ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on IT and Telecom was informed that the PTCL-Telenor merger will be completed within two weeks.
The Competition Commission of Pakistan confirmed the case faced delays due to its complexity and slow responses from PTCL.
Senators pressed for transparency on board appointments and privileges at PTCL and Ufone, noting missing details and questionable perks.
Concerns about stolen data also dominated the meeting. Senator Afnan Ullah revealed that personal information worth Rs65 billion is being sold on the dark web.
Nearly 300,000 Haj applicants’ data was reportedly compromised. He warned that external pressure was blocking Pakistan from passing data protection laws, which could worsen risks if ignored.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority acknowledged the stolen SIM data, including its chairman’s own, has circulated since 2022. Officials also admitted poor telecom service in Balochistan and frequent call drops nationwide.
These revelations sparked criticism of IT Minister Shaza Fatima for skipping committee sessions despite mounting sectoral problems.
Senators also flagged major service gaps. They highlighted lack of mobile signals along routes such as the Karachi-Sukkur Motorway. The PTA said it is ready for a 5G auction in December, with consultant reports complete. However, ongoing court cases may delay the rollout, leaving consumers uncertain about timelines.
As the PTCL-Telenor merger nears finalization, lawmakers stressed the need for stricter oversight and stronger data protection. They urged immediate action to secure telecom infrastructure, fix coverage gaps, and resolve legal hurdles. The outcome of the merger will shape Pakistan’s telecom sector, making accountability and transparency critical for public trust.
