Over the past few weeks, internet users across Pakistan have experienced significant slowdowns, with difficulties in accessing social media, sending or receiving media files, and overall reduced browsing speeds. The disruptions have sparked widespread criticism from the public, lawmakers, and business communities, leading to growing speculation about the possible causes of the issue.
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Critics, including the Wireless and Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan (WISPAP) and the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA), have expressed concerns about the impact on the country’s digital economy. P@SHA estimates a loss of $300 million due to the disruptions, citing the struggles of freelancers, IT professionals, and other businesses reliant on stable internet connectivity.
PTA Clarifies the Situation
In response to the backlash, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) issued a statement attributing the disruptions to a fault in one of the seven submarine cables connected to Pakistan. PTA Chairman Major General (retd) Hafiz Rahman briefed the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information Technology, explaining that the damage to the cable, which carries 7.5 terabits of data, is the primary reason behind the slowdown. He assured the committee that repairs are expected to be completed by August 27, 2024.
Addressing concerns about the government’s involvement, the PTA chairman emphasized that no firewalls were being installed, contrary to public speculation. He clarified that the ongoing issue was purely technical and specific to the country’s cable infrastructure.
Debate Over Firewall Installation
Despite the PTA’s assurances, rumors about the government’s deployment of internet firewalls have persisted. These rumors stem from reports that the government is upgrading its web management system, a move that some believe could be related to monitoring and filtering internet traffic.
During the Standing Committee meeting, Syed Aminul Haque, the committee’s chair, questioned the PTA chairman about the possibility of firewall installations contributing to the slowdowns. The PTA chairman reiterated that the disruptions were due to the submarine cable fault and not any new firewall system. He described the government’s web management system as a tool to enhance cybersecurity, not a means to throttle internet speeds.
However, Minister of State for IT, Shaza Fatima, added another layer to the discussion by attributing some of the internet slowdowns to the increased use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). According to Fatima, as certain services became restricted, more users turned to VPNs, which in turn strained the network and contributed to the slowdowns.
Economic Impact and Future Steps
The internet disruptions have had a pronounced impact on Pakistan’s digital economy, with businesses struggling to maintain operations and freelancers facing severe setbacks. WISPAP and P@SHA have both voiced their concerns, urging the government to address the technical issues promptly.
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In response to these challenges, the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on IT has requested a detailed report on the economic repercussions of the internet disruptions. The committee has also urged the government to accelerate its efforts to introduce 5G services in Pakistan, setting a target for March 2025 to meet public expectations.