By V. E. K. Madhushani, Jadetimes News
Government's Response Fuels Concerns Over Internet Censorship and Access
Pakistan has been grappling with painfully slow internet for weeks, but the cause of this slowdown remains a topic of debate. Activists suggest that the government is constructing a China style internet firewall to increase its control over the online space. However, officials have denied these claims, attributing the sluggish speeds to the widespread use of secure connections or VPNs (virtual private networks).
The shutdown of the internet to suppress dissent is a common tactic in Pakistan and other parts of Asia. Since the riots triggered by former Prime Minister Imran Khan last year, the government has blocked social media platforms and throttled internet speeds as the battle for public support moved from the streets to the digital sphere. The micro blogging platform X has been blocked since the February elections due to "national security" concerns. Khan's supporters are major users of X, and he is the most popular Pakistani on the platform with nearly 21 million followers.
On Sunday, Minister of State for Information Technology Shaza Fatima stated that the government is not responsible for the recent slowdown. She mentioned that her team has been working tirelessly with internet service providers and telecom companies to resolve the issue. Fatima attributed the slow internet speeds to the large number of people using VPNs, which she said has strained the network.
Despite these assurances, Fatima acknowledged that the government has been upgrading its systems to enhance cybersecurity. "It is the right of the government to take such measures given the cyber security attacks that this country has to go through," she said.
Activists, however, accuse the minister of dodging criticism. Shahzad Ahmad, director of the local digital watchdog Bytes for All, claimed his organization has "ample tech evidence" to prove the existence of a firewall. "It seems its purpose is to monitor online traffic and limit the dissemination of information in online spaces, particularly curbing political expression," Ahmad said.
Farieha Aziz, co founder of Bolo Bhi, a local non profit advocating for free speech online, emphasized that the issue goes beyond civil liberties and now impacts livelihoods and the economy. Business leaders and associations have warned that the slow internet connections could jeopardize Pakistan's business potential. The Pakistan Software Houses Association warned that the firewall's imposition could cost the IT sector up to $300 million, describing it as a "direct, tangible and aggressive assault on the industry’s viability."
The association also cautioned that a mass exodus of IT companies is not just a possibility but an imminent reality if immediate action is not taken. Activists have filed a petition before the Islamabad High Court, urging that access to the internet be declared a fundamental right under Pakistan's constitution.
