Islamabad, Brigadier (retd) Aslam Khan, Chairman of Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW), has leveled serious allegations against certain mobile phone operators for defrauding consumers and evading taxes worth billions of rupees. The statement accuses these companies of overcharging for services and deliberately failing to meet their tax obligations, highlighting a significant issue of economic misconduct amidst the country’s financial crisis.

According to Pakistan Economy Watch, Khan detailed how these operators not only charge consumers more than what is due to the government in taxes but also engage in practices that result in subscribers paying more for less service. The lack of effective monitoring by tax authorities has allowed such fraudulent activities to persist, contributing to the broader economic challenges faced by Pakistan. Khan cited past actions by the National Accountability Bureau against telecom companies for tax evasion and pointed to recent cases where companies have been found guilty of similar charges, including a staggering claim of Rs 98 billion in tax evasion by one company.

The chairman’s statement calls for strict enforcement of tax laws and ethical business practices, emphasizing the need for foreign investors and local companies to contribute positively to society and the economy rather than exploiting the system. Khan’s commentary sheds light on the critical need for reform in the telecom sector to ensure fair treatment of consumers and compliance with tax obligations.