In a recent meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology, Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) made a significant statement regarding the state of internet services in the country.
The Chairman, who claimed to be in a state of ablution, vowed to speak on oath about critical telecom infrastructure matters.
According to the PTA Chairman, three out of the seven submarine cables connecting Pakistan to the global internet were cut, leading to disruptions in internet services. However, he confirmed that the cables were fully restored by October, following a delay of five months.
In response to concerns over internet service issues, the PTA Chairman revealed that he had written to major internet companies, including TikTok and Facebook, to inquire about any ongoing problems. He emphasized that the government has not spent any funds on telecom infrastructure, highlighting a gap in investment.
The Chairman further discussed the challenges faced in the digital landscape, citing that WhatsApp had reported ongoing issues, despite efforts to address the concerns. He stressed the importance of building "digital highways" to prevent future connectivity problems and stated that without such infrastructure, issues would persist.
The PTA Chairman also referred to 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 reassured the committee that PTA does not have middlemen or intermediaries and does not slow down social media platforms.
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