Give us our calls back to Pakistan [Archives:2002/20/Focus]

A.A.BAJWA, PAKISTANI
[email protected]
I would like to draw the immediate attention of Tele Yemen authorities to a matter of great concern, especially for Pakistanis serving in Yemen. This problem arose when direct dialing from Yemen to Pakistan was banned after the incident of September 11. This ban intended to curtail Al-Qaida, but immensely increased the agonies of Pakistanis here as they have been apart from their families in Pakistan.
The government provided a surrogate and allowed 3 minutes long indirect calls. The PCOs (Public Call offices) grabbed this opportunity and started charging and are still charging 1500 Yemeni Riyals, whereas the due amount is not more than 800 Riyals . Pakistanis are wily nilly paying this amount as there is no other way out.
Although, Pakistan is a front state in this anti terrorism war, Pakistan has not banned calls to Yemen. Now , as the war is over, the continuation of this ban seems quite ridiculous. Therefore I request the concerned authority to lift this ban and revive direct dialing to Pakistan.

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