ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s State Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, has refuted claims that the government is responsible for the recent internet slowdown affecting users across the country.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Sunday, Khawaja said that the government had not blocked or intentionally slowed down the internet, attributing the issues to the widespread use of virtual private networks (VPNs).
Khawaja acknowledged the public’s frustration over intermittent internet disruptions but maintained that the slowdown was not due to any government action. “I can swear that the government of Pakistan did not block the internet or slow it down,” she stated.
The minister explained that some users experienced slower connections due to VPN usage, which can affect phone performance. “Turning the VPN on slows down the phone,” she added.
The minister’s remarks come amid ongoing difficulties faced by millions of Pakistanis who have reported trouble accessing internet services, particularly through mobile data.
Industry experts, including the Wireless and Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan (WISPAP), have pointed to the installation of a firewall designed to control the spread of unwanted content as potential causes of the connectivity issues.
Earlier in the week, Khawaja had defended the government’s decision to implement an internet firewall, describing it as a standard cybersecurity measure adopted globally. “With the evolution of cybersecurity threats, states need to have better capabilities to ensure that threats are well responded to,” she said on Thursday.
In response to the connectivity challenges, Khawaja outlined several government initiatives aimed at improving internet infrastructure and services. She said that four new internet cables are being laid across Pakistan to enhance connectivity. Additionally, Khawaja announced plans to introduce 5G spectrum in 2025. “5G will provide the fastest internet,” she said.
Khawaja also highlighted the development of IT Parks in Islamabad and Karachi, which are expected to create over 10,000 jobs and generate significant revenue. These IT parks are being developed with assistance from South Korea.
Furthermore, the government is set to establish at least 250 e-employment centers in collaboration with provincial authorities.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has allocated more than Rs60 billion to the IT sector despite challenging conditions, with Khawaja noting the sector’s growing exports worth Rs3 billion.
The IT Minister emphasized the IT sector’s importance to the Prime Minister and the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), and announced the formation of a digitization commission, which will be led by the Prime Minister himself. “IT sector is among the priorities of Prime Minister and Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC),” she said.
