ISLAMABAD: Over the past year, the prices of mobile packages and supercards in Pakistan have surged by up to 50 percent, hitting the wallets of ordinary consumers. Supercards that previously cost around Rs 800 are now priced between Rs 1,400 and Rs 1,900.
Telecom companies have quietly increased prices multiple times while reducing the amount of data included in the packages. Social media and night packages have also been used to charge users extra without their full knowledge.
For specific operators: Jazz’s monthly “Super Duper” package now exceeds Rs 1,000, and the “Supreme” package costs Rs 1,390. Zong users have seen the “Monthly Supreme Card” reach Rs 1,700. Ufone’s “Super Card Gold” is now available for Rs 1,899, marking a record increase in just one year. Telenor’s “Monthly Ultimate Offer” has risen to Rs 1,390, and even their Easy Cards have become more expensive.
Telecom companies have also cut data allocations. Packages advertised with 20 GB of data often now provide only half of it for daytime use, with the remainder restricted to night hours.
Rising taxes have further reduced balances. Increases in advance income tax and service charges mean that even a Rs 100 recharge leaves less usable credit for consumers.
Consumers have protested, saying, “Companies are selling expensive cards but not providing full data.” Calls are being made to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to immediately control arbitrary pricing by telecom operators.
Operators blame the hikes on rising electricity and operational costs. The increase in internet data prices has hit students, freelancers, and regular users the hardest, making online work and learning increasingly difficult.
