Government
On 15 August, the government finally accepted that it was “upgrading its ‘web management system’ to cope with cyber security threats” which could be leading to internet disruptions. These disruptions over time have ranged varied from “slow browsing speeds, the arbitrary blocking of social media platforms and WhatsApp connectivity issues on mobile data.” The news was confirmed by Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja after months of conjectures. This confirmation also comes after the relevant official stakeholders have repeatedly denied these allegations, blamed the tech companies and feigned ignorance. In the midst of this confirmation, on the same day, users complained of facing trouble in accessing social media platforms. Downdetector, a website that keeps a track of internet outages in real time confirmed receiving a large number of complaints regarding people not being able to “access WhatsApp, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram between 12 noon and 1pm.”
 
Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology
Separately, Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology has sought a report regarding the financial loss/cost imposed by these disruptions by relevant authorities and given them a two-week deadline to fix “widespread issues with internet connectivity and social media disruptions.” Representatives from the IT ministry as well as the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) were also present at the meeting. In the meeting, which was led by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Palwasha Khan, questions and concerns were raised regarding the impact of these disruptions, especially on businesses in Pakistan. Senator Afnan Ullah Khan of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) estimated a total loss of PKR 500 million. Highlighting the adverse impact on e-commerce and businesses, Senator Mohammad Humayun Mohmand from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) stated “You’ve jeopardized people’s jobs. If this continues, it will devastate the entire sector.” In response, IT Ministry Secretary Aisha Humera Chaudhry argued that the disruptions have not impacted wi-fi users and thus this can be due to a “possible technical issue affecting mobile network operators.” On being questioned regarding the installation of a firewall by reporters after the maating, Chaudhry said that the matter had been “blown out of proportion.” She further added that “The government has been operating a web-management system. The system is now being upgraded,” and termed the process a “routine exercise.” She also defended the government and emphasized that “It is the right of the government to take measures to protect its interests given the cyber security attacks that Pakistan is facing.”
 
Wireless and Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan
Further, the Wireless and Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan (WISPAP) alleged that these internet disruptions have severely impacted the country’s “digital economy.” It said that “Over the past few weeks, internet speeds have plummeted by 30 to 40 per cent, creating a chaotic situation for businesses and individuals who rely heavily on fast, reliable connectivity.” It further added that service providers like call centres, e-commerce “which form the backbone of Pakistan’s burgeoning digital economy” have been adversely impact and are “now struggling to maintain operations” with the disruptions and slowdown “threatening their very survival.” WISPAP Chairman Shahzad Arshad warned that this situation is also “discouraging for the consumers” and might even lead to “a mass exodus of businesses from Pakistan.”
 
References
Jamal Shahid & Abdul Moiz Malik, “Govt finally admits it is tinkering with the internet,” Dawn, 16 August 2024
“Senate committee demands action on internet slowdown within two weeks,” The Express Tribune, 15 August 2024
“Internet slowdown hits Pakistan as government boosts surveillance,” The Express Tribune, 15 August 2024
Jamal Shahid, “Heightened surveillance blamed for cyber slowdown,” Dawn, 15 August 2024