Press Release Title: Senator Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan, Chairperson Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication presiding over a meeting of the Committee at Parliament House, Islamabad.

Press Release Date: 2nd September, 2025

The Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication, chaired by Senator Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan, met today at the Parliament House to deliberate on key issues impacting Pakistan’s telecom and digital sectors. The Committee received a comprehensive briefing from the representatives of Frequency Allocation Board (FAB) on ongoing efforts for spectrum auctions. It was informed that, since 2021, necessary bands had been made available in line with global 5G requirements, including the vacation of 30 MHz, with additional millimeter-wave bands in the 3 GHz and 24 GHz ranges identified. Members raised concern that litigation and stay orders on certain bands were delaying auctions, causing significant economic losses by slowing the country’s digital ecosystem. The Special Secretary, M/o IT assured the Committee that, following the Prime Minister’s directions, the spectrum auction will be completed by December 2025, with recommendations from an engaged consultant. Briefings were also provided by the Attorney General of Pakistan, representatives from PEMRA, and PTA on the status of LDI/FLL stay orders. It was apprised that matters initially heard by the Sindh High Court have been shifted to civil courts, with the next hearing scheduled for 17 September. Members underscored that further delay would harm both economic and technological advancement. The Committee then heard briefings from the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) on registered call centers, software houses, their revenues, monitoring mechanisms, and measures to curb cyber fraud. It was highlighted that cybercrime poses a serious threat to digital trust and financial inclusion, with scams amounting to billions of rupees. The Committee was informed that 63 illegal call centers had been dismantled and Rs. 40 million recovered. Members expressed concern over loan scams, gambling applications, fake news, and misinformation campaigns on social media. It was further apprised that coordination with banks had been strengthened to detect skimming devices, while digital monitoring was intensified during sensitive national events. The Committee underscored the need for stronger inter-agency collaboration, the use of artificial intelligence for early detection of cyber threats, and stricter intermediary liability for social media platforms. The Chairperson directed NCCIA to submit a comprehensive report on cyber-linked criminal offenses at the next meeting. A detailed briefing was also given by the representative from PTA and Auditor General of Pakistan on audit observations against Jazz. The audit alleged that Jazz overcharged users by Rs. 6.58 billion while increasing tariffs by up to 15 percent quarterly. Committee members voiced concern over weak regulatory oversight that allowed unilateral price increases without explicit PTA approvals. Officials from the Auditor General’s office stated that despite directives, relevant approval records were not shared. Representative from PTA assured that all procedures were followed and documentation was available. The Committee directed PTA and the Auditor General’s office to submit the complete record and decided to continue review in the next meeting. On the issue of spectrum under illegal use by China Mobile, the representatives from PTA briefed that litigation over 6.6 MHz in the 1800 MHz band remains pending. Despite the Supreme Court directing proceedings in PTA’s favor, the matter has been shifted to lower courts where delays persist. Members expressed concern over such delaying tactics, noting they result in heavy financial losses and undermine national interest. The Committee decided to summon representatives of the Law Division to the next meeting to explain tribunal delays and recommend a way forward. The Committee also expressed displeasure over the non-provision of the names, designations, remuneration details, and mode of payment of Ufone’s Board of Directors, terming it a deliberate withholding of information. It emphasized that sufficient time had already been granted and cautioned that a privilege motion may be moved if the information is not provided. The Special Secretary assured the Committee that the required details would be furnished.   In attendance were Senators Anusha Rehman Ahmad Khan, Pervaiz Rashid, Dr. Mohammad Humayun Mohmand, Dr. Afnan Ullah Khan, Saifullah Sarwar Khan Nyazee, Nadeem Ahmed Bhutto, the Special Secretary Ministry of Information Technology, and senior officials from the concerned departments.