The recent internet disruptions in Pakistan have raised concerns about the potential economic impact on the country. The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, along with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), faced scrutiny from the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunications for failing to provide a satisfactory explanation for the slowdown in internet services.
During a meeting chaired by Senator Palwasha Muhammad Zai Khan, the committee highlighted the issue of internet disruptions causing hindrances for individuals running e-commerce businesses. Senator Afnanullah expressed concerns about the economic crisis facing the country and warned that if the internet issue is not resolved, Pakistan could lose its $3 billion in IT sector exports.
Members of the committee, including Senator Humayun, raised complaints about the departure of e-commerce platforms from Pakistan due to low internet speeds. Users were reportedly unable to upload or download media files on platforms like WhatsApp, leading to disruptions in business activities.
Aisha Humera, Additional Secretary IT, explained that the internet service issue was related to cellular networks rather than WiFi services. The PTA officials claimed they had not received any complaints about slow internet speeds in the country. However, they acknowledged that mobile operators using mobile data were facing disruptions and stated that an assessment was underway to address the issue.
The committee also addressed complaints from MNA Ali Jaan Mazari regarding poor internet service in Kashmore. PTA officials attributed the internet service disruptions in the area to unannounced load shedding and assured that a report would be submitted within 15 days.
Senator Afnanullah raised the issue of appointing a Secretary IT from the private sector, citing rumors of a two-year appointment with a salary of around Rs2 million. State Minister for IT, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, informed the committee that the proposal was under consideration by the Establishment Division and promised to provide further details in the upcoming week.
The committee also discussed the „The Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023,“ aimed at safeguarding citizens‘ data in the absence of a specific law. The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications informed that they were working on a final draft in consultation with stakeholders and aimed to complete it within 15 days.
Additionally, the committee received a briefing from the Virtual University on its performance and operations. The university’s rector highlighted its innovative flipped classroom model and affordable fee structure, emphasizing its contribution to providing quality education in Pakistan.
The article also touched upon the ongoing dispute between the PTA and LDI license holders regarding the Access Promotion Contribution for the Universal Service Fund. The issue of a new national security firewall aimed at blocking controversial content and propaganda on social media platforms was also discussed, with users experiencing difficulties accessing platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook.
In conclusion, the article shed light on the challenges faced by Pakistan’s internet infrastructure and the efforts being made to address them. The importance of ensuring a reliable and efficient internet service for the country’s economic growth and digital development was emphasized throughout the discussion.