The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has issued a fresh public advisory alerting millions of mobile users across the country to a surge in unauthorized activations of Value Added Services (VAS), leading to unexpected and often unnoticed deductions from prepaid and postpaid mobile balances.
In its March 3, 2026, notice shared widely on social media and official channels, the PTA highlighted rising consumer complaints about services such as caller tunes (ring back tones), horoscope updates, missed call alerts, daily SMS bundles, quiz contests, mobile games, and infotainment alerts being subscribed without proper user consent.
The regulator stressed that no VAS can legally activate without explicit confirmation — typically via sharing a One-Time Password (OTP) or dialing a specific USSD code. If neither step has occurred, any active subscription is deemed unauthorized and invalid.“Consumers are advised to remain vigilant,” the PTA stated.
“Regularly check your mobile balance and review active subscriptions to detect any unexplained charges early.” Common VAS deductions often occur in small daily or weekly amounts, making them easy to overlook until significant balance erosion happens.
The advisory outlines clear steps for affected users: Immediately contact the telecom operator (Jazz, Telenor, Zong, or Ufone) to lodge a complaint and secure a reference number. Operators are required to resolve valid issues within prescribed timelines.
If dissatisfaction persists, escalate the matter through PTA’s Complaint Management System (CMS) at www.pta.gov.pk or via the dedicated mobile app.Major operators, including Telenor Pakistan, promptly shared the PTA advisory on their official X accounts, reinforcing the message to their subscribers.
Public reaction has been mixed — while many appreciate the heads-up, others criticize persistent auto-activations and call for stricter enforcement against telecom companies rather than repeated consumer warnings.
This latest alert underscores PTA’s ongoing commitment to consumer protection in Pakistan’s booming telecom sector, where VAS remain a key revenue stream but have long faced scrutiny over transparency and consent practices. Users are urged to treat OTPs cautiously and avoid sharing them with unknown sources to prevent such fraud.