After months of growing speculation surrounding internet disruptions and potential government involvement, the Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, confirmed on Thursday that the government is indeed upgrading its “web management system” in response to cyber security threats. This marks the first time a government official has acknowledged the ongoing issues that have led to complaints of slow browsing speeds, arbitrary blocking of social media platforms, and inconsistent WhatsApp connectivity.
Minister Khawaja’s statement, however, did little to clarify the situation. The use of vague terminology like “web management system” left many questions unanswered. Prior to this, government bodies such as the Ministry of Information Technology and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) had either ignored the public’s concerns or shifted the blame onto telecom providers and platforms like Meta.
Despite the minister’s assurances, internet users across the country continued to experience difficulties accessing social media platforms, with complaints peaking around noon on Thursday. Downdetector, a service that tracks internet outages, reported an unusually high number of disruptions affecting platforms like WhatsApp, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram during that time.
Several Internet Service Providers (ISPs), including PTCL, Zong, and Nayatel, were also reportedly impacted by these disruptions.
In a conversation with reporters following a Senate Standing Committee meeting on Information Technology and Telecommunication, Ms. Khawaja suggested that the issue was being exaggerated. She described the upgrade of the web management system as a “routine exercise” aimed at enhancing internet security, a common practice worldwide, although she did not specify which other countries employ similar systems.
“It is the government’s prerogative to take measures to protect national interests, especially in light of the cyber security threats facing Pakistan,” she asserted.
However, during the Senate committee meeting, lawmakers expressed serious concerns about the impact of internet disruptions on the country’s economy, particularly on the IT sector. Senator Afnanullah Khan from the PML-N warned that unresolved internet issues could severely affect IT exports, exacerbating the ongoing economic crisis.
Aisha Humera Chaudhry, Secretary of the Ministry of IT and Telecommunications, tried to downplay the issue, stating that broadband connections were stable, while acknowledging disruptions for mobile data users. PTA officials promised to provide a comprehensive assessment in two weeks.
Nevertheless, the public’s frustration continues to grow as internet issues persist, with severe repercussions for businesses and academic institutions. Dr. Amir Abbasi, a professor at Quaid-i-Azam University, highlighted the significant impact on students, who are struggling to meet project deadlines, potentially damaging Pakistan’s academic reputation internationally.
The Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) issued a stark warning on Thursday, estimating that the economy could lose up to $300 million due to ongoing internet disruptions. The organisation criticised the government’s lack of transparency, which it said has eroded trust among internet users and international IT clients.
Ali Ihsan, Senior Vice Chairman of P@SHA, expressed concern that the imposition of what the public has dubbed a “firewall” is leading to prolonged internet outages and unreliable VPN services, threatening the viability of businesses across the country. He called for an “immediate and unconditional halt” to these disruptions and urged the government to collaborate with industry stakeholders to develop a more effective cybersecurity framework.
Similarly, the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) and the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) voiced concerns over the impact of internet disruptions on foreign investment and business communications. OICCI Secretary General M. Abdul Aleem emphasised the disproportionate impact on freelancers, who contribute over a billion dollars in revenue to the economy each year.