Digital businesses threaten to exit Pakistan over internet disruptions

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s digital economy faces a significant threat as internet service providers blame the government’s increased surveillance efforts for a severe slowdown in internet speeds. Digital businesses have threatened to leave Pakistan if the situation persisted.

The Wireless and Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan (WISPAP) has issued a warning that the government’s intensified security and monitoring measures have inadvertently hampered the country’s digital infrastructure.

“Over the past few weeks, internet speeds have dropped by 30 to 40 percent, leading to a chaotic environment for businesses and individuals dependent on fast, reliable connectivity,” the association said in a statement.

This decline in service quality has particularly affected call centres, e-commerce professionals, freelancers, and businesses involved in electronic commerce — sectors considered crucial to Pakistan’s growing digital economy. WISPAP noted that the ongoing slowdown is now threatening the very survival of these industries.

WISPAP Chairman Shahzad Arshad expressed deep concern, stating, “The situation is becoming increasingly untenable for our customers. Smaller ISPs are losing clients who can no longer tolerate the poor service quality. If this trend continues, we could witness a mass exodus of businesses from Pakistan.”

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Industry leaders echoed Arshad’s concerns, warning that the current situation is damaging Pakistan’s reputation as a digital hub and posing risks to its economic stability.

A prominent e-commerce entrepreneur based in Karachi told Dawn, “Businesses are contemplating moving their operations abroad because the internet has become unreliable. Without fast and secure access, we cannot compete globally, and this is pushing us to the brink.”

As frustration grows within the business community, there appears to be no end in sight to the government’s measures. This has led to increasing anxiety about the future of Pakistan’s digital landscape, with both businesses and consumers feeling the impact of the ongoing slowdown.

While the government remains committed to its security objectives, questions are being raised about the cost to the nation’s digital economy. Major online platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp have been hit particularly hard, with users reporting significant slowdowns and difficulties in accessing messaging and social media services.

Some users have speculated that the disruptions may be linked to the installation of a government firewall aimed at monitoring online activity. However, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has denied that a firewall is the cause of the issue.