ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly’s Question-Hour on Thursday witnessed strong protests over the absence of federal ministers and heated exchanges between MPs and Parliamentary Secretary for Information Technology and Telecommunications, Sabheen Ghoury, over slow internet speeds and delayed 5G services.
Lawmakers, including PPP’s Aijaz Jakhrani and former Speaker Asad Qaiser, criticised ministers’ non-attendance, noting their presence during controversial legislation. The deputy speaker explained that ministers were at a cabinet meeting discussing legislative matters but urged members to proceed with questions, limiting further points of order. PTI’s Shahid Khattak raised a quorum concern, but a headcount confirmed the House was in order, allowing the session to continue.
In a written reply to Syeda Shehla Raza, Sabheen Ghoury reported that the government completed 19 Public Sector IT and Telecom projects in 2023-24 and 2024-25, costing $95 million from a $100 million allocation. The Special Communication Organisation (SCO) completed seven projects to enhance Telecom and IT infrastructure in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB).
The Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) finished six projects to boost IT exports through a skilled workforce. The Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) established 13 National Incubation Centres (NICs) in universities, with four in Punjab, three in Sindh, two in Balochistan, two in KP, one in GB and one in AJK, in collaboration with provincial IT Boards. The SINOPak Centre for Artificial Intelligence was established at PAF-IAST, Haripur, ICT infrastructure was enhanced at the President’s Secretariat and a Technology Export Marketing Feasibility Study was completed. Responding to Shahida Rehmani, Ghoury stated that $31.6 million has been invested in eight NICs, yielding 1,100 graduates, 2,000 startups and 35% female participation. She added that the Islamabad IT Park, set for completion by January 2026, will create 7,500 jobs and generate $60 million in IT exports, while the Karachi IT Park, due in 2027, will provide 13,000 jobs and contribute $90 million in exports, with the Korea Exim Bank as a key partner. A Women’s Technology Park in Bagh, AJK, is complete and awaiting inauguration, while another in Islamabad is in early development, with land surveys ongoing.
Addressing Sharmila Faruqui’s concerns about slow internet, Ghoury clarified that outages often stem from external factors beyond the IT Ministry’s control, such as unfavourable conditions and cybersecurity issues.
She assured the House that the marine cable disruption issue has been resolved and that Pakistan will move towards a 5G auction in the first quarter of 2026, with the rules and policy framework finalised. Faruqui protested that internet services were inadequate even within parliament, underscoring ongoing digital infrastructure challenges.
