Internet Shutdown in Panjgur Sparks Concern in IT Committee Meeting
News Desk
Islamabad: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication on Monday voiced serious concern over the continued suspension of internet services in District Panjgur, Balochistan, which have reportedly remained inactive for the past three years.
During the 13th committee meeting held under the chairmanship of Syed Amin ul Haq, MNA, it was revealed that security agencies had responded to a letter from the Ministry of Interior, stating that due to the prevailing law and order situation, internet services in Panjgur would remain suspended for another six months.
Expressing frustration over the prolonged outage, the Committee noted that the lack of connectivity has caused immense hardship to the local population, particularly students and business owners. In response, the Committee decided to hold an in-camera session in which the Secretary Interior will provide a detailed briefing on the specific security threats necessitating this extended internet shutdown.
Committee member Pullain Baloch highlighted the dire situation on the ground, informing the members that residents in his constituency must travel 15 to 20 kilometers just to access the internet. He also pointed out that PTCL’s internet coverage in the area is virtually non-existent.
Taking note of these concerns, the Committee directed the Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to conduct a survey on internet availability in the region and submit a detailed report.
Meanwhile, Ignite — the national technology fund — briefed the Committee on its training initiatives. According to Ignite, 4.6 million students have received training across 15 in-demand freelancing courses, with 28% female and 72% male participation. The programs have collectively generated USD 1.65 billion in revenue, based on a survey conducted in October 2024.
Ignite also announced the launch of 10 new courses, expanding its portfolio to 25, including offerings in Artificial Intelligence (AI). The Committee urged Ignite to provide a district-wise breakdown of enrolled students from Balochistan and directed it to work towards increasing female participation to at least 50%, in line with national goals for women’s empowerment.
The Committee also expressed displeasure over the absence of PTCL’s CEO, particularly in light of reports that the company is planning to sell off high-value properties. Members demanded that PTCL submit relevant clauses from its sales and purchase agreements and instructed that the CEO must attend the next meeting to address the Committee’s questions directly.
Additionally, the Committee re-appointed its Sub-Committee under the convenorship of Mr. Gohar Ali Khan, maintaining the same composition and Terms of Reference.
The meeting took place at 11:30 A.M. in Committee Room No. 7, Parliament House, Islamabad.
