PTA Warns Internet Disruptions May Persist Until October
This prolonged disruption has triggered widespread frustration among the public and the IT industry.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) announced on Wednesday that a malfunction in the SMW-4 submarine cable is the cause of the ongoing internet slowdown in the country. Repairs for the cable are expected to be completed by early October.
This prolonged disruption has triggered widespread frustration among the public and the IT industry. Many critics believe the slowdown is linked to the government’s testing of a new internet firewall designed to control social media content. This firewall, equipped with filters to block certain online materials, has raised concerns about its potential impact on internet speed and overall connectivity.
Initially, the PTA attributed the slowdown to faults in two of the seven international submarine cables connecting Pakistan. However, the PTA has now confirmed that while repairs on the SMW-4 cable are still in progress, the AAE-1 cable has been fixed, which should lead to some improvement in internet performance.
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National Firewall System
PTA Chairman Maj Gen (retd) Hafeezur Rehman recently admitted that the upgrade of the National Firewall System (NFS), also known as the Web Management System (WMS), is currently underway. This system aims to regulate or remove content from social media platforms based on directives from the government or courts. Rehman noted that the project to upgrade the NFS was approved in March 2019, during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government’s tenure.
Rehman also mentioned that the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) was banned for non-compliance with government directives, emphasizing that there are established legal procedures for enforcing such measures.
In response to the ongoing disruptions, the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information Technology has rejected any attempts to slow down the internet or ban social media platforms. The committee has directed the Ministry of IT to assess the financial impact on the IT sector and report back.
Industry groups, including the Wireless and Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan (WISPAP) and the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA), have strongly criticized the government for the situation. They cite severe economic repercussions for freelancers, IT professionals, and the broader digital economy. P@SHA estimates that the current situation has resulted in a $300 million loss, affecting businesses and individuals who rely on stable internet connectivity for their operations.
Despite the criticism, the government has denied any involvement in intentionally disrupting internet services. State Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja suggested that the slowdown might be due to the widespread use of VPNs by users, which could be contributing to the problem.
As the situation develops, the IT sector and the general public remain on edge, hoping for a swift resolution to the internet issues and clearer communication from the authorities. The delay in repairs and the controversies surrounding the government’s actions continue to fuel uncertainty and concern across the country.
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