ISLAMABAD – Some of the country’s cellular service providers on Monday suspended Blackberry services to some diplomats and officials of foreign missions, triggering a controversy that finally compelled the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to withdraw its directive over the issue passed around two weeks ago.
However, PTA official told Pakistan Today that no direction was passed on to telecom operators to suspend Blackberry services to foreign missions or diplomats. “PTA did not issue any directions to cellular service providers to discontinue Blackberry services to any user. Operators have been advised to continue providing their services to the users until further orders,” the official said.
Meanwhile, an official at Mobilink said operations were being conducted per routine and no Blackberry service was discontinued. However, an official informed Pakistan Today that no cellular company could provide Blackberry service to foreign missions and in-bound roamers under given rules. An industry insider said the cellular companies received letters from PTA on January 10 for the suspension of Blackberry services to foreign missions.
The source added that PTA had asked the operators to follow the law and submit a compliance report to PTA. The source confirmed that a law was in place and cellular companies should obtain a clearance certificate from PTA before providing Blackberry services to foreign missions.
