The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has imposed combined fines of Rs145.833 million on Telenor Pakistan, Pakistan Telecom Mobile Limited (PTML) and Zong for quality-of-service violations. The penalties, reported on October 17, 2026, are part of a wider enforcement push in which PTA is also ordering operators to fix coverage gaps across Islamabad and Rawalpindi by October 2026 — with more financial penalties possible for those that fall short.
What PTA announced
Between October 8 and 14, 2026, PTA carried out monitoring of telecom services through its zonal teams in Thatta, Dera Ghazi Khan, Mandi Bahauddin, Quetta, Faisalabad and Gilgit-Baltistan. Officials assessed mobile network coverage, voice calls and internet quality, identified problems affecting consumers, and directed operators to resolve them within specified deadlines. PTA also confirmed that an issue involving the closure of a telecom site in Faisalabad had been resolved.
The nationwide monitoring drive
The latest round follows a larger inspection drive the week before. Between September 30 and October 7, PTA field teams inspected 115 telecom sites across Pakistan:
- Lahore: 39 sites
- Karachi: 17 sites
- Sukkur: 16 sites
- Multan and Rawalpindi: 14 sites each
- Quetta: 8 sites, Abbottabad: 4 sites, Gilgit: 3 sites
Teams checked network performance, voice and data service quality, coverage and backup power at towers — focusing on the complaints consumers make most: call connection failures, dropped calls, slow mobile internet and weak coverage.
The Rs145.8 million fines
Alongside the monitoring, PTA used its enforcement powers on service quality, imposing combined fines of Rs145.833 million on Telenor Pakistan, PTML (the company behind Ufone) and Zong over quality-of-service violations. Parliamentary committees have also been pressing the regulator over poor service, which helps explain the steady stream of field inspection updates PTA is now publishing.
Coverage fixes ordered for Islamabad and Rawalpindi
In a more specific directive, PTA has told mobile operators to close coverage gaps across Islamabad's sectors and parts of Rawalpindi — including the Kashmir Highway and Islamabad Expressway corridors — by October 2026. Operators are expected to install new sites where signals are weak and add sites as they roll out new 5G spectrum bands. Financial penalties are possible for operators that fail to show measurable improvement.
What this means for mobile users
For subscribers, the enforcement push is good news — but results will take time:
- Better coverage is coming in the twin cities at least, with new sites planned alongside 5G rollouts.
- Report poor service: PTA's complaint system takes consumer reports seriously — file yours through PTA's official complaint channels, and keep the long tracking link handy with our free link shortener when sharing it.
- Check before you switch: Coverage varies by operator and neighbourhood, so test signal strength where you live and work before porting your number.
- Protect your device: While you wait for coverage to improve, make sure your phone is protected — browse cases and accessories on the JustMobilePk Store page.
FAQs
Why did PTA fine Telenor, Zong and Ufone?
PTA imposed combined fines of Rs145.833 million on Telenor Pakistan, Pakistan Telecom Mobile Limited and Zong over quality-of-service violations, following nationwide monitoring of coverage, call quality and internet speeds.
Which areas did PTA monitor in October 2026?
Between October 8 and 14, PTA teams monitored services in Thatta, Dera Ghazi Khan, Mandi Bahauddin, Quetta, Faisalabad and Gilgit-Baltistan, after inspecting 115 sites nationwide the previous week.
What is the deadline for fixing coverage in Islamabad and Rawalpindi?
PTA has directed operators to close coverage gaps across Islamabad and Rawalpindi by October 2026, installing new sites where needed, with financial penalties possible for operators that fail to show measurable improvement.
How can I complain about poor mobile service in Pakistan?
You can file a complaint through PTA's official complaint management system. Keep your complaint reference number safe so you can follow up if the issue is not resolved.
Conclusion
PTA's Rs145.8 million in fines and the twin-cities coverage deadline show the regulator is finally putting real pressure on operators over service quality. For mobile users, the message is simple: report the problems you face, and hold both your operator and the regulator to their promises.
