A session of the National Assembly Standing Committee on IT on Monday saw lawmakers express deep frustration over the persistent issues with mobile and internet services across Pakistan. Members highlighted widespread connectivity gaps, slow internet speeds, and poor service quality, calling attention to regions that have been left without reliable 4G coverage for years. Mahesh Kumar Malani raised concerns that nearly 75% of Sindh continues to receive only E signals instead of 4G, affecting both urban and rural areas. Sadiq Ali Memon added that the situation in Islamabad and Thatta has been deteriorating steadily, creating significant difficulties for residents and businesses alike.
PPP MNA Sharmila Faruqi criticized the quality of service nationwide, noting that sudden service shutdowns occur in certain areas due to security-related issues. She expressed disappointment that despite repeated complaints, no representative from Interior Ministry has appeared before the committee to provide clarifications or solutions. Faruqi pointed out that even within Parliament House, mobile and internet services are unreliable, contrasting with official statements that claim network performance is adequate. Engineer Rana Atique reinforced these concerns, noting that even on major highways such as Lahore Ring Road, network connectivity is insufficient for calls or data services. Atique remarked that if major cities like Lahore and Karachi are facing these challenges, the situation in smaller towns and rural constituencies is far more severe, with residents expressing frustration over the lack of tangible improvements.
Committee member Paveen Baloch highlighted long-standing neglect in her region, emphasizing that persistent requests for connectivity upgrades have largely gone unaddressed. She stressed that access to reliable internet is critical for education, business, and communication, yet communities continue to struggle with limited or no service. Lawmakers collectively stressed that such conditions not only hamper daily life but also hinder broader digital and economic development efforts, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced mobile infrastructure and effective monitoring of service quality.
Officials from PTA responded by clarifying that mobile operators are responsible for tower placement based on commercial and operational priorities, while PTA ensures regulatory compliance and conducts nationwide service quality surveys. They assured the committee that complaints are acted upon and that measures are in place to address user grievances. However, lawmakers remained skeptical, arguing that monitoring alone has not translated into visible improvements for consumers. Members urged PTA to appoint dedicated focal points specifically to handle parliamentary complaints and ensure that service issues raised in official forums are resolved efficiently. PTA agreed to implement the proposal, marking a potential step toward improved accountability and better oversight of mobile network performance across Pakistan.
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