By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: The internet services have slowed sharply, with speeds dropping by 30-40 percent, as the government’s heightened monitoring efforts take their toll on the country’s digital economy.
The Wireless and Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan (WISPAP) blamed the slowdown on the government’s enhanced security and surveillance measures, saying they had crippled online businesses and individuals reliant on fast and reliable connectivity.
“Over the past few weeks, internet speeds have plummeted by 30 to 40 percent, creating a chaotic situation for businesses and individuals who rely heavily on fast, reliable connectivity,” WISPAP said in a statement.
The impact has been devastating for call centers, e-commerce professionals, and the online working class, WISPAP Chairman Shahzad Arshad said, adding that many customers were leaving smaller internet service providers due to poor service quality.
“These sectors, which form the backbone of Pakistan’s burgeoning digital economy, are now struggling to maintain operations, and the slowdown is threatening their very survival.”
Arshad said the “situation is very discouraging for our customers”. “Many are leaving the smaller ISPs because they cannot sustain the poor service quality anymore. If this continues, we will see a mass exodus of businesses from Pakistan.”
The government’s blockage of social media platform X (formerly Twitter) in February, citing national security concerns, remains in place, with users forced to use virtual private networks (VPNs) to access the site. WhatsApp users have also reported long delays and failures when uploading and downloading content.
Industry officials warned that the slowdown was tarnishing Pakistan’s reputation as a hub for digital entrepreneurship and jeopardizing economic stability. “Businesses are planning to shift operations abroad due to unreliable internet,” Dawn newspaper reported a leading e-commerce entrepreneur in Karachi, as saying. “Without fast and secure internet, we can’t compete globally.”
The official said panic is growing among business community as the government’s internet restrictions show no signs of easing, leaving the country’s digital landscape hanging in the balance.
“The future of Pakistan’s digital economy is uncertain, with businesses and consumers bearing the brunt of the slowdown,” the official added. “The government’s commitment to security is understandable, but at what cost to the economy?”
Copyright © 2021 Independent Pakistan | All rights reserved
