PTA Pulls Plug on Five LDI Licenses

In a regulatory shocker, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has cancelled the Long Distance and International (LDI) licenses of WorldCall Telecom Limited, Wateen Telecom Limited, TeleCard Limited, CircleNet Communications Pakistan Pvt. Ltd., and Wise Communication System. These operators, though enjoying court protection, did not pay accumulating liabilities from 2024, starting from Access Promotion Contribution (APC) for the Universal Service Fund (USF) to Late Payment Additional Fees (LPAF) and various penalties. The total dues reached more than a whopping Rs 81 billion, even though the five defaulters had proposed settling approximately Rs 8.2 billion of principal through installment.

This blanket cancellation is an escalation in the regulatory-telecom operators standoff, underscoring PTA’s determination to uphold compliance. With their LDI renewals now frozen and operations suspended, impacted companies are now staring into an uncertain future. The action sends one message loud and clear: regulatory compliance is not optional, irrespective of legal cover, and that fiscal responsibility in Pakistan’s telecommunications sector is not up for debate.

Read more: Zong 4G Secures 2nd Position in PTA’s Cyber Security Awards 2025