A Senate sub-committee on Monday assessed escalating challenges related to internet service degradation and widespread diesel theft targeting telecommunications infrastructure across Pakistan. The meeting, chaired by Senator Sadia Abbasi, included senators Kamran Murtaza and Afnan Ullah Khan, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications.
Key Threats to Telecom Infrastructure
The committee reviewed key threats affecting telecom infrastructure and service continuity, expressing serious concern over more than 9,200 incidents of theft and vandalism reported nationwide over an eleven-month period. These incidents have impacted nearly 16 percent of Pakistan's cellular infrastructure.
Regional Breakdown of Incidents
According to the briefing, Sindh recorded the highest number of incidents with 3,938 cases across 31 districts. Punjab followed with 2,827 cases in 38 districts. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa reported 1,668 incidents across 25 districts, while Balochistan recorded 716 cases across 26 districts.
Impact of Power Outages
During the session, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) informed the committee that prolonged power outages continue to disrupt telecom services by draining backup batteries and placing additional pressure on generator systems. This has exacerbated the challenges faced by the telecommunications sector, leading to degraded internet services and increased operational costs.
The committee emphasized the need for coordinated efforts between federal and provincial authorities to address these issues, including enhanced security measures for telecom infrastructure and strategies to mitigate diesel theft. Further meetings are expected to monitor progress and implement solutions.
