The Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Retired Major General Hafeezur Rehman, has admitted that the practice of imposing internet shutdowns in Pakistan exists in a “legal grey area.” Speaking to the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology on Wednesday, he urged the Ministries of Law and Interior to provide definitive legal clarity on the issue.
Internet shutdowns under scrutiny
Internet shutdowns have been a recurring measure in Pakistan since 2016, often used to address security concerns or manage unrest. However, the legal authority underpinning these actions has only recently come under question. During the briefing, Senators Kamran Murtaza and Humayun Mohmand interrogated Rehman regarding the legality of such measures.
Senator Murtaza inquired about the specific laws that empower the PTA to restrict internet access or block social media platforms. In response, Rehman explained that while the Ministry of Interior can instruct the PTA to block content or services, there is no explicit provision in the law for shutting down internet access in specific regions.
“The parliamentary committee should be presented with a clear legal framework for these actions,” Murtaza said, stressing the need for greater transparency and legal safeguards.
Concerns over digital infrastructure
The committee also discussed the persistent issue of slow internet speeds across Pakistan. Senator Palwasha Khan, the committee chairperson, emphasised the urgent need to improve the country’s digital infrastructure. She highlighted the importance of expanding the fibre optic cable network as the primary solution to enhance internet speeds.
Rehman acknowledged that slow internet speeds would continue unless substantial investments were made to improve the infrastructure. “Fiberisation is crucial for addressing the issue,” he said, referring to the expansion of fibre optic networks as the backbone of digital connectivity.
The responsibility for infrastructure development, he noted, lies with the government, which must prioritise the growth of digital networks to keep pace with the demands of modern internet users.
VPN restrictions and licensing
Addressing concerns over Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), the PTA chairman clarified that he had not authorised the shutdown of VPN services. However, he explained that the regulator had initiated a licensing process for VPN providers, requiring them to register under new guidelines.
As of 19 December, two companies had applied for licences to offer VPN services legally. Unregistered VPNs, which allow users to browse anonymously, would be blocked under the new system. Rehman explained that the anonymity provided by such networks posed significant challenges for monitoring online activities, especially concerning illegal or harmful content.
Under the new licensing framework, local companies governed by Pakistan’s laws and regulations would be authorised to offer VPN services. This move aims to give the PTA greater oversight and control, addressing the current scenario where most VPN providers operate from foreign jurisdictions.
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Regulating social media content
The committee also reviewed PTA’s efforts to regulate social media platforms. Rehman revealed that the authority receives approximately 500 complaints daily regarding harmful or illegal content. While the PTA remains in regular communication with social media companies to block such material, enforcement gaps persist.
“There is still a considerable gap in our ability to enforce content removal effectively,” Rehman admitted, calling for clearer legal guidelines to govern internet governance and social media content regulation.
The need for legal clarity
The Senate Standing Committee stressed the necessity of establishing a comprehensive legal framework to address issues such as internet shutdowns, content blocking, and VPN regulation. “Clear guidelines are essential to ensure accountability and transparency in managing digital services,” Senator Khan remarked.
As Pakistan grapples with the dual challenges of legal uncertainty and inadequate digital infrastructure, experts say that resolving these issues is critical for fostering trust in the country’s regulatory framework.
The committee’s deliberations highlight the pressing need for cohesive policies that balance security concerns with citizens’ rights to access information and digital connectivity. Whether these challenges will be met with actionable reforms remains to be seen.
