NAB begins probe into PTA ‘failure’ to recover dues from telecom firms

ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has initiated an inquiry into the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority’s alleged failure to recover billions of rupees in dues from telecom companies.

NAB’s Karachi chapter has sought details of the outstanding amount and records of payments made by the telecom companies.

Sources said that NAB has taken up the matter under Section 18(b) of the National Accountability Ordinance. The PTA allegedly failed to collect late payment additional fee (LPAF) from the defaulting Wireless Local Loop (WLL) Operators and Long Distance International (LDI) companies, causing loss to the national exchequer. The sources said the PTA might have important record relevant to the case that can be helpful in investigations. NAB has asked the PTA to provide a comprehensive update on the current status of its litigation with WLL and LDI companies regarding the non-payment of outstanding dues and also the names of companies against which suits have been filed.