No government policy to slow internet, PTA chief

ISLAMABAD: Amid growing fears of slow internet services in the country, PTA Chairman Major General (retd) Hafeezur Rehman on Thursday clarified that there is no government policy to deliberately slow down the internet. Addressing a meeting of the Senate Committee on Information Technology and Telecom, PTA Chairman Rahman, while addressing the issue of slow internet speed, acknowledged that there were issues with the proposed licensing of private network (PN) services. Internet may experience delays due to There was no intention on the part of the government to hinder the overall performance of the Internet. The PTA plans to introduce a licensing process for VPN services from January 1, 2025, which officials believe will streamline network management.

On Thursday, the meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication was held at the Parliament House under the chairmanship of Senator Palusha Mohammad Zai Khan. The Chairperson expressed deep concern over the continued disruption of the Internet for a long time.

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Hafeezur Rehman, in a statement that sought to address ongoing concerns about internet access, said there was no deliberate attempt to slow down internet services in the country. There is no government policy. His remarks come amid growing concerns from various sectors, particularly the IT industry, over perceived barriers and the potential impact of the new licensing regime.

The PTA Chairman reiterated his commitment to ensure the continuity and growth of Pakistan’s digital economy with industry leaders. He said efforts will be made to balance national security concerns with the need for a robust, secure and high-speed Internet environment for businesses and consumers.

The meeting was attended by important stakeholders of the IT and Telecom sector including Pakistan Software Houses Association (PASHA) Chairman Sajjad Syed. He expressed serious concerns over the growing impact of internet slowdown on the country’s IT industry, which is heavily dependent on a stable and high-speed internet connection. “Internet is the lifeblood of the IT sector in Pakistan, and any disruption is a serious matter,” Syed said. He also highlighted the need for stricter regulations on VPN services to ensure data security and protect local businesses from relying on unregulated foreign VPN providers.

Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shahza Fatima, who also briefed the committee, assured the members that the government was actively addressing issues related to IT infrastructure. He confirmed that amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) were being considered to address concerns about fake news and online misinformation, but clarified that the measures were aimed at the Internet itself. was not to be limited. Responding to concerns about internet shutdowns, Fatima emphasized that the government does not intend to take such extreme measures. “Internet in Pakistan is functioning as normal and there are no plans to disrupt it unless absolutely necessary for national security,” he said.

He further confirmed that the government will hold the much-awaited auction for 5G spectrum in April 2025, which is a major step towards expanding Pakistan’s telecom infrastructure.

Senators Kamran Murtaza, Nadeem Ahmed Bhutto, Senior Afnanullah Khan, Anjoh Rehman, Humayun Mohmand and Senator Saifullah Sarwar Khan Niazi attended the meeting.