Senate panel seeks audit over Pak Datacom’s transfer of govt data to UAE-based satellite firm

Profit by Pakistan Today reported that a Senate committee on information technology and telecommunication has questioned Pak Datacom's move of government information to YaSat, a satellite company based in the UAE. The panel raised national security concerns and wants the National Telecom and Information Security Board to audit the arrangement. Members also said clients should be told when foreign satellite infrastructure is used.

On Monday, lawmakers wanted to know whether safeguards and approvals were secured before the information was shifted onto overseas satellite infrastructure. Pak Datacom's general manager told the committee that all concerned government entities had granted permission, while officials said shortfalls in Pakistan's national spectrum capacity drove the move. Despite that explanation, the panel asked for an impartial review of whether security, regulatory and procedural obligations were satisfied.

The former chief executive of Pak Datacom cautioned that moving state data through a foreign satellite could expose security weaknesses. Separately, the committee sought details of roughly $800 million that Etisalat reportedly owes in connection with the PTCL privatisation, but the ministry said a non-disclosure agreement limits what can be shared. The chairperson asked the ministry to set up a way to share the information while respecting confidentiality terms. The panel also discussed staff terminated by Pak Datacom, a case before the National Industrial Relations Commission, and the chairperson urged a considerate stance until a final decision.