KARACHI: In a major move to protect mobile consumers, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has issued a formal advisory addressing public complaints regarding the unauthorized activation of Value Added Services (VAS). The telecom regulator has taken strict notice of reports where users were being charged for services—such as ringtones, news alerts, or games—activated on their numbers without their explicit consent.
New Verification Standards According to the PTA, no Value Added Service can be activated without the prior consent of the user. To ensure complete transparency, the Authority has now mandated One-Time Password (OTP) verification for all such services. This means that no service can be activated unless the subscriber manually confirms it via a secure code sent to their device. The PTA has declared any unauthorized or hidden activation as unacceptable and a direct violation of consumer rights.
Consumer Safety and Redressal The advisory further cautions mobile users to be wary of suspicious links and unnecessary services. If a user encounters irrelevant charges, they are advised to immediately contact their respective mobile operator. For further assistance or unresolved grievances, consumers can approach the PTA Complaint Management System (CMS). The regulator remains committed to ensuring transparency in the telecom sector and safeguarding the interests of millions of subscribers across the country.
