The federal government has confirmed that mobile phone operators increased prices of their monthly packages by up to 50 percent during the current financial year.
The disclosure was made in the Senate through a written reply by Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunications Shaza Fatima Khawaja on Monday.
She attributed the increase to multiple economic pressures, including a 158 percent rise in fuel prices between March 2021 and May 2024.
The minister said inflation increased by 77 percent, while the Pakistani rupee depreciated by 44 percent, sharply raising operational costs for telecom companies.
She rejected claims that packages jumped from Rs. 600 to Rs. 1,500, but confirmed increases ranging from 20 to 50 percent.
She also said Jazz is declared a Significant Market Power operator, and its tariffs require PTA approval, while others remain monitored.
Also read: Ministers Oppose PTA Tax on Mobile Phones
