Islamabad: The Standing Committee on Information Technology & Telecommunication held its 23rd meeting under the chairmanship of Syed Amin ul Haq, MNA, addressing critical issues affecting internet services and power supply for telecom infrastructure in Pakistan. The committee raised serious concerns about the unsatisfactory state of internet services, noting that connectivity issues are prevalent not only in remote areas but also in major cities like Karachi.

According to National Assembly of Pakistan, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) briefed the committee about the recent increase in available spectrum following the 5G spectrum auction, which is expected to enhance network capacity. Despite this development, the committee highlighted the impact of electricity shortages on telecommunications infrastructure, with power outages lasting up to 10 hours in certain areas. The committee recommended exploring alternative energy sources, such as wind and solar power, to address these challenges.

The meeting also discussed the taxation of imported mobile phones, with the PTA informing that 92% of smartphones in Pakistan are locally manufactured or assembled. The committee directed the ministry to encourage global smartphone manufacturers to establish local production facilities. Additionally, deliberations on the Electronic Transactions (Amendment) Bill, 2026, were deferred due to a lack of consultation with relevant political parties, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive consultative process before proceeding with the legislation.