A subcommittee of the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication has called for stronger legal safeguards to protect Pakistan’s telecom infrastructure while reviewing persistent internet connectivity issues and the rising incidence of diesel theft from telecom towers.
The meeting, chaired by Senator Sadia Abbasi, examined the impact of fuel theft and security challenges on the continuity of telecom services across the country. Officials from the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) briefed the committee on the issue.
Ministry officials said closer coordination with provincial police departments is essential to curb diesel theft from telecom sites. They noted that security concerns in several regions continue to pose operational challenges for telecom operators and disrupt network reliability.
PTA officials informed the committee that while laws addressing theft already exist, telecom companies often fail to register First Information Reports (FIRs) after diesel theft incidents, making legal action against offenders difficult.
The Ministry of IT reiterated that the PTA is responsible for regulating telecom operators under the existing legal framework. Officials warned that companies failing to meet regulatory obligations could face penalties, including the suspension or cancellation of their operating licences.
To address the issue, the PTA has directed all telecom operators to ensure FIRs are registered whenever diesel, batteries, or other equipment is stolen from telecom installations.
The regulator also noted that many operators are increasingly relying on CCTV surveillance instead of on-site security guards to monitor tower locations. However, officials emphasized that the primary challenge is not only preventing theft but also ensuring that operators pursue legal action after such incidents. According to the PTA, many companies have avoided filing FIRs due to procedural hurdles in the registration process.
Senator Sadia Abbasi stressed that telecommunications are now a critical public utility and called for stronger legislation to safeguard telecom infrastructure from theft and vandalism. She said the theft of diesel and equipment from telecom towers directly affects network availability and communication services for the public.
The subcommittee directed the Ministry of IT to examine international legal frameworks for protecting telecom infrastructure and submit written recommendations. The committee will review the proposals before finalizing its own recommendations for strengthening the legal and regulatory framework.
