Pakistan's internet speeds drop to half of normal speeds as government denies it's testing a China-style massive firewall
In Pakistan, a South Asian country sandwiched between India and Afghanistan, it has been reported that internet speeds have dropped significantly since around mid-August 2024. Some citizens have expressed concern that the government is installing firewalls for censorship purposes, but the Pakistani government has denied this, explaining that it is due to a problem with an undersea cable.
A faulty undersea internet cable caused recent internet disruptions in Pakistan, official says - Newsday
Pakistan's Internet Disruptions Stoke Fears of Government Surveillance - The New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/20/world/asia/pakistan-internet-government-surveillance.html
Reports suggesting internet being throttled by govt 'completely false': IT minister - Pakistan - DAWN.COM
https://www.dawn.com/news/1853078/reports-suggesting-internet-being-throttled-by-govt-completely-false-it-minister
Pakistan has been hit by slow internet speeds for several days, with people unable to download voice memos or photos on WhatsApp, the nation's primary communication tool, or access websites. Industry groups and internet users say speeds have fallen to half of normal, and uploads that once took minutes are now taking hours.
Local residents who spoke to the New York Times said their businesses have been devastated and they have lost half their monthly income.
In response to this, claims that the government is secretly testing a new system, such as a firewall, to monitor and manage the domestic internet have spread among the public, raising fears among the public. Based on these claims, the Pakistan Software House, a software industry association, stated that it 'unequivocally condemns the grave consequences of the sudden introduction of a national firewall,' and warned that the disruption could cost the Pakistani economy up to $300 million.
On August 21, 2024, some time after the confusion, Pakistan's Minister of Information Technology and Telecommunications, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, held a press conference and explained that no firewalls had been installed and that no speeds had been slowed down by the government.
'Pakistani authorities are upgrading systems to improve cybersecurity, but the internet has not been shut down. The government is in consultation with technology experts and service providers to address the issue. Reports that the internet has been restricted are completely false,' Khawaja said.
'The internet is a critical resource and any discussion related to it must be handled with care. I urge the public to speak responsibly about this topic,' he said.
Pakistan Telecommunications Authority Chairman Hafeezur Rehman said internet services had slowed down after a problem with an undersea internet cable, adding that the technical issues would be resolved by August 27.
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