Karachi: Leaders of the Pasban Democratic Party (PDP) have accused mobile network companies in Pakistan of systematically overcharging and under-serving their 19 million users. In a detailed statement released by their Press Information Cell, PDP senior leaders Sardar Zulfikar and Mian Riaz expressed deep concern over what they describe as a rampant issue affecting nearly the entire mobile-using populace.

According to Pasban Democratic Party, The complaint stems from what they perceive as a systematic failure by mobile network companies to provide quality service and fair pricing. They highlight ongoing issues like network failures, excessive taxation, and poor customer service, which have led to widespread dissatisfaction among consumers. The leaders criticized the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for its apparent indifference and failure to regulate the increasing rates imposed by these companies, which they claim are turning into a new kind of ‘mafia’ within the country.

The statement also pointed out the lack of maintenance on network towers and the inadequate response to customer complaints about connection interruptions. Additionally, during times of electricity load shedding in Karachi, mobile data users face significant connectivity issues, further exacerbating public frustration. The party has called for a government audit of all mobile network companies and a public disclosure of their operations and pricing strategies.

Furthermore, The PDP leadership lamented the complex taxation on mobile services, which includes separate charges for balance loading, calling, and package subscriptions. They argued that even a basic recharge of 100 rupees results in substantial revenue for both the mobile companies and the government, yet fails to deliver the modern facilities that consumers require. The leaders urged for immediate reforms to provide cheaper, more reliable network services to meet the needs of today’s consumers.