Senate Orders Probe Into Jazz Over Tariff Overcharging Case

News Desk
ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication has constituted a high-powered subcommittee to investigate allegations that a leading telecommunication firm charged customers Rs5.83 billion in excess of PTA-approved tariffs. The decision follows a contentious audit objection highlighting regulatory discrepancies.
The newly formed subcommittee, headed by Senator Dr Afnanullah Khan, is tasked with thoroughly examining the alleged overcharging by Jazz and evaluating the corresponding regulatory enforcement by the Pakistan
Telecommunication Authority (PTA). Proceedings turned tense during the committee session following a heated exchange between PTA officials and representatives of the Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP), prompting Committee Chairperson Senator Palwasha Khan to intervene after the PTA chairman strongly defended institutional integrity.
The controversy stems from the 2024 audit report of the telecom regulator, which revealed that Jazz was allegedly permitted a 15 percent tariff increase exceeding the legally permissible threshold.
Meanwhile, a Jazz spokesperson maintained that the dispute primarily involves two government bodies and stated the company would present its legal and operational stance if formally summoned by any relevant forum.
The subcommittee is expected to begin its formal hearings next week, summoning key stakeholders from the PTA, AGP, and telecom sector.
The findings are anticipated to shed light on consumer rights enforcement, regulatory oversight, and compliance standards within Pakistan’s rapidly expanding digital economy.