Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) failed to collect around Rs 393 million in annual regulatory dues (ARDs) from telecom companies during the financial year 2020-21, an audit report has revealed.
According to the report of the Auditor General of Pakistan, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), telecom companies owe more than 393 million rupees to the federal government.
Out of this, telecom service providers owe about Rs 14 million in annual license fee and Rs 37 million in basic telephone fee.
The arrears towards Universal Service Fund (USF) charges are Rs 227 million and Research and Development Contribution is Rs 78 million.
Similarly, in Annual Spectrum Fee (ASF), telecommunication firms owe the regulator around Rs 26 million and another Rs 8 million in Annual License Fee (ALF) – LDI.
The audit in November 2021 identified a discrepancy in the management of the PTA. However, the authority responded that most of the arrears were challenged in court by the operators.
However, audit reports show that in every case where dues were challenged, the courts referred the petitions back to the PTA.
Meanwhile, the National Telecom Corporation (NTC) had agreed to pay the outstanding amount but has not paid anything till now.
While the audit authorities are looking into the cases, it has been recommended to review and recover the dues from the telecommunication services operators.
