Islamabad — Members of the National Assembly on Thursday voiced frustration over poor internet connectivity — both inside parliament and across the country — as the House pushes toward a fully paperless working environment.
Paperless Parliament, Slow Progress
According to Beyond Time News, Deputy Speaker Ghulam Mustafa Shah reminded lawmakers that parliamentary proceedings are being digitised and physical distribution of bills and documents will soon be phased out. All members have been provided tablets to support the transition.
However, the initiative has faced resistance. Despite repeated requests from the NA chair, most MNAs from all sides have largely ignored the paperless system.
JUI-F lawmaker Naeema Kishwer said she had been unable to download documents for over an hour due to poor internet. She urged the NA Secretariat to fix the issue immediately.
PPP’s Dr Nafisa Shah suggested the low compliance may stem from members’ unfamiliarity with the devices. Several lawmakers also called for a dedicated help desk to assist members struggling with the digital system.
Internet Woes Across the Country
Lawmakers including Sharmila Faruqi questioned the reasons behind slow internet nationwide and asked whether the recent spectrum auction would bring meaningful improvement for consumers.
IT and Telecom Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja said internet services are expected to improve following what she described as the “world’s largest spectrum auction.” She explained that telecom operators had halted letters of credit in 2022, disrupting equipment imports and network expansion — but that dollar stabilisation had since improved conditions for the sector.
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Digital Harassment on the Rise
MNAs also raised concerns over online fraud, digital harassment, and personal data theft. Minister Khawaja said authorities regularly issue advisories warning citizens not to share OTPs or PINs with unknown individuals.
PPP’s Shazia Marri called for a comprehensive public awareness campaign, saying online scams were being carried out “with great audacity.” She urged the government to involve media outlets in educating the public about cyber threats.
Khawaja confirmed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is actively working on the issue alongside relevant institutions.
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