ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has acknowledged that mobile operators increased tariffs by up to 22% over the past year, while rejecting claims that telecom companies have been raising prices by 10 to 20% every month.
According to official documents, the PTA analysed the 10 most-used packages, based on subscriber numbers, offered by the country’s four major mobile operators — Jazz, Telenor, Zong and Ufone. The analysis showed that average tariffs increased by between 12% and 22% from June 2025 to June 2026.
However, the regulator said the annual increase translated into an average monthly rise of around 1% to 2%, and there was no evidence to support claims that mobile operators were increasing package prices by 10% to 20% on a monthly basis.
The PTA’s acknowledgement comes amid growing concerns among consumers over steadily rising mobile package prices, with telecom users facing higher costs for calls, mobile data and other services.
The authority said it was regulating Jazz as a Significant Market Power (SMP) operator under the merger order issued on November 30, 2025. It also regulates the tariffs of Ufone and Telenor, while Zong, as a non-SMP operator, is allowed to revise its tariffs in accordance with its commercial decisions.
The PTA nevertheless clarified that it retains the authority under the Mobile Tariff Regulations 2025 to intervene where tariffs have a negative impact on consumer interests.
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According to the regulator, its legal responsibility is to protect consumers while also ensuring a reasonable return on investments made by telecom operators.
The PTA said it regularly approves tariffs proposed by SMP operator Jazz after taking into account consumer interests, inflation, prevailing economic conditions and competition in the market.
The authority also conducts anonymous billing verification exercises to ensure that customers are being charged according to approved tariff rates.
Consumers facing tariff-related complaints or discrepancies in billing can lodge complaints through the PTA’s Complaint Management System, which is available through the authority’s official website, CMS application and helpline.
The regulator said such complaints are taken up with the relevant operator for resolution under the applicable legal framework.
The PTA’s explanation indicates that while mobile tariffs have increased significantly over the past year — reaching as high as 22% in some cases — the regulator does not consider the annual increase equivalent to the alleged monthly price hikes of 10% to 20%.
