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Express Tribune
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Internet suspended in Panjgur, panel told
The National Assembly's Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication was informed on Monday that internet services in Balochistan's Panjgur district remain suspended due to security clearance being withheld by intelligence agencies for the next six months. However, interior ministry officials clarified that terrorists of the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) were not using Pakistan's official internet infrastructure, but an alternative system. During the committee's meeting, chaired by Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Aminul Haque at the Parliament House, officials from the Ministry of Interior briefed members on the prolonged internet shutdown in Panjgur. They said that a formal request for security clearance was made on March 22, but clearance was denied without detailed justification, only citing "security concerns" as the reason for continued data suspension. Committee member Pauline Baloch expressed strong concern, saying the internet issue in her constituency had persisted for several years. "If nothing has been resolved in the past three years, what hope is there in the next six months?" she asked. "It appears Panjgur is being permanently disconnected," she added, taking a solemn oath and alleging that the region was being deliberately punished. Separately, the committee also lauded Pakistan's cybersecurity apparatus for successfully fending off cyberattacks during recent heightened tensions with India. Committee Chairman Aminul Haque said cyberattacks were launched against Pakistan between May 5 and 6, but were effectively thwarted. "Our cybersecurity team and the National CERT deserve commendation for defending Pakistan's digital assets and even launching counteroffensives," he said. Meanwhile, Acting CEO of the National Information Technology Board (NITB) Faisal Ratyal briefed the committee on the development of "Beep", a secure government communication app designed for federal employees. The app will include voice and video conferencing capabilities and aims to provide a safer internal communication platform. Committee members were informed that a high-level committee had been formed to oversee Beep's rollout, and an additional security layer was being incorporated to enhance protection. With additional input from APP
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Express Tribune
07-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
IT minister confirms Starlink internet launch timeline in Pakistan
Listen to article Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima, said that SpaceX's Starlink internet services are expected to become operational in Pakistan by November or December this year. The announcement was made during a meeting of the National Assembly's Standing Committee on IT and Telecom, chaired by MNA Aminul Haque. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) briefed the committee on the licensing process for Starlink. PTA Chairman confirmed that Starlink has been granted a temporary licence by the Space Board, adding that a full operational licence would be issued once regulatory frameworks are finalised. 'There are no issues with the licensing process,' Minister Shaza Fatima stated, clarifying that satellite internet is a new technology and various aspects needed to be evaluated thoroughly. 'A consultant has been hired to finalise the regulations. Once done, Starlink will have to reapply,' she added. The minister also revealed that a Chinese company had submitted a similar application for providing satellite internet services in Pakistan. 'Shanghai Spacecom is also in the queue. We want to open the space internet sector to multiple players to ensure competition,' she said. The minister confirmed that infrastructure installation is underway and Starlink services are expected to launch in the last quarter of 2025.
