the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication met

On Friday, the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication met at Parliament House to discuss important issues. These included the Personal Data Protection Bill of 2023 and details on telecom companies’ revenue over the past decade. Senator Kamran Murtaza raised a question about funds available to USF and the Ministry of Finance, which was resolved.

The meeting has chaired by Senator Kauda Babar and attended by several members, including Senator Naseema Ehsan, Senator Sania Nishtar, Senator Rubina Khalid, Senator Sana Jamali, Senator Afnanullah Khan, Senator Shahadat Awan, and senior officers from the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications, PTA, PTCL, and representatives from the Ministry of Law.

During the discussion on the Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023, the Committee has informed about the technicalities involved and the need for further review. The Ministry of Law suggested reviewing the document in light of Article 74 of the Constitution. The Committee requested the Ministry to return after fulfilling all necessary formalities within 15 days.

Regarding revenue generated by telecom companies and funds allocated towards CSR, the Committee suggested that these companies focus on developing communities, particularly in the health and education sectors. The Ministry has asked to create a framework for this purpose. PTA has directed to provide province-wise details of income generated by telecom companies over the past decade, and other market players may summoned to the next meeting for further clarity.