ISLAMABAD: Pakistan ranks 198th globally in internet speed rankings, according to a report by the World Population Review.
According to the report, Pakistan ranks below Palestine, Bhutan, Ghana, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, and Libya in internet speed.
The average mobile internet download speed in Pakistan is 19.59 Mbps, while broadband internet averages 15.52 Mbps.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) leads globally in both mobile and broadband internet speed, followed by Singapore in mobile internet and Qatar in broadband speed.
Hong Kong and Chile rank third and fourth in mobile internet speed, respectively.
The report anticipates improvements in internet speed with advancements in technology.
Chairman of the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA), Sajjad Mustafa Syed, has stated that the current internet speed issues are expected to be resolved within a three-month timeframe, amidst concerns that the implementation of a firewall may cause connectivity problems.
He remarked, “If a message is being sent via WhatsApp but images are not transmitting, it may indicate that monitoring is taking place.”
Users in various regions of Pakistan are experiencing intermittent internet outages and reduced speeds, which hinder their ability to browse, download, and share media effectively.
Reports suggest that both Wi-Fi and mobile data services are suffering from significant slowdowns, rendering it extremely difficult for users to send or receive media files, including images, videos, and voice notes on widely used platforms like WhatsApp.
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has announced that individuals without static IP addresses can now register virtual private networks (VPNs) using their mobile numbers.
“This initiative is designed to streamline the VPN registration process to better assist the IT sector,” the PTA stated on Saturday, noting that the regulatory body has registered over 31,000 VPNs.
The PTA has also encouraged users to register VPNs through the authority’s official website.
This announcement follows the PTA’s earlier decision to launch a crackdown on unregistered VPNs due to security concerns raised by the government.
Initially, the PTA had set a deadline of November 30 for VPN registration. However, it later opted not to block VPNs after the deadline, indicating that it would extend the registration period.
The Ministry of Interior had previously declared plans to begin shutting down all unregistered VPNs by mid-November but subsequently provided a two-week “grace period” for compliance with the registration requirements.
VPNs, widely utilized globally to circumvent content restrictions and enhance data security, have seen a significant rise in usage in Pakistan following the ban on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) earlier this year due to “national security” issues.
The process of registering for a VPN requires individuals to fill out an online form and supply essential information, which includes their computerized national identity card (CNIC), company registration information, and taxpayer status.
According to the statement issued by the PTA, freelancers are required to present documentation, such as a letter or email, that confirms their affiliation with a project or company.
Furthermore, applicants must indicate the IP address needed for VPN connectivity. Should a fixed IP address be necessary, it can be obtained from an Internet Service Provider (ISP).
KARACHI: The Wireless and Internet Service Providers Association (WISPA) has requested an extension for the VPN registration deadline, ARY News reported.
According to reports, WISPA in a formal letter addressed the Secretary, Ministry of Interior. The association’s chairman emphasised that freelancers and citizens have proactively started the VPN registration process.
The letter further stated that association members are actively encouraging users to adopt secure methods for VPN usage.
Highlighting the need for public awareness, the association stressed the importance of educating citizens about the registration process.
It suggested that service providers, in collaboration with the IT industry, could simplify VPN registration to make it more user-friendly.
The letter also underscored the need to restore trust among sceptical users and proposed that extending the deadline would assist the government in achieving its objectives effectively.
Back on 19 Nov 2024, PTA announced a ‘simplified’ VPN registration process for freelancers and organisations.
Now, software houses, call centres, banks, embassies, and freelancers can easily register their VPNs via PTA’s officialwebsite.
Members of the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) can also benefit from this facility, according to a press statement issued by the PTA.
To complete the registration, it is essential to fill out an online form that includes the CNIC, company registration details, and taxpayer status. Freelancers must provide proof of their affiliation with a project or company, such as a letter or email.
The approval process for this registration is completed within 8 to 10 hours, and so far, over 20,000 companies and freelancers have successfully registered their VPNs through this system.
Individuals wishing to use VPNs for commercial purposes must provide the required details and relevant proof from their employer.
Earlier on 14 Nov 2024, PTA introduced a new registration portal for Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) aimed at ensuring a ‘secure’ environment for Pakistan’s growing IT and e-commerce sectors.
To VPN registration in Pakistan, the PTA categorised registration process into four distinct groups.
For Companies: Businesses can register their VPN connections to ensure secure internet access.
For Freelancers: Freelancers can register using an authentication letter from their employer.
For Call Centres: Call centres have the option to whitelist IP addresses to improve security and functionality.
For Video Conferencing: Companies can whitelist IP addresses to facilitate seamless communication.
Documentation required for PTA Whitelisting:
For Companies
CNIC of applicant
Letter of Incorporation or proof of Active taxpayer
For freelancers
CNIC of applicant
Letter of Authentication from employer / business concern
For call centres
CNIC of applicant
Letter of Incorporation or proof of Active taxpayer
Call Center registration Certificate from PSEB
Fee in case of five or more IP addresses (including previously whitelisted IP addresses)
For video conferencing
CNIC of applicant letter of Incorporation / letter from Government organisations /companies
Fee in case of five or more IP addresses (including previously whitelisted IP addresses)
How to register online
The applicants may visit the PTA portal to apply for registration or IP whitelisting.
