Senate Probes Rs6.58bn Dispute Over Jazz Tariff Increase

A Senate committee has sought records concerning an audit objection of Rs6.58 billion against Jazz over alleged overcharging, after the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) disputed the finding and maintained that the tariff increase in question had received proper approval.

The issue was discussed by the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication, where PTA explained that the Rs6.58 billion figure resulted from a different interpretation of a tariff approval issued in February 2024.

According to PTA, the approval allowed Jazz to increase its tariffs by 15%. The audit authorities, however, interpreted the approved increase as only 3%, resulting in the Rs6.58 billion objection.

PTA said the difference in interpretation was connected to the meaning of a signature appearing on the relevant approval document. The regulator maintained that the signature was intended for attestation purposes.

The authority told the committee that it had already submitted the relevant material to the Auditor General’s office, including approval notices, tariff records and system-generated audit trails related to the case. PTA said these records had been verified and that certified copies were also provided for examination.

PTA maintained that setting tariff ceilings and approving revisions for telecom operators falls within its regulatory jurisdiction. It said the tariff increases implemented by Jazz were covered by approvals issued at the time.

The regulator therefore rejected the description of the Rs6.58 billion amount as unauthorised overcharging.

The Senate committee has now requested the relevant records to review the positions presented by PTA and the audit authorities and examine the basis of the disputed finding.