During a recent meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology, the Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) made a notable statement about the country’s internet services.
The PTA Chairman, who claimed to be in a state of ablution, vowed to speak on oath regarding critical telecom infrastructure matters.
He revealed that three out of the seven submarine cables linking Pakistan to global internet networks had been severed, leading to significant disruptions. However, he confirmed that the cables were fully restored by October, though this restoration took a delayed five months.
In response to concerns about ongoing internet service issues, the PTA Chairman shared that he had reached out to major internet platforms, including TikTok and Facebook, to inquire about any persistent problems. He emphasized that the government has not allocated any funds toward telecom infrastructure, underscoring a notable gap in investment.
The Chairman also addressed challenges in the digital landscape, noting that WhatsApp had continued to report issues, despite efforts to resolve them. He highlighted the need for the development of “digital highways” to prevent future connectivity problems, stressing that without such infrastructure, these issues would persist.
Additionally, the PTA Chairman discussed the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organization) Act (PICA), explaining that the government has the authority to block or unblock social media sites under specific directives. He assured the committee that the PTA does not use intermediaries or slow down social media platforms.
