Internet Expected to be Restored by August 27, Says PTA

The Standing Committee on Information Technology, chaired by Syed Aminul Haq, held a meeting in Islamabad where major updates on the country’s internet situation and future technology plans were discussed.

According to Major General (R) Hafeez-ur-Rehman, Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the federal government has directed the implementation of a firewall, which the PTA is currently executing. He clarified that the ongoing internet disruption is not due to system upgrades but is caused by a fault in the submarine cable, expected to be fixed by August 27.

During the briefing, it was also revealed that a 5G auction is scheduled for April 2025, with efforts underway to bring in new companies.

Syed Aminul Haq, Chairman of the Standing Committee, urged the PTA to take the lead on 5G implementation and ensure the project’s completion, emphasizing that 5G should reach even the most remote areas. He stated that restrictions on apps like PUBG, TikTok, and X hinder progress and should not be imposed.

The committee has requested a report on the progress of IT parks in Islamabad and Karachi, as well as a technical briefing from the Secretary of IT on the firewall, to be presented at the next meeting.