The National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication, chaired by Syed Amin-ul-Haque, addressed a range of pressing issues, including the prolonged internet shutdown in Panjgur and delays in digital skills training programs.
Officials from the Ministry of Interior briefed the committee on the ongoing internet suspension in Panjgur, Balochistan. They revealed that a request for security clearance was submitted on March 22, but security agencies have not granted clearance for the next six months, citing security reasons without further explanation.
Committee member Paulene Baloch voiced frustration, stating that Panjgur has faced internet disruptions for years and expressed skepticism that the situation would improve in the next six months. “It feels like my district is being punished,” she said, taking an oath to emphasize her point. Other members echoed concerns, noting that internet shutdowns harm ordinary citizens more than they deter terrorists.
Committee member Umair Niazi acknowledged the security challenges in Balochistan but stressed the need to fix systemic issues. Chairman Amin-ul-Haque assured that the problems of Balochistan are a priority for the committee, emphasizing, “The people of Balochistan are close to our hearts.”
The committee was also briefed on the upcoming BEAP application, designed by the National Information Technology Board (NITB) to provide secure communication for government employees, including voice and video conferencing. The app is undergoing a final cybersecurity review, with a high-level committee having submitted its report in early May. The Ministry of IT aims to launch the application by June 30, initially for federal institutions, with plans to expand to provinces later.
The committee also expressed frustration over delays in Ignite’s Coding and DG Skills programs, which were supposed to launch on June 14, 2024. Ignite officials cited the need to update training to meet current AI trends and the logistical challenge of training 10,000 people in five programming languages.
The revised proposal is expected to be ready soon, with a new launch date set for September or October 2025. The Ministry of IT aims to train one million people in IT, with a focus on AI.
So far, the DG Skills program has provided 4.5 million trainings, generating $1.6 billion in earnings for the country since 2018. The committee urged Ignite to increase female participation from the current 26% to 50%, emphasizing that no sector can progress without women.