Jazz audit notes: PTA rejects protocol violation claims

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has firmly rejected claims that it violated regulatory protocols in connection with the recent audit observations concerning telecom operator Jazz, adding that no report was submitted to the prime minister in this regard, top officials revealed.

Officials emphasised that all actions taken were in strict accordance with its mandate and the approved regulatory framework.

They clarified that while audit authorities raised certain observations regarding Jazz’s tariff adjustments during the financial year 2023–24, the regulator has already submitted a comprehensive response to those queries. “We have addressed the concerns raised by the audit authorities and shared all relevant documentation. It is now up to them to evaluate our reply,” a PTA official added.

The controversy stems from an audit report alleging that Jazz overcharged customers by more than Rs6.58 billion, exceeding the permissible quarterly tariff hike margin of 15 percent. However, the PTA categorically denied any wrongdoing, asserting that all tariff revisions were pre-approved and transparently implemented.

In response to media reports suggesting that the PTA submitted a special report to the prime minister regarding the audit para, top officials of the authority strongly denied it. “No such report has been submitted to the Prime Minister’s Office regarding the Jazz audit matter,” they added, dismissing the claims as speculative and misleading.

The matter has attracted the attention of the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication, which has summoned the PTA chairman for a briefing on August 25. The committee is expected to seek clarity on the PTA’s role in safeguarding consumer interests and ensuring fair pricing practices.

As the audit authorities continue their evaluation, the PTA maintains that its regulatory decisions remain transparent, lawful, and fully documented. The telecom sector — and its millions of users — now await the outcome of this high-profile review.

An official statement issued by the authority noted: It has come to the notice of PTA that certain misleading information is being circulated on social media, suggesting that Jazz charged its subscribers tariffs beyond those approved by PTA during the financial year 2023–24, as referenced in the Auditor General of Pakistan’s report.

The PTA categorically clarifies that no such overcharging has taken place. The tariff adjustments highlighted in the audit observations were duly approved by PTA in line with the prescribed regulatory framework. All relevant records substantiating these approvals were shared with the audit authorities for their verification.

The PTA remains committed to safeguarding consumer interests and ensuring a fair, transparent telecom ecosystem. The Authority maintains continuous oversight of all operators’ tariff structures to ensure strict compliance with regulatory requirements and to prevent any unfair commercial practices.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025