ICH Case in LHC: No Relief for Overseas Callers Yet

اسے اردو میں پڑھیے

Lahore High CourtPakistan Telecommunication Authority, through its counsel, has told Lahore High Court that it has withdrawn its directives for establishment of International Clearing House (ICH).

This was stated during ICH case hearing today, in which PTA contented that it issued a letter to nullify its earlier directive for formation of ICH.

Petitioner, on other hands, observed that nullifying its directive by PTA isn’t enough and its MoIT that should take back its policy directive (Dated August 13th, 2012) under which ICH was formed.

It maybe recalled that PTA had issued a letter, addressing all LDIs yesterday, which said to consider authority’s earlier directive for formation ICH as withdrawn.

Despite withdrawal of PTA’s letter, and suspension of ICH, international callers are still paying high charges for making calls to Pakistan. Experts say that PTA will have to withdraw its another recent letter that settled lowest cap on international incoming calls.

The court adjourned the hearing of the case till December 13th, 2012.

Brain Telecommunication had filed the main petition challenging the levy of the additional tax on International Incoming calls. The petitioner-company stated that the additional tax on the incoming international calls was a violation of the rules prescribed in section 4 of the Competition Commission Act which prohibited the price fixing and division of market through quotas.

Later on, a petition moved by Saad Saleem on behalf of Pakistanis expatriates was also made party of the case that had contended that they were financially overburdened after the levy of additional tax on the international calls made to Pakistan.

This story is likely to get updated with more details soon.

Tech and telecom reporter for over 15 years


  • I am a bit confused about the letter you mentioned http://i49.tinypic.com/34opiyt.jpg
    This letter is revising rates from 1st Oct 2011. Also serial number of this letter is of year 2011. But the increase from which we are suffering started from 1st Oct 2012. I hope you may clear this confusion. Thanks

    • May be I am not very clear on it. As far as I know, it was first step to form the ICH. But some LDIs were not agree to sign ICH. That’s why it took long time to be implemented. Again this information is based on my personal information from a LDI CEO.

    • They are tooo much impress with PPP, they have history to announce and w/draw…its not new…

  • Mr. Amir; the letter you referred in link as to be withdrawn by PTA is pre-ICH letter. I think the letter they have to withdraw is pos-ICH letter with increasing the AAR, ASR and APC.

  • all LDIs must run their own network. their licenses require minimum of 14 PoPs operationals. if they cannot do that and instead using another LDIs network than their license should be cancelled

  • The calling rates are still damn high. When this government will apply the previous rates?


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