Islamabad: The 4th meeting of the Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication, chaired by Syed Amin ul Haq, was held today in the Ministry’s Committee Room at Kohsar Block, Pak-Secretariat. The committee expressed displeasure over the absence of the heads of PTCL and SCO and deferred agenda items due to their non-attendance.
According to National Assembly of Pakistan, the committee criticized the CEO of Pakistan Telecommunications Corporation Limited (PTCL) and the Director General of the Special Communication Organization (SCO) for not attending the meeting, viewing it as a disregard for the committee’s significance. A directive was issued for these leaders to provide written explanations for their absence and for the ministry to ensure better compliance with the Standing Committee’s Rules of Business among its divisions and attached departments.
The meeting also addressed recent issues with weak internet signals affecting social media platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) explained that the problem stemmed from damage to a submarine cable, with repairs expected to be completed by August 27, 2024. The committee has requested a report on the economic impact of the slow internet speeds on freelancers and private companies.
Furthermore, the committee discussed the installation of a firewall, which the Chairman of the PTA clarified was merely an upgrade of the existing Web Management System (WMS), aiming to enhance its functionality. Detailed technical specifications of this upgrade are to be provided for transparency.
Guidance was also given for the upcoming 5G spectrum auction. The committee advised the PTA to consider the auctioning prices set by neighboring countries to avoid setting excessively high bids that could hinder operational viability and participation.