Minister of State for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja blames VPNs and denies the government slowing the internet in the country, an issue widely reported nationwide.
She denied that the government did not slow down the internet speed or disrupt the internet connectivity anywhere in the country. Khwaja said that misinformation was the government trying to ‘throttle’ the internet.
The Minister of State asserted that the use of Virtual Private Network (VPN) has slowed down the users’ phones.
“I can swear that the government of Pakistan did not block the internet or slow it down,” said Khawaja while addressing a press conference in Islamabad today, acknowledging the public’s outrage over the intermittent internet issues. She said that the government engaged with experts to sort out the issue.
Some applications were not downloading hence users used VPNs to use them “Turning VPN on slows down the phone,” said Fatima Shaza Khawaja.
Netizens seems to not be convinced with her statements as reactions ranging from strong criticism to hilarious comments spurred on X( formerly known as Twitter). Several users denied such statement and argued that why netizens are forced to use VPNs.
Last week, she defended the decision of the government to install firewalls. In her statement, she said that an internet firewall is a cybersecurity measure that every country in the world takes.
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“Look at the cybersecurity attacks being carried out on the country and the world as well. With the evolution of cybersecurity threats, states need to have a better capability to ensure that the threats are [well] responded to,” she said on Thursday. She said that she is in contact with the IT authorities regarding the internet issue. “There will be a meeting on the issue of the Internet next week as well,” said Khawaja.
She said that the government is set to introduce 5G spectrum in the country in 2025. “5G will provide the fastest internet,” she said. “IT parks are being built with the help of South Korea,” said Khawaja.
“IT sector is among the priorities of the Prime Minister and Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC),” she said, adding that a digitization commission is being established and will be headed by the premier himself.