Parliamentary Secretary
Citizens in Pakistan should limit their internet usage to essential activities as a measure to address ongoing internet slowdowns, Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Division Syed Sajid Mehdi stated on Sunday.
Speaking on TV’s program Doosra Rukh, Mehdi compared the current state of the internet to traffic congestion on a busy road. “If 10 people use a road meant for five, the flow slows down. It’s the same with our internet,” he explained.
Mehdi assured the public that efforts to resolve these issues were underway, with disruptions expected to subside by the first half of next year.
He highlighted that Pakistan’s fiber network currently operates at only 15 percent capacity, significantly lower than neighboring India’s 45 percent, which contributes to the sluggish internet experience.
The parliamentary secretary emphasized that reducing unnecessary internet use could help alleviate congestion and improve speeds. “I’m not calling for a complete stop,” Mehdi clarified. “Instead, I encourage people to prioritize essential tasks, such as work, over non-essential activities.”
Reports of slow internet speeds, challenges in downloading media from platforms like WhatsApp, and intermittent connectivity have become increasingly common in recent months.
These issues have raised concerns among IT professionals, who warn that such disruptions impact productivity and revenue.
Adding to the complexity, reports suggest that the government is installing the second phase of a “firewall” system designed to monitor certain platforms and block specific content.
While Mehdi did not comment directly on these claims, he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to resolving connectivity issues swiftly.
When asked whether population growth contributes to internet slowdowns, Mehdi affirmed the correlation. “Increased usage leads to congestion, just as it does on roads,” he said.
He also dismissed claims that the internet disruptions were causing significant financial losses to the IT sector, reiterating that the government is addressing the problem.
With promises of improvement in the coming months, Mehdi encouraged citizens to adopt responsible internet usage habits to enhance their online experience.
