ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology has expressed serious concern over the persistent slow internet speed across Pakistan, directing authorities to resolve the issue within two weeks. The committee also requested a comprehensive report on the financial losses resulting from the internet slowdown.
The meeting, chaired by Senator Palwasha Khan, underscored the significant disruptions caused to businesses by the sluggish internet and social media services.
Senator Humayun Mohmand emphasized the severe impact on business operations, while Senator Afnanullah Khan estimated the financial losses to be around 500 million. The Secretary of IT attributed the disruptions to a technical issue with mobile operators and assured that the problem would be resolved shortly. However, the committee demanded a thorough report on the damages and a swift resolution to the problem.
Senator Afnanullah Khan also expressed frustration over difficulties in using social media platforms like WhatsApp, which has negatively impacted e-commerce platforms. Senator Humayun Mohmand criticized the lack of investment in digital infrastructure, warning of potential devastation to businesses and jobs.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) came under scrutiny for claiming they had not received formal complaints about the disruption. The committee postponed discussions on a related agenda item due to the absence of PTA officials, who were expected to provide an in-camera briefing on the issue.
Secretary IT Ayesha Humira assured the committee that the problem is specific to mobile operators and does not affect Wi-Fi networks. She mentioned that data is being collected from the operators and a detailed report will be presented to the Standing Committee within two weeks. The secretary also assured that the issue would soon be resolved, easing the internet woes faced by users nationwide.
