PTA Consumer Alert for Mobile Users in Pakistan


The general public / users of Telecom Services are advised to note the following:

Federal Excise Duty (FED) on Telecom Services

FED on telecommunication services will enhance from 15% to 21% w.e.f. July 1, 2008. Withholding Tax (WHT) will continue to be charged @ 10% in addition to FED. Total Compounded Tax on telecommunication services will be 33.1%.

Withholding Tax on Telephone Bills

With effect from 1 st July 2008, the Ministry of Finance, has levied withholding tax on fixed-line telephony. The WHT is applicable on monthly bill exceeds Rs. 1000 @ 10% for the amount exceeding Rs. 1000.

Telenor Talkshawk A-1 Package

For on-net calls, Telenor is charging Rs.1.40 for the first minute and Rs. 1.00 for second minute onwards. For off-net calls, Telenor is charging Rs.1.80 for the first minute and Rs. 1.00 for second minute onwards. These charges are exclusive of GST.

Mobilink Jazz One Package

For on-net calls, Mobilink is charging Rs.1.40 for the first minute and Rs. 1.00 for second minute onwards. For off-net calls, Mobilink is charging Rs.2.00 for the first minute and Rs. 1.60 for second minute onwards. These charges are exclusive of GST.

PTCL Pakistan Plus Package

PTCL is charging Rs. 199 per month (excluding 15% GST) in addition to normal line-rent and offering 2500 free NWD minutes. For de-activation of "Pakistan Package", dial 12401240.

Helpline & Friends & Family Charges

The cellular mobile operators are charging for helpline and friends & family services (Excluding 15% GST & 10% Advance Tax). 

  UFONE MOBILINK TELENOR WARID INSTAPHONE ZONG
  POSTPAID PREPAID POSTPAID PREPAID POSTPAID PREPAID POSTPAID PREPAID POSTPAID PREPAID POSTPAID PREPAID
Helpline Charging 0.00 1.00 0.00 1.00 0.00 1.25 0.00 0.50 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
FNF Charging (Initial Charging) 50.00 50.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Not Applicable 0.00 0.00
FNF - Per Number Change 20.00 10.00 0.00 15.00 0.00 5.00 2.21 2.21 10.00 10.00

PTCL Voice Messaging Service (VMS)

PTCL is charging local call charges of Rs. 2.00 per 3 minutes (excluding GST) when a call is diverted to VMS or a caller listens greeting message / prompt tone. For further details, please visit PTCL's website for further details:

http://www.ptcl.com.pk/contentb.php?NID=133

Hoax Calls and Falsified / Unsolicited SMS(s)

Be aware of hoax calls and falsified / unsolicited SMS(s) that are being called / sent to subscribers to buy scratch cards and notify scratch number to calling party for prizes of immense value. You are requested to be mindful of receiving hoax / unsolicited calls and SMS(s) notifying that you have won a prize of immense value. However, in order to retrieve the prize, you have to inform the calling party the hidden numbers on the prepaid scratch cards. As a result, you will be deprived of the value of the Scratch Card. 

Balance Deduction on Telenor "Smart Share" / Ufone "UShare"

Telenor and Ufone subscribers are cautioned not to reply to unsolicited SMS(s) that are being send to subscribers, promising prizes of immense value or luring for entertainment. Any reply to those SMS(s) or entering hidden message can result in transferring subscriber's balance to other unknown numbers.

Ufone's Postpay Packages

Free minutes offered by Ufone include "Airtime Charges" only and do not include interconnect charges for calls to fixed-line or other cellular mobile networks.

Mobilink Jazz Octane Commercial on Electronic / Print Media

Mobilink Jazz Octane has a "DAILY DEDUCTION CHARGE OF Rs.1.00" . In Addition ,   Late

Night Tariff of Rs. 0.75 (Excluding GST) is applicable on Mobilink to Mobilink Calls only and charges for SMS to other Networks in Pakistan are "Rs. 0.50" excluding GST.

Warid Zem 1 Second (Prepaid) Advertisement on Print Media / Billboards

Tariff of 3 paisa per second (excluding GST &WHT) is applicable on Warid to Warid calls only.

Telenor Smart Share Advertisement on Electronic Media / Billboards

Telenor Smart Share has a "TRANSACTION FEE OF 4%" on the value of amount transferred.

Prepaid Calling Card Service

Users are advised to ask the terms and conditions (including daily deduction charges) from the helpline(s) of prepaid calling cards / operators prior to purchasing / using a card.

International Calls

The tariffs for international calls made to fixed-line or cellular mobile networks can vary (even for the same country).