Over the past few weeks, Pakistan has seen its internet environment churned upside down, with users across the country grappling with significantly slower speeds. The cutbacks have introduced drama and criticism, with activists and users debating the government’s role—or lack thereof—in the declining performance.
For months, voices for change have echoed through Pakistan’s sprawling social media, lamenting the feeling of slow connections as if they were deliberately orchestrated by authorities. Some claim it mirrors the strategies of countries like China, where internet control is tightened.
Activists argue there’s budding evidence of the government “building” its own version of the Great Firewall—a claim officials refute vehemently. Instead, the government blames the heavy usage of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), stating they have contributed to network congestion, slowing down connections even more.
Pakistan's Minister for Information Technology, Shiza Fatima, spoke out, saying her ministry was not behind the recent slowdown. She elaborated, stating, "A large population had been using VPNs and this strained the network, causing the internet to go slow."
Many believe she was sidestepping bigger issues, including widespread government intervention to curb dissent. Notably, X, previously known as Twitter, has been blocked since the February elections due to national security concerns after the unrest sparked by former Prime Minister Imran Khan's political turmoil.
Last year, protests erupted when Khan’s supporters, fueled by social media, animatedly defended him against his ousting. The narrative has since shifted online, as the government clamps down on dissenting voices by throttling and limiting internet services.
But the story doesn’t end with slow internet speeds; business sectors are raising alarms about potential damages to Pakistan's economy. The Pakistan Software Houses Association has warned slowitudes could lead to losses upwards of $300 million, cautioning about what it labeled as “a direct, tangible, and aggressive assault on the industry’s viability.”
Shahzad Arshad, who runs an internet service provider, affirmed business frustrations, stating they faced difficulty connecting with clients abroad. He outlined the real-world repercussions, detailing how doctors and other professionals struggle with communication during this online cooldown.
Adding to public dissatisfaction, many tech experts are skeptical of the minister’s claims, seeking clarity on the chaos. Software engineer Umayr Hassan articulated his frustrations, urging for officials to deliver transparent explanations rather than blaming internet conditions on VPN use.
Digital rights advocate Fareeha Aziz took it upon herself to press for answers, questioning, "If the government is saying it is not behind the slow connection, then who did it?"
Currently, Pakistan houses around 110 million internet users—almost half its population—who are now on the frontline of this digital ‘war.’ Political activists, especially those aligned with Khan, have increased their protests through social media, making it clear how entangled politics and access to information can be.
To ameliorate concerns, Minister Fatima stated the government was diligently working on improving internet services and upgrading systems to bolster cybersecurity. Her words linger inconclusively over the relationships between internet performance, politics, and human rights.
Critics express doubts over the ministry's justifications, hinting at more concerning intentions behind why these connections are throttled. Shahzad Ahmad, director of Bytes for All, pointed out what he deemed evidence of state crafting, bringing to light efforts utilizing monitoring tools to keep the public voices subdued.
According to Mr. Ahmad, it seems authorities are building systems to control information flow, which ideally supports the perception of public safety but risks curbing political expression. The trade-off is increasingly becoming evident, where civil rights are at stake against the backdrop of economic emergency.
Bolo Bhi co-founder Farieha Aziz emphasized, "Even if civil liberties don’t matter, this is now about people's livelihood and the economy as well," amplifying the stakes tied to these slower internet speeds.
With the IT sector warning of potential mass exoduses, the urgency only grows. Activists have resorted to filing petitions with the Islamabad High Court, arguing for the recognition of internet access as fundamental under the constitution, highlighting the interconnectedness of rights, economy, and the digital space.
The tumult continues as the government grapples with how to resolve internet access issues, leading to rising discontent among citizens and professionals alike. Amid these discussions, public sentiment remains heavily skeptical, challenging the government's narrative about VPNs.
While businesses linger on the edge of achieving stability, the solution seems to escape the Pakistani authorities, plunging the country’s digital future back under scrutiny.
The outcome hinges not just on quick fixes but on how government agencies manage the narrative and interactions between infrastructure, civil rights, and economic growth. The conversation around Pakistan’s internet situation isn’t likely fading anytime soon—considering the stakes, both digital and real.
