NA Panel Wants Disciplinary Action Against PTCL

Staff Report

Islamabad:Parliamentary Panel on Monday expressed serious concerns over a delay in submitting documents relating to its property transaction and recommended disciplinary action against Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL).

MNA Aminul Haque of MQM chaired the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication. The chairman committee expressed displeasure over PTCL’s failure to timely respond to queries regarding the sale and purchase agreements of its properties. PTCL President and Etisalat Group CEO Hatem Bamtaref attended the meeting via Zoom and was criticized for the delayed submission of briefing papers.

The committee member Sher Ali called for formal action against PTCL as reprimands were insufficient.

Mahesh Kumar also raised concerns about the stalled merger between Ufone and Telenor.He accused Telenor of intentionally causing service disruptions. The PTA chairman said the merger case is currently under review by the Competition Commission of Pakistan.

Another member, Sadiq Memon, also expressed serious concerns about reports of Microsoft scaling down its operations in Pakistan.

Minister of State for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima clarified that Microsoft and Google have engaged in large-scale certification programs in Pakistan.

While Microsoft had laid off 16,000 employees globally in the past year, she said that it remains unclear if any of the Pakistan-based employees are affected.

She also revealed ongoing efforts to convert Microsoft’s liaison office into a full operational setup in Pakistan. The IT minister also hinted at Google’s potential entry into the local market.

During the session of NA body, Etisalat Group’s Bamtaref underscored strong UAE-Pakistan ties and added that the group was focusing on emerging technologies like 5G and artificial intelligence.

Officials from the Privatisation Commission informed the parliamentary panel that PTCL’s privatisation was finalized in 2006 under an international agreement. However, they offered to share further details in an in-camera session. The committee members objected to the lack of prior notice for such a request.

The PTCL officials clarified that the property agreement in question was between the Government of Pakistan and Etisalat and had no direct linkage with PTCL. The chairman postponed the agenda item to the next session and agreed to hold the upcoming meeting in-camera.

On broader telecom issues, committee member Zulfiqar Ali also lodged complaints against  weak mobile signals in his constituency. The USF CEO assured to complete the project in that has already been approved.ptcl kasda modem

PTA Chairman also briefed the parliamentary panel on the status of Long Distance and International (LDI) operators. He revealed that 9 out of 21 companies have pending license renewal cases. He also noted that over 100 related cases have landed in court. Due to the complexity, Minister IT Shaza Fatima recommended to form a sub-committee to hear all stakeholders. The chairman agrees to this proposal.

Internet Shutdown in Balochistan

The PTA chairman confirmed that interior ministry had ordered to suspend internet services in Panjgur due to security concerns.

He also revealed that over 100 telecom towers have been damaged in Balochistan, including three completely destroyed between July 9 and 12.

Committee member Pauline Baloch emphasized the worsening law and order situation in Balochistan and said roads remained blocked for hours and basic services are under threat. Shaza Fatima proposed to hold a joint meeting between the Interior Ministry, PTA, and IT Ministry in Balochistan to address these challenges.

Mahesh Kumar, another committee member, also raised the issue of connectivity in Karachi where WhatsApp calls had been dropping after one minute.

“If this is Karachi, imagine the situation in southern Punjab or rural Sindh,” he questioned.

Committee Chairman Aminul Haque criticized telecom companies, saying that they have becom “money-making machines,” while ignoring service quality.

The PTA chairman responded that 4G cannot function properly without fiber infrastructure.He added that a fiberization policy is underway. He also pointed out three new submarine cables which were expected by year-end.