Parliamentary Committee Raises Accountability Concerns Over PTA’s Operational Performance

Members of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication on Tuesday raised serious concerns over the accountability and operational performance of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), questioning the credibility of its reports and service delivery.

The committee, chaired by Amin-ul-Haq, reviewed PTA’s functioning, including its handling of public complaints, network services, and coordination across the country’s 12 zonal offices. The PTA chairman highlighted that over the past year, the authority had remained number one among government departments in complaint resolution and acknowledged that while some errors occurred, ongoing initiatives aim to address service gaps.

Despite these claims, several committee members expressed dissatisfaction with PTAs’ on-ground performance. Sadiq Ali Memon remarked, “Operational issues exist, but reports often indicate everything is fine on paper. If authorities are not ready to acknowledge problems, all efforts become ineffective.”

Sharmila Farooqi questioned the transparency and methodology of PTA’s reporting, calling for independent monitoring and the appointment of focal persons in zonal offices to strengthen accountability. Ahmad Atiq suggested forming a smaller subcommittee within the panel to work closely with the PTA and identify practical solutions for complaint resolution.

Committee members emphasized that while PTA claims progress in complaint handling and internal processes, public confidence in telecom services remains fragile, highlighting the need for reforms that translate into tangible improvements in operational performance for consumers.

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