Pakistan's National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication has expressed serious concern over poor mobile network coverage and unsatisfactory internet services across the country. The committee has decided to summon major telecom companies and demand explanations for the ongoing connectivity problems faced by millions of consumers.
The decision came during a committee meeting held on September 10, 2026, at Parliament House in Islamabad under the chairmanship of Syed Amin-ul-Haq.
Repeated Call Failures Frustrate Mobile Users
Committee Chairman Syed Amin-ul-Haq criticised the poor quality of mobile services, highlighting that customers sometimes have to dial the same number three times before successfully connecting a call.
Members also raised concerns about slow internet speeds, weak signals and unreliable network coverage, even in major cities.
Shazia Fareed, a committee member, shared her experience of receiving almost no mobile signals during her stay at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad.
Lawmakers questioned why consumers continue to face these problems despite repeated complaints and regulatory action.
PTA Faces Questions Over Telecom Companies
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) briefed the committee about its monitoring and enforcement measures.
According to information presented during the meeting:
PTA issued four show-cause notices to telecom companies during the previous six months.
A total of 48 show-cause notices and 22 warning letters had been issued over several years.
Fines amounting to Rs68.9 million had been imposed.
The regulator can impose penalties of up to Rs350 million on a telecom operator.
The committee questioned whether these penalties were sufficient to improve service quality.
Members directed the PTA to provide complete details of notices, penalties imposed and amounts recovered during the previous six months.
Jazz, Zong and Ufone to Explain Poor Services
The committee decided to summon representatives of major telecom operators, including:
Jazz.
Zong.
Ufone.
The companies will be asked to explain why network performance remains unsatisfactory and what practical steps they are taking to improve coverage, internet speed and existing infrastructure.
The committee wants telecom operators to provide concrete improvement plans rather than relying on technical explanations.
Electricity Shortages Also Affect Network Quality
Another major issue discussed during the meeting was electricity shortages affecting mobile towers.
Power outages can force telecom sites to shut down or operate with limited backup power, resulting in interrupted calls and internet connectivity.
The committee also raised concerns about the refusal of the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) to recognise telecom operators as an industry for electricity tariff purposes.
NEPRA officials are expected to be summoned to explain their position and discuss possible solutions.
Will 5G Improve Pakistan's Internet Services?
Pakistan's 5G rollout is expected to increase network capacity and improve internet performance. However, introducing new technology alone will not solve every connectivity problem.
Telecom companies also need to invest in additional infrastructure, improve tower performance, strengthen backup electricity arrangements and expand network coverage.
Without these improvements, consumers may continue experiencing poor connectivity despite technological upgrades.
Reliable mobile networks are essential for students, freelancers, businesses, online workers and ordinary citizens.
Poor connectivity affects online education, digital payments, business communication and access to essential services.
The National Assembly committee's decision to question telecom operators is an important step towards greater accountability. However, consumers ultimately need measurable improvements rather than promises and repeated announcements.
0 Comments