Internet Disruption in Pakistan to be Resolved by End of October: PTA Chairman

Internet Disruption in Pakistan to be Resolved by End of October: PTA Chairman

The issue of ongoing internet disruptions in Pakistan will be resolved by the end of October, according to Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Major General (retd) Hafeezur Rahman.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, Rahman ruled out the possibility of intentionally slowing down internet services.

The PTA chairman highlighted a 93% compliance rate on social media, except for X (formerly Twitter), which complies with only 27% of content removal requests. “The decision to close X is up to the federal government. We will open it when instructed by the government,” Rahman added.

Addressing concerns about internet shutdowns, he noted that while Pakistan saw seven instances of internet service disruption in 2023, India experienced 116 shutdowns. He emphasized that national security takes priority in such decisions. For example, during Muharram, mobile services were suspended only in specific areas for security reasons.

Rahman also mentioned that mobile data services remain suspended in Panjgur due to ongoing security concerns, but no direct orders come from security agencies. He rejected requests to shut down mobile services during the MDCAT exam, citing national interests.

Regarding future improvements, Rahman announced that Pakistan plans to auction the 5G spectrum in April 2024, which will enhance service quality and address current issues like call drops. He also urged social media platforms to use AI to block illegal content and emphasized the need for infrastructure development, noting that Pakistan has 160,000 km of fiber optics.