The Special Audit of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has revealed that important working partners and stakeholders do not have their representation in the decision making process of PTA management. It says that though the working arrangement of the Authority with federal government is carried out through Cabinet Division but being administrative ministry and Secretary Cabinet being PAO, has no significant role to play even in the approval of Authority’s budget after the amendment of PTA Act 2006. Similarly, it pointed out that the Ministry of Information Technology is the policy maker of telecom sector as well as administrative ministry for Universal Service Fund (USF) and Research and Development Fund. But there are certain issues long outstanding between MoIT, Finance Division and PTA which could not be resolved owing to lack of coordination mechanism among them. Due to non-representation of other stakeholders in the Authority and lack of coordination, the cases of litigation and centralized decision making are hindering the smooth and transparent functioning of the Authority, the audit observed. The Audit has recommended that the composition of Authority may be reviewed with a view to devising a mechanism for coordination between PTA and relevant Ministries to strengthen the internal controls and coordination within PTA as well. Under section 3(2) of the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organization) Act 1996 (Amended in 2006), an Authority shall manage the PTA. The Authority shall consist of three members one of whom shall be professional telecommunication engineer and other shall be financial expert to be appointed by the federal government for a term of four years and shall be eligible for appointment for a similar term or terms. Further the federal government may increase the number of the members of the Authority and prescribe their qualification and mode of appointment.
