Attractive offer, bad service

Mobily recently launched a promotion in which a customer can get 300 SMS, 150 minutes of international calls, 150 minutes of Mobily-network calls free in a month by paying SR99. On May 10, I went to “Al-Haddad” — a Mobily agent — and paid SR144 (SR99 + SR45 for SIM card). After 20 days the line became inactive for outgoing calls. I went to the agent — Al-Haddad — to complain and he asked me to pay SR100 to benefit from the offer for another month, that is, up to July 10. I paid him the money assuming that the service would be restored but to my surprise, that did not happen and I was still unable to make calls. I made a number of complaints to the Mobily customer service and sent e-mails but nothing happened. On June 14, I visited the Mobily head office and was told I needed to pay another SR51. When I asked for the bill, they said it would be sent to my post office box. When I did not receive it till June 20, I visited the Mobily head office to collect it. I got a bill from customer service showing nine calls to Mobily network (SR35.38) and 21 international calls and calls to STC network (SR32.16) — total calls valued at SR67.54. The last date for payment was June 22 but the line was disconnected on June 1. The customer service officer told me I would get a formal bill for SR295 by mail where the breakdown for the calls would be written. What surprised me is the fact that while I had been unable to make calls since June 1, I continued to receive inflated bills. In fact, I should have been paid for the agony that I suffered in addition to the money I paid for no service from Mobily. Another surprising element was the exorbitant call rate. I was billed at the international rate for calls I made to SAWA numbers.

When I raised the issue with the Mobily customer service officer, he told me to settle the outstanding amount first in order to get the service activated. Other issues will be taken up only after the service is activated. What I realize now is that it was a big mistake to go for Mobily because there is a stark contradiction between their slogan and their service. While I would prefer to get rid of the Mobily line, I would advise others to investigate properly before being attracted by any Mobily campaign, especially those pertaining to postpaid service.

Syed Ehsanul Haq, Jeddah published 24 June 2009

Yes, we can

In his story, “Alhamdulillah, say jubilant Pakistani expatriates” (June 22), Siraj Wahab captured the essence of what the Pakistani community felt in those first three words: “Yes, we can.” I am in Karachi, and let me tell you, that victory was just what people here needed. Everybody was out in the streets after the game, driving around with Pakistani flags, firing bullets into the air (something they do to mark happy celebrations here), laughing, dancing, etc. It was great.

Manal Shakir, Karachi published 24 June 2009

Yes, we can 2

Thank you Arab News for the wonderful report. There were tears of joy in the eyes of all patriotic Pakistanis. I am in Nottingham and the final match was going for £150 per ticket if you could manage to get one. I watched the repeat of the final very late on Sunday night. It was indeed a joyful, encouraging, emotional and soul-refreshing victory. I was literally jumping on my sofa every time a four or a sixer was being scored by our batsmen. Zindabad Pakistan.

Afzal Tabassum, Nottingham, England published 24 June 2009

Yes, we can 3

This news couldn’t have come at a better time. Pakistan is at its lowest point thanks to the mismanagement in nearly all areas of the government and private sectors. There was a time not so long ago when the patriotic idea was alive and vibrant in the average Pakistani. India was perceived as enemy No. 1 and really only a paper tiger. Not so today. Pakistanis are now forced to acknowledge the fantastic global rise of the Indian giant and see their nation in pale contrast plagued by internal problems, loss of lives, the rising cost of living and, of course, the bombs falling everywhere. Cricket was technically dead.

The golden days of cricket in the late 1970s with Imran Khan’s excellent all-round display took the gentleman’s game to a whole new level. The class and glamour was equally matched on the other side of the border with the likes of Sunil Gavaskar and others. However, recently, Pakistani cricketers were in the news for all the wrong reasons. Therefore, there is cause to be jubilant. The excellent performances by Shahid Afridi and Younus Khan have really proved that Pakistan can rise from the ashes if it wants to. Although the times are hard, the spirit is willing. A warm round of congratulations to all Pakistanis around the world.

Ozma Siddiqui, Jeddah published 24 June 2009

Why BNP wins votes

This refers to Alison Coles’ letter “Why BNP wins votes” (June 22). First let me clarify the writer's false impressions about me. I have been a Canadian for most of my adult life and quite content living with my family in a vibrant multicultural Montreal. I did live in London for four years in the 1960s studying at the Imperial College. In fact, I found Britain of those days quite backward with an appalling quality of life, a poor standard of living compared to the rest of the West European countries I visited. I certainly noticed a vast difference after I arrived in Canada. The British should be grateful to be admitted as members of the EU. It has definitely reduced unemployment of the natives and helped raise the standard of living to almost the same level as other western European nations.

Thousands of British, including “English,” migrated to Canada not because of too many “asylum-seeking families or new or illegal immigrants” in their country but to escape from poverty and to seek better life and opportunities. I am sure they have all integrated as Canadians and just like me, are enjoying a harmonious, multiracial and multicultural Canada. I do not find any “Alison Coles” here among many of my good English-Canadian friends who also share my views on the racist manifesto of the BNP and shameful election of two “fascists” to the European Parliament.

So Coles please grow up and get a grip on your life and take back home, whenever that may be, your experiences of living in the multiracial and multicultural milieu of Saudi Arabia and the respect you have learned for the ways, religion and culture of others around you.

Iqbal Paul, Montreal, Canada published 24 June 2009