The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has announced the renewal of Wateen Telecom’s Long Distance and International (LDI) License for 20 years starting July 26, 2024, subject to strict conditions. To retain the license, Wateen must pay Rs6.25 billion in outstanding Access Promotion Contribution (APC) fees to the Universal Service Fund (USF).
Wateen is required to deposit the amount into the Ministry of IT & Telecommunication (MoIT&T) account and notify the PTA. If there is a dispute, the funds can be placed in an escrow account as per Regulation 10(4) of the 2005 Access Promotion Regulations.
Additionally, Wateen must deposit Rs78.9 million in escrow related to a 2012 enforcement order—comprising Rs49.4 million principal and Rs29.5 million Late Payment Additional Fee (LPAF)—currently under litigation.
Before signing the renewed license, Wateen must comply with condition 3.2.6 of the LDI License Template by submitting either a detailed plan to build its own telecom system or a binding agreement to lease an existing system.
A renewal fee of $500,000 plus any applicable LPAF is also due, to be converted to Pakistani rupees using the National Bank of Pakistan’s TT selling rate prior to payment.
PTA has set August 20, 2025, as the final deadline. Failure to meet these conditions will result in license cancellation and cessation of Wateen’s LDI services under License No. LDI-10 (17)-2004. Despite cancellation, all dues including LPAF remain payable until that date.
