Internet slowdowns persist nationwide, with users experiencing service disruptions as the government’s deadline for full restoration approaches at the end of October.
Last week, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Major General (retd) Hafeezur Rahman stated that the ongoing internet disruptions would be resolved by the end of the month, denying any government-led slowdown of services.
A month ago, the PTA had promised improvements in internet speed, attributing the issues to a fault in an undersea cable and claiming that repairs would be completed early in October.
Despite these assurances, users continue to face slow internet speeds, a persistent problem that has intensified since February, especially over the past five to six days when complete outages were reported in areas experiencing political protests.
The PTA chief noted, “I do not defend internet shutdowns, but national security is a priority. This time on Muharram 10, mobile services were not widely shut down, with internet services restricted in certain areas only at specific times.”
Meanwhile, users are awaiting judicial relief regarding petitions against the internet slowdown and the ban on X.
Digital rights advocate Haroon Baloch criticized the government for using the guise of upgrading cybersecurity and countering misinformation to justify increased censorship and surveillance.
“Non-transparency in digital governance is frustrating, as the government shows little willingness to be held accountable,” he remarked.
Fareiha Aziz, co-founder of Bolo Bhi, stated that mobile internet is often shut down during protests, while disruptions to WhatsApp continue to hinder media sharing without VPNs or Wi-Fi. “This has become the new normal,” she said, suggesting that the government aims to curb political dissent through these measures.
Regarding the ban on X, Aziz expressed skepticism about its lifting, noting that petitions have been filed in all high courts. The PTA has issued conflicting statements on the matter, maintaining that the ban is linked to national security.
In related news, the Sindh High Court heard petitions against the X ban, with the state’s counsel providing records in response to the applications. The court has ordered the submission of documents to all parties involved and adjourned the hearing until October 17, highlighting ongoing concerns about the government’s selective access to social media.
