January 1, 2021 (MLN): Pakistan Telecommunication Company (PTCL) is in discussions with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the Federal Government to finalize the terms and conditions for the renewal of its license.
The integrated license of the company was issued for 25 years effective from January 1, 1996, and valid until December 31, 2020; therefore, subsequent renewal was required effective January 1, 2021.
As per terms of the PTCL license, the company initiated the renewal process by formally requesting PTA on June 29, 2018 (30 months prior to the export/validity of the License).
PTA responded in the affirmative that PTCL’s license will be renewed in accordance with the Government Policy prevalent at the time of renewal.
Therefore, in the interest of business continuity and operations, PTCL sought a permanent injunction on December 18, 2020, from the Sindh High Court at Karachi by way of filing Suit No 2081/2020 wherein PTA is restrained from taking any adverse action against PTCL on expiry of license on December 31, 2020, and not to interfere in the business of PTCL and the provision of services on the basis of a license.
PTCL is confident that the license will be renewed at the earliest.
