NA panel forms body to address Rs19bn default by LDI operators
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) informed the committee that more than 100 related cases are pending in various courts, while six of the defaulters have expressed willingness to settle their dues.
A structured recovery mechanism, including an instalment-based plan, is under consideration and a proposal has already been submitted to the federal cabinet for guidance.
The committee, chaired by MNA Syed Aminul Haq, also decided to convene an in-camera meeting to thoroughly review the confidential Sale and Purchase Agreement between the Government of Pakistan and M/s Etisalat, after expressing strong displeasure over PTCL's refusal to share specific clauses of the deal.
The Privatization Commission informed the committee that Clause 6 of the agreement restricts disclosure without mutual consent of both parties. The committee directed that representatives from the Ministry of IT, Ministry of Law and Justice, Privatization Commission, and M/s Etisalat be invited to the next meeting.
Meanwhile, the Universal Service Fund (USF) briefed the committee that areas in district Tharparkar and Sargodha Division remain severely underserved in terms of internet and voice call access. Although fibre optic infrastructure exists, telecom services remain unavailable in many parts. The USF stated that specific projects for these regions have been approved and are at the final implementation stage. The committee instructed USF to submit a list of all such projects planned for execution over the next three to five years and directed PTA to ensure service delivery in those areas.
On the issue of internet suspension in district Panjgur, the committee urged the Ministry of IT to coordinate with the Ministry of Interior, provincial authorities, and law enforcement agencies to devise a workable solution. The PTA was also instructed to maintain connectivity through the existing fibre optic infrastructure despite service disruptions.
MNAs Zulfiqar Ali Bhatti, Dr Mahesh Kumar Malani, Sadiq Ali Memon, Ahmad Saleem Siddiqui, Pullain Baloch, Sher Ali Arbab, and Umair Khan Niazi, along with senior officials from the ministry and its attached departments, attended the meeting.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
15 minutes ago
- Business Recorder
Minister visits K-IV project to review progress
LAHORE: Federal Minister for Water Resources Mian Muhammad Mueen Wattoo visited Greater Karachi Bulk Water Supply Scheme (K-IV Project) and reviewed the ongoing development works on the project. The federal minister visited in detail various key work fronts, which included intake structure and pumping stations being constructed at Keenjhar lake, water conveyance system consisting of pressurized pipeline from Keenjhar to Karachi as well as water reservoirs and filtration plants in suburbs of Karachi. During the visit, the federal minister was briefed by the project team about the site-wise progress achieved so far, remaining works and timelines for their completion. It was briefed that construction work on all components of the project is in progress at a satisfactory pace. Overall physical progress stands at 63 percent, while a sum of Rs 86.4 billion has so far been spent on construction of the project. Phase-I is planned to be completed in 2026, provided the required funds are made accordingly. Speaking on the occasion, the federal minister expressed satisfaction over the pace of work and reiterated the federal government's full support for the project. K-IV is a vital scheme for supplementing water supplies to Karachi to meet water requirements for the urban use. 'We are committed to ensuring completion of K-IV at the earliest as it is one of the priority projects of the Ministry of Water Resources,' he added. The minister emphasized the need for enhanced coordination among all stakeholders to remove bottlenecks for smooth implementation of the project. He also directed the consultants and the contractors to adhere to the quality standards stipulated for the project. The K-IV project is a critical infrastructure initiative aimed at addressing Karachi's acute water shortage by providing an additional 650 million gallons per day (MGD) water to Karachi from Keenjhar lake. The project is planned to be completed in two phases. At present, WAPDA is constructing Phase-I of to supply 260 MGD water to Karachi. Phase-II, when implemented, will also augment another 390 MGD water to the system for Karachi. Phase-I is being implemented through eight contract packages awarded to different local and international contractors. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
15 minutes ago
- Business Recorder
9th May ‘mastermind, coach' cannot escape accountability: Azma
LAHORE: Punjab Minister for Information and Culture, Azma Bokhari, has released CCTV footage of the incidents that took place on May 9, stating that all facts related to this tragic episode have now come to light. She emphasised that court verdicts in the cases related to the failed uprising of May 9 have started to come through after two years, marking a significant step toward justice. Azma Bokhari stated that the planning behind the events of May 9, including the individuals involved and the locations where these conspiracies were crafted, has been fully exposed. 'The masterminds and executors of these attacks, particularly those who incited violence and set fire to the memorials of our martyrs, are the true enemies of Pakistan,' she said, adding: 'Such individuals do not deserve any leniency.' She further said that the attacks on military installations were carried out with complete planning and coordination, and now no ambiguity remains regarding who was involved and how it happened. According to her, under the directions of the Supreme Court, all trial courts are obligated to deliver verdicts in the May 9 cases within four months. Taking a firm stance, Azma Bokhari declared that the mastermind behind May 9 and his coach cannot and will not escape accountability. She assured that the government will ensure all legal processes are completed with integrity and that the sacrifices of the martyrs will not be forgotten. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
15 minutes ago
- Business Recorder
GIK Institute & HBL explore strategic collaboration
TOPI (KPK): The Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology (GIKI) hosted a high-level delegation from HBL led by Muhammad Nassir Salim, President & CEO – HBL. The visit marked a pivotal step towards academia-industry collaboration to shape Pakistan's digital future. During the strategic dialogue, HBL's leadership expressed keen interest in innovation-led growth, talent development, and collaborative R&D initiatives. Key focus areas for the discussion were emerging technologies such as Blockchain, Cybersecurity, IP Sharing frameworks, Electric Vehicles (EVs), Spectral Analytics, and AgriTech. Muhammad Nassir Salim, President & CEO – HBL, emphasized the need for job-ready graduates and proposed co-creating curricula with GIKI to bridge the skill gap. Internship programs, real-world problem statements, and potential faculty attachments with HBL were also discussed. Rector GIKI Prof Dr Fazl A Khalid (SI) highlighted GIKI's achievements in sustainable energy, robotics, AR/VR, and EV research through industry collaborations. He invited HBL to participate in Full Stack Development Bootcamps and proposed that the Bank support in the form of scholarships, interest-free loans, and endowment funds for expanding student facilities. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
