NA panel seeks briefing on VPN curbs

ISLAMABAD:

As internet users nationwide face VPN restrictions, a parliamentary body on Tuesday summoned a detailed briefing from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) regarding the matter.

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunications expressed concerns over the impact of such restrictions on the IT industry and internet users.

During the meeting chaired by Syed Aminul Haque, PTA officials assured the committee that internet services across the country were functioning without disruption. However, they admitted facing challenges in improving internet speed, citing the delayed auction of additional spectrum due to a Sindh High Court stay order.

The officials estimated that the issue could be resolved by April.

PTI's Omar Ayub criticised the IT ministry and PTA, accusing them of providing misleading information about improving internet speed by August 31.

He argued that internet services remain substandard, adding that using the Council of Islamic Ideology's decree as a pretext to block VPNs was counterproductive, as the IT industry relies heavily on them.

PTA officials denied any link between VPN restrictions and slow internet speeds.

Meanwhile, Ahmed Saleem Siddiqui highlighted slow internet services in Karachi, lamenting the city has been neglected, a claim which PTA officials refuted.

The PTA official stated that services in Karachi were operational and offered to survey specific problem areas.

It may be noted here that the chairman of the PTA had informed a Senate panel on Monday that unregistered VPNs would cease to function after the November 30 registration deadline.

During his briefing to the Senate Standing Committee on IT and Telecom, retired Major General Hafeezur Rehman clarified the distinction between commercial VPNs, primarily used by businesses, and non-commercial VPNs, which individuals often use to access restricted content.

Meanwhile, during the NA panel's session on Tuesday, the meeting also addressed the progress on the Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Bill 2024.

Syed Junaid Imam, Member IT, Ministry of Information Technology and Telecom, informed the committee that the draft bill has been shared with stakeholders, including tech giants Meta, Microsoft, Google, NGOs, and citizens.

PTCL properties

Later, the NA panel also questioned the authority of the PTCL to sell its properties, as its board was not the owner of the company.

It sought answers to several queries from the PTCL, the state-owned largest telecom company in the country, including the powers of the Board under the sale purchase agreement (SPA) between the government of Pakistan and Etisalat.

The chairman showed an advertisement to the officials of the ministry of IT and telecom as well as the executive representing the PTCL.