NA panel reprimands PTA over slow internet, orders nationwide quality survey

The National Assembly Standing Committee on IT and Telecom on Tuesday took notice of the countrywide slowdown in internet services and admonished the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) over its performance, directing the regulator to carry out nationwide quality surveys and present a detailed report, Dawn reported. 

During the meeting, PTA officials informed the committee that 273 MHz of spectrum is currently in use nationwide, which they described as insufficient to meet growing demand for high-speed data. They added that the government intends to auction 600 MHz of additional spectrum across various bands, with the process linked to the planned rollout of 5G services.

Standing Committee Chairman Syed Amin ul Haq instructed PTA officials to deploy special teams to assess the quality of internet services being provided to consumers, and to submit comprehensive findings at the committee’s next session.

Reviewing progress on the Islamabad IT Park, the committee was briefed that the consultant’s contract had expired on October 31 and that renewal was under way. The panel stressed that the project must adhere to the prime minister’s deadline of December 31, 2025.

On the Karachi IT Park, members were told that the project remains in its initial phase and that the contract award is still pending. A South Korean delegation is due to visit on December 2 to finalise remaining issues related to the contract. 

The committee directed officials to award the contract without further delay, reiterating that the scheme should be completed within the stipulated two-year timeframe.

The managing director of the National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC) briefed the committee on future plans, including secure mobile connectivity services for government officials and new data centres in Karachi and Quetta. These initiatives are part of a broader strategy to improve cybersecurity and expand reliable IT and telecom services for public sector entities.

The committee expressed satisfaction with NTC’s performance but advised the organisation to avoid downsizing. Instead, it recommended a rightsizing approach to ensure staff are redeployed where needed and no employee is laid off.

Due to the absence of the bill’s mover, the committee deferred consideration of the Prevention of Obscenity and Indecency in Digital Media Bill, 2025, to its next meeting.