Islamabad: In a significant step towards improving internet connectivity across the country, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has introduced several initiatives aimed at expanding public access to the internet. This announcement was made during a session of the National Assembly at the Parliament House, chaired by Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.

According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Azam Nazeer Tarar detailed these initiatives during the Question Hour, highlighting the allowance of the six gigahertz spectrum band for unlicensed Radio Local Area Network operations in Pakistan. This move positions Pakistan among the first ten countries in the Asia Pacific region to utilize six gigahertz for WIFI, joining a global cohort of sixty nations.

The minister emphasized that this development is pivotal for deploying next-generation WIFI technologies, promising high-speed, low-latency connectivity that could transform business operations and personal communications throughout Pakistan. Additionally, the PTA has developed a telecom infrastructure sharing framework to support the sustainable growth of the sector.

In other discussions, Minister for Aviation Khawaja Muhammad Asif provided updates on the New Gwadar International Airport, expecting it to be operational by year’s end following formal handovers and trials. He also mentioned the near completion of the New General Aviation Aerodrome near Muridke, set to open next month.

The session also saw the passage of the “Islamabad Capital Territory Local Government (Amendment) Bill, 2024” and the presentation of several other legislative reports. Notably, the House elected new members to the Board of Governors of the National Book Foundation and the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education.

In response to concerns about narcotics use in educational institutions, Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui assured that no significant complaints had been registered regarding drug use among students in Islamabad’s schools, colleges, and universities.