PTCL Properties Sale: NA Body Questions Authority of Management

Staff Report:

Islamabad: the National Assembly standing committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication, which met with Syed Amin Ul Haq in the chair has expressed concern over the absence of the CEO of PTCL and raises a question over the sale of properties by PTCL management.

The parliamentary body has also directed PTCL to present the specific clauses of its sales and purchase agreements that authorize the company to proceed with the sale of these properties.

“Where is the CEO of PTCL? How is PTCL selling properties worth billions of rupees?” The Chairman termed the CEO’s absence as an insult to the Parliament.ptcl password change

He further stated, “We summon the PTCL CEO, and his continuous absence is an affront to the committee. We will not even take up PTCL’s agenda unless the CEO is present.

If he is in Islamabad, then he must be called. Until the CEO arrives, we will not hold any discussion on PTCL’s matters.”

PTCL officials informed the committee that the CEO is attending a meeting at the UAE embassy, to which the Chairman responded that members have traveled from remote areas to attend this session, and those unable to come are participating online.

“Scheduling a meeting at the UAE embassy on the same day as this session is not appropriate,” he added.

The Chairman of the committee asked, “How is PTCL selling off properties worth billions of rupees?” The committee has also summoned officials from the Ministry of Law for the next meeting.

Furthermore, the Committee instructed that in the next meeting, it must be ensured that the CEO of PTCL appears before the Committee to respond to its queries.

The Committee re-appointment the Sub-Committee under the convenorship of Gohar Ali Khan, with same composition and Terms of Reference.

New Messaging Application

Amid increasing data leak concerns, a new messaging application, branded as a local alternative to WhatsApp, is set for launch for government employees, which would be further expanded in phases.

This was revealed by National Information Technology Board (NITB), official while briefing the National Assembly standing committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication, which met with Syed Amin Ul Haq in the chair here in Monday.

According to officials the Beep will support encrypted messaging, audio and video calls, conference calling with over 100 participants, an additional layer of security and data hosting within Pakistan.

The committee was informed by Zarar Khan Secretary Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication that assessment is under way while keeping in view the cyber security. “We are trying to address the vulnerabilities and trying to ensure the launch by June 30, 2025, he added. The app would be rolled out across the country, the committee was informed. The app would be launched in phase wise”, he added. Haque said that unlike WhatsApp, Beep Pakistan’s servers will be located in Pakistan. “Beep’s data centre will be in Pakistan, ensuring 100% safety and security,” he added.