Islamabad: The Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication passed the “Establishment of Telecommunication Appellate Tribunal Bill, 2024” today, aiming to enhance legal frameworks in the telecommunications sector. The bill facilitates the creation of a tribunal to address disputes in this rapidly evolving field, underscoring the government’s commitment to refining regulatory structures for technology and communications.

According to National Assembly of Pakistan, the Ministry of Law and Justice outlined the appointment processes for tribunal chairpersons, involving rigorous selection and vetting by a dedicated Search Committee and final approvals by the Federal Cabinet. The bill was passed unanimously without amendments and is expected to streamline dispute resolutions in telecommunications.

The committee also reviewed the implementation of the E-Office initiative, aimed at creating a paperless environment within government ministries. Despite being launched four years ago, challenges in full adoption were noted, with commitments to improve the system’s implementation from the top levels of government downwards. Additionally, concerns about mobile data access in several districts of Balochistan were raised, with plans to address these issues in upcoming sessions.