PTA Suspends License of IJ Internet Services license for one month over unpaid fees and missing reports, warning of permanent cancellation if dues remain unpaid
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has stopped IJ Internet Services (Private) Limited from working for one month, or until it pays all its pending bills.
This step, called license suspension, has been taken under Section 23 of the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organization) Act, 1996. PTA said the company did not pay its Annual License Fee (ALF) for the year ending June 30, 2022, and also did not pay the Late Payment Additional Fee (LPAF).
Even after many reminders, emails, and letters from PTA, the company did not make the payment.
When and How the License Was Given
IJ Internet Services got its license in August 2014. The license was for Data Class Value Added Services and was non-exclusive, meaning other companies can also provide similar services.
Under PTA rules, the company must:
- Send audited financial reports every year
- Pay the Annual License Fee within 120 days after the year ends
But the company did not send the reports and did not pay the fees for 2022.
Between October 2022 and January 2025, PTA sent several warning letters and emails. Each one asked the company to pay the fees and clear the late payment charges, but nothing was done.
Warning and Last Chance to Respond
On January 3, 2024, PTA sent a Show Cause Notice to IJ Internet Services. The notice:
- Gave 7 days to pay the dues
- Gave 30 days to send a written explanation
A hearing was also set for May 9, 2024 at PTA’s Islamabad office so the company could explain itself.
The company did not reply, did not attend the hearing, and did not even give PTA an updated address (which is required under the rules).
PTA then gave a final deadline of January 31, 2025. This was also ignored.
PTA’s Final Action PTA Suspends License of IJ Internet Services
With no reply from the company, PTA’s officials decided the case without the company being present (ex-parte decision).
The suspension order says:
- The license will stay suspended for one month or until dues are paid
- If the company still does not pay, PTA will cancel the license permanently without any more warnings
PTA also told other telecom companies — including Long Distance International (LDI), Local Loop (LL), Telecommunication Infrastructure Providers (TIP), and mobile operators — to cut all connections and stop giving services to IJ Internet Services.
What This Means for Customers
Because the license is suspended, IJ Internet Services cannot legally provide services during this period. Customers may face slowdowns, disconnections, or complete service stoppage until the suspension is lifted.
Other companies that work with IJ Internet Services must also disconnect any support or infrastructure linked to it.
Similar PTA Actions in the Past
This is not the first time PTA has suspended a company’s license for non-payment. For example:
- Xtreme Solutions (Private) Limited – suspended for one month for not paying the ALF for 2022 and not sending audited accounts.
- Orion Track (Private) Limited – suspended for the same reasons in 2017, with a warning of permanent cancellation.
In both cases, PTA also told other operators to stop providing any services to the suspended companies.
Why These Rules Matter
The Annual License Fee (ALF) and audited accounts are important for keeping the telecom sector fair and transparent.
- ALF helps PTA cover the cost of regulation and monitoring.
- Audited accounts prove that companies are running their business honestly and within the law.
If companies do not follow these rules, PTA can fine them, suspend their license, or cancel it completely.
The Law Behind the Action
Under Section 23 of the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organization) Act, 1996, PTA can suspend or cancel a company’s license if it does not meet its obligations.
The process usually follows these steps:
- Send multiple reminders
- Issue a Show Cause Notice
- Give a chance for a hearing
- Set a final deadline
- Take suspension or cancellation action
This process shows PTA gave IJ Internet Services many chances before suspending the license.
What Could Happen Next
If the company pays all pending fees and sends the required reports during the suspension, PTA could restore the license.
If not, the license will be canceled permanently, and the company will no longer be allowed to offer Data Class Value Added Services in Pakistan.
Impact on the Telecom Industry
PTA’s strict action sends a clear message to other telecom operators — follow the rules or face suspension.
It helps:
- Keep the market fair for companies that do pay their fees
- Protect customers from companies that may not be financially stable
- Show foreign investors that Pakistan enforces its telecom laws
Final Words
The PTA suspends license of IJ Internet Services after long-term non-payment of fees and failure to send required reports. The company now has one month to fix the issue or face permanent cancellation.
This case is another reminder that PTA is serious about making sure all telecom companies follow the law and pay their dues on time.
