The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) monitored 166 mobile sites across Pakistan from October 15 to 22, 2026, found problems with coverage and the quality of voice and internet services, and ordered telecom operators to fix them within a set timeframe. The drive, carried out through the PTA's 12 zonal offices, is the regulator's latest field action in a month of stepped-up network inspections, according to ProPakistani's report of October 24.
For ordinary mobile users, this matters because it is one of the few times the regulator checks networks on the ground instead of relying on the operators' own reports. If you have been facing dropped calls, weak signals or slow mobile internet, this is the process that is supposed to catch it.
What the PTA checked
The monitoring covered three things that affect every mobile user:
- Mobile network coverage — whether signals actually reach the areas people live and work in.
- Voice call quality — dropped calls, unclear audio and failed connections.
- Internet service performance — mobile data speeds and reliability.
Where problems were found, operators were directed to resolve them within the stipulated timeframe. The PTA said it will keep coordinating with operators, relevant organisations and local administrations to improve service quality across the country.
Where the inspections took place
The October 15 to 22 visits covered Karachi, Quetta, Jacobabad, Khairpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Kasur, Pattoki, Kot Radha Kishan, Nowshera Virkan, Torghar, Faisalabad and Gilgit-Baltistan. The list is telling: these are not only the big cities. Smaller towns and remote areas, where complaints about poor service are most persistent, were included.
This follows an earlier drive from October 8 to 14, when the PTA's 10 zonal offices visited Thatta, Dera Ghazi Khan, Mandi Bahauddin, Quetta, Faisalabad and Gilgit-Baltistan, and a September 30 to October 7 round covering 115 sites across the country.
Why this is happening now
Pakistan's mobile users continue to report slow speeds and unreliable coverage, and the issue has now reached Parliament. During a recent National Assembly session, PPP lawmaker Aseefa Bhutto Zardari said neither 4G nor 5G was working properly in Nawabshah, while presiding officer Abdul Qadir Patel questioned the push for 5G when existing services remained unreliable.
Parliamentary Secretary for IT Sabeen Ghauri told the house that 5G was available in 24 cities, with nationwide expansion expected to take about two years. A PTA report based on second-quarter 2026 data put average 4G download speeds at 18.9 Mbps — if that figure means little to you, a free unit converter translates Mbps into the MB/s speeds your phone shows.
What it means for mobile users in Pakistan
Field inspections put real pressure on operators. Unlike a complaint filed online, a zonal office visit produces a measured finding and a deadline. Three practical effects are worth watching:
- Weak-signal areas get attention first. The inspected districts match the places users complain about most, so fixes should land where they are needed.
- Operators face deadlines, not suggestions. The PTA directed operators to resolve the identified issues within a stipulated timeframe.
- It is a rolling programme, not a one-off. Three inspection rounds in about a month show sustained enforcement rather than a single publicity exercise.
What to do if your area has weak signals
Do not wait for the next inspection round. Report the problem so it enters the record the zonal offices work from:
- Note the exact location, the time of day and whether the problem is calls, data or both.
- Complain to your operator first, through its helpline or app, and keep the complaint number.
- If nothing changes, escalate to the PTA through its complaint channels.
- Check whether neighbours on other networks face the same problem — a shared issue points to a site problem, not your phone.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What did the PTA find at the 166 mobile sites?
The PTA found issues related to mobile network coverage and the quality of voice and internet services, and directed operators to resolve them within a stipulated timeframe.
Which cities and areas were inspected?
Karachi, Quetta, Jacobabad, Khairpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Kasur, Pattoki, Kot Radha Kishan, Nowshera Virkan, Torghar, Faisalabad and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Is this the PTA's first such drive?
No. It follows an October 8 to 14 drive across six regions and a September 30 to October 7 round covering 115 sites, making it the third inspection round in about a month.
Will my mobile service improve because of this?
Inspections create measured findings and deadlines, which carry more weight than complaints alone, but improvements depend on operators completing the fixes on time.
Conclusion
The PTA's 166-site sweep shows the regulator checking networks in the field, in the districts where users complain most. Your own complaint is still the fastest way to get your area on the list.
