Parliamentary secretary urges drastic cuts to internet consumption now

In Pakistan, on December 23, 2024, Syed Sajid Mehdi, the Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Division, proposed that citizens reduce their internet usage, restricting it only to essential matters. This recommendation comes in response to persistent internet slowdowns and connectivity issues experienced by users across the country. Professionals within the IT sector have expressed frustration regarding the government's management of internet access, particularly in light of proposals aimed at monitoring and controlling online content for national security reasons. Such management strategies have included the testing of a firewall designed to regulate specific platforms. Analysts have recognized that the government's regulations and infrastructure are insufficient for the increasing demand for internet services, contributing to the prevalent difficulties. Mehdi stated that Pakistan's fiber network has a capacity of only 15 percent compared to 45 percent in India. Furthermore, he acknowledged that outdated infrastructure and population growth have exacerbated the situation. During discussions, he made an analogy comparing internet congestion to a road congested with cars, stating that the more individuals access the internet, the slower everyone moves, linking this to increased user traffic outside of work-related purposes. He emphasized reliance on work-related use of the internet over unnecessary activities. Despite the troubling slowdowns, Mehdi rejected claims that these disruptions have caused significant financial losses to the IT sector. He asserted that his office had not received any official reports indicating any financial damage from the shutdowns and noted that if there were private losses, those cases should be treated individually and not attributed to a broader issue. The official's statements and rationales appear to reflect a lack of comprehensive understanding regarding the implications of internet speed reductions for commerce and the potential harm to the reputation of Pakistan's IT industry. It raises concerns among industry professionals about how governmental strategies could negatively affect client relationships and overall trust in Pakistan's technological capacities. Various IT and digital professionals have vocalized their discontent to media outlets about the government's handling of the internet situation. With ongoing service disruptions, they warn that if challenges like outages and slow speeds continue unchecked, they could deter regional investors and harm the nation’s digital economy in the long run. The IT community remains vigilant about the unfolding situation, awaiting more clarity on governmental intentions for infrastructure enhancement and strategies to manage user demands effectively. Currently, there seems to be a pressing need for the government to not only address internet speed challenges but also to develop a long-term plan to modernize digital infrastructure in Pakistan.