The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on IT and Telecom has reprimanded the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for the countrywide slowdown in internet services, directing the regulator to conduct comprehensive surveys and take immediate corrective measures. The committee, chaired by Syed Amin ul Haq, instructed PTA teams to assess service quality nationwide and present a detailed report at the next meeting.
PTA officials informed the committee that Pakistan currently has 273 MHz of available spectrum—insufficient to meet rising demand for high-speed connectivity. The government plans to auction 600 MHz across multiple bands as part of its push toward 5G rollout. The committee emphasised the urgency of improving service quality given Pakistan’s growing digital needs.
During the briefing, the panel reviewed progress on major IT infrastructure projects. The Islamabad IT Park’s consultant contract expired on October 31 but is now in the process of renewal, with completion expected soon. The project must meet the prime minister’s deadline of December 31, 2025. The Karachi IT Park remains in early stages, with contract award expected shortly and a South Korean delegation set to arrive on December 2 to finalise pending matters.
The National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC) outlined future initiatives, including secure mobile services for government officials and new data centres in Karachi and Quetta—part of its broader cybersecurity and digital services expansion plan. The committee praised NTC’s performance but advised adopting rightsizing rather than downsizing to safeguard jobs.
The committee also deferred the Prevention of Obscenity and Indecency in Digital Media Bill, 2025, due to the absence of the bill’s mover.
