Islamabad — The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has suspended the licences of five Long Distance and International (LDI) operators after they failed to pay outstanding government dues totaling Rs80 billion.
According to PTA, the unpaid amount includes Rs24 billion in principal and an additional Rs56 billion in surcharges accumulated over several years.
The operators had filed multiple writ petitions in court, challenging PTA’s authority to collect these charges. However, the court dismissed their petitions as “not maintainable,” paving the way for PTA to take enforcement action.
Following individual hearings with each operator, PTA noted that none of the companies provided a concrete payment plan. As a result, PTA issued suspension orders and directed:
- All cellular mobile operators to immediately terminate telecom services provided to the five LDI firms.
- Class Value-Added Service (CVAS) licence holders to cease all services to these operators without delay.
Official data shows that of 13 LDI operators in Pakistan:
- Four licences were renewed in 2024,
- Seven expired in 2024,
- The remaining two licences will expire in 2025 and 2026.
The regulator’s move underscores growing pressure on defaulting operators to settle dues and strengthens PTA’s oversight of the sector at a time when Pakistan faces fiscal constraints and increasing demand for regulatory compliance.
