The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has suspended the operating license of IJ Internet Services (Private) Limited for one month, or until the company settles its outstanding dues. The enforcement order was issued under Section 23 of the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organization) Act, 1996, highlighting a serious case of regulatory non-compliance.
Failure to Pay Annual License Fee Despite Multiple Notices
According to PTA’s official statement, IJ Internet Services failed to pay its Annual License Fee (ALF) for the financial year ending June 30, 2022, along with the applicable Late Payment Additional Fee (LPAF).
The company had been granted a non-exclusive license in August 2014 to operate Data Class Value Added Services. As per the license conditions and regulatory provisions, operators are required to submit annual audited accounts and clear their ALF within 120 days of the end of each financial year.
PTA records reveal that between October 2022 and January 2025, the authority sent multiple letters and email reminders to the company, urging payment of dues. Despite these repeated communications, the operator failed to comply.
Show Cause Notice and Ignored Deadlines
Following the continued non-payment, PTA issued a Show Cause Notice on January 3, 2024, directing IJ Internet Services to:
Clear all outstanding dues within seven days
Submit a written explanation within thirty days
A hearing was then scheduled for May 9, 2024, at PTA Headquarters in Islamabad.
However, the company did not attend the hearing and failed to submit any written response. Additionally, it did not provide PTA with an updated address as required under telecom regulations.
The regulator even extended a final deadline of January 31, 2025, giving the company another opportunity to comply. This, too, was ignored.
Ex-Parte Decision and Suspension Order
Given the absence of any response, the PTA’s hearing panel—comprising senior officials—decided to proceed ex-parte (without the company’s participation) based on the available record.
The resulting enforcement order suspends IJ Internet Services’ license for one month or until the dues are cleared, whichever comes first. If the company fails to comply within this period, PTA will terminate its license without further notice.
Nationwide Impact and Further Directives
The order also instructs all major telecom operators—including Long Distance International (LDI), Local Loop (LL), Telecommunication Infrastructure Provider (TIP), and mobile service providers—to suspend all telecom facilities provided to IJ Internet Services until further notice.
This means the company’s internet operations could come to a complete halt, affecting both commercial and residential customers.
PTA’s Firm Stance on Regulatory Compliance
This action underscores PTA’s strict enforcement approach toward regulatory non-compliance. Over the past year, the authority has taken similar steps against other operators who failed to meet licensing requirements or ignored official directives.
Industry experts say that while the suspension is a setback for the operator, it serves as a clear warning to other service providers to remain compliant with fee payments and regulatory obligations.
Failure to meet such obligations not only risks suspension but could also lead to permanent termination of the license, effectively barring the company from operating in Pakistan’s telecom market.
What Happens Next?
For IJ Internet Services, the path forward is straightforward—clear all outstanding dues and fulfill regulatory requirements within the suspension period. If the company fails to act, PTA will proceed with license cancellation, and all associated telecom facilities will remain suspended.
This case serves as a reminder that in Pakistan’s telecom sector, financial compliance is not optional. The PTA’s latest move reinforces its message: operators who fail to meet their obligations will face swift and decisive action.
Hi, I’m Zaheer Shah, a contributor and reporter at TezzLive.com. I have a strong passion for storytelling and believe that accurate, timely news can make a real difference in people’s lives. My work focuses on delivering reliable updates, in-depth analysis, and human-interest stories that connect with our readers.