Mobile users in Pakistan may be paying more than they realize for basic services like calls, texts, and data. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has revealed the actual tariff structure and tax burden on cellular mobile services, highlighting the significant deductions that shrink user credit and inflate usage costs. Base Tariffs Without a Bundle For users not subscribed to any package or offer, the basic Pay As You Go (PayG) charges are: Voice calls: Rs. 3.2 to Rs. 3.6 per minute Data usage: Rs. 3.3 to Rs. 5 per MB SMS messages: Rs. 2.15 to Rs. 2.5 per SMS These are the rates users face when they’re not on a bundle, making casual usage significantly more expensive. Tax Deductions on Every Top-Up When you load Rs. 100 onto your mobile account, here’s what you actually get: Withholding Tax (WHT): 15% or Rs. 13.043 Credited balance: Rs. 86.96 General Sales Tax (GST): 19.5% per call, SMS, and MB usage Estimated tax burden: Rs. 27.233 in total on a Rs. 100 load This means over a quarter of your mobile credit disappears into taxes before you even start using services. Whether you're on a prepaid or postpaid plan, GST at 19.5% applies not just to individual services but also to packages, bundles, and all types of subscriptions. These uniform charges affect the entire user base, regardless of how they consume services. Regulatory Control and Operator Privileges PTA’s regulatory framework distinguishes between operators based on market dominance: Jazz, identified as a Significant Market Power (SMP) operator, must seek prior approval before introducing or revising any package. It must also submit consumer impact assessments and comparative industry data. Ufone, Telenor, and Zong, considered non-SMP operators, have the freedom to set prices independently but must still inform consumers 7 days in advance of any changes. While PTA didn’t disclose when the last tariff increase occurred, it ensures SMP proposals are vetted for inflation impact and cost justification. Between high base tariffs and heavy taxation, Pakistani mobile users face a substantial financial burden, often without realizing how much of their money is lost to taxes and unbundled service charges. As digital access becomes more essential, these hidden costs raise questions about affordability and transparency in the country’s mobile sector.