A debate over telecom finances emerged in parliament as lawmakers revisited long-standing concerns around public money and corporate losses. During the meeting, the Senate IT and Telecom Committee turned its attention to Ufone’s financial performance and a separate unresolved payment issue involving the Etisalat Group.
The meeting opened with a review of Ufone’s losses over the past five years. Officials confirmed that Ufone operates under PTCL’s ownership. The IT secretary shared this detail while briefing the committee members. Lawmakers then shifted focus from operational losses to a broader financial dispute.
The committee chairperson then raised a key question about the long-pending $800 million, which remains part of the dues from the sale of Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited to the Etisalat Group. He asked when this amount would be returned to the government. He further argued that if the UAE has already recovered its payments, Pakistan should also reclaim its due share.
Senator Afnan Ullah added another dimension to the discussion. He said that if a profit margin is applied to the $800 million, the total value could reach billions of dollars. His remarks highlighted the scale of the issue and its long-term financial impact.
Since Senator Afnan Ullah also chairs the Privatization Committee, members suggested closer coordination. They proposed holding the next meeting jointly to ensure better oversight. As a result, the IT Committee chairperson has now called for a joint session with the Privatization Committee.
