WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION  
ORGANISATION MONDIALE DU COMMERCE  
ORGANIZACIÓN MUNDIAL DEL COMERCIO  
 
 
Centre William Rappard    Rue de Lausanne 154    Case postale    CH - 1211 Genève 21 
 Téléphone:  (+41 22) 739 51 11    Fax:  (+41 22) 731 42 06 
Internet:  http://www.wto.org  
 
 
 
 
Référence:   WLI/100          4 juillet 2002  
  
 
  
 
  
 
ACCORD DE MARRAKECH INSTITUANT 
L'ORGANISATION MONDIALE DU COMMERCE 
FAIT À MARRAKECH LE 15 AVRIL 1994 
 
QUATRIÈME PROTOCOLE ANNEXÉ À  
L'ACCORD GÉNÉRAL SUR LE COMMERCE DES SERVICES 
FAIT À GENÈVE LE 15 AVRIL 1997 
 
CERTIFICATION DES AMÉLIORATIONS  
CONCERNANT LES TÉLÉCOMMUNICATIONS DE BASE  
APPORTÉES À LA LISTE D'ENGAGEME NTS SPÉCIFIQUES DU PAKISTAN  
 
ENVOI DE COPIES CERTIFIÉES CONFORMES
 
 
J'ai l'honneur de vous faire parvenir ci-joint une copie certifiée conforme de la Certification 
des améliorations apportées à la section concernant les télécommunications de base de la Liste 
d'engagements spécifiques du Pakistan.  Le doc ument S/L/55 atteste de l'achèvement des 
procédures introduisant ces améliorations.  Les am éliorations certifiées prennent effet à compter du 
5 février 1998.1 
 
 
 
 
  
 Mike Moore 
 Directeur général 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 02-3734 
WT/Let/423 
                                                      
1 Pour plus de commodité, le texte de ces améliorations a aussi été distribué sous la cote 
GATS/SC/67/Su ppl.2/Rev.1.   
 
 
ACCORD DE MARRAKECH INSTITUANT 
L'ORGANISATION MONDIALE DU COMMERCE 
FAIT À MARRAKECH LE 15 AVRIL 1994 
 
QUATRIÈME PROTOCOLE ANNEXÉ À  
L'ACCORD GÉNÉRAL SUR LE COMMERCE DES SERVICES 
FAIT À GENÈVE LE 15 AVRIL 1997 
 
CERTIFICATION DES AMÉLIORATIONS  
CONCERNANT LES TÉLÉCO MMUNICATIONS DE BASE  
APPORTÉES À LA LISTE D'ENGAGEME NTS SPÉCIFIQUES DU PAKISTAN  
 
 
 ATTENDU qu'un projet contenant les améliorati ons apportées à la section concernant les 
télécommunications de base de la Liste d'engagements spécifiques du Pakistan a été communiqué 
aux Membres de l'Organisation mondiale du commerce dans le document S/C/W/33 du 
18 décembre 1997;  
 ATTENDU que le document S/L/55 atteste de l'ac hèvement des procédures introduisant ces 
améliorations;  
 IL EST CERTIFIÉ PAR LA PRÉSENTE que les amél iorations ci-jointes ap portées à la section 
concernant les télécommunications de base de la  Liste d'engagements spécifiques du Pakistan sont 
dûment établies et prennent effet à compter du 5 février 1998. 
 
 La présente certification est déposée auprès du Directeur général de l'Organisation mondiale 
du commerce, qui en remettra, dans les moindres délais, une copie certifiée conforme à chaque 
Membre de l'Organisation mondiale du commerce.  Elle sera enregistrée conformément aux 
dispositions de l'article 102 de la Charte des Nations Unies. 
 
 FAIT à Genève le vingt-sept juin deux mille deux.  
 
  
 
  Mike Moore 
 Directeur général 
  
 
  
 
 Copie certifiée conforme: 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
Directeur généra l1  
PAKISTAN 
 
General Agreement on Trade in Services 
 
Schedule of Specific Commitments 
 
Supplement 2  
 
Revision  
 
(This is authentic in English only) 
_______________ 
 
This text supplements the entries relating to th e Telecommunication services section contained on 
pages 7 to 8 of document GATS/SC/67. 
  
