PTA Unable to Recover Rs 55 Billion From Operators Due to Legal Delays

Pakistan’s telecom regulator is stuck in one of its biggest financial gridlocks yet, with more than Rs 55.57 billion in unpaid dues tied up in courts. The federal cabinet was recently briefed that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is unable to recover the amount because most cases remain stalled under litigation.

Documents reviewed by TechJuice show that telecom operators still owe Rs 16.33 billion in principal payments. Late-payment fees have climbed to Rs 39.24 billion, taking the total liability to a record level. Officials say almost all major dues remain sub-judice, which prevents any administrative action.

The standoff goes beyond the PTA. The Ministry of IT and Telecom is also waiting for operators to clear their Universal Service Fund and Research and Development contributions. These payments remain unpaid because operators have challenged the demands in court. Another category of charges, the Access Promotion Charges for the USF, is also locked in legal disputes.

The regulator has made several attempts to enforce recovery. It issued show-cause notices, passed enforcement orders, and later filed petitions under the Land Revenue Act. However, operators moved the courts each time, which resulted in stay orders. As a result, the recovery process has been frozen while the legal battles continue.

The government now faces a prolonged revenue delay with no clear timeline for resolution, and officials warn the backlog will continue to grow until the courts decide the pending cases.