Opposition & Govt Allies Criticize Internet Outages in IT Committee Meeting

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology held a session recently to address critical issues, including internet disruptions, VPN regulations, etc. The Digital Nation Pakistan Bill was also included in the agenda of the discussion, however, the bill has been postponed once again. The Chairman of the Committee announced that discussions on the bill would be held in the next session, with input from all political parties, including PPP members.

During the session, Opposition Leader Umar Ayub expressed concerns over frequent internet shutdowns allegedly initiated by intelligence agencies, resulting in million-dollar losses. He pointed out that Pakistan continues to struggle with one of the lowest internet speeds globally, despite commitments to improve it by October 2024. Ayub called for holding authorities accountable and suggested strict measures against individuals who mislead the committee about internet-related matters. In addition, Opposition Leader Umar Ayub also condemned restrictions on VPNs, warning against misuse of regulatory powers.

The Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), defended the regulator’s actions, emphasizing that internet shutdowns occur only under orders from courts, the federal government, or the Ministry of Interior. He clarified that 7 submarine cables exist, of which only 4 were operational as of August 2024, and one additional cable was repaired in October after five months. He said that the onus of bringing submarine cable to Pakistan is on the government and not on the PTA. Pakistan ranks 97th out of 200 in mobile internet speeds based on Ookla’s open-source data.

On the other hand, PPP leader Sharmila Farooqi criticized the lack of solutions in successive committee meetings. She highlighted the adverse effects of internet slowdowns on e-commerce businesses, citing personal examples. Farooqi called for transparency and honest discussions about the security and technical challenges causing internet disruptions in the country.

The Committee also debated on VPN regulations, with members urging a balanced approach. Committee Chairman Syed Amin ul Haque opposed blanket bans on VPN usage, emphasizing the need for lawful regulations.

Moving forward, the committee decided to summon the Ministry of Interior and IT industry representatives, including PASHA (Pakistan Software Houses Association), to assess the financial losses incurred due to internet issues.

Our Opinion

While the committee’s discussions highlight critical issues, tangible solutions remain elusive. The delay in addressing the Digital Nation Bill reflects a lack of legislative priority for the IT sector. Frequent internet disruptions and regulatory challenges undermine Pakistan’s potential as an emerging IT hub. To achieve meaningful progress, a collaborative approach involving all stakeholders is essential. Transparency, infrastructure investment, and a focus on enhancing internet speeds should top the agenda. Additionally, imposing balanced VPN regulations will help address security concerns without stifling digital innovation.

Also read:

VPN Usage Slows Down Internet in Pakistan, PTA Explains