Sangsad Bhaban, July 12 -- The government has no plan to privatise state owned mobile operator Teletalk, as it considers the company essential for maintaining competition in the country's telecommunications market, Post and Telecommunication, ICT Division and Science and Technology Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam told Parliament on Sunday.

Replying to a supplementary question from BNP reserved seat MP Sanzida Yasmin during the question and answer session, the Minister said Teletalk must remain under government ownership to prevent private operators from arbitrarily increasing service charges.

"If Teletalk is not in the market, private operators may raise tariffs as they wish. We have to keep Teletalk in the market. It has to remain under gov...