(Islamabad: 25^th October, 2019) With regard to news appearing in certain section of media, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) wishes to clarify that in order to meet statutory and policy obligations, Telecom industry as per their license obligations was asked by PTA in 2017 to deploy a suitable system capable of monitoring/analyzing Internet traffic. Furthermore, the honorable Supreme Court of Pakistan and Lahore High Court, have both instructed PTA in separate cases to deploy technical systems for combating grey traffic and filtering objectionable Internet content respectively.

Any perception regarding Web Monitoring System (WMS) curtailing privacy or limiting the freedom of Internet users is false. This system will facilitate in the identification and eradication of grey traffic causing huge loss to the national exchequer, and Internet content management as mandated under Clause 37 of Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016.

Upon deployment of the system PTA shall be independently responsible for carrying out WMS Operations exclusively for mandate provided under the Telecom Reorganization Act 1996, PECA 2016 and Telecom Policy 2015.

PTA's positive role in regulating the Telecom sector with a consumer centric approach, has resulted in exceptional growth in Internet users during last 5 years. PTA has also ensured that latest technologies and services are affordable and available to Pakistan Telecom users.

 

Khurram A. Mehran

Director (PR)