
Ufone, one of Pakistan's leading telecom companies, is under scrutiny for allegedly charging customers more than the advertised price for its Super Card offers. This comes at a time when inflation is already straining the budgets of many Pakistanis.
For years, Ufone’s Super Card has been a popular choice among customers for its convenience and value. These mobile recharge cards come in various denominations, each offering different sets of minutes, SMS, and data bundles. Historically, the exact amount paid by the customer would be fully credited to their mobile account. However, recent developments have raised concerns about pricing transparency.
In the past few months, customers have reported a discrepancy between the price displayed on the card and the amount they are being charged. A new price sticker, reflecting an increase of Rs50, has been affixed to the plastic packaging of the Super Cards.
Despite paying this higher amount, the original, lower value printed on the card is what gets loaded onto the customer's mobile account.
This situation has led to widespread frustration among Ufone users, who feel they are being unfairly charged. Shopkeepers, when questioned about the price difference, have consistently claimed that Ufone has revised its prices upwards.
However, the mobile credit loaded does not match the revised price, effectively reducing the value of the purchase for the customer.
Haider, a 68-year-old Ufone customer, shared his experience: "I have been using Ufone's Super Card for years, but this recent change has made it difficult for me to manage my expenses. Paying more but getting less is not fair, especially when every rupee counts in these tough times."
Zahra, 23, said that when she recently recharged her Ufone Super card worth 999 rupees, she only received a balance of 950 rupees instead of the full amount. "This discrepancy is concerning," the media professional said, who has been using the telecom company's customer for around eight years.
"As a loyal customer, I expect transparency and urgently request that this issue be resolved promptly to uphold fairness and trust in our business relationship."
In an attempt to clarify the situation, Gadinsider reached out to Ufone for their official stance on the matter. Unfortunately, the request for a statement went unanswered, leaving customers in the dark about the rationale behind the price increase and the resulting discrepancy in the loaded amount.
This issue is particularly troubling given the current economic situation in Pakistan, where inflation has significantly eroded the purchasing power of ordinary citizens. The additional charges on a widely-used service like the Ufone Super Card add to the financial burdens faced by many.
Consumer rights advocates argue that Ufone should be more transparent about its pricing policies and ensure that the amount charged matches the value received by the customer. They also call for regulatory oversight to protect consumers from such practices.