5 February 1998
  
  
 
2  PAKISTAN - SCHEDULE OF SPECIFIC COMMITMENTS  
Modes of delivery: (1)  Cross-border supply (2)  Consumption ab road (3)  Commercial presence (4)  Presence of natural persons 
Sector or subsector  Limitations on market access  Limitations on national treatment  Additional commitments  
General conditions of this schedule : This offer is subject to following general conditions: 
 - Policy, regulatory and operation functions are separate and compliance is necessary. 
- All services to be provided in Pakistan shall require a li cence from the Regulatory authority established under the law. 
- Operators and Service providers may be granted licence in accordance with the local legislation. 
- The number of operators, service providers and licensees may be limit ed due to technical constraints. 
- The confidentiality of International Total Accounting Rate (TAR) shall be maintained. 
- The bilateral agreements on accounting rates shall be in accordance with ITU guidelines. - Up to 100% foreign investment on licensed services may be permitted 
- This schedule on basic telecommunications does not include any broadcasting services
2. 
2.C. Telecommunications Service  
    
 Local, domestic long distance 
and international services, for 
public: 
 
  Until 2003, no bypass3 of PTCL 
network and PTCL shall have 
exclusivity.  
 
 None as of 1.1.2004. 
  About 12 per cent stake of the 
Pakistan Telecommunication 
Corporation (PTC), the sole operator for all basic 
Telecommunication services 
was sold to the national and 
international buyers in 1994-95 
through two different offers of PTC vouchers in national and 
international financial markets. 
(a) Voice telephone services (1) All telecommunication services shall 
be provided by licensed operators 
subject to the exclusivity period of 7 
years for basic telephony services (1) Unbound The offers were many times 
over subscribed. The 
Corporation has been, inter 
alia, converted into a limited 
                                                      
1     Broadcasting service is defined as a radioc ommunication service in which the transmissi ons are intended for direct reception by  the general public. This service may include s ound transmission, television transmissions or 
other types of transmissions. In Pakistan Te lecom Law, like many other countries, broa dcasting is not part of basic telecommuni cation services. 
2     The GMPCS/Satellite operators shall be reput ed to pass traffic via Pakist an PSTN through transit and Gateway exchanges, special ly in case of overseas communication from Pa kistan. Any operation contrary to this shall 
be termed as "bypass."  
  
 
3 Modes of delivery: (1)  Cross-border supply (2)  Consumption ab road (3)  Commercial presence (4)  Presence of natural persons 
Sector or subsector  Limitations on market access  Limitations on national treatment  Additional commitments  
under the law in favour of PTCL. 
This exclusivity shall expire by the 
year 2003. 
 
 None as of 1.1.2004. company namely Pakistan 
Telecommunication Company 
Ltd (PTCL) with effect from 1 January, 1996 through the 
promulgation of a law.  
Bounds with US$ 150 million have been floated with an 
option to convert them into 
PTCL shares.  
(a) Voice telephone services 
 (cont'd) (2) Alternative practices such as call 
back are not allowe d. Country direct 
card service can only be permitted by mutual agreement with the licensed 
operator. 
 (3) Unbound 
 
(4) Unbound except as indicated in 
horizontal section. (2) Unbound 
 
  
 
 (3) Unbound 
 
(4) Unbound except as indicated in 
horizontal section.  
(b) Packet-switched data,  
 E-mail, Internet and Intranet 
services 
 (c) Circuit-switched data 
transmission services (1) Until 2003, except for domestic 
VSAT, only through network 
facilities of PTCL. The regulatory 
authority to grant licences and authorizations to private companies 
for operation of data, E-mail, Internet 
and Intranet services in addition to the licences already granted. 
 
(2) None  
(3) Subject to technical constraints, the 
regulatory authority to grant licences and authorizations to private 
companies for operation of domestic 
VSAT, data, E-mail, Internet & (1) Unbound 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 (2) None 
 
(3) None except for technical 
constraints 
 
 Privatization of PTCL is on the 
anvil. The management of the 
Company shall be transferred 
to the selected strategic operator. Exclusive licence for 
operation of basic telephony 
services for a period of 7 years granted to the PTCL. 
 
The Pakistan Telecommunications (Re-
organisation) Law has been 
passed as an Act of Parliament in October 1996. An 
independent Regulatory 
Authority and a Frequency  
  
 
4 Modes of delivery: (1)  Cross-border supply (2)  Consumption ab road (3)  Commercial presence (4)  Presence of natural persons 
Sector or subsector  Limitations on market access  Limitations on national treatment  Additional commitments  
Intranet services in addition to the 
licences already granted. 
 (4) Unbound except as indicated in 
horizontal section.  
 
