A meeting was held at Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Headquarters to review the progress of establishing International Clearing House (ICH) and Technical Facility to curb illegal traffic.

The meeting was chaired by Chairman PTA, Dr. Mohammad Yaseen and attended by Member (Finance) PTA Syed Nasrul Karim A. Ghaznavi, concerned PTA officials and LDI operators.

The participants were briefed about the performance of existing Technical Facility to monitor and block the grey traffic. The operators expressed their full satisfaction in the system and its outcome. The progress of expansion of this system was also discussed in the meeting. It was informed to the meeting that the process for expansion has already been started. The Chairman directed the LDI operators to complete this process on priority.

The progress of setting up International Clearing House (ICH) was also discussed in the meeting. It may be recalled that ICH is being setup as a joint project of PTA and LDI operators for Reconciliation of International Telephonic Traffic (RITT). Once this system is installed, it will ensure factual recording of inbound/outbound traffic and accrue long term benefits to Government of Pakistan in the form of remittances worth millions of dollars.  It will also benefit LDI operators. The meeting was informed that necessary work is in hand to complete the formalities regarding setting up of this system. The Chairman directed that this project must be completed on time.

The Chairman PTA further directed LDI operators to strictly follow the PTA instructions regarding grey traffic. He said that legal action will be initiated against such LDI operators who are found involved in illegal practices.

 

Muhammad Younis

Director (Media & Communications)