NA panel seeks details of telecom fines, action over poor internet services

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication expressed concern over the poor quality of internet services in Pakistan. They directed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to submit information on fines imposed on telecom operators over the past six months, including details of show-cause notices and the amount recovered.

The PTA explained that they conduct Quality of Service (QoS) surveys and issue fines to operators who fail to address deficiencies within 30 days. However, the committee noted that delays can occur when operators contest fines in court, hindering corrective actions. They also discussed the status of the telecom sector as an industry, noting that the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has not recognized this status.

The committee directed the Member of Telecom to prepare a detailed working paper on the legal, financial, and technical aspects of this issue, inviting NEPRA representatives to the next meeting. They emphasized that industry recognition could aid in resolving power supply issues at telecom towers, which often lead to service disruptions due to power outages.

The discussion also touched upon the Electronic Transactions (Amendment) Bill, 2026, with PPP members raising reservations as the amendments had not been previously discussed with their Parliamentary Legislative Committee. The committee deferred further consideration of the bill until its next meeting.