Pakistan suffers snail-speed internet with some accusing government of setting up national firewall

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LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — People in Pakistan have reported a significant slowdown in the internet over the past few days, with some experts estimating Monday that speeds have dropped to nearly half of their usual capacity, affecting millions of users, disrupting businesses and sparking nationwide criticism despite authorities denying they were behind it.

Since February, online magazines have been banned from using social media or allowed limited access to it following a government crackdown ahead of parliamentary elections on February 8. However, internet speeds have now slowed down significantly. Users cannot quickly send emails or use the WhatsApp instant messaging service, which businessmen and doctors say has negatively affected their daily work, especially receiving medical data and reports.

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In a statement this week, the Pakistan Software Association, which represents IT companies, said the disruptions could cost the country’s already fragile economy $300 million. The group also accused the government of “rushing the implementation of a national firewall,” which has slowed connectivity.

Shahzad Arshad, an internet service provider in Lahore, the capital of eastern Punjab province, said his company relies on high-speed internet and “now you can’t call your international clients or send or receive files and the functionality is affected.”

Internet speeds are 40% slower than last week, and sometimes 60 to 80% slower, and the situation shows no signs of improving, said Chaudhry Arif, a digital expert who also runs a software company in the capital, Islamabad.

Pakistan’s Information and Technology Minister Shiza Fatima said on Sunday that the government was not responsible for the slow internet and that no restrictions had been imposed. She said phones were slow to connect to the internet in some cases due to the use of VPNs. Many rejected Fatima’s explanation.

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Software engineer Umair Hassan said authorities should make it clear whether the connection will remain unstable due to security measures. “There should be some clarity from the government… some logical explanation, not using VPNs,” he said.

The minister said authorities were “tirelessly trying” to find the root of the problem, while acknowledging that the government was working to update its system to improve cybersecurity.

Fariha Aziz, a digital rights activist, is demanding that the government explain the slow connection. “The government says it is not responsible for the slow internet. So who did?” she asks.

Pakistan has 110 million internet users, nearly half the country’s population. Supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan have been using social media extensively to campaign against the government of Shehbaz Sharif, who replaced him after a no-confidence vote in parliament in 2022. Khan is in prison and faces a series of legal charges, and the country has been in turmoil ever since.

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Associated Press writer Asim Tanweer contributed to this story from Multan, Pakistan.

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