During a heated meeting of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information Technology, chaired by Amin Ul Haque, officials faced tough questioning over delays in the Islamabad IT Park project and ongoing nationwide connectivity issues. Federal Minister Shaza Fatima acknowledged challenges with the Korean-funded IT Park and confirmed the Prime Minister’s inquiry into project delays.
Lawmakers, including Zulfiqar Bhatti, voiced anger over poor mobile and internet coverage, while the minister attributed service problems to limited spectrum availability. The government plans to auction additional spectrum early next year to improve digital infrastructure.
Parliament Committee Grills IT Ministry Over Connectivity Issues
The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecom met this week under the chairmanship of Amin Ul Haque, where concerns over Pakistan’s digital infrastructure dominated discussions.
The session began with questions about the submarine cable fault near Yemen. Amin Ul Haque asked whether the issue had been fixed. The Secretary of IT and Telecom clarified that repairs were still underway but confirmed that Pakistan’s internet traffic had been rerouted through alternate channels to ensure stable connectivity.
Islamabad IT Park Faces Delays and Leadership Changes
Officials from the Ministry of IT briefed the committee on the Islamabad IT Park project, revealing that 80% of construction had been completed. However, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Youth Affairs, noted that the project’s deadline was set for October 31 and expressed concern over repeated delays.
She revealed that the Korean project director had been replaced several times in the past 18 months, disrupting progress. “This project is being developed and funded by the Korean side,” she said, “but it has faced several challenges during implementation.”
Shaza Fatima added that the prime minister had ordered an inquiry into the delays and that efforts were ongoing to find a resolution before the official deadline. She warned that any controversy could impact future IT park projects nationwide. “We’re trying to complete the project in partnership with the Koreans,” she added. “Even if they withdraw, we already have a backup plan.”
The minister emphasized avoiding public speculation until completion. “It would be better not to make public statements about the project,” she advised. “I had even requested that today’s meeting be held in-camera.”
Ministry Highlights Progress on National Tech Projects
During the session, Shaza Fatima briefed the committee on several new initiatives. She said the Ministry of IT is developing Special Technology Parks across Pakistan, including a dedicated Women’s Technology Park in Bagh, Azad Kashmir.
She added that 50 e-Rozgaar Centers had already been established, providing co-working spaces for freelancers and young professionals. The minister also highlighted a major policy step, the abolition of Right of Way (RoW) charges by federal agencies, including the NHA and CDA.
“Removing RoW charges will accelerate fiberization across Pakistan,” she said. “Our goal is to connect 60% of telecom towers with fiber to support digital expansion.”
Lawmakers Express Anger Over Poor Mobile and Internet Service
Despite progress reports, committee members voiced frustration over poor connectivity in their constituencies. Engineer Rana Atique stressed the need for improved IT infrastructure in smaller cities. “The focus is always on Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad,” he said. “What about the rest of the country?”
Zulfiqar Bhatti, a government lawmaker, expressed anger over the lack of service. “In my constituency, there’s no proper signal or internet access,” he complained. “Are we just here to eat boxed meals?”
He demanded that PTA officials attend future meetings to explain why service quality remains poor.
Spectrum Shortage Identified as the Core Problem
Responding to the criticism, Shaza Fatima said the Universal Service Fund had already conducted two surveys in underdeveloped areas, though members questioned their accuracy.
She explained that Pakistan’s telecom sector operates on just 274 MHz of spectrum, far below the requirement. “Even if we install thousands of towers, it won’t help without enough spectrum,” she said.
The minister assured the committee that a spectrum auction is planned for January or February next year to address these issues. “That’s where the real solution lies,” she emphasized.
Heated Exchange Between Minister and Lawmakers
The meeting turned tense when Zulfiqar Bhatti accused Shaza Fatima of being unresponsive to lawmakers’ concerns. “Mobile signals don’t even reach my house,” he said. “Instead of resolving issues, the minister argues with us.”
The exchange escalated, and Bhatti threatened to walk out of the session. Committee Chairman Amin Ul Haque intervened and persuaded him to stay.
Shaza Fatima later reiterated that the main challenge is spectrum congestion. She added that an international consultant has already been appointed for the upcoming spectrum auction, expected between December and January.
“Our spectrum remains tied up in court cases, making an immediate auction impossible,” she explained. “But we are working to resolve it.”