ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology on Friday was informed that the merger of Ufone and Telenor was at its final stages and expected to be completed in two weeks.
The Senate panel expressed displeasure over the absence of Federal Minister Ms Shaza Fatima from the meeting.
The Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication, under the chairpersonship of Senator Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan, met on Friday at the Old PIPS Hall, Parliament Lodges, Islamabad.
PTA chairman briefed the committee on the issue of nationwide data theft and informed that such data is available on the dark web. He underlined the need for a comprehensive inquiry to identify the sources of these leaks. He further stated that PTA had conducted an internal inquiry in 2022, while the Ministry of Interior has now initiated a formal investigation. Senator Afnan Ullah Khan apprised the committee that data is stolen separately from various institutions, compiled, and subsequently sold.
The committee chairperson shared a personal experience of receiving a fraudulent call regarding a bank transaction and raised concern as to how fraudsters gain access to such sensitive information. PTA chairman clarified that during the last two years, no telecom data has appeared on the dark web but emphasised the urgency of establishing a national-level mechanism for data security.
The committee expressed concern over the delay in introducing legislation to secure personal data. The Ministry of IT informed that a draft bill had been prepared and consultations with stakeholders were in progress. Senator Afnan Ullah cautioned that failure to enact data protection legislation would expose the country to serious consequences.
The issue of over Rs6 billion tariff collection from consumers by Jazz was also deliberated upon. At the request of audit authorities, the committee referred the matter to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). Officials informed that PTA had already submitted certain documents for verification.
Senator Nadeem Ahmed Bhutto voiced concern over the deteriorating quality of mobile phone services and frequent call drops across the country. He pointed out that even 2G service is scarcely available along the Karachi–Sukkur Motorway.
The committee also reviewed the delayed merger of Ufone and Telenor. Officials from the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) informed that the merger deal was in its final stages and expected to be completed within two weeks. They stated that the process had already taken 18 months due to delays in the submission of requisite data. PTA chairman clarified that until the merger is finalised, the auction of spectrum for 5G services cannot be undertaken.
Senator Kamran Murtaza, however, questioned the feasibility of completing the matter within two weeks when it had already been delayed for eighteen months.
Officials from the Ministry of IT briefed the committee that the 5G auction would be held in December. PTA chairman stated that the authority was fully prepared for the auction, though certain outstanding issues still required resolution.