Audit authorities have raised serious concerns over the failure of the Ministry of Information Technology and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to recover more than Rs89 billion from Long Distance International (LDI) telecom companies. The findings point to weak regulation and years of negligence, resulting in huge losses to the national exchequer.
According to the audit, the PTA has not been able to collect these dues despite being the telecom regulator for almost twenty years. Many LDI operators continue to operate without renewing their licenses or clearing outstanding payments, yet they face no strict action. This situation questions the credibility of the regulator and the effectiveness of the IT Ministry’s oversight.
The report dismissed the excuse that cases were pending in courts, calling it unjustified. Authorities stressed that hiding behind legal proceedings for such a long delay is unacceptable and shows poor supervision.
The breakdown of the unpaid dues includes Rs9.82 billion in annual, spectrum, and late payment charges, Rs79.34 billion in contributions to the IT Ministry such as the Universal Service Fund (USF), and more than Rs1 billion in pending license renewal fees from various operators.
Audit authorities have demanded urgent steps for recovery of the outstanding amount. They directed the PTA and IT Ministry to work together and ensure that no company is allowed to continue operations without fulfilling its financial obligations.
The report warns that the failure to enforce these payments has not only reduced government revenue but has also damaged the reputation of the regulatory system. It adds that such negligence allows companies to bypass rules, creating long-term risks for the telecom sector and the country’s economy.
