ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has suspended the licenses of five Long Distance International (LDI) operators after they failed to clear nearly Rs. 80 billion in outstanding dues.
According to the regulator, the defaulting companies repeatedly ignored payment deadlines despite multiple reminders and separate hearings. As a result, PTA issued individual determinations against each operator and ordered them to shut down their services with immediate effect. Cellular mobile operators and value-added service providers have also been directed to discontinue all facilities extended to these firms.
Breaking down the dues, PTA revealed that Rs. 24 billion represents principal amounts, while another Rs. 56 billion has piled up in late payment surcharges. These include long-overdue charges under the Access Promotion Contribution (APC) and Universal Service Fund (USF).
At present, 13 LDI licenses are active in Pakistan. Four of them were renewed in 2024, while seven expired the same year. The remaining two will lapse in 2025 and 2026. PTA noted that despite repeated opportunities, no progress was made on either license renewals or overdue payments, leaving the authority with no choice but to enforce suspension.
