Islamabad: The Standing Committee on Information Technology & Telecommunication convened its 24th meeting at Parliament House, focusing on the pressing concerns surrounding internet service quality and the recognition of the telecom sector as an industry. Chaired by Syed Amin ul Haq, the committee addressed the need for improvements in internet services and infrastructure in the country, while also tackling the issue of telecom operators’ industrial status.
According to National Assembly of Pakistan, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) briefed the committee on their ongoing efforts to monitor and enhance the Quality of Service (QoS) for internet and telecom services. The PTA explained their process of issuing Show-Cause Notices and imposing fines on operators who fail to meet service standards. Despite these measures, the PTA highlighted challenges posed by telecom operators contesting fines in court, which delays necessary improvements. The committee has requested a detailed report on the fines and Show-Cause Notices in the next meeting, alongside direct input from telecom operators on service enhancement plans.
The meeting also delved into the issue of the telecom sector’s status. Although the Finance Act of 2021 granted telecom operators industrial status, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has yet to recognize this change, citing a lack of value addition. The committee directed the preparation of a comprehensive paper on the matter and plans to involve NEPRA representatives in future discussions. Resolving this issue is seen as a potential solution to power supply problems affecting telecom towers, which can disrupt service availability.
Additionally, the committee considered the Electronic Transactions (Amendment) Bill, 2026. Members from the Pakistan People’s Party expressed concerns over the lack of intra-party discussions regarding the bill, leading the committee to defer further deliberations until consultations are complete. The meeting was attended by several members of the National Assembly, along with officials from related ministries and departments.