In a breakthrough amid a prolonged legal tussle between the telecom regulator and Long Distance International (LDI) operators, Wateen Telecom has agreed to pay Rs2.2 billion in principal dues within a month, even as disputes over penalties and licence renewals continue to move slowly through the courts.
The development came during a meeting of the Sub-Committee of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication, chaired by Convener Zulfiqar Ali Bhatti, which reviewed the sector’s longstanding litigation and outstanding obligations.
A Member of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) told the committee that Wateen had committed to clearing its principal amount but preferred that the courts decide on the penalty payments, noting that the company had already submitted its recommendations to the judiciary.
Officials from PTA revealed that out of nine LDI operators, seven have submitted settlement proposals, while three companies insist on awaiting court verdicts.
Despite efforts to reach out-of-court settlements, the Secretary IT cautioned that “public money cannot be bargained away through out-of-court deals,” emphasizing that any resolution must comply with legal and transparent procedures.
PTA officials maintained a firm stance, stating that the authority was fully prepared to contest any legal challenges. They underscored that the non-functional telecom tribunals have been a major reason for years of delay in resolving such disputes.
“If telecom tribunals were operational, this matter would have been resolved much earlier,” a PTA representative told the committee.
Expressing frustration over the prolonged impasse, Convener Bhatti questioned the value of continued discussions if decisions ultimately rest with the courts. The committee subsequently decided to summon the Law Secretary and the Attorney General on October 16 to explain why the LDI licence renewal cases remain unresolved despite years of judicial proceedings.
The unresolved disputes, involving billions in licence fees, renewals, and penalties, continue to cloud investor confidence in Pakistan’s telecom sector, which is already strained by spectrum scarcity and delayed policy reforms.