Islamabad: The Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication convened to address pressing issues within the telecom sector, including audit objections, network connectivity disruptions, and pending legal cases. Chaired by Senator Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan, the committee scrutinized the conduct of telecom operators, regulatory frameworks, and the implications of recent mergers.

According to the Senate of Pakistan, the committee was briefed about an audit objection involving an alleged excess collection of Rs. 6.58 billion by Jazz due to a 15 percent tariff increase on mobile packages, exceeding the initially proposed 3 percent. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) defended the increase, claiming compliance with procedural requirements and estimating the disputed amount at approximately Rs. 920 million. The committee expressed reservations about the tariff mechanism and called for thorough verification through the Departmental Accounts Committee and the Public Accounts Committee.

The committee also reviewed issues such as the reported name change following the Ufone-Telenor merger, pending LDI/FLL court cases, and the shift of Pak Datacom’s satellite services to a foreign entity. Concerns about national security and compliance with regulations were highlighted, with directives issued for comprehensive reporting and stakeholder consultations.

Additional discussions covered network connectivity problems exacerbated by the Ufone-Telenor merger and 5G rollout, as well as connectivity concerns affecting Pakistan Railways. The committee deferred deliberations on Starlink licensing due to the absence of a pending application but noted regulatory conditions for Low Earth Orbit satellite operators.