Islamabad : A team of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Zonal Office Lahore alongwith FIA has raided different locations of Lahore and apprehended 12 persons alongwith confiscation of hundreds of unapproved equipments being used for illegal Vehicle Tracking Services (VTS). During the monitoring of VTS of companies, a team of PTA Zonal Office Lahore has discovered that there are companies providing illegal and substandard VTS services in different areas of Lahore. On tip off, raids were carried out on two factories in Johar Town where substandard, unapproved and illegal VTS equipments were being manufactured. The apprehended individuals are in custody of FIA for further investigation.

It may be mentioned that the online tracking of vehicles through telecom networks is one such service for which PTA issues license.  PTA is the statutory body established under Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organization) Act, 1996 to regulate the establishment, operation and maintenance of telecommunication systems and provision of telecommunication services in Pakistan.  In this connection, Section 20 of the Act empowers PTA to provide licenses and give type approvals of the telecom equipments under section 29.  To protect the rights of licensees and ensure provision of quality services to consumers, PTA monitors the services of the licensed operators and initiates action against illegal service providers.

Dr. Mohammed Yaseen, Chairman PTA has taken serious notice of the issue and warned all such illegal services providers to refrain from such activities; otherwise PTA shall take strict action against them as per the law. He has advised the general public to get vehicle tracking services from the licensed operators to avoid any inconvenience.

Khurram A.Mehran

Director (PR)