ISLAMABAD: The business community is increasingly alarmed as internet service providers report a significant slowdown in connectivity, attributed to the government’s intensified surveillance measures.
On Wednesday, the Wireless and Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan (WISPAP) revealed that the government’s increased efforts to monitor internet traffic have inadvertently crippled the country’s digital economy.
According to the association, internet speeds have dropped by 30 to 40 percent in recent weeks, creating significant disruptions for businesses and individuals who rely on fast and reliable connectivity.
This slowdown has hit particularly hard on sectors crucial to Pakistan’s digital economy, including call centers, e-commerce professionals, and online workers. These industries are now struggling to maintain operations, with some even considering relocating to countries with more stable internet services.
WISPAP Chairman Shahzad Arshad expressed deep concerns about the deteriorating situation, noting that many businesses are abandoning smaller ISPs due to declining service quality.
“If this trend continues, we may witness a mass exodus of businesses from Pakistan,” he warned.
Industry leaders echo these concerns, highlighting that the current scenario is damaging Pakistan’s reputation as a digital entrepreneurship hub and threatening its economic stability. The heightened surveillance, which has also restricted the use of VPNs, exacerbates the problem for international businesses and freelancers who depend on secure and uninterrupted internet access.
A leading e-commerce entrepreneur from Karachi voiced frustration, stating, “Without reliable and fast internet, competing globally becomes impossible, pushing us towards a crisis.”
As the business community grows increasingly anxious, the challenge lies in finding a balance between security and maintaining a robust digital infrastructure.
Despite speculation that a new government firewall may be the cause of the disruptions, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has denied these claims, leaving many users and businesses uncertain about the future of their internet services.
