Daily Times

Though there were no prior talk of shark attacks, but users across Pakistan faced internet disruptions on Sunday. Almost all of us struggled with slow speeds and felt frustrated with slow browsing, downloading and media sharing. It might be a peaceful day in local WhatsApp groups. Our digital setting’s ongoing struggle only shows deeper structural and policy failures. The widespread connectivity issues across cities like Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta only speaks volumes of the fragility of the system.

The authorities, however, predictably attempt to downplay the problem. They called it a temporary glitch. But when a ‘temporary’ problems becomes a frequent occurrence, this is part of a larger, troubling trend. Earlier internet slowdowns caused by government firewall tests and restrictions on platforms like X have added to user frustrations. The rationale for such measures is often tied to security, but the lack of transparency fuels suspicion and erodes public trust.

The IT ministry said that freedom of expression remains unaffected because platforms like Facebook and TikTok are operational. Come on. It ignores the growing reliance of businesses, educators, and ordinary citizens on consistent internet access. Sluggish connectivity not only disrupts lives but also undermines economic growth. Experts warn that with 60-70 percent of telecom profits linked to 3G and 4G networks, slow speeds significantly impact GDP.

Infrastructure inadequacies exacerbate the issue. Pakistan’s internet bandwidth of 274MHz is alarmingly low, with insufficient telecom towers and limited fibre-optic coverage compounding the problem. While the government’s plan to auction additional spectrum and lay fibre cables may bring relief, its implementation is overdue. Promises of four new submarine cables and a more robust policy framework sound promising but are far from addressing immediate challenges.

The IT sector’s export growth must be encouraged, but words alone cannot mask the everyday struggles faced by ordinary users. Over-reliance on temporary fixes instead of structural reform highlights a lack of urgency in addressing a critical national concern.

Internet access is no longer a luxury; it is a lifeline for a modern economy. *