STAFF REPORT IBD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has nullified the Lahore High Courts interim decision that had suspended the International Clearing House and remanding the ICH case back to the Competition Commission of Pakistan and ruled that the LHC was not mandated to suspend this House. The apex court also said that the ICH case should be heard in accordance with the law.
It may be mentioned here that the LHC had suspended the ICH after a local telecom operator filed a petition against MoITs directive of implementing ICH.
The Lahore High Court had then suspending the ICH and had directed Pakistan Telecommunication Authority to implement court orders by asking operators to revert back to international incoming charges at pre-ICH level.
According to the ministry directive, all LDI operators, except PTCL, were asked to suspend their international circuits for international incoming traffic.
However, LDI operators later approached the Supreme Court against LHCs decision and requested to reinstate ICH.
While accepting the petition, the Lahore registry of Supreme Court nullified LHCs decision and reinstated ICH.
It is to be noted here that the ICH had given a free hand to operators to charge higher charges for international incoming calls.
This has not only surged stock values of telecom companies but has also enabled them to post record revenues during the last Oct-Dec 2012 quarter.