The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has announced that the ongoing internet disruptions across the country are expected to persist until early October. The PTA’s statement on Wednesday revealed that issues with submarine cables have significantly impacted internet services, leading to widespread criticism from netizens and the IT sector.
According to the PTA, the disruption has primarily been caused by faults in two of the seven international submarine cables that connect Pakistan globally. Specifically, the PTA noted that the fault in the SMW-4 submarine cable is anticipated to be repaired by early October 2024. On a positive note, the AAE-1 submarine cable, which had also been experiencing issues, has been repaired, which may improve internet connectivity for users.
The ongoing disruptions have led to considerable frustration among users and IT professionals, who have faced slow internet speeds and limited connectivity. This dissatisfaction has been compounded by suspicions that the government might be testing a new internet firewall designed to control and filter social media content, potentially exacerbating the problem.
PTA Chairman Maj Gen (retd) Hafeezur Rehman previously confirmed that upgrades to the National Firewall System (NFS) or Web Management System (WMS) were underway. This upgrade aims to enhance the government’s ability to control or remove content from social media platforms, including banning certain services like X (formerly Twitter) for non-compliance with directives from the interior ministry.
The NFS upgradation was initially approved in March 2019, during the tenure of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government. The PTA has emphasized that its role under the Web Management System is to comply with directives from the executive or courts, including the removal of content deemed inappropriate, such as pornography or blasphemy.
However, the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information Technology has rejected the notion of slowing down the internet or banning social media platforms. The committee has instructed the Ministry of IT to provide exact estimates of the losses incurred by the IT sector due to the disruptions.
The Wireless and Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan (WISPAP) and the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) have criticized the government for its handling of the situation. They estimate that the IT sector has suffered a loss of $300 million due to the internet issues, which have affected freelancers, IT professionals, and the broader digital economy. WISPAP Chairman Shahzad Arshad has highlighted the severe impact on businesses and individuals reliant on stable internet connectivity, noting that the slowdown is threatening the survival of many operations.
In response to these concerns, State Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja denied any government involvement in intentionally blocking or slowing down the internet. She attributed the connectivity issues to the use of virtual private networks (VPNs) by users, which she claimed have caused their devices to experience slower speeds.
The PTA’s ongoing efforts to resolve the internet issues underscore the critical importance of reliable connectivity for Pakistan’s digital economy and the daily lives of its citizens. As the situation continues to unfold, stakeholders from various sectors are closely monitoring developments and advocating for swift action to restore full internet services.
