Islamabad, Sept 28: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has deposited Rs1.2 billion with the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Council secretariat and Northern Areas secretariat on account of initial license fee (ILF) collected from four mobile operators to whom licenses were issued for these areas.

In the wake of October 8 earthquake the PTA granted temporary permission to mobile phone companies for provision of services in the affected areas. Later they were invited to obtain permanent licenses for AJK and Northern -Areas against the ILF of Rs10 million each. Subsequently, four mobile companies Mobilink, Ufone, Warid and Telenor acquired licenses by paying 50 per cent of the license fee (Rs5 million) each upfront as per the terms of the payment.

The Rs1.2 billion collected by PTA from four operators has been deposited with the AJK Council secretariat and the chief secretary NAs in the ratio of 77:23 based on the population of the two areas. Their share was Rs927.696 million and Rs277.104 million, respectively. In view of the special circumstances the PTA has not deducted any fee from the amount, says a PTA press release.

The fifth mobile license for AJK and NA has recently been issued to CMPak (Paktel) for which the fees would be deposited under the same arrangements. ---All five mobile companies will pay remaining 50 per cent (Rs5 million each) in 10 equal annual installments.

So far one million cellular mobile connections have been provided by cell phone operators in AJK and NA.