By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: The telecom regulator on Wednesday blamed a faulty submarine cable for the country’s nationwide internet slowdown, dismissing allegations that the installation of a government firewall to monitor internet traffic was behind the slowdown.
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Hafeezur Rehman told a parliamentary committee that the cable fault would be repaired by August 28, causing the slowdown.
However, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, junior telecom minister, over the weekend blamed virtual private networks (VPNs) for internet disruptions in the country.
“The internet slowdown in the country is due to a faulty submarine cable, which is expected to be repaired by August 28,” Rehman told the meeting of lawmakers in Islamabad.
He denied allegations of installing firewalls to monitor internet traffic, saying the government was upgrading its web management system to address cybersecurity threats.
“In my opinion, the internet should not slow down due to an upgrade,” Rehman said.
Lawmakers grilled the PTA chief, expressing frustration over ongoing internet issues. “You have been asked a direct question,” Senator Sharmila Farooqi of the Pakistan Peoples Party said. “Has a firewall been installed or not?”
Rehman responded, “The PTA has no role in the internet slowdown and attributes it to technical issues. Every country, including Afghanistan, has its own system.”
Internet users have reported significantly slower connectivity over the past few weeks, with speeds dropping to less than half of usual levels at times, affecting millions and disrupting businesses nationwide.
The slowdown follows a government crackdown on social media platforms in February ahead of the February 8 parliamentary election, which restricted access for many users.
The microblogging platform X has been blocked since the February polls due to “national security” concerns. However, the recent deterioration in internet speed has raised fresh concerns.
The Pakistan Software House Association, which represents the country’s information technology sector, warned last week that the disruptions could result in losses of up to $300 million to the country’s already fragile economy. The association blamed the government’s “hasty implementation of a national firewall” for the slow internet speeds.
Pakistan has 110 million internet users, nearly half the country’s population.
MQM’s Senator Mustafa Kamal told the meeting that foreign companies had been instructed not to conduct business in Pakistan due to internet issues. “From your briefing, it seems like there is no issue in Pakistan,” he said. “So, is it really the case that all is well in the country despite all the hue and cry?”
Copyright © 2021 Independent Pakistan | All rights reserved
