Pakistan Faces Public Outcry Over Extended Internet Disruptions Amid Allegations of Government Censorship

Pakistan is currently experiencing a significant internet slowdown, with transmission rates dropping by up to 40% over the past few weeks. Authorities attribute the disruption to malfunctioning underwater cables, but some tech observers and rights groups suggest it’s due to the government’s attempts to implement more stringent online control measures. This includes the deployment of a new firewall-like system aimed at increasing state control, surveillance, and censorship. The slowdown is affecting various forms of online communication and has sparked concerns over its impact on political expression, especially against the backdrop of a crackdown on the political party of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan and other dissenting voices.

• Pakistan’s Telecommunication Authority cites malfunctioning underwater cables as the cause of the internet slowdown.
• Rights groups and tech watchers argue the slowdown is due to government efforts to tighten control over online access, including the deployment of a new firewall system.
• The internet slowdown has led to a drop in transmission rates by up to 40%, affecting various forms of communication, including social media and messaging apps like WhatsApp.
• There is concern that the government’s actions are aimed at increasing censorship, surveillance, and control over social media, particularly to suppress political dissent and criticism.
• The crackdown is part of a broader pattern of repression against the political party of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan (PTI), other political dissenters, and rights movements in marginalized regions.
• The slowdown has had a significant economic impact, with businesses reporting losses and some international companies considering relocating due to the unreliable internet.
• Government officials have provided conflicting explanations for the slowdown, ranging from high VPN usage to the implementation of new control systems, without clear transparency or acknowledgment of the role of censorship efforts.
• Legal and digital rights experts challenge the government’s narrative, pointing to the lack of evidence for the claimed technical issues and highlighting the broader context of digital and legal restrictions targeting free expression and political activism.

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