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In a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on IT and Telecom, PTA Chairman raised concerns about the government’s lack of investment in the internet sector.
He pointed out that while the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has contributed Rs. 1,700 billion to the government over the past six years, the government has not invested even Rs. 1 billion in return. He criticized the government for failing to learn from India, where the Modi administration has spent $13 billion on fiber optic cables to enhance internet speed.
Under the chairmanship of Aminul Haq, the committee directed authorities to accelerate the licensing process for Elon Musk’s company, Starlink. Members expressed their dissatisfaction with the slow progress of the Islamabad IT Park project, questioning the IT Ministry’s inefficiency in timely project execution.
The Secretary of IT and Telecom assured the committee that the IT Minister supports the proposed legislation, promising that the bill will soon be finalized. Additionally, he revealed that a draft AI policy has been prepared and is expected to be submitted to the cabinet for approval by the end of February.
The discussion also covered the Rs. 78 billion liabilities of Long-Distance International (LDI) telecom companies. The PTA Chairman explained that these cases remain pending in court. To recover the dues, PTA has three possible solutions: requiring companies to make a lump sum payment, allowing them to pay in installments, or suspending their licenses. However, suspending licenses could disrupt nearly 50% of the country’s ATM system. He further noted that the LDI companies were originally responsible for Rs. 24 billion, but due to late payment surcharges, the amount has now increased to Rs. 50 billion.
The committee reviewed the IT Ministry’s Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) funds for the fiscal year 2024-25. The ministry had been allocated Rs. 24 billion for the current fiscal year, and several new projects had been approved. While Rs. 2 billion has already been spent, officials stated that an additional Rs. 43 billion would be needed for upcoming developmental initiatives. Transparency in fund utilization, particularly in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir, was a key concern raised during the discussion.
Connectivity issues in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir were also highlighted. The committee acknowledged frequent public complaints regarding mobile network unavailability in these regions. Officials from the Special Communication Organization (SCO) disclosed that Rs. 7.8 billion had been allocated to expand mobile services to 28 new locations, aiming to improve connectivity for residents and tourists alike.
In addition to connectivity, the discussion extended to Pakistan’s semiconductor industry. The National Semiconductor Program has been launched under the HR Development Program and is being overseen by the Pakistan Software Export Board. Furthermore, government-to-government agreements are being pursued to advance semiconductor development in the country.
Regarding IT parks, concerns were raised over the Islamabad and Karachi IT Park projects. Mustafa Kamal criticized inefficient planning, arguing that while technology is evolving rapidly, these projects are lagging behind. He suggested focusing on five key projects instead of twenty to ensure timely completion. Despite Rs. 6 billion being allocated for Karachi IT Park, funds have not been utilized due to the prolonged design phase. Similarly, the Islamabad IT Park has faced repeated delays, prompting frustration from committee members.
In response, the committee decided to visit Islamabad IT Park in their next meeting to assess progress. They also emphasized the need to finalize the Personal Data Protection Bill and present it for approval as soon as possible. The meeting concluded with a strong call for accountability, efficient project execution, and improved digital infrastructure to support Pakistan’s technological growth.
