Mobile companies not resolving signal problem to be shut down: LHC

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice Mamoon Rashid Sheikh on Monday directed all cellular companies to come up with a swift solution to the prolonged problem of weak coverage of mobile phone signals within the premises of the court and its vicinity.

The chief justice said the mobile companies failing to resolve the problem of weak signals will be closed down. Representatives of all cellular companies and Lahore’s Director of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) were present in the court as the chief justice heard a petition by lawyers on the matter. The petition mainly argued that lawyers and litigants visiting the LHC on a daily basis had long been facing problems due to weak signals of mobile phones. It said the cellular companies failed to maintain the frequency level of their towers and at the same time the towers were still working on the old technology.

It said weak signal amplifiers were being used for enhancement of signals and at the same time signal jammers were also been installed within the high court without any approval from the authorities. During the hearing, Chief Justice Mamoon Rashid Sheikh observed that he personally experienced the problem of mobile phone’s weak signals within the court premises. He asked why the PTA officials are sleeping (over the issue).

The CJ directed the companies’ officials to bring a practical and rapid solution to the problem by today (Tuesday) or the PTA chairman and members of the frequency board will be summoned.