Lahore, Pakistan — Pakistan has reported significant slowdowns in internet speeds in recent days, with some experts estimating on Monday that speeds were nearly half of normal, affecting millions of users, disrupting businesses and drawing nationwide criticism even as authorities denied any involvement.
Netzine has had no or limited access to social media since February following a government crackdown ahead of parliamentary elections on February 8. But internet speeds are now significantly slower. Users cannot quickly send emails or use messaging service WhatsApp, and businessmen and doctors say their daily work has been adversely affected, particularly receiving statements and medical certificates.
The Pakistan Software Houses Association, which represents information technology companies, said in a statement this week that the outage could cost the country’s already fragile economy $300 million. It also blamed the government’s “hasty implementation of the national firewall” for the slowdown.
Shazad Arshad, an internet service provider in Lahore, capital of the eastern Punjab province, said his business relies on high-speed internet and “now I can’t contact my clients overseas or send or receive files, which is disrupting my work.”
Chaudhry Arif, a digital professional who runs a software company in the capital, Islamabad, said internet speeds had fallen 40 percent compared to last week, sometimes by 60-80 percent, and the situation showed no signs of improving.
Pakistan’s Information Technology Minister Shiza Fatima said Sunday that the government is not to blame for slow internet speeds and has not imposed any restrictions. She blamed the slow time it takes for mobile phones to connect to cyberspace on the use of VPNs. Others have rejected Fatima’s explanation.
Umair Hassan, a software engineer, said authorities should clarify whether security measures leave connections unstable. “The government should clearly articulate the rationale behind using VPNs, not the reasons for it.”
While acknowledging that the government was upgrading systems to improve cybersecurity, the minister said authorities were “working tirelessly” to get to the root cause of the problem.
Digital rights activist Fareeha Aziz has called for the government to explain what is causing the slowdown in connections: “The government says they are not responsible for the slow internet speeds. So who is responsible?” she asked.
Pakistan has 110 million Internet users, almost half of the country’s population. Supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan have been actively campaigning on social networks against the government of Shehbaz Sharif, who replaced him after a parliamentary vote of no confidence in 2022. Khan faces numerous legal charges and is in prison, and the country has been in turmoil ever since.
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Associated Press writer Asim Tanveer contributed to this report from Multan, Pakistan.
