Mobile operators have increased tariffs by up to 22 percent over the past year, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has acknowledged, while rejecting claims that telecom companies have been raising prices by 10–20 percent every month.
According to official documents, PTA’s analysis of the ten most-used subscriber packages offered by Jazz, Telenor, Zong and Ufone showed an average tariff increase ranging between 12 percent and 22 percent from June 2025 to June 2026.
The authority said the annual increase translated into a monthly rise of around 1–2 percent and maintained that there was no evidence of mobile operators increasing prices by 10–20 percent on a monthly basis.
The clarification comes amid growing consumer concerns over repeated increases in mobile package prices, which have raised the cost of calls, data and other cellular services.
PTA said it regulates Jazz as a Significant Market Power (SMP) operator, while Ufone and Telenor are regulated under the merger order issued on November 30, 2025.
Zong, being a non-SMP operator, may revise its tariffs according to its commercial decisions, the regulator said.
However, PTA retains the authority to intervene if tariffs adversely affect consumer interests under the Mobile Tariff Regulations, 2025.
The regulator said it is legally required to protect consumers while also ensuring telecom operators receive a reasonable return on their investments.
PTA regularly approves Jazz’s tariffs after considering consumer interests, inflation, prevailing economic conditions and market competition. It also conducts anonymous billing verification exercises to ensure subscribers are charged according to approved rates.
Consumers facing tariff-related complaints or discrepancies in billing can lodge complaints through PTA’s Complaint Management System, available on the authority’s official website, CMS application and helpline.
PTA said it takes up such complaints with the relevant operators under the applicable legal framework for redressal.
While mobile tariffs have risen substantially over the past year, with increases reaching 22 percent in some cases, the authority said the data did not support allegations of monthly price hikes ranging between 10 percent and 20 percent.
The issue has gained significance as mobile connectivity has become an essential service for households, businesses and digital users, making repeated price revisions a growing consumer concern.
