Internet quality across Pakistan is expected to improve by October, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Hafizur Rehman told a Senate committee on Monday. The statement came after lawmakers raised concerns over poor internet service and frequent disruptions in Lahore and other parts of the country.
The issue was discussed during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunications. The meeting was chaired by Senator Palwasha Khan, who raised concerns about the ongoing internet problems and their impact on citizens.
During the meeting, committee members questioned the PTA chairman about the reasons behind poor connectivity in different areas. Lawmakers said internet signals had been unavailable or unreliable in Lahore and other locations, creating difficulties for people who depend on mobile and internet services for work, education and communication.
The committee chairperson also linked a recent internet disruption in Lahore to a power outage. The issue highlighted concerns about the reliability of telecom infrastructure and the impact that electricity-related problems can have on communication services.
PTA Chairman Hafizur Rehman told the committee that internet quality across the country is expected to improve by October. He also informed lawmakers that the telecom sector is currently going through several major developments that could affect service quality in the short term.
Senator Kamran Murtaza questioned whether the ongoing merger of Ufone and Telenor Pakistan was contributing to problems with telecom services. The merger has been under discussion as the two companies work through the regulatory and operational process required to combine their businesses.
In response, Hafizur Rehman confirmed that the merger process was underway. He also said that the rollout of 5G services was in progress across the country. The development of 5G is expected to bring faster mobile internet speeds and improved network capacity once services become widely available.
The PTA chairman’s statement provides some relief for internet users who have faced repeated complaints about slow speeds, weak signals and service disruptions. However, users are still likely to remain concerned until improvements are visible in their respective areas.
Internet connectivity has become increasingly important in Pakistan as businesses, students, freelancers and government services rely heavily on stable digital networks. Any prolonged disruption can affect online work, financial transactions, education and communication.
The Senate committee is expected to continue monitoring the situation as telecom companies expand their networks, the Ufone-Telenor merger progresses and the 5G rollout moves forward. The PTA’s October timeline will now be closely watched by internet and mobile users across Pakistan.
