A recent meeting of the Sub-Committee of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology, chaired by Umair Khan Niazi, focused on the recovery of outstanding dues from Long Distance and International (LDI) telecom companies and the renewal of their licenses. During the session, PTA clarified that it does not have the authority to allow telecom companies to pay their pending dues in installments, despite repeated engagements with defaulters. The Chairman of PTA informed the committee that multiple meetings had already been conducted with the companies, yet no unified position had emerged regarding payment of the dues.
The authority had already issued formal notices instructing the companies to clear all outstanding payments, including the applicable late payment surcharges. However, during the meeting, representatives of LDI firms proposed an installment-based payment plan limited to the principal amount and expressed readiness to submit post-dated cheques as a sign of commitment. PTA maintained its position that all dues, including penalties, must be paid in full and indicated that late payment charges should be secured in an escrow account to ensure compliance with financial obligations.
PTA disclosed that five LDI companies have continued to resist payment of their principal dues, which collectively amount to Rs. 15 billion. The refusal to pay in full has prolonged the standoff, despite extensive efforts by the regulator to resolve the matter through dialogue. Representatives of the LDI operators also raised concerns during the meeting about the ambiguity surrounding the government’s policy on license renewals, urging for greater transparency and predictability from the authorities. They argued that policy inconsistency creates financial uncertainty for operators and affects their ability to plan for long-term investments and obligations.
The Secretary IT acknowledged that the issue was complicated and that each LDI company had its own perspective, which made a uniform resolution difficult. He further remarked that any decision on this matter would likely set a precedent that could influence how similar dues are handled in other sectors under the government’s purview.
With both PTA and the LDI companies unwilling to adjust their positions, the sub-committee resolved to refer the matter to the Ministry of Law for legal guidance on a viable recovery mechanism. Chairman Umair Khan Niazi instructed the concerned authorities to consult the Attorney General and ensure proactive follow-up on legal proceedings, particularly those related to pending spectrum disputes in the courts. He stressed the need to expedite these cases to bring clarity to stakeholders and streamline regulatory enforcement.
The meeting was attended by senior officials including the Secretary IT, Special Secretary IT, PTA Chairman, and other key representatives from the telecom and regulatory sector.
