Mobile package prices surge up to 22% in a year: PTA

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has acknowledged that mobile operators increased tariffs by up to 22% over the past year, but rejected claims that telecom companies have been raising prices by 10% to 20% every month.

According to official documents, the PTA reviewed 10 popular packages offered by Jazz, Telenor, Zong and Ufone. The review found that tariffs for these packages increased by an average of 12% to 22% between June 2025 and June 2026.

The authority said that when the annual increases are viewed on a monthly basis, they amount to roughly 1% to 2%. It added that there was no evidence to support claims of monthly price increases of 10% to 20%.

The PTA said it regulates Jazz’s tariffs as a Significant Market Power (SMP) operator. Ufone and Telenor also fall under its regulatory jurisdiction under the merger order issued on November 30, 2025. Zong, as a non-SMP operator, can adjust tariffs according to its commercial decisions.

However, under the Mobile Tariff Regulations 2025, the PTA can intervene if tariffs adversely affect consumer interests.

The regulator said it considers inflation, economic conditions, competition and consumer interests when approving Jazz’s tariffs. It also conducts periodic confidential billing verification exercises to ensure customers are charged approved rates.

Consumers can file complaints regarding tariffs or billing irregularities through the PTA’s Complaint Management System (CMS), available via its website, CMS application and helpline.

Six-month validity set for mobile prepaid recharges

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has directed cellular mobile operators to provide prepaid subscribers with at least 180 days’ validity on every recharge or balance, while requiring expired balances to be automatically restored after a subsequent recharge. The decision will take effect on October 1, 2026. According to the PTA’s determination, around 97 percent of mobile subscribers in Pakistan, Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan use prepaid services. The regulator said the forfeiture of unused balances particularly affects low-income consumers and causes direct financial losses. Under the new rules, operators must provide a minimum 180-day validity for all prepaid balances. Any […]

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