The ongoing internet disruptions in the country are expected to be resolved by the end of October, according to Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Major General (retd) Hafeezur Rahman, who emphasized that there are no plans to slow down internet services.
In a recent press conference, Rahman noted that there is a 93% compliance rate among social media platforms, with the exception of X. “The decision to restrict access to X lies with the federal government, and we will restore it when instructed. Although our compliance rate from X is high, it only meets 27%,” he explained.
He highlighted that in 2023, internet services were shut down 116 times in India, while Pakistan experienced only seven shutdowns. “I don’t support internet shutdowns, but national security is crucial. On Muharram 10 this year, mobile services were not widely suspended; internet access was limited to specific areas and times,” he added.
Rahman pointed out that mobile services were also suspended in Bangladesh during elections, as each country faces its own security challenges. Shutdown decisions are based on intelligence reports. Currently, mobile data is blocked in Panjgur for security reasons, though no direct requests for this action have come from security agencies. A request to shut down mobile services during the MDCAT exam was turned down.
He also mentioned that he had reached out to all social media platforms to encourage the use of AI in filtering illegal content. He opposed blocking SIM cards based on FBR orders, which resulted in separate agreements with telecom companies. He acknowledged that the quality of GSM services is lacking, noting that India has 470 MHz of spectrum while Pakistan has only 274 MHz. He expects that issues with call drops will be addressed following the 5G auction scheduled for April next year. Rahman further stated that Pakistan has 160,000 km of fiber infrastructure, which will enhance 4G service quality with the rollout of 5G.
