ISLAMABAD: In light of the ongoing internet disruptions affecting millions of users across Pakistan, Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja has confirmed that Pakistan is in discussions with Starlink, the satellite-based internet service of billionaire Elon Musk, to introduce its services in the country.
“We are in talks with Starlink to bring their services to Pakistan,” Khawaja said during a Senate Standing Committee meeting on IT and Telecommunication on Thursday.
The minister also shared plans to auction the 5G spectrum in April 2024, aiming to modernize the country’s digital infrastructure.
Senate Committee Discusses Internet Issues
However, Khawaja acknowledged the significant challenges posed by the lack of investment in the IT sector over the past three years, which has strained the country’s ability to meet the growing demand for internet access.
The committee also discussed concerns over VPN usage, with PTA Chairman Major General (retd) Hafeezur Rehman clarifying that VPN licensing would begin on January 1, 2024, to address data security risks from unregulated services.
Senator Afanullah Khan pointed out technical challenges, such as firewall management, which are contributing to slow internet speeds. The IT ministry’s secretary noted that disruptions are also due to increased data consumption.
Meanwhile, Sajjad Syed, Chairman of the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA), highlighted the crucial role of reliable internet for the IT sector, which is growing at an annual rate of 30%. He called for urgent collaboration between the government and private sector to address these concerns.
Internet Slowdown Not Due to Policy
Lawmakers expressed frustration over the recent internet disruptions and slow speeds, which have hindered access to various online platforms, media sharing, and downloads. This has especially impacted individuals working from home, freelancers, digital marketers, and students attending online classes, all of whom rely heavily on stable internet access.
P@SHA Chairman Syed informed the committee that 99% of IT companies had reported internet disruptions.
PTA Chairman Rehman denied the existence of any policy aimed at slowing down internet speeds. “There is no policy to slow down the internet,” he said, dismissing VPNs as the cause of reduced speeds. He stated that any such policy, if it exists, should be addressed by the government.
Minister Khawaja, attributing the slowdown to “technical reasons,” reiterated that the government might restrict internet services if required for security reasons. “We would restrict internet services reluctantly if necessary due to security concerns,” she said, adding that “the internet is working perfectly fine today.”
Khawaja further informed the committee that she had instructed the PTA chairman to identify the locations of internet issues. In response to Senator Afnan Ullah’s comments on the spectrum issue not being behind the slow speeds, Khawaja asked, “You all have phones in your hands, tell me which app is not working right now?”
