The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has rejected an audit finding that Jazz overcharged customers by Rs. 6.58 billion, saying the amount was calculated after the regulator’s tariff approval was incorrectly interpreted.

The issue was discussed during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication on Thursday.

PTA said the dispute relates to a tariff approval issued on February 12, 2024. The regulator explained that the approval was for a 15 percent increase, while the audit reportedly treated it as permission for a 3 percent quarterly increase.

According to the authority, the confusion also involved the placement of a signature on the approval document. PTA said the signature was intended for attestation and did not represent a separate tariff approval.

The regulator said it submitted the relevant approval documents, tariff information and system-generated audit records to the Auditor General’s office. Certified copies were also provided for verification, according to PTA.

PTA further said it is legally responsible for approving and regulating tariffs, particularly for operators designated as having significant market power. Tariff changes are reviewed by the authority before they can be implemented.

The regulator said it approved revisions involving 35 packages during 2024 after examining factors such as operating costs, investment requirements, competition and consumer interests.

It added that the average annual increase across more than 100 packages during the year was 13.6 percent.

PTA maintained that the Rs. 6.58 billion amount cited in the audit should not be treated as unauthorized revenue collected from customers, arguing that the relevant tariff increases had received regulatory approval.