ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s telecom regulator has imposed Rs68.9 million in fines on mobile operators over poor-quality services during the past five years, according to details submitted by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication to the Senate.

The figures show that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) issued 39 show-cause notices to telecom companies over substandard mobile services during the period, alongside 18 warning letters over service-quality violations.

According to the written details submitted to the Senate, the regulator imposed a total of Rs68.9 million in penalties on mobile operators for failing to meet required service standards.

Of the total penalties, Rs13.6 million has so far been recovered, according to the documents.

The action reflects growing regulatory scrutiny of mobile network quality, particularly as millions of Pakistanis rely on cellular networks for communication, digital payments, online education and business services.

The PTA’s enforcement measures have included notices and warnings to operators where services failed to meet prescribed quality standards.

The Senate was informed of the enforcement record amid continuing concerns among consumers over dropped calls, weak signals, slow mobile data and inconsistent network coverage in different parts of the country.

The figures also highlight the gap between regulatory enforcement and recovery of penalties, with a significant portion of the fines still outstanding.

The disclosure comes as Pakistan’s telecom sector moves towards wider 5G deployment, placing renewed focus on network quality, infrastructure investment and reliable digital connectivity.