The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Friday recommended the government-led plan fiberisation plan to prevent the Local Direct Internet (LDI) operators from blackmailing the citizens.
According to details, the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunications, under the chairmanship of Senator Afnan Ullah, held a crucial meeting to address pressing issues concerning the security of mobile phones and batteries in the country. During the session, the committee invited the head of the Digital Forensic Lab to provide an update on the current situation and security measures.
On this occasion, the PTA chairman emphasised that without establishing a robust fiber-optic infrastructure, the country would remain vulnerable to such exploitation, as seen in neighboring India, which has significantly advanced its fiber network, rendering itself independent of external companies.
The meeting also examined the alarming situation of pager explosions in Lebanon and Syria, which resulted in numerous fatalities. Senator Afnan Ullah said: "This issue has significant implications for the country’s national security, especially in light of the increasing threats posed by mobile phone and battery safety."
The Digital Forensic Lab's head is expected to provide a detailed briefing on safety measures and potential threats at the next session.
Furthermore, the committee reviewed the "Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Bill, 2024*", which is currently under discussion.
The authorities stated that consultations with all the stakeholders are ongoing to draft a comprehensive policy on the artificial intelligence (AI).
Meanwhile, Senator Palwasha Khan raised her concerns about the difficulty of regulating AI, citing the country’s ongoing struggle to regulate social media platforms.
The PTA chairman added that the country’s dependence on foreign companies for its telecom infrastructure could compromise national security, pointing out that the cancellation of licenses for LDI companies could lead to a complete shutdown of internet services in Pakistan, affecting mobile networks and ATM services nationwide.
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