Islamabad: (PPF) On May 14, multiple members of the National Assembly voiced concerns over the slow internet speeds in the House and across the country, which hinder the shift to a paperless working environment aimed at boosting efficiency and reducing costs. 

The Deputy Speaker, Ghulam Mustafa Shah, emphasised the move toward automating parliamentary proceedings and gradually phasing out physical document distribution. Despite these efforts and the provision of tablets to members, adherence to the new digital system has been lacklustre. 

JUI-F MNA Naeema Kishwer reported difficulties downloading documents due to poor internet connectivity, prompting her to request that the NA Secretariat address the issue to ensure uninterrupted access to official materials. In response, the Deputy Speaker directed relevant authorities to resolve the internet connectivity problems within the House. 

PPP lawmaker Dr Nafisa Shah noted a general reluctance among members to use the provided tablets, possibly due to unfamiliarity with the technology. This led to calls for establishing a dedicated support desk for members encountering issues with the digital systems. 

Amidst these internal challenges, concerns about nationwide internet speed were also raised. Sharmila Faruqi questioned the potential benefits of the recent spectrum auction on consumer internet services. In response, Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecom, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, explained that the auction was part of a broader strategy to enhance the country’s telecommunications infrastructure. She acknowledged that the telecom sector faced setbacks in 2022 when operators paused the opening of letters of credit, which impacted equipment imports and network expansion. However, she noted improvements following the dollar’s stabilisation. 

In written replies, Minister Khawaja also addressed the broader issues affecting internet quality, such as prolonged power outages, reliance on inadequate solar backups during winter, and various logistical challenges including harsh weather and security concerns. She highlighted the recent installation of three submarine cables and significant expansion in fibre-optic connectivity as positive developments. According to the minister, the Quality of Service (QoS) auction is expected to significantly improve internet speeds, with 4G speeds projected to rise and initial 5G speeds reaching up to 50 Mbps in provincial capitals. 

In addition to telecom improvements, Minister Khawaja provided updates on the growth of Pakistan’s IT sector, noting a substantial increase in IT exports and the ongoing implementation of the National AI Policy. She also detailed government initiatives aimed at boosting the digital economy, including establishing technology parks and e-Rozgar centres, with special emphasis on increasing female participation in technology sectors. 

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry contributed to the discussion by outlining how the NDMA utilizes advanced technology and satellite systems to enhance disaster response capabilities, despite technological disparities at the provincial level.