The Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Major General (R) Hafeezur Rehman, strongly criticized the government for its failure to invest in improving Pakistan’s telecom infrastructure, which he argued is the root cause of ongoing internet issues across the country. His remarks came during a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on IT and Telecom on Thursday.
Lack of Investment in Telecom Infrastructure
Major General Hafeezur Rehman emphasized that no new submarine cables have been added in the past decade, which has significantly hampered efforts to build the “digital highways” necessary for a reliable and modern internet system in Pakistan. The PTA Chairman revealed that three out of seven submarine cables were damaged last year, resulting in internet service disruptions for five months until repairs were completed in October.
He further pointed out issues related to telecom equipment theft during power outages and underscored the need for the government to play a more active role in laying fiber optic cables to expand the country’s connectivity.
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Social Media Regulation and PTA’s Role
Addressing concerns regarding social media regulation, the PTA Chairman clarified that the authority operates under the directives of the government through the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). While PTA has the authority to block or reopen platforms, he rejected claims that the authority intentionally slows down services or restricts access without reason.
Quality of Mobile Internet and Surveillance Concerns
Syed Aminul Haq, Chairman of the Committee, raised concerns over the poor quality of mobile internet services, especially along major routes like Karachi-Hyderabad, criticizing the lack of solutions for connectivity issues in underserved areas.
During the meeting, Omar Ayub also voiced concerns about the potential misuse of surveillance tools, particularly with the VPN registration requirements, which he believes are being used improperly.
PTCL Privatization Dispute
The committee also took serious note of the $800 million that has yet to be recovered from Etisalat, stemming from the privatization of Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), a matter that has remained unresolved for 18 years. Shaza Fatima, Minister of State for IT, assured that a high-level committee, chaired by the Finance Minister, is actively working to resolve the issue. The committee chairman has summoned the Law Minister and Justice officials to clarify PTCL’s asset management practices and address any legal concerns.
Expanding Internet Access
The meeting concluded with a commitment to address Pakistan’s internet infrastructure gaps, with a focus on expanding access to 1,000 villages and improving connectivity along motorways and in remote areas.
