PTA Stands by Jazz Tariff Approvals, Offers Forensic Audit

ISLAMABAD – The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has strongly defended the regulatory process behind Jazz’s tariff revisions before the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication, maintaining that the tariffs were approved transparently and in accordance with the prescribed framework.

The matter stems from an audit objection alleging overcharging by Jazz following tariff revisions. PTA has disputed the basis of the objection, maintaining that the tariff increase in question had been duly approved by the regulator and that the applicable procedures were followed.

PTA Chairman Major General (R) Hafeez Ur Rehman told the committee that the authority had acted with “complete transparency” in allowing the 15 percent tariff increase and offered to have the matter subjected to a forensic audit, underscoring the regulator’s confidence in its position.

PTA also explained that mobile packages are examined before launch and operators’ compliance with approved tariffs is subsequently monitored. As Jazz is classified as a Significant Market Power operator, its tariffs are subject to regulatory oversight, further placing the tariff revisions within PTA’s formal approval framework.

The regulator has also challenged the audit interpretation underlying the objection. According to PTA’s position, the approval was for a 15 percent tariff increase, while the audit interpreted it as allowing a 3 percent increase per quarter. PTA attributed this discrepancy to the interpretation of documentation associated with the approval and maintained that the regulatory record supported its position.

The Senate committee has now constituted a subcommittee to examine the relevant tariff approvals, packages and billing records. The inquiry will determine whether customers were charged beyond PTA-approved rates, while PTA continues to stand by the approvals granted to Jazz and has offered further forensic scrutiny of the record.