MPs express concern over poor quality of internet service across Pakistan

Member of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology and PPP leader Sharmila Farooqui has expressed her anger over the poor quality of internet service all over the country, even in the Parliament, reported 24NewsHD TV channel. 

A meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology was held in Islamabad on Tuesday, which was presided by Syed Aminul Haq.

The members expressed their anger and displeasure over the poor quality of mobile phone and internet services in different cities. 

Sharmila Farooqui said that there are quality-of-service issues across the country. She said that in some areas, services are suddenly shut down due to security issues.

She said that secretary interior or any of his representatives failed to attend any meeting. Sharmila Farooqi said that members of the standing committee were informed that all is well.

Engineer Rana Atiq asked whether towers are being built by operators or Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is playing any role.

The Member PTA said that various technical factors are taken into account in the planning of towers. He further said that planning of towers is a commercial matter, and PTA does not interfere in it.

He said that PTA only ensures that service issues do not occur. Engineer Rana Atiq said, “I can't make a call on Ring Road Lahore.”

“If this is the situation in Lahore and Karachi, what will be the situation in other parts of the country?” He went on saying, “If I go to my constituency tomorrow, people will throw shoes at me.” He said that people are asking me what you do sitting there. 

Another member of the committee, Mahaish Kumar Malani, said that 4G services are available only in 25 percent areas of Sindh.

He said that PTA is useless and asked to remove it from the agenda of the meeting.

Reporter: Waqas Azeem