The Ministry of Interior took serious note of the threatening letters to leading cellular phone companies in Pakistan and formed a strategy to provide a foolproof security to the companies. The Ministry issued a directive to all concerned law enforcement agencies to make a comprehensive security arrangement of the leading cell phone companies to create a sense of security among foreign investors.
Law enforcement agencies would implement a special plan for the security of buildings particularly towers and other installations of the cellular companies. The letters have created panic among the foreign investors in some mobile phone companies and requested the government to immediately intervene for providing security to them. These foreign companies have made huge investment in telecom sector and also significantly contributing in the form of duties and taxes.
One of the leading cell phone companies, having huge network in Pakistan, received a threatening letter from some Jamat Touheed-wal Jihad at its Quetta and Peshawar chapters asking the company to stop vulgar advertising in which female folks are being used. The company was threatened of bomb attacks if the advertising campaign was not stopped immediately.
The company sent a letter to Interior Ministry seeking complete security and protection for its staff and property in the country. The company demanded security for entire staff particularly the female staff in Balochistan and NWFP. Besides the concerned cell phone company, the Ministry of Information Technology also sent a letter to Interior Ministry seeking complete security to the company staff, its offices and other property.
When contacted, spokesperson of ZONG admitted that the company has received threatening letter from some Jamat Touheed. According to the spokesperson, the company’s entire approach to its advertising is based on informing the public of various options and services available to them, in a simple easy to understand language and using every day people and no celebrities, male or female. ZONG has never used females as main characters in its advertising campaigns; in fact ZONG has set the trend of not using glamorous female faces and moving away from song and dance routines in its advertising.
He further stated that the ZONG is an equal opportunity employer, which has high focus on employee development through personal and professional training. There is a proper evaluation process in hiring people. If a candidate has the relevant capability and skill set to do a job, there is no restriction (such as male and female) on hiring.
In view of the current law and order situation in the country, we seek government’s full protection for our offices, installations and staff members’ especially female staff against this latest threat, spokesperson added.
[Via Business Recorder]
