News Detail
Event Title: Senator Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan, Chairperson Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication presiding over a meeting of the Committee at Parliament Lodges Islamabad
Event Date: 2026-09-14
Senate IT Committee Reviews Telecom Sector Issues, Audit Objections, Network Connectivity and Pending LDI/FLL Cases
The Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication, chaired by Senator Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan, met today to examine a range of issues concerning the telecom sector, including satellite communication, LDI/FLL court cases, Pak Datacom, network connectivity and matters related to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
The meeting was attended by Senator Kamran Murtaza, Senator Pervaiz Rashid and Senator Saadia Abbasi.
The committee was briefed on an audit objection regarding an alleged excess collection of Rs. 6.58 billion by Jazz following a quarterly tariff increase of 15 percent on mobile packages. The Director General Audit informed the committee that the initial proposal was for a 3 percent increase, whereas the approved increase was 15 percent. The Federal Audit also raised concerns over PTA’s policy allowing telecom operators to increase tariffs by up to 15 percent.
PTA, however, maintained that all prescribed procedural requirements had been fulfilled and stated that, after reconciliation, the amount involved was approximately Rs. 920 million. Committee members expressed serious reservations regarding both the tariff increase mechanism and what they termed as potentially exaggerated audit objections. The committee was informed that the matter would be processed through the Departmental Accounts Committee (DAC) and subsequently the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
The chairperson directed the concerned authorities to submit the complete record to enable verification of the respective claims made by Audit and PTA. She further directed that the Director Finance and Deputy Director who signed the relevant documents ensure their attendance at the next committee meeting.
Convenor of the Sub-Committee, Senator Sadia Abbasi, presented the sub-committee’s report on internet connectivity and the reported disappearance of diesel from telecom towers across the country. The committee was informed that the issue of network disruption persists and that the Prime Minister has constituted a committee to ensure network availability and reduce the impact of load-shedding on internet and mobile services. The Senate committee adopted the sub-committee’s report.
The committee also raised the reported change of Ufone’s name following the Ufone-Telenor merger. PTA informed the committee that any change of name would be made in accordance with applicable rules and regulations and after obtaining the necessary approvals from the federal government. The committee was further informed that consultations among the relevant stakeholders were currently underway.
Discussing the prolonged pendency of LDI/FLL court cases, the committee expressed concern over delays, particularly in cases involving significant financial liabilities. PTA informed the committee that its jurisdiction had been challenged in these cases and that 38 cases were currently pending. PTA further apprised the committee that the Telecom Tribunal had now been constituted and was fully functional, with most pending cases transferred to the tribunal for adjudication.
The chairperson directed PTA to submit a comprehensive report on all pending cases, including the total financial amount involved in each case.
The committee was also briefed on the reported shift of Pak Datacom’s satellite services to a foreign satellite, which raised concerns regarding national security. The chairperson questioned the rationale behind the shift. The committee was informed that limitations in national spectrum capacity were the primary reason for the move. Officials further explained that YaSat is a UAE-based satellite company with majority government shareholding in the UAE.
The committee stressed the importance of safeguarding national security and directed that clients be appropriately informed about the use of foreign satellite infrastructure. The chairperson also recommended that the matter be audited through the relevant forum, including NITSB.
The committee also discussed the outstanding amount of approximately $800 million reportedly owed by Etisalat in connection with the privatization of PTCL. The Secretary, Ministry of IT and Telecommunication, informed the committee that a non-disclosure agreement restricted the sharing of certain details. The chairperson directed the ministry to work out a mechanism to provide the committee with the required information while ensuring that the confidentiality provisions of the agreement with the UAE side were fully protected.
The committee also deliberated on the cases of employees whose services were terminated by Pak Datacom and urged the authorities to examine the matter on humanitarian grounds. Officials informed the committee that the matter was sub judice and would be decided by the relevant NIRC bench. The chairperson suggested that a favourable approach be considered, within the legal framework, until final adjudication of the cases.
The committee expressed concern over persistent network connectivity issues, including in major cities of the country. Chairman PTA attributed some of the disruptions to the ongoing Ufone-Telenor merger process and the rollout of 5G services. He assured the committee that the connectivity issues would be addressed by October 2026.
The committee also discussed connectivity issues affecting Pakistan Railways. Chairman PTA assured the committee of full cooperation and support and suggested a meeting between PTA and the railway authorities to address the matter comprehensively. The committee urged PTA to extend maximum facilitation to Pakistan Railways to improve mobile and internet connectivity along railway tracks.
The committee deferred consideration of the Starlink licensing issue after PTA informed members that no licence application from Starlink was currently pending before the authority. PTA further clarified that all Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite network operators are required to fulfil the conditions prescribed under the law before obtaining an operating licence. The committee was informed that the PTA licence pertains to operations and that there would be no impediment once all legal and regulatory requirements were fulfilled.