A session of the Senate Standing Committee on IT and Telecom, chaired by Senator Palwasha Khan, convened to deliberate on several critical matters shaping Pakistan’s digital and telecom policy. The agenda focused on long-standing issues including LDI (Long Distance and International) license renewals, progress on forming the Pakistan Digital Authority, and the handling of social media-related content complaints.
During the meeting, the Secretary of IT and the Chairman of PTA provided updates on the LDI license renewals. The Secretary informed the committee that the Sindh High Court had remanded all LDI cases back to PTA for further evaluation. Several discussions have since been held with LDI operators, and a final verdict is anticipated within the next few weeks. PTA Chairman added that seven LDI companies had been issued show-cause notices, and that the hearings for these cases have officially concluded. A directive from the National Assembly’s standing committee had instructed that the companies be given one month to respond before a final decision is reached by PTA.
The committee also reviewed developments under the DEEP project, particularly the establishment of a centralized Data Exchange Layer and the proposed Pakistan Digital Authority. Officials stated that this new regulatory body would work under the supervision of the National Digital Commission, a high-level forum consisting of chief ministers from all provinces. Its role will be to oversee digital policy execution nationwide. Concerns were raised by some senators about possible jurisdictional overreach and the need to safeguard provincial autonomy. Addressing this, the IT Secretary emphasized that provincial governments would be fully represented in the National Digital Commission, ensuring policy consensus through a mechanism similar to the National Finance Commission.
Frustration arose over the absence of the Federal IT Minister from the proceedings, leading the committee chairperson to postpone the relevant parts of the agenda until the minister could personally attend the next meeting. This absence also impacted the committee’s review of Zahant AI, a ChatGPT-style artificial intelligence initiative recently discussed in media circles. Officials clarified that Zahant AI was not an official project backed by the IT Ministry and that earlier remarks about its status had been misinterpreted. The committee opted to delay further discussion on the subject until the minister could directly address it.
The session also explored rising concerns about disinformation and harmful content circulating on social media during periods of political and national unrest. PTA Chairman informed the committee that the authority receives an average of 300 content-blocking requests daily, primarily from public institutions. In the past five months alone, PTA logged over 45,000 such complaints, with most pertaining to platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube. In response, a dedicated portal has been developed to streamline these requests. Committee members urged that social media companies should set up local offices in Pakistan to better engage with authorities and improve compliance with national regulations.
