Senate Committee criticizes internet disruptions, IT Minister’s absence& Islamic Ideological Council’s comments on VPN

ISLAMABAD, Nov 18 (SABAH): The Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology discuss the reasons for internet disruption countrywide. Senator Palwasha Muhammad Zai Khan termed the absence of Minister and Secretary IT as their negligence to defend the current internet disruption. She stated that there are around 2.5 million freelancers in the country, and the recent internet disruption causing hindrances for them in earning their livelihood. Despite inviting Minister for IT, she didn’t bother to attend the meeting for the 3rd consecutive time. The Committee decided to write a letter to Prime Minister, highlighting the inability of Minister to defend the ministry decisions.

Senator Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan chaired the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology on Monday at Old PIPS Hall, Parliament Lodges.

The Committee called the Islamic Ideological Council’s comments on the blockage of VPNs as unreasonable. The Committee humorously suggested that the Islamic Ideological Council should also ban television as it displays harmful content. The Committee opined that nothing would be achieved by blocking the tools, and instead, the Government should focus on regulating them. The Committee sought the basis for the Islamic Ideological Council’s judgment.

Additionally, the committee discussed the recent letter of Interior Ministry concerning the blockade of VPNs to PTA without letting Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications know about its whereabouts. Senator Afnan Ullah questioned the legality of Interior Ministry’s letter. He was of the opinion that the VPNs don’t fall under the umbrella of social media apps. The Committee directed the PTA to sought legal opinion of Attorney General of Pakistan on whether or not the VPNs fall under the ambit of social media apps.

Furthermore, the committee was briefed on the criteria followed for the selection of Secretary of IT. Officials of the Establishment Division informed that a person holding a graduation degree with 20 years of experience in the field could qualify for the position, however, out of all candidates, fifteen were shortlisted for the interview. Senator Dr. Mohammad Humayun Mohmand remarked that, of the fifteen shortlisted candidates, three were PhDs and one was enrolled in PhD program, and yet the government selected the one with only a Graduation degree. The Committee expressed displeasure on the selection criteria for Secretary of IT, stating that the criteria reflects that it was designed to select a ‘blue eyed’ individual.

Discussing the court cases pending concerning LDI and FLL companies, Officials apprised that a total of 24 cases are pending in different courts against the alleged amount of Rs. 78 Billion which is being owed by LDI and FLL companies. However, principal amount claimed by PTA in all these cases is Rs. 24 while Rs. 54 Billion is fined with an interest rate of 2 pc per month. It was highlighted that in some cases the stay order has been operative since 2011, and since then, no effort has been made to vacate the stay order. Officials apprised that they have somehow succeeded in clubbing these cases and expected the early resolution of these matters.

While discussing the payment of increased pension to the pensioners of the PTCL by Pakistan Telecommunications Employees Trust, officials informed that the matter is sub judice and pending before the Supreme Court.

In attendance were Senators Kamran Murtaza, Nadeem Ahmed Bhutto, Dr. Afnan Ullah Khan, Dr. Mohammad Humayun Mohmand, Gurdeep Singh, Saifullah Sarwar Khan Nyazee, Chairman PTA Major General (Retd) Hafeezur Rehman and other senior officials from relevant departments.