Islamabad: on Monday a National Assembly panel was reported that Internet services in Panjgur will remain suspended over the next six months for security concerns.
The committee was informed that the security agencies had responded to a letter from the Ministry of Interior that indicated that, due to the prevailing situation of security and law and order, Internet services in the Panjgur district would remain suspended during the next six months.
The Permanent Committee for NA Information Technology, held with Aminul Haq in the president, were told that this has been communicated to the Ministry of Interior by security agencies in response to a letter, citing the prevailing situation of the law and order as reason.
In expressing concern for this situation, the Committee said that Internet services in Panjgur have remained suspended during the last three years, causing serious difficulties for the local population, particularly for the business community and students. Consequently, the Committee decided to convene a meeting in the Chamber in which the interior of the secretary would inform the Committee in detail about the specific situation of law and order required by the continuous suspension of Internet services.
The legislator of the National Party Pullain Baloch informed the committee that the people of his constituency (NA-258) have to travel from 15 km to 20kms only to access Internet services. He said that PTCL Internet coverage in the area was almost non -existent. Subsequently, the Committee ordered the president of the PTA to conduct a survey on the coverage of the Internet in the aforementioned region and present a detailed report to the Committee.
Decision made due to security concerns, said Na Panel
Meanwhile, the NA Committee received information that a total of 4.6 million students had received training through 19 lots under 15 most demanded freelance independent courses. Among trained people, 28pc were women. The committee was also informed that, according to a survey conducted in October 2024, independent workers and apprentices who received training through Ignite programs generated collective income that amounted to US $ 1.65 billion. Ignite informed the committee that he had introduced 10 additional courses, raising the total number of courses to 25. These include programs and projects related to artificial intelligence. The Committee ordered Ignite to present a student registration list in the Baluchistan district.
With respect to female registration, the Committee ordered Ignite to make efforts to increase the current female participation of 28PC in several courses to at least 50 percent, to guarantee greater inclusion and empowerment of women in the national workforce.
The committee expressed concern about the absence of the PTCL CEO and issued instructions to ensure that it appears before the legislators at the next meeting of the committee. The panel was called that PTCL supposedly planned to sell certain properties, including some high -value assets. The Committee ordered PTCL to present the specific clauses of its sales and purchases agreements that authorize the company to proceed with the sale of these properties.
In addition to the Ministry officials and MNA Adil Khan Bazai, the legislators Zulfiqar Ali Bhatti, Dr. Mahesh Kumar Malani, Sadiq Ali Memon, Sharmila Sahiba Farooqui Hashaam, Ahmad Salem Siddiqui, Plein Baloch, Awais Haider Jakhar and Umair Khan Niazi.
Posted in Dawn, May 27, 2025
