"The privatisation of Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) by the government has been acclaimed as a revolutionary endeavour and could be described as a paradigm shift in governmental thinking and action.
"Although the organisation has been handed over to a foreign corporation with the stipulation that it would be transformed into a world class entity, there is still immense scope for the new management to implement its vision through instilling stability, to improve consumer facilitation programmes, and to restructure the rates at international prices."
This was stated by Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) President Majyd Aziz, while addressing the KCCI Communications Sub-Committee. The KCCI chief also proposed that PTCL should set up on top priority basis a Women's Facilitation Cell for women entrepreneurs as this would add to the prestige of the PTCL.
He added that the PTCL hierarchy must take the chambers, who represented the bulk of telephone users, into confidence while formulating major policy changes. He said it was incumbent upon the utility to adopt well-focused goals so that the customers were not affected since communication on a daily basis is imperative for the operations of any business or industry.
Communications Sub-Committee Chairman Shahid Ismail stressed the need for making local calls free or at least making intra-exchange call free, as this was one pressing demands of the business community. He also questioned the rational behind charging line rent by the PTCL.
He appreciated the acceptance of the KCCI demand that PABX charges be waived, and also stressed the need for immediate consideration of all pending demands for new telephone connections for Karachi on a top priority basis. He appreciated the improvement in quality of service but cautioned that world class service must be maintained and continued.
Nafees Ahmed Siddiqui, EVP (Business South Zone) PTCL, who was the chief guest of the Communication Sub-Committee, said that making calls free was the domain of the Directors of PTCL and since it is a business and revenue matter, he will forward the proposal to the PTCL Board.