The ongoing debate over internet shutdowns in Pakistan took a new turn as the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) disclosed that these disruptions are executed under government directives. This revelation stirred intense discussion during a Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology session, chaired by Senator Palwasha Khan. Concerns about slow internet speeds and the legal basis for digital blackouts were front and center in the debate.
PTA Chairman Retired Major General Hafeezur Rehman, while facing tough questions, explained that the authority receives around 500 complaints daily concerning objectionable content on social media. He clarified that 80% of the reported content is successfully removed upon request. However, the real tension came when Senator Kamran Murtaza questioned the legal grounds for these internet shutdowns, pressing the PTA on whether such actions are supported by law.
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The PTA chairman revealed that the government has been issuing directives for internet shutdowns for the past nine years. He emphasized that the PTA does not act independently, leaving the legality of the shutdowns up to government instructions. The session further highlighted the impact of slow internet speeds, which place Pakistan 97th globally in terms of internet connectivity.
During the heated discussions, the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) was brought up. It became evident that the act does not specifically cover the legality of internet shutdowns. The IT ministry’s legal representative acknowledged the lack of clarity in the law, leaving room for further discussion on the issue.
The committee ultimately demanded legal explanations from relevant ministries, urging the need for clear guidelines regarding the government’s role in internet restrictions. The session concluded with a call for the expansion of fiber networks to address the country’s digital infrastructure issues.
