Severe Internet Slowdown in Pakistan Results in $50 Million Daily Loss, IT Exports Severely Affected

Pakistan is grappling with a significant slowdown in internet speeds, resulting in an estimated daily loss of $50 million. The ongoing issues have particularly impacted the country’s IT sector, where exports are reportedly losing $13 million every day. The situation has caused widespread disruption across digital activities, from online businesses to educational pursuits.

The root cause of this internet slowdown remains under investigation. However, initial reports suggest that a recent firewall installation may be contributing to the problem. Minister of State for IT, Shaza Fatima, has stated that the Ministry of Information Technology has requested data from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to determine the impact on data traffic over the past two weeks. “We will be in a position to say something as soon as the data comes in,” she mentioned.

Adding to the confusion, officials from the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) have pointed to a solar storm as a possible factor affecting the internet. Dr. Roshnan Nadeem, a Ph.D. Scholar at Suparco, noted that solar activities have disrupted radio frequencies and caused temporary satellite blackouts, exacerbating issues with cellular network and GPS connectivity.

IT experts have also pointed to structural issues within Pakistan’s digital infrastructure. Parvez Iftikhar, a telecom affairs specialist, emphasized that Pakistan’s mobile spectrum is among the lowest in the region and that the country’s optic fiber penetration is insufficient to meet current demands. This shortage, coupled with outdated cables, is significantly hampering internet speeds.

The ripple effects of this slowdown are being felt across various sectors. Freelancers on platforms like Fiverr and Amazon report declining client orders, and businesses are struggling with basic tasks such as data searching and communication. Students, too, are facing difficulties in accessing educational resources. Many entrepreneurs have noted that their work hours have doubled as they try to cope with the slow internet.

One online business owner expressed their frustration: “I want to send a few documents and a small video to the office, but it’s been half an hour with no progress. The internet is so slow that it’s affecting my productivity, and the administrative hurdles are adding to the frustration.”