Registration/Whitelisting fee
To register for the VPN, the PTA clarified that there is no fee for VPN registration; however, a fee is required for whitelisting five or more IPs.
The Pakistan government has started blocking unregistered Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) in firewall trial, ARY News reported on Monday, quoting well-placed sources.
As per details, the unregistered VPNs have been blocked temporarily for white-listing. The sources within the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) termed unregistered VPNs a ‘security risk’ for Pakistan, as they can be used to access ‘sensitive information.’
PTA has urged businesses—such as IT companies, software houses, freelancers, and banks—to register their IP addresses to ensure continued VPN access and uninterrupted internet services for authorized users. Those registering must provide information about their intended use and specify their business activities.
It is to be noted that the PTA started registration of VPNs in 2010 and so far around 20,500 VPNs have been registered, the sources said.
VPNs are commonly used worldwide to bypass restricted content. In Pakistan, for example, citizens have utilized VPNs to access the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), which has been banned for several months.
The Pakistan government has stated that it will not lift the restriction on X unless the platform formally registers in the country.
Earlier, in a move to ensure uninterrupted operations of businesses, including software houses, call centers, freelancers, and foreign missions, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) launched a one-window operation to whitelist IP and VPN registration.
ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has imposed a staggering fine of Rs 1.95 billion on Distribution Companies (DISCOs) over the past eight years, from 2017-18 to 2024-25, ARY News reported.
According to NEPRA documents, the fine was levied due to various reasons, including excessive billing, unannounced load shedding, and fatal accidents
The breakdown of fines includes Rs 1.149 billion for distribution companies, Rs 749.5 million for power generation companies, and Rs 56 million for transmission companies.
Some major fines include Rs 50 million imposed on Quetta Electric Supply Company for unannounced load shedding, Rs 44 million on Multan Electric Supply.
Additionally, IESCO was fined Rs 105 million, FESCO Rs 55 million, and HESCO Rs 152 million.
On November 1, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) released the details of complaints registered by the consumers against the power distribution companies during past three months.
According to the official document, NEPRA witnessed a massive surge of consumer complaints against electricity companies in the first three months of the current fiscal year.
A total of 12,938 grievances were registered with NEPRA against the DISCOs over the past three months.
According to the report, the NEPRA received 3,588 complaints against LESCO, followed by FESCO with 2,302 complaints and MEPCO with 2,177.
1,268 complaints were lodged against K-Electric during the past three months, the documents revealed.
ISLAMABAD: The federal government has begun to scrap naib qasid, sanitary, security guards and other jobs on the recommendations of the rightsizing committee, ARY News reported on Monday, citing sources.
Sources privy to the development told ARY News that the government has decided to abolish positions such as naib qasid, security guards, gardeners, sanitary workers, record sorters, carpenters, electricians, and plumbers.
Sources indicate that hiring will be freezed for these positions, and the Federal Establishment Division has issued directives to all federal ministries and divisions of Pakistan.
The decisions follow the instructions of the Federal Cabinet, based on the recommendations of the Right-Sizing Committee.
Ministries and divisions have been prohibited from creating or requesting new posts for aforementioned roles, the sources said and added that cleaning, plumbing, and gardening services in federal institutions will now be outsourced.
Any vacant posts in these categories will be considered “dying posts” and will not be filled, they added.
Earlier in July, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb stressed the importance of rightsizing Pakistan’s fight five ministries, including Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan, SAFRON, Industries and Production, IT and Telecom and Health have been short-listed in this regard.
He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will take the final decision to this effect.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, he said reforms are being done in the FBR and in this regard weekly meetings are held under the chair of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He said that putting less burden on lower income class is the government’s top priority.
ISLAMABAD: The federal government decided to pay a total of Rs 72 billion as a final settlement to five Independent Power Producers (IPPs) as it terminated the agreements with them, ARY News reported citing sources.
Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif announced to terminate the agreements with five IPPS in the first phase on October 10. According to sources, the government will pay Hubco Rs 36.5 billion and Rs 15.5 billion to the Rousch Power.
Similarly, the Lalpir Power will be paid Rs 12.8 billion, Atlas Power Rs 15.5 billion and, Sapphire Power will be paid Rs 6 billion by the federal government.
According to the sources, the settlement does not include late payment charges. The agreements with the five IPPs will be deemed officially terminated with effect from October 1.
The Prime Minister informed the Cabinet that only the outstanding amounts owed to these IPPs will be paid, without any interest.
He said that termination of these contracts will save power consumers about sixty billion rupees and provide a benefit of around four hundred and eleven billion rupees to the national exchequer.
