PTA could initiate legal action against Geo-Jang Group over SMS lucky draw scheme
JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 28 February 2015
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The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has declared the Geo-Jang media group's SMS lucky draw scheme illegal. The PTA intends to initiate legal proceedings unless the group obtains necessary approval from the Supreme Court by the deadline.Summary
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has termed a lucky draw scheme run by Geo-Jang media group as illegal and intends to initiate legal action.
“Failure to obtain a ruling on the subject matter from SCP (Supreme Court of Pakistan) before 28th Feb 2015 will result in legal action against Geo-Jang media group under contempt of court law,” a letter issued by the PTA to the media group said.
The group started a SMS lucky draw scheme titled “WORLDCUP HUNGAMA” with the announcement that people can win thousands of fabulous prizes through computerized lucky draw by sending their answers to three simple questions on a given number.
The group sought approval of the scheme from the PTA through a letter on Feb 15, though the scheme had already been launched.
“The scheme is in violation of the PTA policies and standing SCP judgment since its approval was not obtained from the authority prior to its launch,” the PTA letter to the group said.
A PTA spokesperson told JournalismPakistan.com the group has not intimated the PTA so far if it obtained any approval for its scheme from the Supreme Court.
“The PTA reserves its right to initiate legal action against the group if it fails to get approval of its scheme from the court,” he said.
KEY POINTS:
- PTA deems Geo-Jang's lucky draw scheme illegal.
- Legal action may be taken due to lack of approval.
- Scheme launched without PTA consent also violates court ruling.
- Deadline for approval set for February 28, 2015.
- Group announced prizes in a computerized draw.
