Mixed Signals from Authorities Leave Pakistan’s Internet Users and Businesses in the Dark

Wireless & Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan (WISPAP) chairman has said that the ongoing saga of internet disruptions in Pakistan has left the public and businesses in a state of confusion. The recent statement by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Major General (R) Hafeez Ur Rehman attributing the current internet issues to a fault in the submarine cable is just the latest twist in a narrative that has been anything but clear, the chairman said in a statement on Wednesday. For weeks, there have been conflicting messages from the authorities regarding the true cause of these disruptions. Initially, the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication downplayed the issue, assuring the public that there was nothing out of the ordinary. Soon after, hints about a potential upgrade to the National Firewall System (NFS) emerged, followed by vague references to a “web management system.” However, when pressed for details, officials either refrained from commenting or outright denied the involvement of the NFS. Now, in an unexpected turn, the chairman of the PTA has acknowledged not only the fault in the submarine cable but also the ongoing upgrade of the NFS. This admission raises several critical questions: This lack of clarity is not just an issue of poor communication; it is causing real financial harm. The telecom sector has already reported losses of $300 million, and that figure does not even account for the undocumented IT sector, which likely faces significant, unreported losses, the statement added. It further added, “Businesses that rely on stable internet connections are losing money every day due to these unexplained disruptions, and the public is left to bear the consequences without any clear answers. As a nation, we must ask ourselves: where do we stand when it comes to transparency and accountability? Why are we kept in the dark about decisions that affect our economy and our daily lives?” “The public and the business community have a right to know the truth, and it is high time that the authorities provide clear, consistent, and accurate information. The PTA’s recent admission may be a step in the right direction, but it’s late. We call on the government to fully disclose the status and true cause of the internet disruptions, and the measures being taken to prevent such issues in the future. Only through transparency can we ensure that the public and businesses are not left to navigate this digital uncertainty alone,” said the statement issued by WISPAP.