BeNewz
Related Articles
Telecom authority says matter lies within IT Ministry’s jurisdiction; major LDI operators propose staggered payments and settlements.
Aftab Maken
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has distanced itself from the ongoing dispute concerning the Rs72 billion Access Promotion Contribution (APC) dues, clarifying that the issue falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT). The authority has conveyed to the ministry that it has no objection to any decision the government takes on the matter.
According to official documents, the PTA informed the IT Ministry that all Long Distance International (LDI) operators had submitted their respective proposals in line with directions from a sub-committee of the National Assembly. These proposals include various options for payment settlements — such as installments, escrow accounts, or court-directed decisions.
The documents reveal that five telecom companies — Telecard, WorldCall, Wise Communication, Multinet, and 4B Gentle — have conditionally agreed to clear their principal dues either through phased installments or by depositing funds in an escrow account.
Telecard has proposed depositing Rs10 million per month for 72 months into a joint escrow account. WorldCall has offered to clear its outstanding amount in 60 quarterly installments, while Wise Communication has suggested paying Rs385 million in 72 installments, arguing that late payment surcharges should not be applied for the period between 2005 and 2012.
Meanwhile, Multinet has expressed willingness to reach an out-of-court settlement, offering to withdraw all pending cases and close the dispute.
On the other hand, CircleNet, Dancom, and Redtone Telecom have rejected PTA’s calculations, insisting that the case should remain under judicial review. These companies argue that the PTA’s methodology conflicts with findings from the Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) and violates APC regulations.
The PTA reiterated to the ministry that all APC amounts due for the Universal Service Fund (USF) must be paid directly to the IT Ministry, emphasizing that the authority has repeatedly raised this matter in the past.
In its correspondence, the PTA reminded the ministry that on January 28, 2025, the IT Ministry had expressed support for an amicable settlement with the LDI operators to facilitate the renewal of their licenses.
The regulator also referred to a Sindh High Court ruling dated November 27, 2024, after which PTA issued decisions in July 2025 concerning APC payments and license renewals — decisions that remain sub judice.
Furthermore, Wateen Telecom has reportedly agreed to make a partial payment of principal dues, though it continues to dispute the imposition of late payment penalties.
Sources familiar with the matter told Dawn that the APC dispute has persisted for several years among the IT Ministry, PTA, and various telecom operators. The disagreement stems from the system introduced years ago, under which a fixed portion of international call revenues was to be remitted to the government through local operators. However, disputes over rates and accounting methods during successive administrations have complicated the issue further.
Government insiders said the IT Ministry is now considering forming a special task force to resolve the issue comprehensively by reconciling the pending dues and ensuring alignment with ongoing court proceedings.
Industry analysts believe that a transparent and balanced approach by the government could restore investor confidence in Pakistan’s telecom sector and bring much-needed improvements in licensing procedures and revenue collection frameworks.
According to officials, the PTA has made its position clear — it is not a direct party to the dispute, and the final decision rests entirely with the IT Ministry and the federal government. The authority has stated that it will fully comply with whatever judgment the courts or the government ultimately issue on the matter.
