PTA Briefs Senate Panel on Jazz Customer Overcharging Issue

The Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology has been briefed on the issue of alleged overcharging by telecom operator Jazz.

Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) told the committee that the regulator oversees telecom tariffs and monitors the pricing of mobile services in Pakistan.

PTA Briefs Senate Panel on Jazz Customer Overcharging Issue

According to the PTA chairman, a telecom company in Pakistan charges an average of around Rs300 per customer per month. He said this amount is among the lowest in the region.

PTA Reviews Mobile Packages

The PTA chairman said the authority does not provide blanket approval for mobile packages. Instead, the regulator reviews the packages offered by telecom companies.

He said the PTA has also introduced tariff regulations to oversee pricing in the telecom sector.

The briefing came during a discussion on complaints regarding additional charges allegedly collected from Jazz customers.

Concern Over Telecom Tariff Regulation

Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja said that if the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) takes decisions regarding telecom tariffs, the PTA’s role in tariff control could be reduced.

Her remarks highlighted the issue of overlapping responsibilities between telecom regulation and competition oversight.

Subcommittee Formed to Examine Jazz Case

The Senate committee has formed a subcommittee to investigate the allegations of overcharging by Jazz.

Senator Afnan Ullah Khan will head the subcommittee. It will examine the matter and review the concerns raised regarding additional charges imposed on customers.

The committee’s decision comes as regulators and lawmakers continue to examine telecom pricing and consumer protection issues in Pakistan.

See Also: FIA Briefs Senate Committee on Alleged Rs172 Billion Call Centre Fraud