Committee Recommends Improving Internet Speed, Promoting Alternative Energy for Telecom Towers, and Encouraging Local Mobile Phone Manufacturing
Islamabad (Izhar Khan Niazi): The 23rd meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication was held at Parliament House under the chairmanship of Syed Amin Ul Haque, where members reviewed the country’s internet services, taxes on mobile phones, and the Electronic Transactions (Amendment) Bill, 2026.
The committee expressed serious concern over the poor quality of internet services across Pakistan. Members noted that users are facing slow internet speeds and frequent call drops not only in remote areas but also in major cities, including Karachi.
Briefing the committee, the Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) stated that following the 5G spectrum auction, the country’s available spectrum had increased from 274 MHz to 754 MHz, significantly enhancing network capacity. He informed the committee that 5G services have been launched in 22 cities during the first phase, initially utilizing the existing mobile towers and network infrastructure. He added that the phased installation of dedicated 5G infrastructure is expected to further improve internet speed and service quality over the next six to eight months.
The committee observed that unreliable electricity supply to mobile towers remains one of the major causes of poor telecom services. The PTA Chairman informed members that power outages of up to 10 hours a day in some areas are disrupting telecommunications. He said the matter has been taken up with NEPRA and electricity distribution companies, while the Prime Minister has also constituted a high-level committee to ensure uninterrupted power supply to telecom towers.
The committee recommended adopting solar and wind energy to power telecom infrastructure in order to reduce dependence on diesel, lower operating costs, and promote environmentally sustainable solutions.
The committee also received a briefing on taxes imposed on imported mobile phones. The PTA Chairman informed members that approximately 92 percent of smartphones used in Pakistan are manufactured or assembled locally, while only 8 percent are imported, primarily Apple iPhones and Google Pixel devices. He clarified that taxes on imported mobile phones are collected by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), while the PTA’s role is limited to registering and whitelisting devices through the DIRBS system after taxes have been paid.
The committee directed the ministry to encourage Apple and other international smartphone manufacturers to establish manufacturing or assembly plants in Pakistan. Members said such investments would make smartphones more affordable, increase foreign investment, and create employment opportunities.
The Electronic Transactions (Amendment) Bill, 2026 also came under discussion during the meeting. However, members belonging to the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) expressed reservations, stating that the bill had not yet been reviewed by the party’s Parliamentary Legislative Committee. By consensus, the committee decided to defer consideration of the bill until the next meeting to allow consultations with all political parties and relevant stakeholders.
The meeting was attended by Members of the National Assembly Zulfiqar Ali Bhatti, Rana Iradat Sharif Khan, Dr. Mahesh Kumar Malani, Sadiq Ali Memon, Ahmed Saleem Siddiqui, Sharmila Faruqui, and Palwasha Baloch, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Information Technology and other relevant institutions.