Islamabad – By our Correspondent
Pakistan is facing significant economic and social challenges due to nationwide slow internet speeds and website blockages, a consequence of the government’s trial of a new firewall system. While the firewall was installed to block unwanted content and enhance national security, its implementation has severely disrupted connectivity across the country. The firewall, equipped with deep packet inspection capabilities, has caused internet speeds to drop by 30-40%, impacting various sectors including the government, private businesses, and individual users.
The poor performance of the firewall may be attributed to either technical flaws within the system or a lack of capable resources and expert management to run it effectively. Experts and digital rights activists have raised concerns over the system’s efficacy, suggesting that improper network filtering and bottlenecks are likely responsible for the widespread disruptions. The slow internet has deeply affected the government’s digital services, including e-governance and online tax systems, with estimated financial losses amounting to Rs 5-7 billion ($17-25 million USD).
Private sector businesses, particularly multinationals and e-commerce platforms, have also suffered. Poor internet speeds have led to operational delays, costing businesses over Rs 10 billion ($35 million USD) due to missed contracts and international client losses. Similarly, freelancers who rely on platforms such as Fiverr and Upwork have lost clients, with the freelance sector losing an estimated Rs 3-5 billion ($10-17 million USD)
The slowdowns have also had a significant impact on students and educators, disrupting virtual classes and access to educational resources, which has led to delays in academic schedules.
The lack of transparency and communication from the government has only added to the frustration, with critics suggesting that the system is being mishandled and requires urgent review. If these issues persist, Pakistan risks further economic losses, technological isolation, and continued disruption across sectors that rely heavily on stable internet connectivity
