Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has issued a public advisory warning mobile phone users about unauthorized activation of Value Added Services, commonly referred to as VAS. The regulator said it has received complaints from consumers regarding services being activated on their mobile numbers without their consent, which often results in unexpected balance deductions. According to the advisory issued from Islamabad on March 3, 2026, consumers are being urged to remain cautious and regularly monitor their mobile balances as well as active service subscriptions in order to avoid unwanted charges.
Value Added Services offered by telecom operators generally include a range of optional features such as caller tunes also known as ring back tones, daily short message service alerts, mobile internet bundles, missed call notifications, horoscope updates, quiz based services, infotainment alerts and other subscription based content services. While these services are designed to provide additional features to mobile users, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority noted that such services should only be activated after receiving clear consent from the customer. The regulator emphasized that no VAS should be enabled without user approval and that activation must follow proper verification procedures.
According to PTA guidelines, the activation of Value Added Services requires confirmation through a One Time Password or by dialing a specific Unstructured Supplementary Service Data code. These security steps are designed to ensure that the mobile subscriber intentionally approves the service activation. The advisory stressed that users should never share a One Time Password with any individual or service provider representative unless they have personally requested the service. If an OTP is shared unknowingly or a confirmation code is entered without understanding the request, it may lead to unauthorized activation of a subscription service and related balance deductions.
PTA has advised consumers who observe unexplained balance deductions to immediately contact their respective mobile network operators and register a formal complaint. Users are encouraged to obtain a complaint reference number from the operator and allow the company the prescribed time to investigate and resolve the issue. If the matter is not resolved satisfactorily by the operator, consumers can escalate the complaint directly to Pakistan Telecommunication Authority through the Complaint Management System available at https://pta.gov.pk or through the official CMS mobile application. The regulator stated that these mechanisms have been established to ensure that telecom users can report service related issues and obtain timely resolution.
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority further stated that safeguarding consumer rights remains a priority for the regulator. By issuing this advisory, PTA aims to encourage transparency and responsible practices within the telecommunications sector while also helping consumers remain aware of potential risks associated with subscription based mobile services. Authorities noted that regular monitoring of mobile accounts and prompt reporting of suspicious deductions can help protect users from unauthorized service activations and ensure fair practices across the telecom industry in Pakistan.
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