Key Takeaways
- The National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication expressed concern over poor internet services.
- PTA was directed to submit details of fines imposed on telecom operators and show-cause notices issued.
- Committee plans to invite telecom operators to explain measures to improve internet services.
The National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication has directed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to submit detailed reports on fines imposed on telecom operators and show-cause notices issued over the past six months.
The committee, chaired by Syed Amin ul Haq, met on Thursday to address the poor quality of internet services in the country, with a focus on ensuring accountability and transparency in regulatory actions.
The PTA briefed the committee on its Quality of Service (QoS) surveys and the process of issuing fines, stating that operators can be fined up to Rs350 million for non-compliance.
However, the PTA highlighted that operators often challenge fines in courts, leading to delays in corrective actions. The committee directed the PTA to provide details on the amount recovered and outstanding fines.
Committee members also discussed the status of the telecom sector as an industry, noting that telecom operators were accorded industry status under the Finance Act, 2021, but the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) had declined to recognize it.
The committee directed the Member Telecom to prepare a detailed working paper on the legal, financial, and technical aspects of the issue and invited NEPRA representatives to the next meeting.
The committee observed that recognizing telecom operators as an industry could help address electricity supply and load-shedding issues at telecom towers, which can lead to shutdowns and affect mobile and internet signals.
In addition, the committee considered the Electronic Transactions (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and directed the Ministry of Finance to complete consultations before further consideration of the bill.
The committee emphasized the need for practical measures to ensure uninterrupted power supply and improve the reliability of telecom services, highlighting the importance of addressing these issues to enhance public satisfaction.
