The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication has recommended disciplinary action against Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) over serious concerns regarding mismanagement, lack of transparency, and failure to cooperate with the Parliament.
Read More: Etisalat-Controlled PTCL Group Bleeds Billions as Losses Mount, Public Wealth at Risk
During a heated session chaired by MQM’s MNA Aminul Haque at Parliament House, lawmakers sharply criticized PTCL and its parent company Etisalat for failing to submit briefing papers on the sale and purchase of PTCL properties in a timely manner. The committee took particular exception to the delay and evasive responses from PTCL executives.
PTCL’s President and Etisalat Group CEO, Hatem Bamatraf, joined via Zoom but failed to satisfy committee members. Chairman of the committee slammed PTCL for sending incomplete or delayed answers, stating, “Responses should have been sent at least three to four days before the meeting.”
“Enough of the excuses. Take action against PTCL,” demanded MNA Sher Ali, emphasizing that expressions of disappointment are meaningless without accountability.
Committee member Sadiq Memon criticized the IT Ministry and the Privatization Commission for failing to be transparent, especially regarding in-camera briefings on PTCL’s questionable property transactions. Officials from the Privatization Commission attempted to downplay the issue by claiming the 2006 privatization was an international agreement outside PTCL’s scope—a statement that further infuriated lawmakers.
Sale of National Assets, Zero Accountability: Lawmakers raised concerns that the PTCL Board and Etisalat may be unilaterally disposing of valuable national assets under the guise of international contracts without parliamentary oversight. One member rebuked PTCL officials for treating committee proceedings as if they were sitting in a boardroom rather than facing public representatives.
The chairman deferred the PTCL property agenda until the next meeting, which will be held in-camera.
Public Service Collapse: Connectivity Crisis in Balochistan and Karachi: Beyond financial opacity, PTCL and other telecom companies faced intense criticism for failing to provide basic telecom services across the country, particularly in Balochistan and southern regions. Committee member Zulfiqar Ali said most areas in his constituency still lack mobile signals. USF CEO responded that relevant projects had been approved and implementation was “underway.”
Meanwhile, PTA Chairman disclosed that over 100 telecom towers have been damaged in Balochistan, with internet completely suspended in Panjgur on orders from the Ministry of Interior. MNA Pauline Baloch called the province a “war zone,” highlighting severe security and infrastructure challenges.
Federal Minister Shaza Fatima proposed holding a joint meeting of the Interior Ministry, PTA, and IT Ministry in Balochistan to address the worsening situation.
Karachi: If This is the Condition Here, Imagine the Rest: Committee member Mahesh Kumar said even in Karachi, WhatsApp calls drop within a minute, asking, “If this is Karachi, what must be the condition in rural Sindh or South Punjab?”
Chairman of the committee sharply noted that “Telecom companies have become money-making machines with little regard for service delivery.”
Wider Telecom Industry in Chaos: License Fee Disputes, Mergers Stalled: PTA informed the committee that there are 21 Long-Distance International (LDI) operators in Pakistan, and license issues for nine of them are stuck in legal battles—with over 100 related cases pending in courts. These licenses are currently in the renewal process.
Disagreements persist between the IT Ministry and telecom operators, prompting the committee to form a subcommittee to resolve the matter.
Additionally, the much-discussed merger between Telenor and Ufone remains in limbo. Committee members accused Telenor of deliberately degrading internet services. PTA confirmed the merger case is under review by the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP).
Fiber Optic Crisis and the Way Forward: PTA also acknowledged that without nationwide fiber deployment, 4G services will remain substandard. A fiberization policy is being drafted, and three new submarine cables are expected by the end of the year.
The latest session exposed the deep rot within PTCL and the broader telecom sector, from ignored regulatory directives to service failures and shady dealings. As lawmakers push for disciplinary action, the spotlight is now on whether the government and regulatory bodies will act decisively—or continue to let telecom giants operate unchecked while public service collapses.
