Pakistan’s IT experts are calling for a swift rollout of 5G services to mitigate ongoing Internet speed issues, which have resulted in substantial economic losses. Recent reports indicate that Internet disruptions have severely impacted millions of users, particularly due to political events. Industry leaders stress the urgency for government action to enhance infrastructure and connectivity to support economic goals.
In Pakistan, IT experts have urged the government to expedite the rollout of 5G services in response to the nation’s significant Internet speed issues, which have led to extensive economic losses. A report revealed that Pakistan endured 9,735 hours of Internet disruptions affecting approximately 82.9 million users, primarily attributed to political events such as elections and protests. With economic losses surpassing USD 1.62 billion in 2024, the call for action has intensified from industry leaders including the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA).
Sajjad Mustafa Syed, Chairman of P@SHA, highlighted that Pakistan incurs over one million dollars each hour due to Internet outages, urging the government to accelerate 5G deployment through a planned spectrum auction in March 2025. He advocated for enhanced fiber-optic infrastructure and new undersea cable installations to boost connectivity. The IT sector’s positive growth, reflected in USD 3.2 billion in IT exports during the 2023-24 fiscal year, is at risk if these disruptions persist, threatening the government’s target of USD 15 billion for this fiscal year.
The impact of slow Internet speeds extends beyond economic aspects, significantly affecting the freelance workforce within the country. Tufail Ahmed Khan, President of the Pakistan Freelancers Association (PAFLA), called for government policies that favor Internet and VPN usability to encourage freelancers, which could enhance foreign remittance inflows and ease government employment burdens. Furthermore, Zohaib Khan, a former P@SHA chairman, expressed concerns regarding the detrimental effects of Internet shutdowns on Pakistan’s global reputation, suggesting that freelancers utilize co-working spaces during outages to maintain productivity.
In light of these challenges, the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) has initiated measures to counter the disruptions stemming from the Asia-Africa-Europe-1 (AAE-1) submarine cable faults. The PTA aims to enhance Internet connectivity and speeds by integrating into the 2Africa submarine cable system, scheduled for later this year. These efforts are crucial for stabilizing the Internet infrastructure and supporting the IT industry’s growth potential.
The topic of Internet connectivity and infrastructure in Pakistan has become increasingly critical due to frequent disruptions caused by political instability and the slow rollout of advanced technology such as 5G. As Internet reliability plays a crucial role in economic performance and international competitiveness, IT experts and industry leaders have raised concerns about the adverse impacts of ongoing outages on millions of users and the overall economy. These discussions are contextualized within the broader framework of technological advancement and the country’s aspirations for growth in the IT sector amidst global challenges.
In summary, experts in Pakistan are stressing the urgent need for the government to enhance Internet infrastructure by accelerating the rollout of 5G services to combat slow Internet speeds and interruptions. The economic ramifications of these disruptions are substantial, as evidenced by significant losses reported. Additionally, strategies should be implemented to support freelancers and strengthen Pakistan’s international position in the IT industry. Timely government intervention could pivotally influence the future trajectory of Internet connectivity and economic growth in Pakistan.
Original Source: telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com
