PTA Warns of Potential Service Disruptions with LDI License Revocation Threat
In a recent meeting with the Senate Standing Committee on IT and Telecom, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) chairman brought forward a pressing issue: unresolved payments from Long-Distance International (LDI) operators. While ten out of the fifteen companies in question have collectively paid Rs. 10 billion, the remaining Rs. 24 billion in overdue payments continues to add up. Factoring in late fees, the total amount owed has now surged to Rs. 74 billion. The PTA chairman cautioned that if the government moves forward with revoking the licenses of these companies, it could lead to major disruptions across Pakistan’s mobile and ATM services, potentially affecting around 50% of mobile operations and 40% of ATM networks.
Another key discussion in the committee was Pakistan’s current dependence on foreign fiber-optic infrastructure. PTA officials referenced the National Fiberization Policy, which is designed to reduce this dependency, helping Pakistan secure its digital infrastructure and limit external influence.
The session also touched on the Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Bill 2024 and the Ministry’s stakeholder engagement efforts in this area. One member raised concerns about the Ministry’s capability to regulate AI, especially given its current struggles with controlling social media content and fake news. The member suggested looking to China’s model, where alternative platforms have been developed as a regulatory solution.
Lastly, the committee examined the recent appointment of the Secretary for IT and Telecom. Questions arose as to why a PhD-qualified candidate was bypassed in favor of an appointee with more field experience. The Establishment Division defended this decision, emphasizing the value of hands-on experience in guiding improvements within the telecom and IT sectors, especially in efforts to boost exports.
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