Pakistan’s prepaid mobile users can face steep charges when they use services without a bundle. Standard data rates can reach Rs 5 per MB, while calls cost up to Rs 3.60 per minute.
The latest prepaid tariff data from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), updated on September 30, 2026, shows wide differences among operators. Taxes can also reduce the balance available to users after each recharge.
Jazz has the highest listed standard data rate at Rs 5 per MB. The rate applies across its Budget, Champion, Easy, One, and Lite packages. At that rate, 100 MB of regular pay-as-you-go data can cost Rs 500 before taxes. A full 1 GB would theoretically cost Rs 5,120.
Jazz also charges Rs 3.50 per minute for voice calls on most packages. Its Lite package charges Rs 3.60 per minute. The operator also applies a Rs 0.15 call setup fee and Rs 2.50 per domestic SMS on most packages.
Telenor also charges a high rate for users who do not subscribe to a bundle. Its standard internet rate is Rs 4 plus tax per MB. Its voice charges range from Rs 2.92 to Rs 2.93 per minute plus tax. Telenor also charges Rs 0.125 plus tax for call setup and Rs 1.80 plus tax per SMS.
Zong lists the same Rs 4 plus tax rate per MB for standard internet use. Its voice rates range from Rs 2.68 to Rs 2.97 per minute plus tax, depending on the package. Zong also applies a Rs 0.15 call setup charge. Its SMS rate stands at Rs 1.80 plus tax.
Ufone offers a lower standard data rate of Rs2.75 plus tax per MB. However, its standard voice rate remains at Rs3.50 per minute. The operator also charges Rs0.15 for call setup. Its SMS rate is Rs2.03 plus tax.
The figures show how quickly prepaid balances can fall when users rely on standard rates. This can be a bigger issue for people who use mobile services occasionally. Users with smaller balances may not always subscribe to larger bundles. As a result, calls, messages, and mobile data can consume a recharge within a short time.
Taxes add another cost to mobile usage. According to the PTA, a 15 percent withholding tax is deducted from every recharge. A 19.5 percent sales tax is also charged on usage in applicable provinces and the federal territory. Therefore, the amount paid during a recharge does not fully translate into usable mobile balance.
The operator comparison also shows that standard tariffs vary across services. Ufone has a lower data rate, while its voice charge remains at Rs3.50 per minute. Telenor and Zong have lower headline voice rates on some packages. However, taxes are added to their published tariffs.
The pricing structure also makes bundled packages more important for prepaid users. Bundles generally offer lower effective rates for data, calls, and SMS. However, users can return to standard rates after their bundle allowances run out. This can lead to unexpected charges if they continue using mobile services.
The PTA has advised consumers to check operators’ websites, apps, and call centres. Users can find updated tariff details, including regional and promotional offers, through these channels. For millions of prepaid subscribers, affordability remains a key concern. Mobile connectivity is now essential for education, banking, jobs, e-commerce, and public services.
Yet, the latest PTA figures show that using mobile services outside a bundle can still carry a significant cost.
