LDI Companies Oppose PTA’s Conditions for Payment of Rs. 78 Billion Dues

The recovery of Rs. 78 billion in outstanding dues from Long Distance International (LDI) telecom companies remains deadlocked, as no breakthrough has been achieved despite ongoing individual hearings at the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) headquarters. Sources told ProPakistani that the hearings are being held to resolve issues related to license renewals and dues payments, but differences between the stakeholders persist. According to sources, both the PTA and the Ministry of Information Technology are reluctant to take responsibility for resolving the matter, primarily due to fears of a potential National Accountability Bureau (NAB) reference. The option of settling the dues in installments has also failed to gain traction, as LDI companies have opposed the installment conditions proposed by PTA. The telecom firms rejected the PTA’s offer to suggest their own installment plan, indicating mistrust and a lack of consensus. Sources in PTA added that the outstanding dues are not related to the authority but fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of IT. PTA has emphasized that it cannot unilaterally decide on any waiver of dues, stating that a policy decision must come from the Ministry. Furthermore, PTA officials suggest that the safest route to avoid NAB scrutiny is to cancel the licenses of companies that fail to clear their dues in full. The total amount owed by the nine LDI companies stands at Rs. 78 billion, of which Rs. 24 billion is the principal amount, while Rs. 54 billion comprises late payment surcharges. The licenses of these companies have already expired, and the PTA has made dues clearance a mandatory condition for renewal. Meanwhile, the companies have approached the courts, seeking relief regarding the payments and PTA’s conditions. Out of the nine LDI companies, five have shown willingness to pay the principal amount in installments, but even they have objected to the conditions tied to PTA’s installment framework. The remaining four companies have completely refused to consider installment-based payments. Officials from the Ministry of IT have expressed concerns that allowing such flexibility or granting waivers could set a precedent for future defaults. In an attempt to resolve the impasse, the PTA chairman has proposed a joint meeting between the leadership of LDI companies and the federal IT minister, sources added.