Summary:
- Pakistan’s IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja denies government responsibility for recent internet slowdowns, attributing problems to VPN use.
- The government is addressing connectivity issues and plans to introduce 5G by 2025.
- Four new internet cables are being installed to enhance connectivity, and IT Parks will be developed in Islamabad and Karachi.
In a press conference held on Sunday, August 18, 2024, State Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja addressed ongoing public concerns about intermittent internet disruptions across Pakistan. Khawaja firmly denied that the government was involved in the recent internet slowdowns, instead attributing the issues to the use of virtual private networks (VPNs) by users. According to Khawaja, the activation of VPNs can cause slower internet speeds, impacting the overall user experience.
Despite widespread frustration over connectivity problems, Khawaja assured that the government was not behind the internet disruptions and emphasized that efforts were being made to address the situation. She mentioned that experts had been consulted and that the government was actively working to resolve the issue.
The minister’s comments followed widespread speculation that the slowdown was related to increased security measures and the installation of a new firewall aimed at controlling unwanted content. The Wireless and Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan (WISPAP) had previously linked the connectivity issues to these security enhancements.
Khawaja also highlighted the government’s commitment to improving internet services. She announced that four additional internet cables would be laid to boost connectivity and revealed plans to introduce 5G technology in Pakistan by 2025, promising faster internet speeds. Additionally, the government is investing in IT Parks in Islamabad and Karachi, which are expected to create over 10,000 jobs and generate significant revenue.
In her statement, Khawaja also discussed the allocation of over Rs60 billion for the IT sector in the national budget and praised the sector’s contribution of Rs3 billion in exports. She mentioned the establishment of a digitisation commission, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, to further advance Pakistan’s IT infrastructure.
