Internet speed and connectivity problems became a major talking point in the National Assembly during the question hour, as PPP lawmaker Sharmila Faruqi expressed frustration over the poor quality of internet service even within Parliament itself.
Faruqi said that despite repeated assurances from authorities that “everything is fine,” the reality was quite the opposite. “If we are facing these issues in cities, imagine the situation in rural areas,” she remarked, adding that telecom companies were leaving the country due to worsening conditions and a lack of government support.
Responding to her concerns, Parliamentary Secretary for IT and Telecommunication Sabeen Ghauri acknowledged the challenges but stressed that the government was working under difficult circumstances. She said that while public frustration over slow internet was understandable, it was “inappropriate” for parliamentarians to make such remarks on the floor of the House.
Ghauri assured lawmakers that the ongoing connectivity and infrastructure problems would be resolved within the next six to eight months.
She informed the House that the Islamabad IT Park would become operational by February, creating around 7,000 jobs, while the Karachi IT Park was expected to be completed by the end of 2027. According to Ghauri, these projects would help improve Pakistan’s digital infrastructure and generate new opportunities for the country’s youth.
Addressing a question about the upcoming 5G rollout, Ghauri announced that the government plans to move forward with the 5G spectrum auction in the first quarter of next year. She also confirmed that the recent issues related to marine cable disruptions had been fully resolved. However, she clarified that some connectivity issues in Balochistan were linked to the Interior Ministry, not the Ministry of IT.
Explaining the reasons behind inconsistent internet speeds, Ghauri said multiple factors were responsible, including security restrictions and technical limitations of undersea cables. “Some areas face speed issues due to security concerns, while others were affected by marine cable disruptions,” she noted.
Ghauri also clarified that internet shutdowns were ordered by the Ministry of Interior for security reasons, and that the IT Ministry had no role in such decisions.