Syed Saif Ul Hassan 
Nov 18, 2025
An undated image. — Adobe Stock
In view of a persistent decline in Pakistan's internet connectivity, lawmakers criticised the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) during a meeting of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on IT.
The session also focused on the review of the IT ministry’s role in addressing connectivity failures all over Pakistan.
Sharmila Faruqi, a member of the Sindh Provincial Assembly, outlined the downgrading of service quality nationwide, noting that some areas are still facing sudden network shutdowns due to security concerns.
Committee members demanded answers from the PTA, with engineer Rana Atiq questioning the operators' plans for network expansion. In response, PTA officials stated that tower deployment is a commercial decision made by operators, ensuring only that technical standards are met.
PTA's response failed to satisfy the lawmakers, with Atiq pointing out persistent voice call issues on Lahore Ring Road and even worse conditions in secondary cities.
Reflecting on insights, Mahesh Kumar Malani explained that only 25% of Sindh has access to 4G, leaving many districts reliant on outdated E signals.
The parliamentarians also urged the PTA to conduct unannounced surveys to better understand network conditions.
The committee also involved discussions aimed at addressing delays in Pakistan's 5G rollout, warning that continued roadblocks would hinder investment and new digital services.
Lawmakers called for immediate action from the ministry to improve service quality, disapproving of PTA's telecom oversight amid demand for reliable connectivity.
