According to an international report, Pakistan ranked among the top countries to face losses due to internet disruptions in 2024. This year marked the worst period for internet shutdowns in Pakistan, with 18 complete shutdowns, including during the general elections on February 8 and opposition protests. Throughout the year, slow speeds further hampered connectivity.
The non-governmental organization Top Ten VPN reported that Pakistan faced a loss of $1.62 billion due to internet shutdowns and slow speeds, ranking first globally in 2024. Last year, Pakistan experienced 9,735 hours of internet disruption, affecting 80 million people. South Asia, particularly Myanmar, Bangladesh, and India, was the most impacted region, with India alone witnessing 51 shutdowns.
Chairman of Pasha commented that while Pakistan is neither among the best nor worst countries in terms of internet access, efforts by PTA and the Ministry of IT have undermined transparency in the sector. Social experts warn that in today’s world, internet access is a necessity for every household, and if Pakistan’s situation doesn’t improve, it will fall further behind in the global race.
