Jazz seeks licence renewal

In view of the imminent renewal of its licence, Jazz (the VEON Operating Company in Pakistan) has approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to decide on the terms of licence renewal in an equitable, fair and transparent way.

The teleco has undertaken the move to provide uninterrupted telecom, broadband, and mobile financial services to its 58 million customers, and for continuity of investments in digital sector.

Jazz stated that it was working within the country’s telecom policy framework to protect the interests of foreign investors.

It added that it seeks to have its licence renewed as per terms of its licence and in line with the telecom policy of 2015. The licence had been issued for Rs16.8 billion, in 2004 and is now worth Rs41.4 billion.

While this is almost 250% of the original value, the company has nonetheless, shown its willingness to pay this amount

The telecom industry in Pakistan has amongst the world’s lowest call rates and Jazz is one of the highest taxpayers in the country.

Jazz remains firm in its commitment to lead the digital revolution in Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 4^th, 2019.