The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is trying to recover Rs. 78 billion from Long Distance and International (LDI) telecom companies. However, the recovery process is delayed due to the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication (MoITT) not issuing the necessary policy directives.
PTA Efforts to Recover Payments
Documents show that five LDI companies are willing to pay Rs. 8.2 billion in installments. But the PTA cannot move forward with recovery because the Ministry of IT has not taken action. This delay is causing frustration.
| Company Status | Amount Owed | Payment Plan |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Companies | Rs. 8.2 Billion | Installments |
| 4 Companies | Rs. 15.8 Billion | Refused to Pay |
| 10 Companies | Rs. 54.5 Billion | Late Payments |
Legal Issues and Court Orders
The Sindh High Court has temporarily stopped the PTA from taking action against the companies. The court wants the PTA to review licenses that expired in 2024. This has caused further delays in resolving the issue.
| Court’s Action | PTA’s Status | Key Concern |
|---|---|---|
| Sindh High Court | PTA halted actions | License renewals |
| 2024 Expired Licenses | PTA to review status | Affects 10 companies |
Ministry Delay in Responding
On December 4th, 2024, the PTA asked the Ministry of IT for a policy directive. They expected a response by December 13th, 2024. However, no directive has been issued yet, leaving the PTA unable to act.
| Request Date | Expected Response | Status |
|---|---|---|
| December 4, 2024 | December 13, 2024 | No response yet |
Ministry of IT Role
The Ministry of IT is responsible for managing funds like USF and APC. They have asked the federal government to involve the Supreme Court for faster resolution of the LDI cases. A referee judge could help settle the issues quickly.
| Ministry’s Role | Proposed Action | Expected Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| IT Ministry | Seek Supreme Court’s help | Faster case resolution |
Allegations and Controversy
Reports suggest that a policy released by the Ministry of IT last year favored LDI companies. This led to the dismissal of the former Secretary. These allegations have made the situation even more complicated.
| Allegation | Impact on PTA | Resolution Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Favoritism to LDI | PTA under pressure | Clear policy directive |
Summary
The PTA is struggling to recover Rs. 78 billion due to delays from the Ministry of IT. Some companies are willing to pay, but others refuse. Legal issues and allegations have only made matters more difficult. Until the Ministry of IT takes action, the situation remains unresolved.
