State-Controlled Firewall or VPN Congestion?
Pakistan has been grappling with painfully slow internet speeds for weeks, but the cause remains a topic of fierce debate. Activists argue that the state is constructing a China-style internet firewall to tighten control over the online space. At the same time, officials attribute the slowdown to the widespread use of secure connections and VPNs (virtual private networks). This development comes amid a broader trend of internet shutdowns used to suppress dissent, a strategy seen in Pakistan and other parts of Asia.
Government Actions and Political Fallout
Since the riots triggered by former Prime Minister Imran Khan last year, the Pakistani government has blocked social media platforms and throttled internet speeds, extending the battle for public support from physical protests to digital spaces. The micro-blogging platform X has been inaccessible since the February elections, officially due to “national security” concerns. Supporters of Mr. Khan, who is the most followed Pakistani on X with nearly 21 million followers, have been particularly affected.
Minister of State for Information Technology Shaza Fatima has denied government involvement in the recent internet slowdown. She emphasized that her team had been “working tirelessly” with internet service providers and telecom companies to address the issue. “A large population has been using VPNs, which has strained the network and caused the internet to slow down,” Ms Fatima stated. She dismissed claims that the government was responsible for the slow connections as “completely false.
Cybersecurity Measures Under Scrutiny
While Ms. Fatima acknowledged that the government has been upgrading its systems to enhance cybersecurity, she defended these actions as necessary. “It is the right of the government to [take such measures] given the cybersecurity attacks that this country faces,” she said. Activists, however, accuse her of evading criticism. They argue that there is significant evidence supporting the existence of a firewall. They believe the firewall’s purpose is to monitor online traffic and limit the dissemination of information, particularly to curb political expression.
Economic Impact and Business Concerns
The slow internet speeds are not only a political issue but also pose significant risks to Pakistan’s economy. Business leaders and associations have expressed alarm over the potential consequences for the country’s business landscape. The Pakistan Software Houses Association warned that implementing a firewall has led to “a perfect storm of challenges,” including prolonged internet disconnections and erratic VPN performance. This situation threatens a complete meltdown of business operations, potentially costing the IT sector up to $300 million. “A mass exodus of IT companies is not just a possibility but an imminent reality if immediate and decisive action is not taken,” the association stated.
Legal and Civil Liberties
In response to the ongoing issues, activists have petitioned the Islamabad High Court to declare access to the internet a fundamental right under Pakistan’s constitution. Farieha Aziz, co-founder of the non-profit Bolo Bhi, which advocates for free speech online, emphasized the broader implications. “Even if civil liberties don’t matter, this is now about people’s livelihood and the economy as well,” she said.
As Pakistan continues to navigate this complex issue, the debate over who is truly responsible for the internet slowdown remains unresolved. This has significant implications for political freedoms and economic stability.
