National Assembly Committee Approves Telecom Appellate Tribunal Bill
The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication approved the Establishment of Telecommunication Appellate Tribunal Bill 2024.
The Bill, discussed in a meeting chaired by Syed Amin Ul Haque, proposes a tribunal to handle appeals against decisions by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). The tribunal will consist of a chairperson and two members appointed through a detailed process involving the Ministry of Law and Justice.
The appointment process for the tribunal involves the Ministry of Law and Justice publishing an advertisement in newspapers. A Search Committee, headed by a Grade 20 Officer, screens candidates according to set criteria, shortlists them, and forwards their names to the Federal Council. The Council, led by the Law Minister and including two Federal Secretaries, conducts interviews and makes recommendations to the Federal Cabinet, which then appoints the Chairperson and tribunal members
Shaza Fatima Khawaja stressed that the digitization process should start at the highest levels, including Federal Secretaries and Ministers, before extending downwards to create a paperless environment and enhance efficiency. She highlighted the need for all ministries to contribute to this goal.
The committee also reviewed the slow implementation of the Foreign Office system and emphasized the need for a policy to secure official correspondence. They discussed the launch of the Apostille application to aid overseas employees, urging its implementation within 15 days.
Concerns were raised about the lack of mobile data services in four districts of Balochistan, with the committee asserting internet access as a fundamental right. The chairman of the PTA will address this issue in the next meeting.
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