Jazz pushes back against audit report, denies overcharging claims
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- Web Desk
- 1 Hour ago
ISLAMABAD: Jazz, Pakistan’s biggest telecom operator, has hit back at the Auditor General of Pakistan’s (AGP) latest report, which accused the company of overcharging its customers by billions of rupees.
In a statement posted on X, Jazz said it runs its business “in full compliance with Pakistan’s regulatory framework” and stressed that every tariff and service goes live only after the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) gives the green light.
The company insisted that it offers transparent, affordable services and has already provided regulators with evidence of timely approvals.
Billions in question
The AGP’s audit for FY2024-25, now under review by the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication, flagged financial irregularities across the telecom sector. Jazz, in particular, was named for allegedly overcharging its subscribers by about Rs6.8 billion.
The report also highlighted that the national exchequer suffered losses running into billions of rupees due to gaps in oversight and compliance within the industry.
High-stakes hearing ahead
With pressure mounting, the Senate committee has called an urgent meeting on August 25 to dig into the AGP’s findings and question the practices of telecom companies. Lawmakers are expected to demand clarity, while regulators face tough questions over how closely they’ve been watching the sector.
For Jazz, the timing couldn’t be more critical. The operator is under growing scrutiny, not just for alleged financial practices but also for how it maintains its position as the country’s leading telecom provider. By going public with its defence, the company is trying to reassure customers and policymakers that it plays by the book.
What happens next will depend on how Parliament and regulators interpret the AGP’s findings. For now, Jazz is standing firm, the company says it is fully aligned with the law, and any suggestion otherwise ignores the role of the PTA in approving what customers pay.
