Islamabad: Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) condemned the news released in few newspapers stating Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) order to shutdown 40,000 call centres running in the country. Mr. Talib Baloch, MD, PSEB clarified that the news released against the Call Centres is baseless and factually incorrect. In line with the government rules and regulations, PTA has asked the backbone operators to provide voice services to only the legitimate stakeholders, he added.

PSEB informed that a total of 516 Call Centres are registered with PSEB, so ordering closure of 40,000 Call Centres is totally out of the question. The sources also confirmed that the number of 1 million people employed in the Call Centre sector is also incorrect. In fact , all the Call Centres registered with PSEB are running their operations smoothly and none of them is closed. The Call Centre industry contributes significantly to the IT exports of Pakistan and PSEB assures its support for the sector’s best interest, he stated.

Currently, PTA in consultation with PSEB, is in the process of developing a strategy for the facilitation of call center industry. The aim is to develop guidelines; which may be followed by all stakeholders so as to render uninterrupted communication for call centers in future.

PSEB is a Government agency mandated to promote Pakistan's IT Industry, including software, IT Enabled Services, hardware and call centers locally and globally. PSEB has been facilitating the IT Industry through its programs in Human Capital, Office Space, Marketing, Company Capability Development, Telecom Bandwidth, Industry Finance, Public Policy, Strategy & Research, and Facilitation.

For further information please visit: www.pseb.org.pk