NA committee slams poor internet quality in Pakistan

The National Assembly Standing Committee on IT and Telecom on Tuesday voiced serious concern over Pakistan’s slow internet speeds and admonished telecom operators for failing to provide reliable services.

Chairing the meeting, Syed Aminul Haq directed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to conduct comprehensive nationwide surveys and implement immediate, practical measures to enhance internet quality and coverage.

He also instructed that members of the Committee will verify service performance themselves, adding that a detailed progress report must be submitted at the next meeting.

PTA officials briefed the Committee that 273 MHz of spectrum is currently available in the country—an amount they said is inadequate to meet rising demand. They noted that the government intends to auction 600 MHz of additional spectrum across multiple bands, and that steps toward launching 5G services are underway.

During the session, the Committee reviewed the progress of major IT infrastructure projects. Regarding the Islamabad IT Park, members were informed that the consultant’s contract expired on October 31 and is now in the process of renewal.

The Committee reiterated the prime minister’s directive to complete the project by December 31, 2025.

On the Karachi IT Park, officials said the project remains in the early phase, with the contract expected to be awarded soon.

A Korean delegation will visit on December 2, 2025, to finalise remaining matters. The Committee ordered that the award process be expedited and insisted the project be completed within its planned two-year timeframe.

The managing director of the National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC) also briefed the Committee, highlighting initiatives such as secure mobile connectivity for government officials and the establishment of new data centres in Karachi and Quetta.

Members commended the NTC’s performance and noted that its current projects were progressing satisfactorily.

However, the Committee advised the NTC to avoid downsizing, urging the corporation instead to adopt a “rightsizing” approach that reallocates staff where needed without job losses.

The Committee deferred discussion on “The Prevention of Obscenity and Indecency in Digital Media Bill, 2025” due to the mover’s absence.