World
Internet Slowdown Causes Crisis for Pakistani Freelancers
Discover how internet slowdowns are creating significant challenges for Pakistani freelancers, impacting their productivity and income. Explore the causes, effects, and potential solutions to this growing crisis.
Internet Slowdown Sparks Panic Among Pakistani Freelancers
When Shafi Naeem, a freelance software designer based in Karachi, began to notice a significant decline in internet speeds across Pakistan, he felt a wave of anxiety wash over him. As the days went by, that anxiety morphed into outright panic. The essential websites he relied on to secure freelance work became frustratingly slow to load. Additionally, the platforms he had developed for his clients were now taking an excruciatingly long time to upload onto servers—if they managed to upload at all.
His clients, in distress, sent him voice notes and images via WhatsApp, but these too remained stubbornly stuck, refusing to download. An outline of a clock symbol, indicating that the files had not yet been sent, appeared to mock him with every failed attempt. “It’s not just detrimental to my business; it’s utterly devastating,” lamented Mr. Naeem, 39. He estimates that he has already incurred losses exceeding half of his typical monthly income of around $4,000. “Our livelihoods hinge on having fast and dependable internet access.”
Across the nation, a similar plight unfolded as internet speeds plummeted to alarming lows, igniting widespread outrage and speculation that the government might be covertly testing a new firewall system designed to enhance surveillance and control over the country’s internet usage. The government, however, has categorically denied any involvement in the slowdown, which has significantly impacted millions of users and caused disruptions for numerous businesses throughout the country.
According to various trade groups and business owners, internet speeds have dwindled to about half of their usual rates. Tasks that previously took mere minutes to complete are now stretching into hours. Online meetings and video conferences have turned into frustrating experiences, marked by frozen screens and delayed audio.
The Pakistan Software Houses Association, representing software firms nationwide, issued a statement condemning the severe repercussions of what they termed a “hasty implementation of a national firewall.” They warned that Pakistan’s economy could face losses upwards of $300 million due to these disruptions.