ISLAMABAD

Pakistan’s telecom challenges came under sharp scrutiny as the Senate IT Committee confronted the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) over persistent network outages on motorways and alleged infrastructure failures.

Senator Palwasha Khan voiced frustration over the lack of mobile coverage on major highways, saying repeated calls to install towers have gone unheeded despite complaints from multiple parliamentarians.

“I have raised this issue several times — signals are unavailable on motorways, yet no action has been taken,” she told the committee.

The discussion intensified as Senator Afnan Ullah Khan questioned the regulator on data related to diesel theft, a factor frequently cited for disruptions in telecom services.

PTA officials responded that efforts are underway to address fuel pilferage through regulatory mechanisms tied to licensing. However, lawmakers remained unconvinced.

Senator Ata ur Rehman claimed that in areas like Lakki Marwat, both diesel and backup batteries at telecom sites are routinely stolen, contributing to outages.

Rejecting the justification, Senator Saadia Abbasi urged authorities not to use theft as an excuse, arguing that surveillance systems such as cameras should be sufficient to deter such incidents.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of IT secretary noted that shifting to satellite-based solutions remains costly, highlighting financial constraints in upgrading infrastructure.

The exchange reflects growing frustration among lawmakers over patchy connectivity and raises broader questions about governance, accountability and long-term investment in Pakistan’s telecom sector.