Pakistani IT bodies are urging the government to address slow Internet speeds and the ongoing economic losses attributed to Internet outages, which amounted to $1.62 billion in 2024. With overwhelming evidence of disruptions affecting millions, experts emphasize the need for immediate actions, such as expediting the 5G rollout and developing friendly policies for VPN use. The situation presents significant challenges for the country’s IT sector and its growing freelance community.
In Islamabad, IT associations and experts in Pakistan have urgently appealed to the government to rectify the pressing issue of slow Internet speeds. They advocate for the swift implementation of the 5G spectrum rollout and other relevant measures, particularly due to alarming findings that indicate Pakistan faced significant economic repercussions from Internet interruptions, totaling $1.62 billion in financial losses in 2024 alone, according to Top10VPN.com. This figure positions Pakistan at the forefront of global Internet disruption losses, even surpassing conflict-ridden countries like Sudan and Myanmar.
The report highlights that during the previous year, Pakistan endured a staggering 9,735 hours of Internet disruptions, impacting over 82.9 million users. The primary causes of these disruptions have been attributed to governmental actions related to elections and protests. P@SHA, the leading IT sector representative, has cautioned that persistent Internet slowdowns and proposed bans on Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) could exacerbate financial losses for the industry by upwards of $150 million annually.
“Pakistan suffers a loss of more than one million dollars per hour on account of Internet shutdown in the country,” remarked Sajjad Mustafa Syed, Chairman of P@SHA. He emphasized the urgent necessity for policy reform and infrastructure improvement to guarantee a stable and fast Internet environment.
Pakistan’s growing IT sector achieved exports totaling $3.2 billion in the last fiscal year, and the government aims for $15 billion in exports this coming year. However, the success of these targets hinges on stable market access, robust infrastructure, and favorable regulatory policies. Recent statistics reveal a 40 percent decline in Internet speeds over a few months, primarily due to the government’s increasing firewall measures, purportedly to block harmful content and maintain state security.
Moreover, the government’s stance to restrict VPN usage has caused concerns among frequent Internet users, particularly the over 2.37 million freelancers impacted by these shutdowns. Tufail Ahmed Khan, President of the Pakistan Freelancers Association, commented, “Despite challenges such as Internet shutdowns and connectivity issues, Pakistan’s IT exports showed an upward trend last year, although growth could have been even stronger without these obstacles.”
Calls for government action include developing supportive Internet policies, integrating freelancers into the banking ecosystem, and boosting broadband coverage through national initiatives. Former P@SHA Chairman, Zohaib Khan, expressed that ongoing Internet disruptions tarnish Pakistan’s international reputation, implicating the overall IT industry adversely. He advised freelancers to seek co-working spaces during such disruptions to mitigate losses.
In response to recent criticisms, the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) has taken measures to enhance connectivity, including temporary bandwidth solutions to counteract failures in international undersea cables. Furthermore, announcements regarding future collaboration with the 2Africa submarine cable project and Starlink satellite services have been proposed to ensure improved Internet quality and reliability.
It is implied that swift governmental prioritization of these pressing Internet-related issues could rehabilitate the nation’s IT sector and bolster economic growth.
In 2024, Pakistan faced unprecedented economic losses stemming from Internet outages, highlighting critical gaps in essential communication infrastructure. Reports indicate that the prolonged disruptions have hindered the performance of the IT sector, significantly affecting individuals, particularly freelancers, who rely heavily on stable Internet connections for their livelihoods. As these IT professionals represent a considerable part of the country’s economy, the implications of Internet slowdowns extend beyond individual inconveniences to deeper economic concerns, posing challenges to revenue generation and employment. Additionally, the upcoming rollout of 5G technology is seen as a crucial step toward alleviating these issues but is hindered by ongoing administrative delays and infrastructural shortcomings.
The statements made by IT professionals and associations reflect an urgent need for the Pakistani government to prioritize improvements in Internet speed and stability to safeguard economic interests and enhance the country’s IT export potential. The unrest over Internet access and reliability indicates a broader impact on Pakistan’s image in the global marketplace, necessitating immediate and effective policy actions to rectify existing challenges. The proposed governmental initiatives, including the introduction of 5G technology and collaboration with emerging satellite Internet services, present avenues to alleviate current deficits and promote economic growth in the digital realm.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
