Senate Panel Seeks Forensic Probe Into Jazz Tariff Hikes Over Rs 6.58 Billion Recovery Claim

The Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication has sought a deeper examination of Jazz’s tariff increases after audit authorities raised objections over an alleged Rs 6.58 billion excess recovery from mobile subscribers.

The matter came under discussion during a committee meeting chaired by Senator Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan, where audit officials and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) presented sharply different positions on the legality and regulatory basis of the tariff increases.

Audit authorities maintained that Jazz had been allowed to raise tariffs by up to 15% on a quarterly basis under a PTA framework but argued that the core issue was not limited to the operator. According to the audit side, the legality of the policy itself required scrutiny.

PTA, however, defended the tariff revisions, saying telecom operators are permitted to increase package prices within approved limits and that the increases in question had been duly authorized under its regulatory mandate.

Documents presented before the committee stated that relevant tariff approvals, system logs, and supporting records had been provided to auditors for verification. PTA’s position was that no unauthorized overcharging had taken place and that the increases highlighted in the audit were backed by regulatory approvals.

Rs 6.58 Billion Claim Puts PTA Policy Under Scrutiny

The disagreement centered on whether PTA’s tariff framework was consistent with the applicable legal and regulatory provisions.

Audit officials told the committee that a Departmental Accounts Committee meeting had already been held over the alleged Rs 6.58 billion recovery, while maintaining that a deregulated telecom market did not remove the regulator’s responsibility to protect consumers.

The audit record also highlighted a substantial increase in Jazz’s revenue and package prices over recent years. Figures placed before the committee showed that the company’s revenue had increased by around 90.4% by 2024 compared with the 2020 base year, while average package-price increases were reported at up to 45.6%.

The record further indicated that PTA had allowed tariff revisions within specified limits, subject to regulatory approvals and submission of package details by the operator.

Forensic Review Proposed as Committee Seeks Complete Record

The dispute prompted calls for an independent examination of the matter.

Senator Kamran Murtaza proposed that the case be referred to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for inquiry, while Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja suggested a forensic examination to establish the facts and determine responsibility.

The committee chair also raised concerns over an apparent procedural issue in one of the tariff approval documents, observing that the document appeared to have been signed at an incorrect place.

The committee subsequently directed the relevant authorities to provide the complete record of tariff approvals, package revisions, and supporting documentation, along with a clear explanation of the legal basis under which the increases were permitted.

For now, the matter remains disputed. Audit authorities are questioning the legality and consumer impact of the tariff framework, while PTA maintains that Jazz’s increases were formally approved and did not constitute unauthorized overcharging.

A final determination will depend on further examination of the regulatory approvals, audit findings, and tariff records submitted before the Senate committee.

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