On May 26, the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication was informed that internet services in Panjgur district, Balochistan, will continue to be suspended for another six months. Security agencies, responding to a letter from the Interior Ministry, advised against restoring access. They cited ongoing law and order concerns as the reason for withholding clearance.
Committee Chairperson Aminul Haq presided over the meeting, at the Parliament House, where lawmakers voiced serious concerns over the prolonged internet blackout, which has already lasted three years and severely affected students and the local business community.
Committee member and Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Pullain Baloch expressed strong concern, saying the internet issue in her constituency had persisted for several years. “If nothing has been resolved in the past three years, what hope is there in the next six months?” she asked. She added, “It appears Panjgur is being permanently disconnected,” taking a solemn oath and alleging that the region was being deliberately punished.
MNA Baloch highlighted that residents in her constituency (NA-258) must travel 15 to 20 kilometres to access internet services, adding that Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL)’s coverage in the area is nearly non-existent. In response, the committee directed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) chairman to conduct a detailed survey of internet availability in Panjgur and submit a report.
To further assess the need for the ongoing suspension, the committee decided to hold an in-camera session with the Secretary Interior for a detailed briefing on the security situation.
The panel also expressed dissatisfaction over the absence of PTCL’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and instructed that he appear before the committee in the next meeting. It was further informed that PTCL plans to sell certain properties, including high-value assets, and the committee requested the presentation of clauses from sales and purchase agreements authorizing these transactions.
Separately, the committee lauded Pakistan’s cybersecurity apparatus for successfully repelling cyberattacks during recent heightened tensions with India. Committee Chairperson Aminul Haq said cyberattacks were launched against Pakistan between May 5 and 6 but were effectively thwarted. “Our cybersecurity team and the National CERT deserve commendation for defending Pakistan’s digital assets and even launching counteroffensives,” he said.
During the session, the committee was also updated on the Ignite freelancing initiative, which has trained 4.6 million students in 19 batches across 15 in-demand freelancing courses, with women making up 28 percent of participants. An October 2024 survey showed that these trainees generated $1.65 billion in revenue. Ignite has recently expanded its course offerings to 25, including artificial intelligence programs, and was asked to provide a district-wise enrollment report for Balochistan. The committee urged efforts to increase female participation to at least 50 percent across all training programs.
Lawmakers including Adil Khan Bazai, Zulfiqar Ali Bhatti, Dr. Mahesh Kumar Malani, Sadiq Ali Memon, Sharmila Farooqui, Ahmad Saleem Siddiqui, Awais Haider Jakhar, Umair Khan Niazi, and Pullain Baloch attended the meeting, along with officials from the IT Ministry and related departments.
