Pakistan Internet Services Under Scrutiny as NA Panel Raises Concerns

Pakistan internet services remained under the spotlight after the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication expressed concern over poor internet quality and unreliable mobile connectivity across the country. During a meeting held in Islamabad on Tuesday, lawmakers highlighted persistent service disruptions affecting users in both remote regions and major urban centres, including Karachi.

The committee also reviewed progress on 5G deployment, discussed the impact of electricity shortages on telecom infrastructure, examined mobile phone taxation, and deferred consideration of the Electronic Transactions (Amendment) Bill, 2026 due to the absence of political consensus.

Committee Highlights Concerns Over Internet Performance

Chairman of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication, Syed Aminul Haque, said internet users continue to face slow browsing speeds and repeated call connection failures.

Committee members noted that poor network performance is no longer limited to underserved regions and is increasingly affecting major cities. They stressed that reliable internet and mobile connectivity are now essential for businesses, education, banking, healthcare, and government services.

The discussion reflected growing concern over the quality of telecommunications services despite continued investment in the sector.

PTA Provides Update on 5G Expansion

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Hafeezur Rehman briefed the committee on the country’s latest telecommunications infrastructure.

According to the PTA, the total available telecom spectrum has increased from 274MHz to 754MHz following the 5G spectrum auction. Officials informed lawmakers that telecom operators have already introduced 5G services in 22 cities.

However, the PTA clarified that operators are currently providing these services using existing mobile towers and network equipment rather than newly constructed infrastructure.

The authority explained that dedicated 5G infrastructure will be installed gradually during future phases of deployment. As these upgrades continue, internet speed and service quality are expected to improve over the next six to eight months.

Electricity Shortages Continue to Affect Telecom Services

A major focus of the committee meeting was the impact of electricity shortages on Pakistan’s telecommunications network.

Lawmakers observed that extended power outages reduce the operational efficiency of mobile towers, resulting in weaker mobile signals, slower internet speeds, and service interruptions.

Members noted that in some locations, electricity load shedding continues for up to 10 hours each day, creating significant challenges for telecom operators.

The PTA chairman told the committee that the issue has already been raised with the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) and electricity distribution companies. He added that discussions are underway to improve power availability for telecommunications infrastructure.

Officials also informed lawmakers that the Prime Minister has established a high-level committee tasked with developing a long-term solution to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply for telecom towers.

Committee Recommends Renewable Energy for Mobile Towers

To reduce dependence on the national electricity grid, committee members proposed wider adoption of renewable energy technologies at telecom sites.

Lawmakers highlighted Pakistan’s wind corridor as a valuable resource capable of supporting telecommunications infrastructure in suitable areas. They also recommended encouraging telecom companies to install both solar and wind power systems at mobile tower locations over time.

The proposal is intended to improve network reliability while reducing the impact of prolonged electricity outages on consumers.

Local Smartphone Manufacturing Dominates Pakistani Market

The committee also reviewed taxation on imported mobile phones and developments in Pakistan’s smartphone manufacturing industry.

During the briefing, the PTA chairman stated that approximately 92 percent of smartphones currently used in Pakistan are either manufactured or assembled locally. The remaining 8 percent consist mainly of imported Apple iPhones and Google Pixel devices.

Officials explained that most international smartphone brands operating in Pakistan already assemble their devices domestically. As a result, import duties primarily apply to devices brought into the country rather than locally assembled phones.

The committee urged the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication to encourage Apple and other major global smartphone manufacturers to establish manufacturing or assembly operations within Pakistan.

Lawmakers believe that expanding local production could create employment opportunities, strengthen industrial capacity, and reduce reliance on imported devices.

PTA Clarifies Its Role in Mobile Phone Tax Collection

The committee also sought clarification regarding taxes imposed on imported mobile phones.

The PTA chairman explained that the authority does not collect taxes on imported devices. Instead, all applicable duties and taxes are paid to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

Once the required taxes have been paid, the PTA registers and approves eligible devices through its Device Identification, Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS). This process allows imported phones to operate legally on Pakistani mobile networks.

The clarification was intended to distinguish the PTA’s regulatory role from the government’s tax collection process.

Electronic Transactions Amendment Bill Deferred

The committee also examined the proposed Electronic Transactions (Amendment) Bill, 2026.

During discussions, members of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) expressed reservations, saying the proposed amendments had not yet been reviewed by the party’s Parliamentary Legislative Committee.

Several lawmakers questioned amendments that would replace the term “federal government” with “prime minister” in certain provisions.

Committee member Sadiq Memon argued that the wording could effectively transfer powers from the federal cabinet to the prime minister.

PPP lawmaker Sharmila Faruqui recommended that the Ministry of Law first provide a comprehensive briefing before lawmakers proceed with consideration of the amendments.

Following these concerns, the committee decided to defer approval of the bill until broader political agreement is achieved.

Government Says Consensus Will Be Sought

Minister of State for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja acknowledged before the committee that political consensus on the proposed legislation had not yet been reached.

She assured lawmakers that the government would not move forward with the bill without agreement among relevant stakeholders.

Officials from the Ministry of Law explained that the proposed amendments involve replacing only two words. However, government representatives argued that the change is intended to streamline administrative decision-making by reducing delays associated with cabinet approval procedures.

Despite these explanations, committee members maintained that further discussion is necessary before any legislative action is taken.

Why the Discussion Matters

The committee’s discussions highlight several ongoing challenges facing Pakistan’s digital sector.

Reliable internet access has become increasingly important for economic activity, education, remote work, digital payments, and public services. While the expansion of 5G and local smartphone manufacturing represents significant progress, infrastructure limitations and electricity shortages continue to affect the quality of telecommunications services experienced by consumers.

The meeting also underscored the importance of balancing technological development with legislative transparency, particularly when proposed legal amendments involve changes to executive authority.

As Pakistan continues investing in digital infrastructure, lawmakers indicated that improving network reliability, expanding renewable energy solutions for telecom facilities, and supporting local technology manufacturing will remain key priorities.

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