In a move that raises serious questions about transparency and public interest, Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja on Monday refused to comment on the controversial PTCL-Telenor merger deal, currently under scrutiny by the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP). Despite mounting public concern over monopolistic practices and market fairness, the minister conveniently deflected responsibility, stating the matter was “being handled by the CCP.”
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This silence comes at a time when Pakistan’s telecom sector is undergoing massive consolidation — yet the government appears unwilling to speak up for consumers.
Adding insult to injury, Minister Khawaja admitted that telecom companies had outright refused to provide free public Wi-Fi across Islamabad, a basic digital right in many modern cities. Instead, the ministry now promises limited “select location” connectivity — a far cry from universal access. The refusal underscores how private telecoms continue to prioritize profit over public service, with little pushback from the state.
Speaking to the media after a Senate Standing Committee on IT & Telecom meeting, Khawaja presented a utopian vision of transforming Islamabad into a “model digitally smart city,” backed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s directives. She claimed public schools, health units, and police stations will be connected to high-speed fibre internet within six to eight months — a timeline that critics may find overly ambitious given the state’s track record on digital infrastructure.
She also promised EdTech expansion, AI education from kindergarten, telemedicine for all BHUs, and a unified health ID system. But without accountability, clarity on funding, or private sector cooperation, these grand promises risk becoming another pile of digital lip service.
While the federal government paints a futuristic picture, the ground reality remains stark: telecom giants are dictating the terms, and the public is left waiting — offline and overlooked.
