for the mental disturbance I caused to him/her which was an empathizing gesture on my part. But I am in Pakistan where masses are deceived and this does not really matter. It’s an everyday affair. Deceived by leaders, shopkeepers, pirated items, cheated in terms of money, property and what not. I found my issue so small when I compared it to everything going on here. And thus, I want my issue to shut down now.

But I must say, these 0900 calls charge you many times the money mentioned. The call you make for the above mentioned programme is dialled to Dubai and you are charged the money as per the international rates. Please keep your eyes open, read between the lines and especially the fine print.

I wish everyone good luck always and may truth prevail in Pakistan. May we become as truthful and decent as we are when we are abroad, where we live like third-grade citizens but are proud to serve and be honest and dedicated for the service of people and especially our clients.

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