The Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication has summoned officials from the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), and National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) to provide a comprehensive report on the status of call centers and software houses operating throughout the country. The session, scheduled for July 31, 2025, will examine several critical issues affecting public digital security and technological advancement.
Committee members are expected to assess the current registration status, revenue generation, and operational footprint of both call centers and software development entities. Monitoring mechanisms currently in place for overseeing these operations will also be reviewed. The committee aims to determine whether the regulatory infrastructure is effectively tracking these businesses and if they are operating within legal and ethical frameworks.
Of particular concern are rising cases of cyber fraud, including scams initiated through unauthorized overseas calls and digital deception targeting Pakistani citizens. The committee has asked NCCIA and PTA to provide clear details of enforcement actions taken against fraudulent call centers and individuals involved in digital crimes. The objective is to evaluate what preventive measures are in place to reduce these risks and how national agencies are collaborating to strengthen user protection. The inquiry comes amid increasing reports of financial and identity fraud facilitated by inadequately monitored communication platforms.
The Chairman of PTA is expected to deliver a briefing on the latest Quality of Services (QoS) survey conducted across all cellular mobile network operators. The report will evaluate operator performance based on key service metrics such as voice clarity and data latency. The committee is particularly focused on assessing whether mobile operators are fulfilling their license obligations and how issues raised by consumers, such as poor service quality, are being addressed.
In addition to cybercrime and telecom oversight, the Senate committee will receive an update from the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication on the National Artificial Intelligence Development Project. Discussions will include the financing criteria for AI initiatives, the structure and role of the National AI Fund, and the development of centers of excellence aimed at advancing AI adoption in Pakistan. A detailed mapping of the country’s current AI infrastructure is also part of the agenda, designed to inform decision-making around investment and policy direction.
Another major point on the committee’s agenda is the progress report on Pakistan’s first indigenous Large Language Model (LLM). This project, which seeks to embed AI tools into government processes, will be assessed for its implementation plan, potential integration into public departments, and its ability to contribute to national digital transformation. The committee is expected to discuss how the LLM could support automation, data processing, and enhanced service delivery across ministries.
With these multiple focus areas, the committee aims to gain clarity on both the challenges and ongoing initiatives shaping Pakistan’s digital and AI landscape, while ensuring that citizens are protected from growing digital threats.
