The problem of Internet in Pakistan has been going on for the past several months, due to which the people working online are facing severe difficulties.
Pakistani freelancers are in dire straits to support their families by earning online.
The X platform has already been shut down in the country, and now other social media applications are also slowing down.
PTA’s various statements on the slow internet speed have been coming out, including people’s unwarranted use of VPNs, web management system upgrades, alleged firewalls and now a new problem has emerged which is a submarine cable fault. is of
According to Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), full restoration of Internet in the country will not be possible till early October.
In a statement issued by PTA, it is said that the main reason for the internet slowdown is the fault in two of the seven submarine cables, including the submarine cable AAAE-1 and the SMW4 cable.
According to the BBC, the PTA has said that the fault in the SMW4 submarine cable is likely to be fixed by early October. The submarine cable AAE-1 has been repaired, and this will further improve the internet situation.
This statement of PTA has come out on an occasion when a letter was written by the Telecom and Internet Service Providers of Pakistan to the Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif regarding solving the Internet problem last week.
It should be noted that PTA Chairman Major General (retd) Hafeezur Rehman, while speaking in the National Assembly Standing Committee on IT on August 21, also repeated the problems of submarine cables, which were repaired by August 28. was asked to do.
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Pakistan’s Internet Woes: A Growing Concern
As a blog news writer, I have been following the news of Pakistan’s internet issues for several months now, and it’s alarming to see the severity of the situation. The country has been plagued by internet shutdowns, slow speeds, and disruptions, which have had a devastating impact on people working online and the overall economy.
A recent report [[1]] highlights the government’s decision to shut down the internet in major cities like Lahore, Attock, and Sargodha from October 4 to October 6, ahead of a planned protest by Imran Khan’s party. This move is likely to exacerbate the already precarious situation of online workers and businesses that rely on the internet.
Moreover, the problems with WhatsApp and other internet services, as reported in August 2024 [[2]], have resulted in millions of Pakistanis struggling to send or receive basic text messages. This has not only affected personal communication but also hindered businesses that rely on online transactions and communication.
The Pakistan Telecom Authority’s announcement in August 2024 [[3]] that repairs to one of seven submarine internet cables would likely be completed by October offers a glimmer of hope. However, the fact that internet speeds will remain slow until then is a cause for concern, especially considering the already existing disruptions.
The economic implications of these internet issues cannot be overstated. As Pakistan continues to grapple with these problems, online businesses are likely to suffer significantly, leading to financial losses and potential job losses. The country’s reputation as a viable destination for digital entrepreneurship and online work is also at stake.
the internet issues in Pakistan are a pressing concern that requires immediate attention. The government must prioritize finding a solution to these problems, rather than resorting to measures like internet shutdowns, which only exacerbate the situation. The livelihoods of millions of Pakistanis working online depend on it.
Recommendations:
- The Pakistani government must prioritize finding a long-term solution to the country’s internet issues, including investments in infrastructure and capacity building.
- Measures like internet shutdowns should be avoided, as they only serve to further disrupt the already fragile online ecosystem.
- The government should engage with online businesses and stakeholders to better understand the implications of these issues and work together to find solutions.
By taking these steps, Pakistan can mitigate the economic impact of these internet issues and create a more favorable environment for online entrepreneurship and work.