PM Shehbaz Sharif said it was the outcome of the strenuous collective efforts of the entire government team. He also recognized the inputs and support of the allied parties in this regard. He especially mentioned that Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, who took personal interest in the whole matter.
The Prime Minister described the development as a beginning of a journey which he said will be converted into progress and prosperity of the people.
PM Shehbaz Sharif also mentioned the relief provided by both the Federal and Punjab governments to the power consumers during the months of summer.
ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet approved the export of an additional 500,000 metric tons of sugar, with conditions applied to ensure price stability and domestic supply, ARY News reported citing sources.
The federal cabinet gave the approval through a circular. The retail price of sugar is fixed at Rs. 145.15 per kilogram. If prices exceed this benchmark, exports will be cancelled immediately, as per one of the conditions.
The sugar mill owners must begin production by November 21. The Sugar Advisory Board will regularly monitor sugar prices to prevent price hikes.
The cenrtre also directed the provincial governments to monitor sugar prices. It also asked the mills owners to ensure that the price of ex-mil sugar does not exceed Rs 140 per kilogram.
The State Bank of Pakistan will inform the Economic Coordination Committee about the status of sugar exports on a 15-day basis. It may be noted here that a total of 750,000 tons of sugar has been allowed to be exported since June 2024, the sources said.
Earlier, the federal government has given permission to export 250,000 metric tons of sugar the other mont h100,000 metric tons in September 150,000 tons in June, the sources added.
Earlier it was reported that the government of Pakistan has approved the export of 100,000 metric tons of sugar.
Sources privy to the development revealed that the export will be halted immediately if domestic sugar prices exceed the set benchmark, ensuring stability in the local market.
The export quota will be distributed among provinces based on their sugar production, with over 64 percent allocated to Punjab, 6 percent to Sindh, and 30 percent to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
The distribution process will be managed by provincial commissioners, and quotas will be allocated within seven days of notification.
The retail price of sugar for export is fixed at Rs 145.15 per kilogram, and mill owners must keep domestic prices below Rs 140 per kilogram with no subsidies will be provided for the export, and the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) will report on export status every 15 days.
The Pakistan government’s five-year (2024-29) privatisation plan has been revealed, detailing the privatisation of 24 institutions in three phases, ARY News reported, citing an official document.
According to details, the privatization list was prepared by the Ministry of Privatisation following the approval of the federal cabinet.
In the first phase, the plan outlines the privatisation of 10 institutions within one year. According to the plan, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and Roosevelt Hotel in New York, the Agricultural Development Bank, First Women Bank, and House Building Finance Corporation will also undergo privatization in the first phase.
Pakistan Engineering Company, Sindh Engineering Limited, power distribution companies in Islamabad, Faisalabad, and Gujranwala will also privatised in the first phase.
The second phase will cover the privatisation of 13 institutions including Utility Stores Corporation, power distribution companies such as Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO), Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO), Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO), and Sukkur Electric Power Company (SEPCO). Additionally, Peshawar and Hazara Electric Supply Companies will be privatized in three years.
Power generation companies including Jamshoro Power Company, Central Power Generation Company, Northern Power Generation, and Lakhra Power Generation Company are also listed in the second phase. The privatisation of State Life Insurance and Pakistan Reinsurance Company will take place during this period.
The third phase will focus on privatizing one institution.
Earlier, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb reaffirmed the government’s commitment to privatising Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and three power distribution companies (Discos) before the end of 2024.
In a recent interview with a private channel, Aurangzeb said that the incumbent government will complete the privatisation of the national carrier along with three power distribution companies (Discos) before 2024 culminates.
Karachi residents are compelled to buy expensive flour as the price of 20kg bag has hit Rs2,200 in the metropolis, ARY News reported, quoting the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the price of a 20-kilogram flour bag in Karachi has reached as high as Rs2,200, making it the most expensive in the country. In the past two weeks, the price has surged by Rs200 in the city.
In Hyderabad, a 20-kilogram flour bag is priced at Rs2,000, while in Khuzdar, it is being sold for Rs1,950, and in Islamabad, it is available for Rs1,946.
The price of 20 kg flour bag in Rawalpindi stands at Rs1,933, and in Quetta, it has reached Rs1,880.
In Bannu, the 20-kg flour bag is sold for Rs1,850, in Larkana for Rs1,840, and in Peshawar and Sargodha, the price is Rs1,800. In Sialkot, Bahawalpur, and Gujranwala, the price remains around Rs1,800.
Meanwhile, in Sukkur, the price is Rs1,780, and in Multan, it is Rs1,733. Lahore and Faisalabad are seeing slightly lower prices, with a 20-kilogram flour bag costing around Rs1,700.
Earlier, the federal government abolished a 5.5 percent advance income tax after successful talks with the flour mills owners.
The development came after the government formed a committee to negotiate with the flour mills association as they announced and held a strike against the advance income tax imposed in the budget 2024-25.
The negotiations successfully concluded, resulting in the abolition of the tax by the government and consequently the withdrawal of the strike by the mills owners.
