PTCL-Telenor Merger: Final Stages Confirmed
- Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman confirmed a data breach affecting SIM data, including his own personal information, dating back to 2022.
- Senator Nadeem Bhutto specifically highlighted the lack of mobile signals along the Karachi-Sukkur Motorway, a critical infrastructure corridor.
- Senators expressed strong criticism towards IT Minister Shaza Fatima for her repeated absence from committee proceedings.
“`html
Pakistan Telecom Sector Faces Scrutiny Over Data Breaches, Service Issues, and 5G Delays
Table of Contents
– Published in Dawn
Data Breach Confirmed, Service Quality Questioned
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman confirmed a data breach affecting SIM data, including his own personal information, dating back to 2022. This revelation came during a senate Standing Committee on IT and Telecom meeting on Thursday, september 18th, 2025. Teh committee also addressed widespread concerns regarding poor telecom service, notably in Balochistan, and persistent call drop issues across the country.
Senator Nadeem Bhutto specifically highlighted the lack of mobile signals along the Karachi-Sukkur Motorway, a critical infrastructure corridor.
Committee Criticizes Ministerial Absence, Oversight Lapses
Senators expressed strong criticism towards IT Minister Shaza Fatima for her repeated absence from committee proceedings. This lack of engagement raised questions about the ministry’s commitment to addressing critical issues within the telecom sector. The committee flagged delays and lapses in overall sector oversight.
Committee flags delays, lapses in telecom sector oversight
5G Auction on Hold Pending Legal Resolution
The PTA informed the committee that preparations for a 5G auction in December 2025 are underway, wiht consultant reports completed. Tho, the process is contingent on resolving pending court cases. The committee directed the ministry to coordinate with the Attorney General’s office to expedite the resolution of these legal challenges. The potential delay impacts Pakistan’s timeline for deploying next-generation mobile technology.
The specific nature of the court cases hindering the 5G auction was not detailed in the report, but likely relate to spectrum allocation or licensing disputes.
PTCL-Telenor Merger Update
The committee was also informed about the proposed merger between Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd (PTCL) and Telenor Pakistan, with expectations for finalization within a specified timeframe. details regarding the merger’s potential impact on market competition and consumer choice were not included in this report.