PPP MPs take govt to task on slow internet speed

ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja told the National Assembly that national secaurity was the top priority and they have to strengthen the cyber security to prevent cyber-attacks, data leakage and digital strikes from hostile elements and states.

“The cybersecurity of citizens, entities and institutions becomes of paramount significance and in addition, it is of utmost importance to protect the data of its citizens, entities, as well as blocking websites having objectionable and offensive material under the laws of Pakistan,” she said in response to concern of legislators over the slow speed of internet and closure of social media platform ‘X’ during the Question-Hour in the National Assembly on Wednesday.

Shaza stated that the government strives to take all possible steps to safeguard cyberspace as well as protect against objectionable and offensive material, as has been done by previous governments in line with obligations of the government as per restrictions imposed under Article 19.

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) legislators came hard on the government over the slow speed of internet and also the closure of social media platform X. PPP’s Shazia Marri said it was funny that the Digital Nation Bill was brought at such an internet speed, and the firewalls have become deaf to the listeners.

Marri said the situation of the government’s measures was ridiculous, the internet was shut down in the country and they were bringing the Digital Pakistan Bill. “We are not against social media but against its misuse. For what those who do not misuse social media are being punished,” she questioned. Abdul Qadir Patel said that he had never seen such destruction of the internet, neither X was running, nor voice notes were opening and no pictures were being uploaded, adding that business and children’s education were being damaged.

Responding to the questions, the minister said X was closed due to security concerns on the advice of Interior Ministry. She said that there was no question of restrictions on freedom of expression and freedom of speech, X was used by around 2 percent of people in Pakistan. Shaza said if the government was interested in restricting the freedom of speech, it would have banned Facebook and TikTok, which were most popular and used in Pakistan. Shaza, however, acknowledged some challenges to users’ experience because of the internet congestion and limited spectrum availability.

The minister said average internet speed had improved by 28 percent, while usage of mobile phones surged to 24 percent. She added that IT exports in November this year increased by 25 percent. She further said that Pakistan’s internet runs at 274 megahertz, which provides limited accessibility and the government is trying to enhance spectrum density to the level of top 10 regional countries. She added that four more under-sea cables would be laid down in the next two years to improve internet connectivity and speed. Efforts were also being made to enhance investment in the telecom sector, she said.

In a reply to legislator Zahra Waood Fatemi concerning the closure of social media platform X, Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja stated that in pursuance of the Ministry of Interior direction dated 17th February 2024, PTA has blocked access to X under Rule (57) of the Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online content (procedure, Oversight, Safeguard) Rules, 2021. She stated that the communication plan/updates on this ban are being handled by the Interior Ministry. She told the National Assembly that the auction of 5G spectrum would be held in April 2025.

In reply to a question from Shakir Bashir Awan, the minister told the House that Pakistan’s IT & IT-enabled Services (ITeS) sector was making a significant contribution to exports and foreign exchange earnings. She stated that remittances inflow from telecommunications, computer and information services surged to the highest-ever exports of $3.223 billion by the ICT (information and communication technology) industry in the fiscal year 2023-24.

She further stated that a trade surplus of $2.827 billion, the highest in all services (87.71 percent of total ICT export remittances) was achieved by the IT & ITeS industry during FY2023-24, an increase of 22.31 percent as compared to a trade surplus of $2.297 billion during the last year (FY2022-23). “This is particularly noteworthy as the Pakistan services sector had a trade deficit of $2.313 billion during FY2023-24 indicating a higher import of services compared to exports,” she said. The minister stated that ICT sector exports of $3.223 billion were the highest among all services (41.29 percent of the total export of services) with ‘Other Business Services’ trailing at $1.55 billion.