SWABI: The district bar association filed a petition in the consumer court here on Tuesday against the cell phone companies, including Pakistan Telecommunication Company and the telecom sector’s regulator — Pakistan Telecommunication Authority — for their failure to provide smooth cellular and internet services to consumers here.

The petition was filed under sections 12, 13, 14 and 16 of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Consumers Protection (Amendment) Act, 2015.

It sought the court’s orders for improvement in cellular and internet services and imposition of heavy penalty for deficient services.

The petition was filed by bar president Mohammad Sagheer Khan through his counsel Asfandyar Khan Advocate.

The respondents are primary cellular and internet service providers operating through franchises in the district, as well as their respective chief executive officers, and their regulator – PTA.

“The cellular networks operated by the companies have failed to provide satisfactory services within the district, particularly affecting the premises of the Swabi district courts, where uninterrupted network services are essential for the legal profession and official proceedings,” said the petitioner.

He said due to this lack of quality service, there have been significant disruptions in communication, affecting the legal process, other essential work, and the lives of customers and citizens throughout the district.

“The unreliable network services have caused financial losses, inconvenience and delay in critical professional and personal tasks, severely impacting advocates, court staff, business operators and general consumers, who depend on stable network connectivity,” the petition said.

It pointed out that despite numerous complaints and requests made to the companies, no improvements have been made to address these service deficiencies.

The petition said it was incumbent upon PTA to take action and hold the companies accountable for these persistent service issues.

“Under section 12 (complaints against service providers), section 13 (remedies for deficient services), section 14 (further action against providers of deficient services), and section 16 (penalty for failing to comply with the consumer’s right to quality services) of the Khyber Pakhtunkhawa Consumer Protection (Amendment) Act, 2015, it is the duty of the respondents to provide and ensure quality and satisfactory service to consumers,” the petitioner pointed out.

The court has issued notices to the companies, including PTCL and PTA, for the first hearing of the case on Nov 26.

Published in Dawn, November 13th, 2024