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In a recent session of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication, chaired by Aminul Haque, the Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Major General (Retd.) Hafeez ur Rehman, provided a comprehensive briefing on the licensing status of Starlink and various challenges facing Pakistan’s telecom sector.
The PTA Chairman informed the committee that the Space Board has granted a provisional No Objection Certificate (NOC) to Starlink, with the final license to be issued once the regulatory framework is fully developed. Currently, Starlink’s licensing process is ongoing. When questioned about potential obstacles, IT Minister Shaza Fatima clarified that there are no hurdles; rather, satellite internet is a new and evolving technology, which necessitates thorough evaluation from multiple angles.
She further explained that a consultant has been hired to finalize the regulatory framework, after which Starlink will be required to reapply for a formal license. She added that Starlink’s infrastructure is expected to be operational by November or December this year, with services launching soon after. She also revealed that a Chinese company has submitted a similar application to offer satellite internet services in Pakistan.
The session also addressed persistent connectivity issues in Karachi, where mobile signals are reportedly weak in several areas. The committee chairman voiced serious concern over frequent call drops, especially during power outages. When asked about the impact of load-shedding on signal strength and whether telecom companies are held accountable, the PTA Chairman confirmed that two companies were recently issued show-cause notices during the last week of Ramadan. He mentioned experiencing a 12-hour power outage himself during Eid at his hometown, pointing out that excessive load-shedding renders backup systems ineffective.
Committee member Sharmila Faruqi noted that mobile connectivity issues have become a national problem. On a related topic, the PTA Chairman clarified that Ufone and Telenor have not yet merged and that the Authority has not received formal confirmation of such a merger. He emphasized the need for installing more telecom towers to improve service quality and stated that future spectrum auctions must take multiple factors into account.
The discussion then turned to the upcoming 5G spectrum auction. The committee chairman advised that revenue should not be the sole focus. IT Minister Shaza Fatima agreed, emphasizing that the PTA Chairman is personally supervising the auction process. She stressed the need to balance financial goals with improvements in infrastructure and the overall health of the telecom industry. She noted that the country is currently operating on 274 MHz of spectrum.
However, the PTA Chairman reported that litigation is holding up portions of the spectrum, particularly 146 MHz out of 196 MHz. He warned that if these legal cases remain unresolved, the 5G auction process could be compromised. Shaza Fatima pointed out that without proper infrastructure, the auction would fail to meet its objectives, and telecom operators could risk bankruptcy. She also highlighted that several spectrum-related cases are under judicial review, and that both Zong and Shalimar companies have obtained court-issued stay orders.
The Chairman elaborated that Shalimar has held a stay since 2007 and is utilizing 140 MHz of spectrum. Zong is reportedly using its assigned spectrum without payment, while the Supreme Court has held its judgment in the matter for two years. In response, the committee decided to establish a subcommittee, led by Barrister Gohar and including Barrister Umair Niazi, Ammar Leghari, and Sharmila Faruqi, to resolve pending legal disputes over spectrum.
Committee member Paulene Baloch expressed frustration over unresolved internet issues in his constituency, threatening to walk out unless progress was made. Barrister Gohar assured him that the issues of Balochistan would be addressed. Minister Shaza Fatima added that law and order concerns and incidents of terrorism in Balochistan have complicated connectivity efforts, with some terror groups exploiting internet services. She reaffirmed that the government is committed to improving the region’s digital infrastructure.
The committee was also briefed on the BEAP (Bureaucratic Electronic Assistance Platform) project by the CEO of the National Information Technology Board (NITB). He explained that BEAP is designed for secure communication among government officials, with features including audio and video calling, document sharing, and video conferencing similar to Zoom. Though its interface resembles WhatsApp, BEAP offers enhanced security features.
The CEO confirmed that BEAP had completed testing and would be hosted on National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC) servers. Security clearance had caused delays, but a third-party security audit has been conducted, and the NTISB is currently reviewing the application’s security protocols. The committee directed that the Ministry of IT and NTISB expedite the launch of BEAP and roll it out across all federal ministries.
In the latter part of the briefing, the PTA Chairman addressed the issue of outstanding dues from nine Long Distance and International (LDI) companies. He reported that five of these companies have already paid Rs 64 billion, while the remaining principal amount owed is Rs 24 billion. Five operators have expressed willingness to pay Rs 8.2 billion in installments, while others still owe approximately Rs 16 billion and have shown reluctance to comply.
The PTA has issued show-cause notices to these defaulters and is prepared to revoke their licenses. However, PTA lacks the authority to accept installment payments without formal instruction. Minister Shaza Fatima cautioned that allowing such an arrangement could set a precedent, prompting other sectors to seek similar concessions. She noted that even if installment payments are accepted, legal challenges would keep the funds frozen in escrow accounts until resolved in court.
Committee member Barrister Gohar expressed strong disapproval of the companies’ conduct, stating that they had earned billions from the public and must be held accountable. The PTA Chairman, however, warned that canceling their licenses could disrupt up to 50% of mobile services and 40% of ATM operations across the country. The committee therefore instructed the PTA and the IT Ministry to engage with the LDI companies and find a practical resolution.
