ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has blocked over 900,000 websites, a parliamentary committee was told on Wednesday.

During a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat, PTA Chairman retired Maj Gen Amir Azeem Bajwa said that the authority has blocked access to more than 900,000 websites. He said some blocked websites are accessible through the use of technology.

Mr Bajwa also claimed that despite a number of difficulties, the authority is ensuring that consumers data is protected.

“We are also ensuring that the religious, cultural and customary sentiments of public are not hurt through the internet or social media,” he said.

He said 32 different departments and agencies are involved in efforts to eradicate terrorism, pornography and other issues. Mr Bajwa also told the committee that the government should look into the matter of hosting social media sites.

He said the PTA has controlled the smuggling of low quality and smuggled mobile phones.

“During 2018-19, as many as Rs317 million were deposited by the telecom sector in the exchequer,” he said.

Committee members said the PTA should play a role in stopping data theft from social media accounts, hate speech and religious hatred.

They also said the authority should help improve mobile phone services.

Cellular companies are not provided services all over the country, committee members said, adding that cellular service should be improved in mountain areas and on national highways and motorways.

Companies will care more about their service if the renewal of licences is connected to service quality, they said.

Committee chair MNA Syed Aminul Haque said efforts should be made to start manufacturing in the telecommunications sector to create employment opportunities.

“Our youth is very competent and they can excel in every field. We just have to create opportunities for them,” he said.

Single women deputed in family’s districts

Establishment Division representative Akhtar Jan Wazir told the committee on Wednesday that single women are being deputed in their family’s districts.

Women working in government departments have often complained that they are not being appointed in the districts where their families live or, if they are married, in the districts where their husbands work.

Published in Dawn, November 14th, 2019