Pakistan bans SMS and voice chats, says it affects the youth

Karachi, Aug 31: Here comes another shocker from the neighbouring country curbing the freedom of individuals. As if a ban on YouTube was not enough, Pakistan has now gone ahead and announced a ban on chat packages for all cell phones including the

service and voice chats, citing moral values.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has asked all telecom companies to discontinue voice and text based chat services in order to dissuade the youth of the country from indulging in activities against the society.

The move was made after lawmakers and hardliners pressurised the federal government and complained that chat services made calling and chatting easier at night. PTA Director General Muhammad Talib Dogar has ordered telecom services to stop their messaging and chatting services by September 2.

SMS and chat services banned citing moral values

PTA officials said that a notice was sent to all telecom companies on November 2012 but they failed to comply with the same. Currently there are five cellular operators in the country who offer their services. The telecom industry in Pakistan is one of the most profitable as the country witnessed a boom in the cellular industry in the past five years.

The news however, has not gone down well with the cellular companies, who oppose the move and say that it is not justified.

OneIndia News