Islamabad, Zubair kasuri July 22, 2024: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has launched an investigation into a massive scandal involving the renewal of telecom licenses, which has resulted in a staggering loss of Rs42 billion to the national exchequer.
According to sources, the prime minister has directed the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication to conduct a thorough probe into the matter and submit a comprehensive report within a week. The ministry has been accused of renewing the licenses of several telecom companies, including LDI and fixed-line operators, without collecting the required fees.
The investigation has been prompted by reports that the ministry had allowed telecom companies to pay only 50% of the license fees in 30 installments, resulting in a significant loss to the exchequer. The decision had been made without the approval of the federal cabinet, sources said.
The prime minister has also ordered the federal minister and secretary of IT and Telecommunication to decide on the license fee issue within a day and to take action against those responsible for the scandal. A high-level meeting has been called to discuss the issue, and sources say that heads are likely to roll in the ministry.
The scandal has raised questions about the transparency and accountability of the government’s dealings with telecom companies, and the opposition has demanded a thorough investigation into the matter. The prime minister’s action has been seen as a move to ensure transparency and accountability in the sector.
The investigation is expected to reveal the details of the scandal and to bring those responsible to justice. The telecom sector is a significant contributor to the country’s economy, and the government has been under pressure to ensure that the sector is regulated in a fair and transparent manner.