Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Major General (R) Hafeezur Rehman, addressed the National Assembly Standing Committee on IT and Telecom on Wednesday, discussing recent internet disruptions across Pakistan.
He assured that the issues, attributed to a technical fault in the submarine cable connecting Pakistan to the global network, would be resolved by August 27, 2024, with the arrival of seven new submarine cables.
During the meeting, the PTA Chairman acknowledged an increase in VPN usage as a workaround during the disruption but clarified that the fault was specific to Pakistan’s infrastructure and not a global issue. Concerns were raised about the national firewall, part of a strategy to manage web content and enhance national security.
Omar Ayub, a committee participant, said that the firewall might be causing internet slowdowns, but officials insisted it was not yet fully deployed.
The PTA Chairman stated that the firewall’s installation follows Federal Cabinet directives to control social media. Ayub questioned the potential impact on digital freedom, urging transparency and accountability to Parliament. The committee also discussed the potential for government agencies to intercept private communications, with Ayub questioning their capabilities.
A heated exchange occurred between Omar Ayub and PML-N member Zulfiqar Bhatti, with Bhatti accusing Ayub of blaming agencies for actions authorized by his own government. Ayub stressed the importance of a strong Parliament, stating, “If Parliament is strong, we are strong.”
The meeting highlighted the economic impact of internet slowdowns, with the telecom sector losing over $300 million. IT companies and freelancers have been particularly affected. The committee expressed frustration over poor connectivity in regions like Tharparkar, where 75% of the network remains non-operational, and noted that some areas have been without internet for three years.
The PTA Chairman responded that a Quality of Service Mechanism is in place, with companies fined for inadequate service. He announced that the auction for 5G services is scheduled for April 2025, with efforts to attract new companies. Despite ongoing challenges, he reassured that system upgrades would not further disrupt the internet, although submarine cable recovery might extend to August 27.
The committee called for a detailed report on the damage caused by internet issues and urged the PTA to improve service quality, emphasizing the need for equal treatment of citizens in all regions.
