The federal government’s intensified efforts to monitor internet traffic have led to a significant slowdown in internet services nationwide.
The decision, aimed at bolstering security and surveillance, has had an unintended consequence: crippling the country’s digital economy.
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.
The impact has been particularly devastating for call centers, e-commerce professionals, the online working class, and those who manage electronic-related businesses. 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.
The situation has become so dire that many businesses are considering relocating their operations to other countries where internet services remain stable. “It’s a very discouraging situation for our customers,” said Shahzad Arshad, Chairman of the Wireless & Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan (WISPAP.org). “Many are leaving the smaller ISPs because they can’t sustain the poor service quality anymore. If this continues, we will see a mass exodus of businesses from Pakistan.”
Arshad’s concerns are echoed by numerous industry leaders who warn that the current situation is not only damaging to Pakistan’s image as a hub for digital entrepreneurship but also to its economic stability. The inability to use Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) due to increased surveillance is exacerbating the problem, particularly for international businesses and freelancers who rely on secure, uninterrupted internet access.
“We are seeing businesses planning to shift their operations abroad because the internet is simply no longer reliable,” said a leading e-commerce entrepreneur based in Karachi. “Without fast and secure internet, we cannot compete on a global scale, and this is pushing us towards the brink.”
The panic within the business community is growing as the government’s measures show no sign of abating. As the country navigates through these challenging times, the future of Pakistan’s digital landscape hangs in the balance, with businesses and consumers alike bearing the brunt of the slowdown.
While the government remains steadfast in its commitment to enhancing security, the question remains: at what cost to the nation’s digital economy? As businesses continue to suffer, there is an urgent need for a solution that balances security concerns with the need for robust and reliable internet access.
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The title should read “Here’s How Slower Internet Than Usual These Days Affecting Businesses”
Pakistan is slowly becoming an open-air prison, the second open-air prison after Gaza. where the prison was built by its people not the occupied entity.
The next phase is ‘khalai makhlooq’ will ask for bhata via PTA. The “whitelisted” VPNs are not we usually use or heard of they are open source & later closed source by them. They are unable to finalize price as of now. If freelancer can afford move to UAE. IP telephony will be blocked soon.
This is not a good news. Govt should consider consulting all the stakeholders before imposing any policy.
ترقئ معکوس کے لۓ کوشاں۔۔۔۔ بظاھر تو یہ اقدامات اسی طرف اشارہ کرتے ھیں
Masha ALLAH se dunia chand pe ja rahi hai aur hum Pakistani stone age me wapus ja rahay hain. Ye sab aise kaam he q krte hain internet etc pe itni strictness aur nazar rakhni paray. Aur kisi country me aisa q nahi hai?
I wish i born again in Canada 🇨🇦 😪 this country is giving nothing and have eyes upon everything thy can loot,May Allah have mercy upon us !
Canadians hate Canada . They say the same thing u said
Escape this sh*thole of a country while you can!
Escape this banana republic while you can!
That won’t help
Yeah we know that . Censorship and thought control usually does that
Too bad now you won’t be able to get out of imf loans anymore lol
And they think they can take on israel 😆 🤣 😂 😹
Seeing a lot of parallels with “Democratic” People’s Republic of Korea
U mean india
there are some expensive alternatives to pakistani ISPs, those nomad sim based international wifi which works perfect around the world
The world is moving from 5G to 7G, and here we are using data with a VPN.
By the way, when can the internet be fixed?
Seems like we are in a transition to become North Korea
What government? It’s the military establishment forcing this on the country destroying the digital economy and putting livelihood at risk.
The various establishments (bureaucracy, military, judiciary) are the biggest threats to Pakistan and its ordinary bloody civilians.
Almost every country applies specific security controls and checks on the websites and keywords considered ‘not permitted’ as per their policy, so the use of such technology is neither new nor deniable. The current state of affairs in our beleaguered country is bad-governance and corruption !! People who get themselves shoved upon us (through whatever nepotism or criminal ways) as managers of the state, tend to crowd touts around themselves, with no expertise, will or incentive to ‘create good’ for the nation !
I have lost $5000 worth project from my client due to worst network condition 😞
please show proof so i can post it on fb public page.
Incompetent governments like ours has no solution of any problem . Always use one option either shut down or slow down. That’s it.
This is done by the federal government, it has beenn done by the people who’ve hijacked Pakistan,secondly right of expression and civil liberties are far more important issues than just digital economy! !
At what cost?
Government i.e. Establishment ideology is that: ” nation start begging in streets but Security of Establishment should not be compromised”
This is Pakistan’s Establishment Ideology
Har shaakh pay ullu baitha hai … Anjaam e gulistaan Kya ho ga?
Shameless people in pakistan government these days….
If you want to grow you need to look for solution rather then keep your self stuck in the problem. Alot of countries now a days issuing freelance visas. UAE is a win win situation because of no tax. Work hard Make money enjoy life. I personally just sick of people keep complaining and discussing this country issues.