By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Amnesty International has expressed alarm over ongoing internet disruptions in Pakistan, citing a lack of transparency surrounding their cause and the potential for human rights violations.
“The opacity of the Pakistani authorities regarding the use of monitoring and surveillance technologies is an alarming concern,” said Jurre Van Bergen, Technologist at Amnesty International. “These tools undermine online freedom of expression and access to information, and have proven to be incompatible with human rights.”
The statement comes as a petition has been filed in the Islamabad High Court against nationwide internet shutdowns, prompting the Chief Justice to seek responses from the government and the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) by August 26.
Internet speeds across Pakistan have experienced a 40 percent drop in the last two weeks, with authorities continuing to evade transparency regarding the acquisition of surveillance technologies and the cause of the slow speeds.
The situation has been further complicated by the six-month ban on the platform X, formerly known as Twitter, in Pakistan.
Amnesty International has urged the Pakistani authorities to be transparent about the cause of the internet disruptions and ensure that any measures taken do not violate international human rights law.
“The internet is critical for the enjoyment of the public’s right to be informed, citizen’s self-expression, e-commerce, and the digital economy,” Van Bergen said. “Internet disruptions also create anxiety among Pakistani communities outside the country who are unable to connect and communicate with their loved ones.”
The Islamabad High Court hearing is set to take place on August 26, with the government and PTA expected to provide clarity on the situation.
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