ISLAMABAD, (TDI): The Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication, chaired by Senator Palwasha Khan, met on Thursday to discuss the challenges and impact on Pakistan’s IT sector.
The meeting was attended by key figures including the Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the IT Secretary, and the Chairman of the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA).
At the start of the session, Sajjad Syed, Chairman of P@SHA, revealed that Pakistan’s IT sector is currently facing a daily loss of Rs 1.3 billion. He further highlighted that while the IT industry is growing at an impressive annual rate of 30%, further disruptions could threaten this progress.
During the meeting, the IT Secretary explained that internet disruptions are typically implemented for national security reasons. However, the committee stressed the need to find a balance between ensuring national security and maintaining uninterrupted internet connectivity for the IT sector.
On the issue of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), PTA Chairman stated that 30,974 VPNs have been registered so far, with licenses expected to be issued by January 2025.
Senator Kamran Murtaza raised concerns about whether the PTA had challenged directives affecting the internet sector, while Senator Afnaan Ullah pointed out issues related to spectrum management and its impact on slow internet speeds.
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The committee urged the PTA and the Ministry of IT to ensure that VPN registration and regulatory measures do not hinder the growth of Pakistan’s IT sector.
Also Read: PTA to Block Unregistered VPNs to Control Internet
Earlier, on November 19, 2024, the PTA had announced a simplified VPN registration process for freelancers and organizations. Software houses, call centers, banks, embassies, and freelancers can now easily register their VPNs through the PTA’s official website.
Members of the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) will also benefit from this new facility, as per a PTA press release.
