Ufone, PTCL face scrutiny as lawmakers direct PTA to issue show-cause notices, impose penalties on operators failing quality standards

Pakistan’s telecom operators came under intense criticism in the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology on Tuesday, as lawmakers questioned persistent service quality issues and warned that companies repeatedly failing regulatory standards could ultimately face licence suspension.

Chairing the meeting, Committee Chairman Syed Amin Ul Haque directed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to issue show-cause notices to telecom operators that fail to meet Quality of Service (QoS) benchmarks and impose financial penalties where necessary. He said companies continuing to violate service standards despite repeated notices and fines could face suspension of their operating licences.

The committee expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of services provided by PTML and decided to summon senior Ufone officials at its next meeting to explain why customers continue to face poor network performance despite repeated complaints.

Lawmakers criticized telecom companies, including major mobile operators, for prioritizing commercial expansion over improvements in network quality, urging the regulator to adopt stricter enforcement measures instead of allowing repeated regulatory violations.

Amin Ul Haque said telecom operators had previously obtained stay orders against PTA penalties, weakening regulatory action. He noted that with the Telecom Tribunal now operational, such cases should be referred there to ensure effective enforcement against non-compliant operators.

PTA Chairman told the committee that telecom companies primarily develop their investment strategies based on business plans. He said the regulator had directed all operators to submit one-year network improvement plans outlining measures to enhance service quality.

The PTA chairman also informed lawmakers that the authority had constituted a committee to facilitate the simultaneous rollout of 5G services across different cities, aiming to ensure more uniform deployment nationwide rather than phased launches benefiting selected urban centres.

The committee also announced that PTCL and Ufone management would be called to explain why service standards have not improved despite continued public complaints.

During the meeting, the committee chairman also questioned PTCL’s financial obligations, stating that despite the government holding a 67% stake in the company, PTCL had yet to settle around $800 million payable to the government, while concerns over the company’s service standards continued to grow.