The growth, driven by the efforts of the Special Investment Facilitation Council, includes key sectors such as textiles, leather, garments, sports goods, and surgical instruments. In October 2023, the European Parliament approved the extension of Pakistan’s GSP Plus status until 2027. The GSP Plus scheme provides preferential market access and exemptions from duties on certain […]
Replying to a query during the Question Hour in the National Assembly, Shaza Fatima said that the ICT exports reached approximately $1.86 billion during the first six months of the current financial year. She attributed the growth to ‘improved’ internet usage and speed in the country. The minister also acknowledged that internet users are facing […]
During the meeting, committee members raised concerns over Pakistan’s inadequate internet infrastructure. Chairman PTA revealed that three out of seven submarine cables had been damaged earlier this year, significantly disrupting services. These cables were restored in October, yet internet performance remains below global standards. He emphasized the urgent need for laying fiber-optic cables and developing […]
He was responding to the queries about internet disruption in Pakistan during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication, chaired by Senator Palwasha Khan. During the meeting, committee members raised concerns about the internet speed and functionality of applications. One member mentioned that while the download speed was fine, applications […]
Justice Mian Gul Hassan Aurangzeb dismissed Zong’s appeal against the PTA order, directing it to refund Rs2,028,038,584 (more than 2 billion, 28 million rupees) collected from customers on account of service/maintenance/cards / operational fee charges from 26.04.2019 to 12.07.2019. The court observed in its decision “Cellular mobile operators, including the appellant, had been charging Rs10 […]
According to the report of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), it indicates that mobile phone manufacturing fell by 35 percent in November 2024 when compared to October 2024. In November 2024, the number of locally manufactured mobile phones reached 2.31 million units, while production in October 2024 was recorded at 3.53 million units, according to […]
According to the PTA news release the VPN service providers are required to obtain a Class Licence for Data (Data Services) to provide VPN and related services. As per the news release, this resuming of Class Licence for Data does not include the Internet Services provision category. It is further clarified that Local Loop Licensees […]
According to an official document, PTA blocked 109771 sites in FY2023-24. In one year, 33634 sites were blocked citing defense and security threats while 268 blasphemous sites were suspended during the same period. Moreover, 55,723 unethical sites and 3618 sites were blocked under communal or hate speech threats. PTA said 13,422 sites were blocked during […]
“PTA is an autonomous body responsible for regulations,” said Shaza Fatima while responding to queries about slow internet and restrictions on X in the National Assembly. The minister rejected the impression of relating X restrictions to freedom of expression, adding that only 2% of Pakistan’s population uses X, making the impact minimal. Shaza Fatima Khawaja […]
“PTA is an autonomous body responsible for regulations,” said Shaza Fatima while responding to queries about slow internet and restrictions on X in the National Assembly. The minister rejected the impression of relating X restrictions to freedom of expression, adding that only 2% of Pakistan’s population uses X, making the impact minimal. Shaza Fatima Khawaja […]
