The Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunications recently convened to address the issue of internet disruptions causing hindrances for e-commerce businesses across the country. Chaired by Senator Palwasha Muhammad Zai Khan, the committee discussed the ongoing problem of internet disruptions that are affecting individuals running e-commerce businesses in real-time.
During the meeting, Secretary for the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications, Aisha Humera Chaudhry, clarified that the disruptions were primarily affecting mobile data services, while broadband connections remained unaffected. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is currently investigating the issue, and the ministry will provide a comprehensive overview once the assessment is completed in two weeks.
One of the complaints addressed during the meeting was from MNA Ali Jaan Mazari regarding poor internet service in Kashmore. Mazari highlighted that internet services in the area have been slow for the past four months, with no action taken despite repeated requests. PTA officials explained that the issue was mainly due to unannounced load shedding at the 156 sites of major service providers in the area. The PTA committed to submitting a report on the matter within the next 15 days.
The committee also discussed the Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023, presented by Senator Dr. Afnan Ullah Khan. The bill aims to safeguard citizens‘ data, as there is currently no legislation in place for this purpose. Ministry officials informed the committee that they had consulted with over 100 local and international stakeholders and were working on a final draft to address stakeholder concerns. The draft is expected to be completed within the next fifteen days, with the committee emphasizing the importance of expediting the process.
Additionally, the committee received a briefing from the Virtual University regarding its performance and operations. Rector Arshad Saleem Bhatti highlighted that Virtual University was the first institution in the country to implement the flipped classroom model in 2002, catering to working students. The university offers quality education at an affordable fee, charging only Rs.150,000 for the entire BS program and providing 400 courses for free. With a revenue of Rs. 7.25 billion from fees and services, the university operates without burdening the exchequer.
In conclusion, the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunications is actively addressing critical issues such as internet disruptions and data protection legislation to ensure the smooth functioning of e-commerce businesses and the protection of citizens‘ data. The committee’s efforts to address these challenges and promote innovation in the IT sector are commendable and essential for the country’s digital growth.