Federal Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunications, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, stated that the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N)-led governments have distributed over 1.1 million free laptops across the country and is now introducing a policy for affordable mobile phones.
Responding to criticisms from Pakistan Peoples Party leaders and questions regarding slow internet speeds during a National Assembly session, the Minister of State for IT said that internet usage and speed have improved, with a 28% increase in internet speed on a technical basis.
She explained that various technical reasons have caused issues for internet users, and emphasised the need to adopt the positive aspects of digitisation.She mentioned that the internet was not completely shut down during Ashura this year, and efforts were made to maximize the use of technology.
Shaza Fatima Khawaja stated that cybersecurity must be improved, as national security is paramount.
Addressing the issue of slow internet speeds, she explained that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) reported a 28% improvement in internet speed. She acknowledged that some users face difficulties due to internet slowdowns in areas with high usage.
She added that security was a major concern, noting that security agencies have faced over 150 attacks in recent months. “We need to stop cyberattacks and cannot compromise on national security. The entire cabinet stands behind the Ministry of IT,” she said.
Shaza Fatima further mentioned that efforts are being made to minimise user inconvenience, and that the entire country’s internet now operates on a 5.5 spectrum.Despite technical challenges, she stated, criticism still continues. In April, they plan to introduce 4G and 5G spectrums.
She pointed out that there has been a lack of investment in IT in recent years, which has contributed to internet-related issues.The Pakistan Muslim League (N) has already distributed over 1.1 million laptops and is now introducing a policy for affordable mobile phones.
The Deputy Speaker noted that the question period was over, and 10 minutes had passed. Shaza Fatima responded, saying, “We also use the internet, and we too wish for the system to improve.”Previously, internet woes have continued to hinder digital activities, with Pakistan ranking in the bottom 12% globally for mobile and broadband internet speeds, according to Ookla’sSpeedtest Global Index.
