SC bans prize schemes by mobile companies

ISLAMABAD: While upholding the Islamabad High Court’s decision, the Supreme Court on Monday stopped telecom operators from offering prize winning schemes to consumers.In May 2012, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) issued a notice to cellular companies, directing them to stop all SMS-based prize schemes as it was a violation of the Telecom Consumer Protection Regulation, 1999. The notice was challenged by the telecom operators in the Islamabad High Court (IHC), but the court issued a verdict in PTA’s favour.Later, an appeal was filed in the apex court against the IHC’s decision. In its detailed verdict, the Supreme Court has declared that no one can be allowed to loot people in the name of ‘Inaami schemes’.