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Express Tribune
14-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
NA panel seeks action over PTCL document delay
The Parliamentary Panel on Monday expressed serious concerns over a delay in submitting documents related to a property transaction and recommended disciplinary action against Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL). MNA Aminul Haque of MQM chaired the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication. The chairman expressed displeasure over PTCL's failure to respond in time to queries regarding the sale and purchase agreements of its properties. PTCL President and Etisalat Group CEO Hatem Bamtaref, who attended the meeting via Zoom, was criticised for the delayed submission of briefing papers. Committee member Sher Ali called for formal action against PTCL, stating that reprimands were insufficient. Mahesh Kumar also raised concerns about the stalled merger between Ufone and Telenor. He accused Telenor of intentionally causing service disruptions. The PTA chairman said the merger case is currently under review by the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP). Another member, Sadiq Memon, expressed serious concerns about reports of Microsoft scaling down its operations in Pakistan. Minister of State for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja clarified that Microsoft and Google have engaged in large-scale certification programmes in Pakistan. While Microsoft had laid off 16,000 employees globally over the past year, she said it remains unclear if any Pakistan-based employees were affected. She also revealed ongoing efforts to convert Microsoft's liaison office into a full operational setup in Pakistan and hinted at Google's potential entry into the local market. During the session of the NA body, Etisalat Group's Bamtaref underscored strong UAE-Pakistan ties and added that the group was focusing on emerging technologies like 5G and artificial intelligence. Officials from the Privatisation Commission informed the panel that PTCL's privatisation was finalised in 2006 under an international agreement, though they offered to share further details in an in-camera session. Committee members objected to the lack of prior notice for this request. PTCL officials clarified that the property agreement in question was between the Government of Pakistan and Etisalat and had no direct linkage with PTCL. The chairman postponed the agenda item to the next session and agreed to hold the upcoming meeting in-camera. On broader telecom issues, committee member Zulfiqar Ali lodged complaints about weak mobile signals in his constituency. The USF CEO assured him that the approved project would be completed. The PTA chairman also briefed the parliamentary panel on the status of Long Distance and International (LDI) operators, revealing that 9 out of 21 companies have pending license renewal cases, with over 100 related matters in court. Due to the complexity, the IT minister recommended forming a sub-committee to hear all stakeholders. The chairman agreed to this proposal. The PTA chairman confirmed that the interior ministry had ordered the suspension of internet services in Panjgur due to security concerns. He also revealed that over 100 telecom towers have been damaged in Balochistan, including three completely destroyed between July 9 and 12. Committee member Pauline Baloch emphasised the worsening law and order situation in Balochistan, noting that roads remained blocked for hours and basic services were under threat. Khawaja proposed holding a joint meeting to address these challenges.
Express Tribune
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Internet suspended in Panjgur, panel told
The National Assembly's Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication was informed on Monday that internet services in Balochistan's Panjgur district remain suspended due to security clearance being withheld by intelligence agencies for the next six months. However, interior ministry officials clarified that terrorists of the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) were not using Pakistan's official internet infrastructure, but an alternative system. During the committee's meeting, chaired by Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Aminul Haque at the Parliament House, officials from the Ministry of Interior briefed members on the prolonged internet shutdown in Panjgur. They said that a formal request for security clearance was made on March 22, but clearance was denied without detailed justification, only citing "security concerns" as the reason for continued data suspension. Committee member Pauline Baloch expressed strong concern, saying the internet issue in her constituency had persisted for several years. "If nothing has been resolved in the past three years, what hope is there in the next six months?" she asked. "It appears Panjgur is being permanently disconnected," she added, taking a solemn oath and alleging that the region was being deliberately punished. Separately, the committee also lauded Pakistan's cybersecurity apparatus for successfully fending off cyberattacks during recent heightened tensions with India. Committee Chairman Aminul Haque said cyberattacks were launched against Pakistan between May 5 and 6, but were effectively thwarted. "Our cybersecurity team and the National CERT deserve commendation for defending Pakistan's digital assets and even launching counteroffensives," he said. Meanwhile, Acting CEO of the National Information Technology Board (NITB) Faisal Ratyal briefed the committee on the development of "Beep", a secure government communication app designed for federal employees. The app will include voice and video conferencing capabilities and aims to provide a safer internal communication platform. Committee members were informed that a high-level committee had been formed to oversee Beep's rollout, and an additional security layer was being incorporated to enhance protection. With additional input from APP
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Express Tribune
07-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
IT minister confirms Starlink internet launch timeline in Pakistan
Listen to article Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima, said that SpaceX's Starlink internet services are expected to become operational in Pakistan by November or December this year. The announcement was made during a meeting of the National Assembly's Standing Committee on IT and Telecom, chaired by MNA Aminul Haque. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) briefed the committee on the licensing process for Starlink. PTA Chairman confirmed that Starlink has been granted a temporary licence by the Space Board, adding that a full operational licence would be issued once regulatory frameworks are finalised. 'There are no issues with the licensing process,' Minister Shaza Fatima stated, clarifying that satellite internet is a new technology and various aspects needed to be evaluated thoroughly. 'A consultant has been hired to finalise the regulations. Once done, Starlink will have to reapply,' she added. The minister also revealed that a Chinese company had submitted a similar application for providing satellite internet services in Pakistan. 'Shanghai Spacecom is also in the queue. We want to open the space internet sector to multiple players to ensure competition,' she said. The minister confirmed that infrastructure installation is underway and Starlink services are expected to launch in the last quarter of 2025.
