Senate Body Directs PTA to Provide Income Details of Telecom Firms

By: Omed Hajjana

A parliamentary Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication on Friday asked the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to come up with compressive income details of telecom firms in the last ten years.

The parliamentary body is seeking details of revenue generated by telecom companies which include Jazz, Telenor, Zong and Ufone.

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It development comes when the issue was taken up pertained to the Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023 and details regarding revenue generated by telecom companies in the last ten years.

The senate standing committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication, was chaired by Senator Kauda Babar at Parliament House.

During the committee discussion, the query was raised by Senator Kamran Murtaza regarding year-wise details of funds available to Universal Service Fund (USF) since its inception and those lying with the Ministry of Finance.

While discussing the Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023, the committee was informed by the relevant authorities that many technicalities were involved and sought more time to examine.

The Ministry of Law and Justice was of the view that the document may be reviewed in light of Article 74 of the Constitution.

The Committee directed the Ministry of Law to return to the committee after fulfilling all codal formalities within fifteen days.

While reviewing details regarding revenue generated by telecom companies during the last ten years and funds allocated towards Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the Committee observed that Telecom companies must focus towards vulnerable groups via their CSR Programmes especially in the field health and education.

However, the committee stressed that a framework must be developed by the Ministry of Information and Technology in this regard.

The committee decided to summon other relevant authorities in the next meeting.