Jazz Overbilling Scam Sent to PAC for Probe

Senators flag Rs6bn consumer recovery, poor service quality, merger delays, and 5G auction hurdles.

The Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunications, chaired by Senator Palwasha Khan, has referred a case of alleged overbilling by Jazz to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) for deeper scrutiny. Audit officials told lawmakers the company had recovered more than Rs6 billion from subscribers through tariff hikes, sparking calls for stronger accountability in Pakistan’s telecom sector.

Audit authorities said that while the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) had provided some documents for verification, the audit report had not yet been tabled. They stressed that PAC, as Parliament’s primary accountability forum, should review the matter first. “This case should be referred to the PAC in the first instance,” officials said.Zong Pakistan Network problem: No end to sufferings

Committee chairperson Palwasha Khan directed the PTA to explain Jazz’s tariff increases, citing consumer frustration over rising costs. The PTA Chairman revealed that out of Jazz’s nearly 100 packages, nine had been revised recently with a 9.4 percent hike. However, he acknowledged that over the past year, around 20 percent of Jazz’s packages had been increased.

Lawmakers expressed alarm, noting that even limited revisions can result in billions in additional charges when applied to a subscriber base of more than 195 million mobile users nationwide. Senators warned that unchecked price hikes burden consumers already under pressure from inflation.

Beyond tariffs, the committee raised concerns about poor service quality. Senator Nadeem Bhutto pointed to weak coverage along highways. “On the Karachi–Sukkur Motorway, it is very difficult to even get 2G,” he said, adding that calls often drop during motorway travel. Members criticized operators for chasing profits while neglecting network upgrades in underserved areas.

The session also revisited the long-pending merger of Ufone and Telenor. Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) Chairman told the committee the deal was now in its final stages and could be completed within one to two weeks. “The merger of the two telecom companies is in its final stages. We will complete it within one to two weeks,” he assured.

But Senator Kamran Murtaza expressed skepticism. “How is it possible to complete in one or two weeks what could not be done in 18 months?” he asked. CCP officials explained that delays were due to missing data and incomplete documents from PTCL, which had now been provided.

If finalized, the merger would leave only three major telecom operators in Pakistan. Lawmakers cautioned that while consolidation could strengthen companies financially, it also risked reducing competition and raising consumer costs. They demanded transparency to maintain public trust.

The committee then turned to the much-delayed 5G spectrum auction. Senator Afnanullah reminded members that the IT Minister had promised the auction would take place in December. Chairperson Palwasha Khan pressed officials on whether the government could meet that deadline.

PTA Chairman confirmed technical readiness, saying the regulator’s consultant had completed a report for the auction. “PTA is ready for the 5G auction,” he said, but admitted obstacles remained. “There are some issues in the 5G auction. Some cases are in court, and they must be resolved first.”

Senator Afnanullah urged the government to use the Attorney General’s Office to expedite legal cases. IT Ministry officials said the Attorney General’s team had been “seriously engaged” to resolve disputes. PTA further clarified that while no stay order existed on the 2600 MHz spectrum, other pending cases could complicate the process.

Pakistan continues to lag behind regional peers in 5G rollout, with India and Bangladesh already advancing spectrum sales and network deployment. Experts warn that further delays risk widening Pakistan’s digital divide and reducing its competitiveness in the global economy.

At the close of proceedings, the Senate IT Committee demanded stronger oversight, consumer safeguards, and timely policy action. Lawmakers stressed that the telecom sector remains vital to Pakistan’s digital transformation but warned that unchecked tariff hikes, poor service quality, and unresolved disputes could undermine public trust.

“The public cannot be made to pay the price of inefficiency and delay,” chairperson Palwasha Khan cautioned, urging both regulators and operators to prioritize transparency, accountability, and service improvements.