Pakistani mobile users have been feeling the pinch for months — and now the federal government has officially acknowledged it. During the current financial year, mobile phone operators increased monthly package prices by up to 50 percent, the Senate was informed on Monday.
The revelation has sparked widespread discussion, as millions of consumers struggle with rising digital costs alongside inflation.
Government Explains the Price Hike
In a written reply to Senator Rana Mahmood Ul Hassan, Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunications Shaza Fatima Khawaja outlined the economic pressures faced by the telecom sector.
According to the minister, several factors contributed to the increase:
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Fuel prices rose by 158% between March 2021 and May 2024
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Inflation increased by 77%
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Pakistani rupee depreciated by 44% against the US dollar
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Policy rate surged by 214%, sharply increasing financing costs
These pressures, she said, made it difficult for operators to maintain previous pricing levels.
What Package Increases Were Confirmed
The minister rejected claims that any package jumped directly from Rs. 600 to Rs. 1500, stating that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) found no such case.
However, she confirmed that operators gradually increased prices between 20% and 50%, including:
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Packages rising from Rs. 999 to Rs. 1499
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Packages increasing from Rs. 1500 to Rs. 1799
These increases were implemented during FY 2024–25.
Telecom Revenue Still Lagging Behind Inflation
Despite higher package prices, the minister revealed that the average annual revenue growth of the mobile industry over the past five years has been just 9%.
This figure stands in sharp contrast to the average annual inflation rate of 17% between 2020 and 2024, resulting in what she described as value erosion across the telecom industry.
PTA’s Role in Regulating Tariffs
Addressing concerns about unchecked price hikes, Shaza Fatima Khawaja explained that under the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organization) Act, 1996, and Mobile Tariff Regulations, 2025, operators declared as having Significant Market Power (SMP) must obtain prior approval from PTA before revising tariffs.
She confirmed that:
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Jazz has been declared an SMP operator
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Jazz’s tariffs are approved by PTA
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PTA retains the authority to intervene if tariffs by other operators harm consumer interests
Why This Matters for Consumers
With mobile internet now essential for work, education, and daily communication, rising package costs directly impact millions of Pakistanis. Analysts believe the situation highlights the need for:
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Stronger consumer protection
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Greater transparency in pricing
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Sustainable telecom policies
