Pakistan Internet Slowed by VPNs
Shaza Fatima Khawaja, the Federal Minister of State for Information Technology, has explained that the slow internet speeds in Pakistan are caused by the high number of people using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs).
VPNs are tools that help users hide their online activity and access content that might be restricted. However, their widespread use is affecting the overall speed and performance of internet services in the country.
At a news conference in Islamabad today, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, the Federal Minister of State for Information Technology, explained that the slow internet speeds in Pakistan are not due to intentional blocking or slowing by the government. Instead, she said the slowdown is caused by the high use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs).
When certain apps or services were blocked, people began using VPNs to get around these restrictions. However, VPNs can slow down the internet because they route traffic through external servers, which can also affect mobile internet speeds.
Shaza Fatima assured the public that the government is working on fixing the issue to improve internet services in Pakistan. She also mentioned that a new Digitization Commission is being set up to help digitize the economy.
The Minister highlighted that IT exports are increasing, thanks to efforts by the Special Investment Facilitation Council. She denied claims that the government is deliberately closing or slowing down the internet, stating that the slowdown is due to an overload of internet traffic.
Pakistan is currently experiencing disruptions in internet service, which are related to the use of internet firewalls. These firewalls were set up at major internet gateways in the country to monitor and filter internet traffic. They can control or block access to certain websites and social media platforms. According to authorities, these systems also have the ability to track where objectionable or harmful material comes from.
In addition to this, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is planning to introduce a new policy to regulate the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) across the country.
This decision follows a major increase in the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) in 2024. People started using VPNs more to access X (formerly known as Twitter), which had been blocked.
A report from Top10VPN showed that the demand for VPNs jumped by 131% on February 19, just two days after X was blocked. Additionally, Surfshark, a company that provides VPN services, reported a 300-400% rise in new users in Pakistan after the ban on X.
