Pakistan’s Internet Slowdown Persists: PTA Anticipates Resolution by Early October

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has announced that the nationwide internet slowdown is expected to continue until early October 2024. This prolonged disruption has been attributed to damaged submarine cables, which are crucial for Pakistan’s international internet connectivity.

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Internet users across Pakistan have been experiencing significant reductions in speed over recent weeks. The impact has been particularly noticeable in mobile data usage, with many reporting difficulties in sending or downloading media and voice notes through popular messaging apps like WhatsApp. Broadband users have also reported sluggish browsing speeds, affecting both personal and professional internet use.

The business community and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have raised concerns about the economic implications of this slowdown. Some have alleged that the government’s efforts to monitor internet traffic, including the rumored implementation of a ‘firewall,’ are responsible for the degraded digital services. These claims suggest that the slowdown is causing substantial economic losses across various sectors.

However, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, the country’s Information Technology Minister, has addressed these allegations. While confirming that the government is in the process of upgrading its “web management system” to enhance cybersecurity measures, she has explicitly denied any government involvement in “throttling” internet speeds.

The PTA has provided a different explanation for the slowdown. In a statement released today, the telecom authority pointed to faults in two of the seven international submarine cables connecting Pakistan to global networks. Specifically, the SMW4 and AAE-1 cables were identified as the primary culprits behind the current internet issues.

According to the PTA, repairs on the AAE-1 submarine cable have been completed, which should provide some improvement to internet services. However, the SMW4 cable remains problematic, with repairs now expected to be finished by early October 2024. This timeline represents a significant delay from the previous estimate provided by PTA Chairman Hafeezur Rehman, who had told a National Assembly panel that repairs would be completed by August 27.

The PTA’s explanation has evolved over time. Last week, the authority informed the Lahore High Court (LHC) that the internet slowdown was due to a combination of factors. These included the damaged submarine cable, a misconfiguration in an ISP’s system, and potential cyber-attacks that occurred on August 15.

The government has introduced another factor into the discussion, suggesting that the widespread use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) is contributing to the slowdown. The increased reliance on VPNs has been linked to the ongoing ban on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), as users seek ways to circumvent restrictions.

This situation has drawn international attention, with Amnesty International calling on Pakistani authorities to provide greater transparency regarding the nationwide internet slowdown and the use of monitoring and surveillance technologies. The human rights organization’s involvement underscores the global concern about internet freedom and access in Pakistan.

The prolonged internet disruption raises several critical issues for Pakistan:

1. Economic Impact: Businesses relying on stable internet connections for operations, e-commerce, and communication are likely facing significant challenges. The slowdown could lead to reduced productivity and financial losses across various sectors of the economy.
2. Education and Remote Work: With many institutions and companies adopting online learning and remote work models, the internet slowdown could hinder educational activities and professional tasks that require reliable internet access.
3. Digital Divide: The slowdown may exacerbate existing digital inequalities, particularly affecting those in rural or underserved areas who already struggle with limited internet access.
4. Cybersecurity Concerns: The government’s focus on upgrading its web management system highlights the ongoing challenges of balancing national security interests with the need for open and accessible internet services.
5. International Connectivity: The reliance on submarine cables for international internet connectivity underscores Pakistan’s vulnerability to infrastructure failures and the need for redundancy in its internet infrastructure.

As Pakistan navigates these challenges, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining the long-term implications of this internet slowdown. The situation calls for a coordinated effort between government agencies, ISPs, and international partners to not only resolve the current issues but also to develop strategies for preventing similar disruptions in the future. Both domestic and international observers will closely watch the resolution of this ongoing internet crisis, as it has significant implications for Pakistan’s digital future and its position in the global digital economy.