ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has suspended the licenses of five Long Distance International (LDI) operators over non-payment of dues totaling nearly Rs. 80 billion.
In its directive, PTA ordered the defaulting operators to immediately cease operations and instructed cellular mobile companies and value-added service providers to discontinue all facilities being extended to them.
The authority stated that despite several deadlines and multiple hearings, the companies failed to clear their liabilities. As a result, PTA issued separate determinations against each operator and revoked their licenses.
According to PTA, the total outstanding amount includes Rs. 24 billion in principal and Rs. 56 billion in late payment surcharges, mainly relating to long-pending Access Promotion Contribution (APC) and Universal Service Fund (USF) charges.
Currently, 13 LDI licenses remain active in Pakistan. Of these, four were renewed in 2024, seven expired the same year, while the last two are set to expire in 2025 and 2026.
PTA stressed that repeated opportunities were provided, but no progress was made regarding payments or license renewals, which ultimately led to the enforcement action.
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