NA Panel Concerned Over Slow Internet
The National Assembly Standing Committee on IT & Telecom, here on Tuesday expressed concern at the overall slow internet situation in the country and reprimanded the telecom sector operator.
The Committee directed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to conduct comprehensive nationwide surveys and take immediate practical steps to improve the quality and coverage of internet services across the country.
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Chairman of the committee Syed Amin ul Haq, instructed that special surveys be conducted by the PTA teams and the members would assess the status of internet services, and that a detailed report be presented to the Committee in the next meeting.
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While briefing the Committee, the officials of the PTA informed that the currently 273 MHz spectrum was available in the country but it was insufficient to meet internet demand across the country.
However, the government plans to sell 600 MHz of spectrum across different bands and process is now moving towards the auction of 5G.
While reviewing the progress of the Islamabad IT Park project, the Committee was informed that the contract of the consultant had expired on 31 October.
The contractor has initiated the process for renewal of the agreement, which is expected to be finalised shortly.
The Committee emphasised that the timeline set by the Prime Minister that is to complete the project by 31 December 2025.
Regarding the Karachi IT Park, the Committee noted that the project is currently in the initial stages and that the contract is expected to be awarded soon.
A delegation from Korea is scheduled to visit on 2 December to finalise the remaining matters related to the award of the contract.
The Committee directed that the contract should be awarded at the earliest so that work on the project may commence without delay, and that the project must be completed within the stipulated two-year period.
The committee was informed by the managing director National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC) about the future initiatives, of the company including provision of secure mobile connectivity for government officials and the establishment of new data centres in Karachi and Quetta.
The Committee was informed that these projects form part of the corporation’s broader strategic plan to enhance cyber security and expand reliable IT and telecom services for public-sector institutions.
The Committee appreciated the performance of the NTC and acknowledged that the projects currently being undertaken by the organisation are satisfactory.
The Committee advised the NTC to refrain from pursuing downsizing and should adopt a rightsizing approach, ensuring that no employee is laid off and that staff members are appropriately adjusted and placed where their services are genuinely required.
The Committee decided to defer “The Prevention of Obscenity and Indecency in Digital Media Bill, 2025” to the next meeting, as the Mover of the Bill was not present.
