Zong obtains stay against Rs 100m fine

Aftab Ahmed

Islamabad: Zong—a China Mobile Pakistan—has obtained a stay from Islamabad High Court (IHC) for not paying Rs 100 million penalties over non-compliance with regulatory laws.

A source in the Telecos and PTA confirmed to the Newztodays.com that One of the four CMOs in the country also obtained a stay for not paying a penalty of Rs 100 million within a stipulated time period of 15 days for violating the regulatory laws.

The Authority charged Zong Pakistan that the network involved in the use of “Grey SIMs.” The said SIMs involved in illegal activities and heinous crimes. Also, the sale of grey SIMs is causing immense loss to the national exchequer regularly.

PTA issued several reminders to Zong Pakistan about the sale of SIMs. The said sale of SIMs used for illegal activities and “Grey Trafficking,”. Hence, the Authority identified 23 unique franchises involved in selling SIMs and involved in grey trafficking.

CMPak Limited is doing business under the brand name Zong 4G. It is a Pakistan-based mobile data network operator owned by China Mobile. The network is the first overseas set up of China Mobile. It acquired a license from Millicom to operate a GSM network in Pakistan in 2008.