PTA deadline ends for mobile operators in Islamabad and Rawalpindi as chairman prepares to inspect networks
The deadline set by Pakistan’s telecom regulator for mobile operators to fix network problems in Islamabad and Rawalpindi expired on Saturday, 31 October, with the regulator now preparing to hold the companies to account.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) had told Zong, Jazz, Telenor and Ufone to improve mobile coverage and internet services across the twin cities and fix service problems at once. It was the end of a directive issued in September, which also told operators to put up new sites where signals were weak and add sites as new 5G spectrum bands are rolled out.
Before the deadline ran out, PTA Director General Enforcement Brigadier (retired) Amir Shahzad ran drive tests across the two cities to check the networks himself. The tests covered Blue Area, Kashmir Highway, Margalla Road, Iran Avenue, Peshawar Road, 26 Number Chungi, Tarnol and Islamabad International Airport, as well as the Express Highway and T-Chowk Rawat. During the tests, he rang officials at the mobile companies about service quality.
The checks targeted the problems users complain about most: weak coverage, dropped calls and slow mobile internet. The PTA said the aim was to find the gaps and make the four operators fix them.
Why it matters
For people in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, this is about everyday service, not paperwork. Dropped calls, dead zones and patchy data affect work, study, ride-hailing and payments — and the capital region is where the regulator has chosen to make its stand. The September directive tied the fix to new sites and the 5G rollout, so it is meant as a lasting upgrade, not a quick patch. How firmly the PTA now acts will also show other cities whether its deadlines carry real consequences.
What happens next
Next, the PTA chairman will personally inspect telecom services in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. It will ask operators to explain poor performance and hand them reports setting out the coverage gaps found. The companies will then be told to fix the problems immediately. No fines have been announced; the earlier warning was only that operators that failed to improve could face financial penalties. The test now is whether the drive-test findings turn into visible improvements on the ground.
This article is for general information and education only. It is not legal or financial advice.
Sources
- https://www.techjuice.pk/pta-to-hold-mobile-operators-accountable-as-network-improvement-deadline-ends/ (TechJuice, 31 October 2026)
- https://english.capitalnewspoint.com/2026/10/31/deadline-for-telecom-companies-to-improve-services-in-islamabad-and-rawalpindi-expires/ (Capital News Point, 31 October 2026)
- https://digitalpakistan.pk/pta-sets-october-deadline-for-telcos-to-fix-coverage-gaps/ (Digital Pakistan, 20 September 2026)
