ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication has raised serious concerns over the poor quality of internet services across Pakistan, saying unreliable connectivity continues to affect users in both remote regions and major urban centres.
During a committee meeting on Tuesday, Chairman Syed Aminul Haque said internet performance remained below expectations, with citizens regularly facing slow browsing speeds and frequent call connection failures. He noted that connectivity issues were being reported even in large cities, including Karachi, highlighting the need for urgent improvements.
Committee members also pointed to power outages as a major factor disrupting telecom services, explaining that electricity cuts often shut down mobile towers and lead to network interruptions in many areas.
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Hafeezur Rehman informed the committee that the country’s available telecom spectrum had significantly expanded. He said the total spectrum increased from 274MHz to 754MHz following the latest 5G spectrum auction, which is expected to support future improvements in mobile and internet services.
The PTA chief further stated that around 92% of smartphones used in Pakistan are now locally manufactured or assembled, reflecting the growth of the country’s mobile device production sector.
Committee members urged the Ministry of Information Technology to introduce policies that would encourage global smartphone companies, including Apple, to establish local assembly operations in Pakistan. They said such investment could strengthen the domestic technology industry, create employment opportunities, and reduce reliance on imported devices.
Meanwhile, the committee decided to defer discussion on the Electronic Transactions (Amendment) Bill, with the legislation set to be taken up in a future meeting.
The committee stressed the importance of improving digital infrastructure and ensuring stable, high-speed internet services to support businesses, education, and the country’s broader digital transformation efforts.
