The DNCR service and Citizen Data Privacy Act are important pieces but the puzzle is still far from complete. The good news is that the PTA has a positive vision.
By Naveed Naqvi
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister’s Head of Strategic Reforms Salman Sufi Thursday exulted in the launch of the Do Not Call Register (DNCR) service, and promised the enforcement of data protection the both citizens and businesses.
He was addressing Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA)’s Consumer Conference 2022 with the theme ‘Consumer First’. Sufi was the chief guest on this occasion. CEO USF Pakistan, IT and telecom sector representatives, consumer rights groups and public also participated in the event.
Participating in the event online, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s Strategic Reforms chief said that this conference was a great opportunity to get the views of consumers directly, especially the problems that people are facing.
Sufi mentioned the recent steps taken by the government such as opt-out/unsubscribe mechanism for inappropriate or unwanted messages, and said the Citizen Data Privacy Act will also be implemented to ensure data protection of citizens and businesses.
Addressing the conference, Chairman PTA, Major General (R) Aamir Azim Bajwa said that PTA is well aware of the needs of telecom users and all possible steps are being taken to solve their problems.
He said that the Consumer Conference is another serious attempt by PTA to get direct feedback from the public as consumers, and asserted that PTA is working towards improving the level of customer satisfaction to resolve customer issues.
Speaking on the occasion, Member (Compliance and Enforcement) PTA, Dr Khawar Siddique Khokhar said that PTA being a progressive regulator is committed to the improvement of customer experience and development of the sector.
Presentations were also given during the conference. USF Pakistan CEO Haris Mehmood Chaudhry briefed the participants about USF’s projects and highlighted USF’s efforts to bridge the digital divide in urban and rural areas. Representatives of some mobile operators highlighted the current scenario of the telecom sector and the steps taken towards quality service delivery.
DG CPD Abdul Samad and DG Enforcement PTA Brigadier Muhammad Shoaib reviewed the actions taken by PTA regarding customer complaints, service quality and illegal SIMM cards etc.
Representatives of consumer rights groups Mian Irfan Akram, Punjab Chairman Consumer Association of Pakistan (CAP) and Kamal Zada, Program Coordinator, Consumer Rights Commission of Pakistan (CRCP) praised PTA for addressing consumer issues.
PTA says they appreciated its efforts and hoped that it and the telecom sector would strive to resolve the fundamental issues facing consumers, such as quality of service (QoS).
At the end of the event, a live question and answer session with the attendees was also held in which the public also participated.
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