What's happened
Pakistan is experiencing significant internet slowdowns, affecting nearly half of its 241 million population. The government attributes the issue to a faulty undersea cable, while many suspect it is linked to the testing of a national firewall. The disruptions have severely impacted businesses and daily communications across the country as of August 21, 2024.
What's behind the headline?
Impact on Businesses
- Economic Losses: IT companies estimate losses could reach $300 million due to disrupted services.
- Freelancers Affected: Many freelancers report significant income losses, with some losing over half their monthly earnings.
Public Response
- Widespread Complaints: Users have flooded social media with complaints about slow speeds and connectivity issues.
- Distrust in Government: Many citizens suspect the government is using the slowdown to suppress dissent, particularly against the backdrop of political unrest.
Future Implications
- Potential for Increased Censorship: If the firewall is fully implemented, it could lead to greater restrictions on online speech and access to information.
- Long-term Economic Effects: Continued disruptions may deter foreign investment and harm Pakistan's growing tech sector.
What the papers say
According to The Independent, Hafeezur Rehman, chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, stated that the slowdown is due to a faulty undersea cable, with repairs expected by August 27. However, The Guardian highlights that many in the IT sector believe the government's testing of a national firewall is the real cause, with Shaza Fatima Khawaja, the IT minister, denying these claims and attributing the slowdown to increased VPN usage. The New York Times reports that freelancers are particularly hard-hit, with some losing significant income due to connectivity issues. Activists, as noted by the South China Morning Post, argue that the government is using the slowdown to control dissent, raising concerns about freedom of speech in Pakistan.
How we got here
The slowdown began in July 2024, coinciding with government efforts to implement a national firewall. This has raised concerns about censorship and surveillance, particularly following a crackdown on social media access since February 2024. The government has denied that the firewall is responsible for the internet issues.
Go deeper
- What are the government's plans to fix the internet issues?
- How are businesses adapting to the slow internet speeds?
- What are the implications of the national firewall?
More on these topics
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Pakistan, officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country in South Asia. It is the world's fifth-most populous country with a population exceeding 212.2 million. It is the 33rd-largest country by area, spanning 881,913 square kilometres.