Millions of users are affected due to this problem, business operations are disrupted. Many across the country are complaining that internet speeds have slowed down due to the installation of a national firewall. However, the authorities denied the allegations.
Since last February in Pakistan, users have either not been able to use social media at all, or have been able to use it to a limited extent. Such a situation has been going on since the official crackdown on the parliamentary elections in Pakistan on February 8. But internet speed is now significantly slow.
Users can't quickly send e-mail or WhatsApp messages. Businessmen and doctors say it is disrupting their daily work. They are especially having trouble getting statements and medical reports.
In a statement this week, the Pakistan Software House Association, a body representing information technology firms, said internet disruptions could cost the fragile economy $300 million. The association also complained that the government's hasty implementation of a national firewall has slowed down internet speeds.
Shahzad Arshad, an internet service provider in the eastern part of Lahore, said, "Businesses are suffering because they cannot communicate with foreign customers and have problems in exchanging necessary information."
Chaudhary Arif runs a software company in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. He said, 'Internet speed is 40 to 80 percent slower than last week. There is no sign of improvement in this situation.'
Last Sunday, Pakistan's Information and Technology Minister Shiza Fatima said that the government has no role behind the slow internet. No new restrictions have been imposed. In some cases, phones are becoming slower to connect to cyberspace due to the use of virtual private networks (VPNs), he said. But some have rejected Fatima's interpretation.
Software engineer Umayer Hasan said that the authorities should make it clear whether the connection will be unstable or not based on the security system. 'Some things need to be clarified from the government side...some rational explanation should be given without justifying the use of VPN.' Said, Umair.
Pakistan's Information and Technology Minister Shiza Fatima said authorities are working tirelessly to identify the root cause of the problem. He also mentioned that the government is updating the cyber system to increase cyber security.
Digital rights activist Fariha Aziz has demanded an explanation from the government about slow internet speeds.
'Government said, they have no hand behind internet slow down. So who did it?' Fariha Aziz asked.
========================================================================================================================
Advertisement
COMFEE' Rice Cooker, Japanese
Pakistan has 110 million internet users, which is almost half of the country's population.
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has been using social media extensively to campaign against the country's current Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif's government. In 2022, Shahbaz Sharif succeeded Imran Khan after a no-confidence vote in Parliament. Imran Khan is in jail in various cases. Since Imran's ouster, the country has been in turmoil.
.webp)
0 Comments