Islamabad: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) is alarmed by the unexplained disruptions in internet access in Pakistan with internet speeds being impacted. The lack of clarity about the disruption in internet services amidst reports of the government testing a firewall have made evident the lack of clarity, accountability, and transparency in the management and regulation of digital media and the internet.

Access to the internet is necessary to provide citizens with their Constitutional right to access information. Internet access has been disrupted in Pakistan over the past week including difficulties with downloading media on WhatsApp via mobile data and slowed down in internet speeds. Despite this, no explanation has been provided by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), leaving citizens and businesses in the dark.

In a statement issued by the Wireless and Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan (WISPAP), shared by Dawn, the internet connectivity issues were due to “the government’s decision to enhance security and surveillance.” As per WISAP, internet speeds were down by 30-40 per cent, sharing concerns about the impact of internet slowdown was that of “creating a chaotic situation for businesses and individuals who rely heavily on fast, reliable connectivity.”

Speaking to the media, Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja on August 15 in response to a question said that internet speed should never be slow and in fact they were talking about 5G options so that it could be further sped up; adding that digital economy depends on a good internet service provider (ISP).

In response to a question regarding a firewall, Khwaja said that the ‘firewall is a cyber security measure that every government in the world takes.” She said she was not blaming the media, but in the public an issue is created.

“First there was a web management system the government was running, now its upgradation is happening. It is the government’s right,” she said, adding that it was worth noting the cyber security attacks taking place in Pakistan.

“As cybersecurity threats evolve, states need to have better capability to ensure that they can respond to those cyber security threats.”

According to Geo, the second trial of a firewall had been completed. In July, firewall testing was also blamed for a slowdown of social media at the time.

The Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) condemned the “grave consequences of the hastily implemented national firewall.”

“The booming IT industry is facing a disaster, grappling with unprecedented operational disruptions that threaten the very foundation of Pakistan’s burgeoning tech sector. The imposition of the firewall has triggered a perfect storm of challenges, with prolonged internet disconnections and erratic VPN performance threatening a complete meltdown of business operations. These disruptions are not mere inconveniences but a direct and aggressive assault on the industry’s viability, inflicting devastating financial losses estimated to reach at $300 million, which can further increase exponentially,” they stated.

Several petitions have been filed in the relevant courts. In response to a petition on internet disruptions, the Lahore High Court on August 17 summoned the representatives from the federal government, the information ministry and the PTA. Separately anchorperson Hamid Mir has filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) against the installation of a firewall.