Internet disruptions could “persist indefinitely”

The government is unable to “give a time frame” as to when the internet will face a reduction in disruptions, including shutdowns and throttling, said Parliamen­tary Secretary for Cabinet Secretariat Sajid Mehdi, this Wednesday. Speaking during “Question Hour”, Secretary Mehdi stated that ongoing internet disruptions were due to measures being taken by the Interior Ministry to strengthen security measures, which was why neither “the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) nor the cabinet division” could provide a clear timeline.

Members of the National Assembly raised concerns about the impact of the state of internet disruption, causing billions in rupees in terms of business losses, academic activities being impacted, as well the inability to open images, video or voice-based messages in WhatsApp. While some conceded the need for security, and condemned “the use of digital space for terrorism and harassment”, questions were asked as to what is taking so long regarding the national “firewall”, and, in regards to proposed legislation such as the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill, “[what] digital Pakistan are we talking about when there is no internet facility?”