The Senate Standing Committee on IT and Telecom on Wednesday expressed strong criticism of the Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) for imposing additional taxes on customer bills, including an extra charge for providing hard copies of bills. Lawmakers raised concerns over the burden placed on consumers, calling the practice unfair.

Officials from the IT Ministry defended the policy, explaining that the tax on paper bills was introduced to discourage paper usage and promote environmentally friendly practices. However, the explanation did little to appease the committee members, who questioned the necessity of such measures.

In a separate discussion, the committee was informed about recent decisions by the rightsizing committee, which have led to significant changes in the Telecom Foundation’s operations. Following the federal cabinet’s approval, the government has withdrawn from the foundation, and it will now operate under PTCL. This restructuring is expected to impact two companies currently operating under the foundation.

The committee chairman suggested that the Telecom Foundation should focus on its core telecom business rather than managing schools, arguing that its resources would be better utilized in its primary area of expertise. However, another lawmaker countered this view, stating that if the foundation is capable of effectively running schools, it should continue to do so.

The discussions highlighted the need for clarity on PTCL’s taxation policies and the future direction of the Telecom Foundation under its new management structure. The committee called for further deliberations on these issues to ensure consumer interests and operational efficiency are prioritized.