ISLAMABAD (MNN); Millions of mobile phone users across Pakistan will have to pay more for voice calls, SMS services and mobile internet after the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) approved revised tariff plans submitted by telecom operators.
According to the latest tariff schedules, leading telecom companies, including Jazz, Zong, Ufone and other operators, have increased the prices of several prepaid and postpaid packages by up to 33 per cent, with the highest increases recorded in monthly and long-duration bundles.
The revised tariffs cover daily, weekly, fortnightly and monthly packages, meaning consumers will now face higher charges for voice calls, internet data and text messaging services.
The increase comes amid rising inflation and higher living costs, adding further financial pressure on households already struggling with increasing prices of essential goods and utility services.
According to the PTA, the revised tariff details have been published to ensure transparency and allow consumers to compare available packages before selecting the most suitable option.
Industry experts say telecom operators periodically review package prices due to increasing operational costs, including higher electricity tariffs, fuel prices, network expansion expenses, spectrum fees and inflation. They argue that tariff adjustments are necessary to maintain service quality and continue investment in digital infrastructure.
Pakistan’s telecom sector serves more than 190 million cellular subscribers, while millions of users rely on affordable mobile internet for education, online businesses, digital banking, freelancing, e-commerce and everyday communication.
Consumer rights advocates, however, have expressed concern that the latest price hike will disproportionately affect low- and middle-income users, many of whom depend on economical telecom packages for work, study and access to digital services.
The revised package rates have come into effect following PTA approval and are now applicable across the respective telecom operators’ networks.
