National Assembly Sub-Committee Reviews LDI License Dues and Renewal Issues
A meeting of the Sub-Committee of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology, chaired by Umair Khan Niazi, was recently held to address key regulatory and financial challenges in Pakistan’s telecom sector.
💼 Focus on LDI Dues and License Renewals
The primary agenda included the recovery of outstanding dues from Long Distance and International (LDI) telecom operators and matters related to their license renewals.
During the meeting, the Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) clarified that the authority does not have the mandate to allow LDI companies to settle dues through installments. Despite holding multiple discussions with defaulting companies, the PTA has now issued formal directives to recover all pending amounts, including late payment surcharges.
💸 Rs. 15 Billion in Unpaid Dues
While LDI companies proposed to pay the principal amount in installments and offered post-dated cheques, PTA insisted that full payment, including late fees, must be made according to existing terms. It was disclosed that five LDI firms still owe Rs. 15 billion in principal dues and have yet to commit to a complete payment plan.
⚖️ Legal and Policy Concerns Raised
LDI representatives expressed concern over the lack of clarity in the government’s license renewal policies. The Secretary for IT acknowledged the complexity of the issue, noting that the resolution could set a precedent for other sectors facing similar payment challenges.
To move forward, the sub-committee recommended seeking input from the Ministry of Law to define a proper recovery framework. The Attorney General’s Office has also been engaged to expedite ongoing spectrum dispute cases pending in courts.
👥 High-Level Participation
The meeting was attended by top officials, including:
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Secretary and Special Secretary of IT
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Chairman PTA
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Senior representatives from LDI telecom firms
The committee stressed the need for a balanced resolution that ensures compliance while facilitating sectoral growth and legal clarity.
