Islamabad: The Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat, led by Senator Rana Mahmood Ul Hassan, convened at Parliament House to address key issues in the telecom sector, including eSIM transfer policies, 5G service rollout, and mobile network coverage on highways and motorways. The meeting also discussed alternative mechanisms for SIM issuance, compliance with past recommendations, and a private member’s bill on CSS quota redistribution.
According to Senate of Pakistan, the Committee received a detailed briefing from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) regarding the transfer of eSIMs between mobile devices. The PTA is finalizing a uniform policy to allow up to ten free eSIM transfers via QR codes. Concerns were raised about consolidation in the telecom sector, with the PTA assuring members of continued competition and reduced eSIM-related costs. The Committee also reviewed compliance with previous recommendations, focusing on gas meter issues and urging OGRA to enhance consumer protection through smart metering systems.
The Committee considered “The Federal Public Service Commission Bill, 2026,” which concerns CSS quota redistribution. The Secretary, Establishment Division, noted that changes in the CSS quota system would require a constitutional amendment, leading the Chairman to defer further discussion.
On the 5G rollout, the PTA reported the deployment of 499 5G sites, with widespread coverage anticipated by year’s end. The Committee was informed of ongoing efforts to improve mobile service quality on highways and motorways and was briefed on initiatives to expand network coverage in underserved areas. The PTA also highlighted challenges affecting network performance and suggested low-earth-orbit satellite technology for remote connectivity improvements.
The Committee addressed the issue of SIM issuance for cases where biometric verification fails, directing the PTA to explore alternative verification methods. The meeting concluded with a scheduled review of the Warrants of Precedence under the Federal Minister for Law and Justice’s chairmanship.