Tech Desk 
Nov 19, 2024
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has refuted claims that recent internet disruptions in the country were caused by the use of virtual private networks (VPNs), as discussed during a meeting of the National Assembly IT & Telecom Committee on Tuesday.
These comments contradict earlier statements made by IT Minister Shaza Fatima in August, who had attributed the internet outages to the excessive use of VPNs.
PTA top officials underscored that VPN restrictions do not have a negative impact on internet speed. They urged users to report specific areas experiencing connectivity issues, so detailed surveys can be conducted to identify and resolve the problem.
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The meeting covered a broad range of topics, including internet speed, the progress of the Personal Data Protection Bill, and PTCL’s property policies.
One committee member criticised PTA for failing to meet its August 31 target for internet speed enhancement. In response to the criticism, PTA officials explained that the disruptions were due to issues with submarine cables, which is purported to be resolved now. They outlined that seven submarine cables currently serve Pakistan.
Personal Data Protection Bill update
The IT Ministry also provided an update on the Personal Data Protection Bill, revealing that drafts have now been finalised and have been shared with stakeholders. This marks significant progress toward the bill’s eventual approval.
The meeting shifted a focus to PTCL’s property leasing practices. Committee member Mukhtar Malik raised questions about PTCL’s compliance with PEPRA (Public Procurement Regulatory Authority) rules and voiced concerns about the alleged undervaluation of property sales.
In response, PTCL officials refuted any property sales, explaining that the bids received for properties were below reserve prices. However, the committee remained unsatisfied with this explanation and demanded a detailed policy briefing on PTCL’s leasing practices.
Furthermore, the committee highlighted concerns regarding delays in resolving customer complaints, demanding PTCL to address these issues promptly. Officials were encouraged to improve customer service and ensure quicker resolutions to ongoing complaints.
Lastly, regarding the transition to 5G spectrum, PTA officials shared that the authority is currently preparing a policy for the transition. Reports related to the policy are expected to be ready by January, with the official rollout anticipated by April 2025.