  
 
(4) Unbound except as indicated in 
horizontal section. Allocation Board have been 
established. Chairman members 
and other essential staff of these bodies is already in place. 
The Authority and Board are 
already functional. To support effective regulation and 
spectrum management GOP is 
undertaking of PTA & FAB. 
(d) VSAT for domestic data 
services (1) The regulatory authority to grant 
licences and authorizations to private 
companies for operation of VSAT for domestic data, E-mail, Internet 
and Intranet services in addition to 
the licences already granted 
 
(2) None 
 
(3) None 
 (4) Unbound except as indicated in 
horizontal section (1) None 
 
  
 
  
 
(2) None 
 
(3) None  
(4) Unbound except as indicated in 
horizontal section The Pakistan 
Telecommunication Authority 
established under the law as an independent body is 
responsible to: 
 - Regulate 
telecommunication 
services. 
- Grant and renew 
licences. 
- Promote and protect 
the interests of 
consumers 
- Promote efficient, cost 
effective and 
competitive services. 
- Carry out inspections. 
- Regulate tariffs. 
(e) Telex services (1) None 
 
(2) None 
 (3) None 
 
(4) Unbound except as indicated in (1) None 
 
(2) None 
 (3) None 
 
(4) Unbound except as indicated in   
  
 
5 Modes of delivery: (1)  Cross-border supply (2)  Consumption ab road (3)  Commercial presence (4)  Presence of natural persons 
Sector or subsector  Limitations on market access  Limitations on national treatment  Additional commitments  
horizontal section. horizontal section. 
(f) Telegraph services (1) The regulatory authority shall grant 
licences and authorizations to private companies for operation of 
Telegraph services using PTCL 
infrastructure until 2003. 
 
(2) None 
 
(3) None 
 (4) Unbound except as indicated in 
horizontal section. (1) None 
  
 
  
(2) None 
 
(3) None 
 (4) Unbound except as indicated in 
horizontal section. - Prescribe standards 
- Determine terms of 
interconnection agreements. 
- Investigate and adjudicate on 
complaints. 
- Enforcement on valuation 
- International traffic and 
accounting settlements. 
- Issue regulations. 
- Receive applications for 
frequency allocation. 
(g) Facsimile services (1) None 
 (2) None 
 
(3) None 
 
(4) Unbound except as indicated in 
horizontal section. (1) None 
 (2) None 
 
(3) None 
 
(4) Unbound except as indicated in 
horizontal section.  
 
(h) Private leased circuit servi ces (1) Pakistan Telecommunication 
Company Limited except for domestic VSAT, is the exclusive 
service provider for seven years. 
This exclusivity shall expire by the year 2003. 
 
  None as of 1.1.2004.  
(2) None 
 (3) Pakistan Telecommunication 
Company Limited except for (1) Unbound 
  
 
  
 
  
(2) None 
 (3) Unbound 
 The frequency allocation Board 
established under the law is responsible to allocate and 
assign frequency spectrum for 
telecommunication, broadcasting public and private 
wireless services and classify 
radio telecommunication services. 
 
Appeals against the decisions of the Authority may be filed in 
the High Court.  
  
 
6 Modes of delivery: (1)  Cross-border supply (2)  Consumption ab road (3)  Commercial presence (4)  Presence of natural persons 
Sector or subsector  Limitations on market access  Limitations on national treatment  Additional commitments  
domestic VSAT, is the exclusive 
service provider for seven years. 
This exclusivity shall expire by the year 2003. 
 
(4) Unbound except as indicated in 
horizontal section.  
 
  
 
(4) Unbound except as indicated in 
horizontal section.  
Following services have been 
licensed to the private operators and further licensing could be 
possible: 
(i) Video conferencing tele-medicine 
and tele-education terminal end services (1) The regulatory authority shall grant 
licences and authorizations to private companies for operation of 
video-conferencing, tele-education 
and telemedicine services, using PTCL network until seven years.  
 
(2) None  
(3) None 
 
(4) Unbound except as indicated in 
horizontal section (1) None 
  
 
  
 
(2) None  
(3) None 
 
(4) Unbound except as indicated in 
horizontal section - Cellular Mobile telephone 
services. 
- Card pay phones services 
- Paging 
- Data network operation - Voice Mail Service 
- Audio Tex Service 
- Trunk Radio service - Electronic Mail and internet 
services 
- Use of domestic satellites for 
provision of telecom services 
- Manufacture of telex, fax, all 
PABXs/Digital exchanges 
and modems 
- manufacture of 
Fibre/Optic/copper cables 
- manufacture of telephone 
sets, terminal equipment answering  machine etc. 
- manufacture of jointing 
material for copper/optic cables 
 
(j) Trunked radio service (1) Th e regulatory authority to grant 
licences and authorizations to 
private companies for operation of 
Trunked Radio service in addition to (1) None 
 
 
 Regulatory Authority shall 
grant licences on competitive 
basis as per telecom law and 
regulations.  
  
