Pakistan blames users for slow internet amid rumours of firewall

The issue of Pakistan's sluggish internet has sparked a lively debate, with various opinions on who or what is responsible.

According to activists, there are concerns that the state is developing an internet firewall similar to China's to tighten its grip on the online realm.

Officials have countered these claims and attributed the sluggish speeds to the prevalent use of secure connections or VPN (virtual private networks).

Disabling internet access to suppress opposition is a well-known tactic employed by authorities in Pakistan and various other regions of Asia.

Following the riots ignited by former prime minister Imran Khan last year, the government has restricted access to social media platforms and slowed down internet speeds. This move comes as the fight for public support has extended beyond the streets and into the digital realm.

Since the February elections, the micro-blogging platform X has been blocked, allegedly due to concerns over "national security."

Mr Khan's party supporters are avid users of X, and he boasts an impressive following of nearly 21 million people on the platform, making him the most popular Pakistani figure.

Minister of State for Information Technology Shaza Fatima issued a statement on Sunday denying any government involvement in the recent slowdown.

According to her, the team has diligently collaborated with internet service providers and telcos to address the problem.

According to Ms Fatima, many people have been relying on VPNs, which has strained the network and resulted in slow internet speeds.

In response to the allegations of the state's involvement in the slow connections, she vehemently denied the reports, stating they were "completely false".

According to Ms Fatima, the government has enhanced its systems and bolstered cyber security.

"Given the cyber security attacks that this country has to go through," she stated, emphasising the government's right to take such measures.

On the other hand, activists claim that the minister is evading criticism in a manner typical of politicians.

According to Shahzad Ahmad, director of local digital watchdog Bytes for All, his organisation possesses sufficient technological evidence to support the presence of a firewall.

"It seems its purpose is to monitor online traffic... and limit dissemination [of information] in online spaces, particularly curbing political expression," Mr Ahmad said.

"Even if civil liberties don't matter, this is now about people's livelihood and the economy as well," said Farieha Aziz, co-founder of Bolo Bhi. This local non-profit advocates for free speech online.

Business leaders and associations have warned that the slow connections could endanger Pakistan's business potential.

"The imposition of the firewall has triggered a perfect storm of challenges, with prolonged internet disconnections and erratic VPN performance threatening a complete meltdown of business operations," said the Pakistan Software Houses Association.

The association said this could cost the IT sector up to $300 million and called it a "direct, tangible and aggressive assault on the industry's viability"."

"A mass exodus of IT companies is not just a possibility but an imminent reality if immediate and decisive action is not taken," it said.