Pakistan's National Assembly Committee Slams Poor Internet Quality, Cites Power Outages
Pakistan's National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication has expressed significant concern over the subpar quality of internet services nationwide, noting that major urban centers like Karachi are experiencing connectivity issues alongside remote areas. Committee Chairman Syed Aminul Haque highlighted frequent slow speeds and dropped calls as common user complaints. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman, Hafeezur Rehman, informed the committee that while the country's spectrum had increased and 5G services were launched in 22 cities, these services operate on existing infrastructure, with new 5G infrastructure expected to improve quality over the next six to eight months. A primary challenge identified by the committee is the impact of prolonged electricity shortages on mobile towers, with some areas facing up to 10 hours of daily load shedding, severely disrupting telecom services. The PTA is collaborating with Nepra and power distribution companies to address this, and a high-level committee has been formed to ensure uninterrupted power for telecom towers. The committee also recommended exploring alternative energy sources like wind power for telecom infrastructure and directing operators to install renewable energy systems. Regarding mobile phones, the PTA chairman stated that approximately 92% of smartphones in Pakistan are locally manufactured or assembled, with only 8% imported, mainly high-end models like iPhones and Pixels. The committee urged the IT Ministry to encourage global brands such as Apple to establish local assembly facilities. The Electronic Transactions (Amendment) Bill, 2026, was deferred due to reservations from the Pakistan Peoples Party, who argued that proposed amendments shifting powers from the federal government to the prime minister had not been adequately discussed. Minister of State for IT Shaza Fatima Khawaja acknowledged the lack of political consensus and assured that the bill would not be approved without stakeholder agreement.
This parliamentary committee's discussion highlights critical infrastructure dependencies in Pakistan's digital development, particularly the nexus between reliable electricity and telecommunications. The reliance on existing infrastructure for 5G deployment and the direct impact of power outages on service quality underscore the challenges of scaling digital services without foundational upgrades. The committee's push for renewable energy sources for telecom towers is a forward-looking strategy, addressing both service reliability and sustainability, though the practical implementation and cost-effectiveness of such transitions require careful evaluation. Furthermore, the debate around the Electronic Transactions bill reveals ongoing tensions in governance, specifically the balance of power and administrative efficiency, which could influence the regulatory environment for digital commerce and technology adoption in the coming years. The call for increased local assembly of smartphones, while aiming to boost domestic industry, also raises questions about the incentives and regulatory framework needed to attract major international manufacturers.
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