Senate panel concerned at transfer of govt data

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication on Monday raised concerns over Pak Datacom’s transfer of government data to a UAE-based satellite company and sought details of around USD 800 million owed by Etisalat over PTCL’s privatisation.

The issue came up during the committee meeting, where members questioned whether the requisite permissions had been obtained before government data was shifted to the foreign satellite company.

The committee also discussed the outstanding amount of approximately USD 800 million reportedly owed by Etisalat in connection with the privatisation of PTCL.

The Secretary, Ministry of IT and Telecommuni-cation, informed the committee that a non-disclosure agreement restricted the sharing of certain details. The chairperson directed the ministry to work out a mechanism to provide the committee with the required information while ensuring that the confidentiality provisions of the agreement with the UAE side were fully protected.

The committee was also briefed on the reported shift of Pak Datacom’s satellite services to a foreign satellite, which raised concerns regarding national security.

The chairperson questioned the rationale behind the shift. The committee was informed that limitations in national spectrum capacity were the primary reason for the move. Officials further explained that YaSat is a UAE-based satellite company with majority government shareholding in the UAE.

The committee stressed the importance of safeguarding national security and directed that clients be appropriately informed about the use of foreign satellite infrastructure. The chairperson also recommended that the matter be audited through the relevant forum, including NITSB.

The General Manager of Pak Datacom informed the committee that the data had been shifted only after obtaining permission from all concerned government entities.

However, the committee chairman expressed concern that transferring sensitive government data to a foreign-based satellite company could pose serious security risks.

“Doesn’t shifting the data create security issues,” Senator Saadia Abbasi questioned during the meeting.

The committee was also briefed by the former CEO of Pak Datacom, who cautioned that shifting government data to a foreign satellite company based in the UAE could create security vulnerabilities.

He urged the relevant security agencies to take up the matter and examine the implications of transferring government data outside Pakistan. The committee members also discussed the need for an independent audit of the data-shifting arrangement to determine whether all security, regulatory and procedural requirements had been fulfilled.

The chairman recommended that the National Telecom and Information Security Board (NTISB) conduct an audit of the shifting of government entities’ data to the foreign satellite company.

The committee stressed that the security of government data could not be compromised and called for a detailed assessment of the arrangement, particularly in view of the involvement of a foreign-based entity.

The committee also deliberated on the cases of employees whose services were terminated by Pak Datacom and urged the authorities to examine the matter on humanitarian grounds. Officials informed the committee that the matter was sub judice and would be decided by the relevant NIRC bench. The chairperson suggested that a favourable approach be considered, within the legal framework, until final adjudication of the cases.—TAHIR AMIN