Islamabad: The Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat, chaired by Senator Rana Mahmood Ul Hassan, convened today at the Parliament House to deliberate on significant issues affecting Pakistan’s telecommunications sector and digital policies.
According to Senate of Pakistan, the meeting saw extensive discussions led by the Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), who presented an overview of the agency’s performance and financial health over the past three years. The telecom sector reported substantial revenues, with figures reaching 850 billion PKR recently, alongside the issuance of 2,112 licenses. However, concerns were raised about Pakistan’s underdeveloped optical fiber infrastructure compared to other nations.
The committee, including members such as Senator Farooq Hamid Naek and Federal Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights, Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, debated the tax policies affecting cellular advertisements and the broader implications for digital access in the country. The lack of a formal policy regulating this area prompted suggestions for creating a framework that not only addresses national revenue needs but also ensures the broader public’s access to digital services.
Senator Naek emphasized the importance of aligning Pakistan’s taxation policies with international standards, particularly in the digital and social media realms, where Pakistan lags behind other countries. This point was echoed by Senator Tarar, who noted the widespread use of social media for business across the country’s population of approximately 132 million users.
The session also addressed technical and infrastructural challenges, including the performance of 2G and 3G services and the prospects of advancing to 5G technology. Discussions covered the high tax rates for telecom consumers in Pakistan and the recent initiatives aimed at improving service quality and network coverage through the Universal Service Funds (USF).
In addition to telecom issues, the committee discussed the responsibilities of the Frequency Allocation Board (FAB) and the challenges it faces, as well as the operations of the Islamabad Club over the past three years.
The meeting concluded with a consensus on the need for comprehensive policy reforms to support the growth of the telecom sector and enhance digital connectivity across Pakistan, recognizing the crucial role of digitalization in the country’s economic and social development.