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Express Tribune
26-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
NA panel questions PTCL's property sale
A parliamentary committee directed Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) to provide specific clauses of its sale and purchase agreements that authorise the company to proceed with the sale of its properties and expressed dismay over the absence of the firm's CEO. "Where is the CEO of PTCL? How is PTCL selling properties worth billions of rupees?" The committee chairman termed the CEO's absence an insult to parliament. He stated, "We summon the PTCL CEO and his continuous absence is an affront to the committee. We will not take up PTCL's agenda unless the CEO is present. If he is in Islamabad, then he must be called." The National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication met on Monday under the chairmanship of Syed Aminul Haq. PTCL officials informed the committee that the CEO was attending a meeting at the UAE embassy, to which the chairman responded that committee members had arrived from remote areas to attend the session and those who were unable to come were participating online. "Scheduling a meeting at the UAE embassy on the same day when this session was going to be held is not appropriate," he remarked. The chairman asked, "How is PTCL selling off properties worth billions of rupees?" The committee 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 panel to respond to its queries. The committee reconstituted its sub-committee, to be convened by Gohar Ali Khan, with the same composition and terms of reference. Meanwhile, amid increasing data leak concerns, a new messaging application, branded as a local alternative to WhatsApp, is set for launch for government employees, which will be expanded in phases. It was revealed by an official of the National Information Technology Board (NITB) while briefing the NA standing committee. According to officials, Beep will support encrypted messaging, audio and video calls, and conference calling with over 100 participants, with an additional layer of security and data hosting within Pakistan. The committee was informed by Zarar Khan, Secretary of the Ministry of IT, that an assessment was under way while keeping in view the cybersecurity. "We are trying to address vulnerabilities and trying to ensure the launch by June 30," he added. The app would be rolled out across the country but in phases, the committee was informed. Haque said that unlike WhatsApp, Beep's servers would be located in Pakistan. "Its data centre will be in Pakistan, ensuring 100% safety and security." Moreover, the committee was informed that the security agencies had responded to a letter from the Ministry of Interior, stating that due to the prevailing security and law and order situation, internet services in Panjgur district would remain suspended for the next six months. The committee voiced concern over the three-year internet suspension in Panjgur, highlighting its impact on businesses and students. It decided to hold an in-camera session with the interior secretary for a detailed briefing on the law and order situation. Committee member Pullain Baloch informed the meeting that people of his constituency had to travel 15 to 20 kilometres to access internet services. He added that PTCL's internet coverage in the area was nearly non-existent. In light of that, the committee directed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) chairman to conduct a survey of internet coverage in the region and submit a detailed report. The NA committee reviewed the delayed Coding and DG Skills Programme, drawing sharp criticism from members. The chairman voiced frustration at the year-long delay, citing missed opportunities amid rapid AI advancements. Ignite, the implementing body, attributed the delay to updating the content for current tech trends. They reported training 4.6 million students across 19 batches in 15 top freelancing courses, with 28% female participation. A 2024 survey showed trainees generated $1.65 billion in revenue.
Express Tribune
04-02-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
NA committee stands firm on telecom dues
Listen to article ISLAMABAD: The Parliamentary Panel on Tuesday agreed not to grant any concessions to Long Distance and International (LDI) license companies in the recovery of Rs78 billion in dues. It also resolved to activate the Telecom Tribunal to expedite the matter. Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) Chairman, Major General (Retd) Hafeezur Rehman, informed the committee that in the past six years, Rs1,700 billion had been deposited into the national treasury from telecom companies in the form of taxes, yet not a single rupee had been spent by the government to improve the country's network infrastructure. The National Assembly's Standing Committee on IT and Telecommunications, which met on Tuesday, expressed its displeasure over the delay in necessary steps for digitisation, the launch of services by Starlink and Chinese companies, and the slow pace of projects related to IT park construction. Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on IT & Telecom, Syed Aminul Haq, also voiced concerns over the non-utilisation of Rs6 billion allocated for the Karachi IT Park project in the current financial year, the delay in the Personal Data Protection Bill, and the pending Artificial Intelligence Policy. The 11th meeting of the Standing Committee on IT and Telecom was attended by Syed Mustafa Kamal, Ahmed Saleem Siddiqui, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Ahmed Atiq Anwar, Umair Khan Niazi, Rumeena Khursheed Alam, Dr Mahesh Kumar, Adil Khan Bazai, Mukhtar Ahmed Malik, Parliamentary Secretary for IT Sabeen Ghauri, Secretary IT Zarar Hashim Khan, Special Secretary Azfar Manzoor, Member Telecom Jahanzeb Rahim, Chairman PTA Major General (Retd) Hafeezur Rehman, CEO Universal Service Fund (USF) Chaudhry Mudassar Naveed, and CEO Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) Abu Bakar. Joint Secretary Saima Ahad briefed the meeting on progress in public sector development programmes (PSDP) under the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication (MoIT&T) and its affiliated institutions. She stated that Rs24 billion had been allocated for this purpose in the current financial year. Committee members raised concerns over broadband services provided by the Special Communication Organisation (SCO) in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B). Syed Aminul Haq directed the MoIT&T to expedite improvements in broadband services in AJK and G-B, finalise the fiberisation policy, propose government funding for USF, resolve matters related to Starlink, and establish the Telecom Tribunal, with a report to be submitted to the committee. On members' suggestions, Haq instructed the MoIT&T to submit proposals for separate federal government grants to the Universal Service Fund, which receives 1.5% of telecom companies' revenue, so the matter could be raised with the prime minister. Haq emphasised that telecom companies focus their investments in urban areas, but government grants for USF are essential for expanding broadband services and laying optical fibre cables in remote and underdeveloped regions. With sufficient funding, broadband services and fiberisation across the country can progress quickly, benefiting the public and advancing the government's digitisation goals, while also facilitating IT export targets. "These steps are necessary to connect with the digital world and keep pace with technological advancements," he added.
