Government Denies Involvement in Internet Disruptions in Pakistan
The Pakistani government has denied any involvement in the ongoing internet disruptions that are affecting online businesses, including the country’s over 2.37 million freelancers. State Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja clarified in a press conference that the government did not shut down or slow down the internet, refuting rumors of government interference.
Khawaja explained that the disruptions were due to a large number of people using VPNs to bypass local caches, which put additional pressure on the servers and slowed down the internet. The government has already banned a social media app and is facing criticism from the business community and freelancers for the economic losses incurred due to the connectivity issues.
Pakistani freelancers have reported significant financial losses, while the Pakistan Business Council warned of potential relocation of multinational companies operating in the country. The government maintains that the reports of throttling the internet are false, and the disruptions are a result of increased VPN usage.
Overall, the ongoing internet disruptions in Pakistan are causing significant challenges for businesses and freelancers, with concerns about economic losses and potential relocations arising.