Pakistan’s Internet Slowdown Sparks Outcry: How New Controls Are Impacting Business and Free Speech
In a troubling development for Pakistan’s digital landscape, businesses and rights activists are sounding the alarm over a significant slowdown in internet speeds and disruptions to social media services. This slowdown, which has seen internet networks operate up to 40% slower than usual since July, is being linked to the government’s efforts to implement new digital controls that are raising concerns about free speech and economic stability.
What’s Behind the Internet Slowdown?
Recent reports suggest that the Pakistani government is deploying a national firewall designed to increase surveillance and censor political dissent. Digital rights experts, including Usama Khilji, assert that the firewall is part of a broader strategy to monitor network traffic and restrict access to platforms like WhatsApp, which is known for its end-to-end encryption. This encryption allows users to share information securely, making it a target for censorship efforts.
“The Internet slowdown is due to the installation of a national firewall and content filtering system by the state aimed at increasing surveillance and at censoring political dissent, especially the criticism of the security establishment for its interference in politics,” Khilji told AFP.
Impact on Business and the Economy
The disruption has had a tangible impact on Pakistan’s economy. The Pakistan Software Houses Association warns that the slowdown could cost the IT sector up to $300 million. Shahzad Arshad from the Wireless & Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan predicts that continued throttling could lead to a significant exodus of businesses from the country.
Even as connectivity issues persist, Pakistan’s Punjab province is actively promoting itself as an “IT city” with advertisements in New York’s Times Square—a move that some view as contradictory given the current digital disruptions.
Ehsan Malik, CEO of the Pakistan Business Council, underscores the economic ramifications: “Even if a firewall is necessary for security, trials could have saved the livelihoods of thousands of freelance software developers and avoided damage to Pakistan’s credibility as a reliable supplier of IT/IT-enabled services.”
Free Speech and Digital Rights Concerns
Activists are also raising alarms about the impact on free speech. The government’s control measures have already led to the banning of the social media platform X, previously known as Twitter, and targeted arrests of social media users associated with the opposition party of jailed leader Imran Khan.
Shahzad Ahmad of Bytes for All, a digital rights watchdog, criticizes the government’s approach as a threat to fundamental rights and investor confidence. “We believe that the firewall will create distrust among IT investors in Pakistan and will also compromise citizens’ fundamental rights,” Ahmad says.
Legal and Political Repercussions
Prominent Pakistani journalist Hamid Mir has initiated a legal challenge against the government, questioning the legality and transparency of the firewall. This case, set to be heard at Islamabad High Court, could become a crucial test of the government’s digital policies and their alignment with constitutional rights.
Looking Ahead
The ongoing slowdown and its associated issues underscore a broader debate about balancing security with digital freedoms. As Pakistan grapples with these challenges, the implications for its business environment and civil liberties will continue to unfold.
What Can You Do?
Stay informed about the latest developments and understand how they might affect your digital experience. Share this article to raise awareness and join the conversation about the intersection of technology, free speech, and economic development.