Senate panel meeting on Monday: Ufone rebranding, Starlink and Etisalat top agenda

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication is set to take up a wide-ranging agenda on Monday, including the reported rebranding of Ufone following its merger with Telenor, Starlink’s launch, USD 800 million in outstanding Etisalat dues, and alleged overcharging of mobile users by Jazz. The committee will also examine internet shutdowns, telecom competition rules, security concerns over satellite connectivity, alleged transfer of sensitive government officials’ data to foreign entities and employment issues at Pak Datacom. The committee will receive a briefing from the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication (MoITT) on the reported change of Ufone’s name to “e&” following the Ufone-Telenor merger. It will also seek an updated briefing on the launch of Starlink operations in Pakistan, amid continued interest in satellite-based internet services for underserved and remote areas. The committee has also placed on its agenda a briefing by the IT Secretary on the reported shift of Pak Datacom to a foreign satellite, with members expected to examine the associated national security concerns. Another key issue is the reported USD800 million outstanding amount owed by Etisalat in connection with the privatisation of Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL). The committee will also seek minutes of PTCL Board meetings held during the last six months. The committee will separately examine the status of court cases and stay orders involving LDI/FLL companies and seek a way forward from the Secretary, Ministry of IT and Telecommunication. The Chairman PTA and Auditor General of Pakistan will brief the committee on a purported audit report alleging that Jazz charged mobile users Rs6. 58 billion in excess, along with the reported provision allowing the operator to increase tariffs by up to 15 percent quarterly. The committee will seek details of any action taken by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to safeguard mobile consumers’ rights if the audit findings are substantiated. The committee will also take up a serious cyber-security matter involving the alleged obtaining and transfer of sensitive personal data of Pakistani government officers to foreign entities. The Director General, National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), will brief members on the alleged data transfer, the magnitude of the threat, and measures being taken to prevent future data breaches. The committee will also consider a point of public importance raised by Senator Atta-ur-Rehman concerning the closure of mobile services in LakkiMarwat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, raised in the Senate sitting on November 13, 2025. A briefing will also be given on Universal Service Fund (USF) projects for the provision of internet and telecommunications facilities in Qila Abdullah, Balochistan, including locations, approved allocations, current status, and expected completion dates. The committee will also examine the number of villages and public-sector institutions expected to benefit and measures for extending digital access to remote areas of Balochistan. The telecom competition regime will come under scrutiny as the committee will be briefed on whether the Telecom Competition Rules have been notified as required under Section 57 of the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organization) Act, 1996. The committee will also consider the report of its sub-committee constituted to investigate and rectify issues relating to internet connectivity and the reported disappearance of diesel meant for telecom towers in different parts of the country. Connectivity problems affecting 40 Pakistan Railways trains, including lack of signals and Wi-Fi network facilities, are also on the agenda. In addition, the committee will consider a request from Pak Datacom employees concerning termination of their employment. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

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