Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Division, Syed Sajid Mehdi, has advised Pakistanis to limit their internet usage to “important matters only” to address ongoing connectivity issues. Speaking on a television program, Mehdi likened internet congestion to traffic jams, attributing slow speeds to overuse and the country’s limited fibre-optic capacity, which he said stands at 15% compared to India’s 45%.
The suggestion comes amidst widespread complaints of sluggish internet speeds and intermittent disruptions, particularly impacting IT professionals and businesses reliant on digital infrastructure. The Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) estimates that just one hour of internet disruptions costs the sector over $1 million, potentially eroding international confidence in Pakistan’s IT capabilities.
Digital analysts suggest the government is testing a firewall to monitor and block content, exacerbating connectivity woes. Mehdi denied official knowledge of financial losses to the IT sector, maintaining that no formal complaints had been lodged. However, he assured that upgrades to Pakistan’s fibre network would be completed within months to alleviate the issue.
Despite criticism from IT industry leaders and professionals, Mehdi reiterated his call for citizens to curtail non-essential browsing, emphasising that excessive internet use hampers speeds and contributes to what he described as “negative thinking.”