 
7 Modes of delivery: (1)  Cross-border supply (2)  Consumption ab road (3)  Commercial presence (4)  Presence of natural persons 
Sector or subsector  Limitations on market access  Limitations on national treatment  Additional commitments  
the licences alread y granted using 
PTCL network until 2003. 
 (2) None 
 
(3) None  
(4) Unbound except as indicated in 
horizontal section  
 
 (2) None 
 
(3) None  
(4) Unbound except as indicated in 
horizontal section  
Regulatory Authority may 
grant licences for satellite based services on following 
conditions: 
 (a) Frequency clearance by 
Board 
(b) Security and sovereignty 
regulations 
(c) Availability of ITUT/R 
standards 
(k) Satellite based telephony 
services, including value added 
services operating over satellite  
 
 
 (1) Maintaining PTCL exclusivity for seven 
years on basic and international 
telephony services and safeguarding PSTN bypass licences shall be granted 
 
(2) None 
 
(3) None  
 
 (4) Unbound except as indicated in 
horizontal section (1) None 
 
  
 
(2) None 
 
(3) None except for technical, 
sovereignty, secur ity constraints and 
safeguarding PSTN bypass 
 (4) Unbound except as indicated in 
horizontal section (d) resolution of cross-border 
communication issues; 
and 
(e) resolution of Customs 
procedures 
  
 
8    
ATTACHMENT TO PAKISTAN'S SCHEDULE  
 
 (Reference Paper ) 
 1. Transparency of Regulations
 
 1.1 Laws and regulations pertaining to provisions  of basic telecom services shall be published. 
 
1.2 Advanced public notice and a fair opportunity will be provided for interested parties to 
comment on proposed measures affecting the provision of basic telecom services. 
 1.3 The Regulatory Authority consists of three members, one is a professional telecom engineer 
and other two are technical and financial experts,  appointed by the Government for a term of 
four years and eligible for appointment for a similar term. 
 1.4 Any member of the Authority shall not have an y direct or indirect financial interest in, or 
have business connection with any person, any establishment or firm which renders telecom 
services in Pakistan or abroad. For above pur pose even any involvement of the spouse or 
blood relation of any member of the Authority with any telecom firm shall be considered as a 
direct financial interest or connection with such firm. 
 1.5 The Authority shall ensure that:   (a) rights of licensees are duly protected; 
 
 (b) decisions and determinations are made promptly in open, equitable, non-
discriminatory, consistent and transparent manner; 
  (c) the persons affected by its decisions or determinations are given a due notice and 
provided opportunity of being heard. 
 1.6 A person aggrieved by any decision or order of the Authority can within thirty days of the 
receipt of order, appeal to the High Court and th e Court shall decide such appeal within ninety 
days. 
 
1.7 A person aggrieved by any decisi on or order of any officer of the Authority may, within thirty 
days of the order, appeal to the Authority and the Authority shall decide such appeals within 
thirty days. 
 2. Interconnection and Numbering
 
 
2.1 In the event that a service supp lier is unable to reach agreemen t with any or dominant service 
supplier or interconnection, following a reasonabl e amount of time, either party may refer the 
dispute to the Regulator in Pakistan. 
 
2.2 Service suppliers shall be required to  disclose information concerning technical 
measures/parameters that will affect use of  such facilities for other service suppliers. 
 2.3 The Regulatory Authority shall exercise all powers to enable it to effectively provide 
guidelines for, and determine, the terms of interconnection arrangements between licensees 
where the parties are unable to agree. 
 
2.4 Authority shall develop/assign non-discrimi natory national telecommunication numbering 
plans.  
 
9  
3. Competition Safeguards and standards  
 
3.1 When facilities-based service supplier with dominant market position is found engaged in 
unfair or anti-competitive practices, re medial measures will be available. 
 3.2 When dominant service supplier provides a competitive service he shall establish separate 
accounting procedure for the competitive service. Cross subsidy is not permitted. 
 
3.3 The Authority shall notify and publish regul ations for establishing national standards for 
telecom equipment and services. The Authority can specify different standards for different 
classes of telecom equipment/services and establish procedure for testing. 
 3.4 The Authority shall not restrict the type of  telecom equipment that may be used for the 
establishment, maintenance or operation of telecom systems or services. 
 4. Tariff Regime
 
  The level of tariffs for telecom services in cluding basic telephone service shall be regulated 
by the Authority in accordan ce with the regulations including following principles: 
 4.1 The regulations shall apply equally to comp arable provider/users of any regulated telecom 
service; 
 4.2 The criteria used for the establishment of ta riff shall regularly be published three months 
before the criteria is adopted; 
 4.3 Tariffs shall be at a level which provides a reasonable rate of return on investments taking 
into account the cost of operation; and  
 
4.4 There shall be no cross-subsidization of other telecom services by basic telephone service. 
  
__________