Facebook, Twitter, YouTube still not accessible

PTA spokesperson denies purposeful slow speed of internet

KARACHI:

 

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has claimed to have restored internet access following the release of former premier Imran Khan, but many people have reported slow or non-existent internet connections.

The government has not given any clear reason for this, leading to confusion and frustration among citizens. The PTA spokesperson denied purposeful slow speed of the internet.

However, the recent events surrounding the arrest and subsequent release of Imran had an adverse effect on the country’s internet and social media platforms.
While the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) claimed to have opened up the internet, it has not been fully restored, leading to complaints from people struggling to access the internet and social media.

Even though the internet resumed on Friday, social media sites are still not working properly on both mobile phones and desktops, startup investment specialist Kapeel Kumar said.

“This situation is still creating chaos and leading this nation towards disappointment,” he said. Right now, most of the apps are not accessible without VPN and the internet is very slow on mobile data and fiber as well, he added.

Imran’s arrest on corruption charges caused a massive uproar in the country. The arrest led to protests, clashes with law enforcement agencies and attacks on military installations. To control the situation, the interior ministry directed the PTA to shut down broadband, causing an unforeseen impact on the country’s economy and general life.

As of now, the internet situation in Pakistan remains sluggish, and many people are still unable to connect to social media or other sites.

Internet speed has been reported to be as slow as 3G, with frequent disconnections, making it difficult for people to carry out even the most basic online tasks.

In today’s age, businesses rely on the internet to manage their operations, ICT analyst at JS Global, Waqas Ghani Kukaswadia said.

The burgeoning startup and freelance industries in Pakistan are also dependent on a stable internet connection.

“Such small businesses and freelancers suffered greatly from internet outages during the outgoing week,” he said.

Due to the lack of internet access in Pakistan, Fiverr, a renowned global marketplace for freelancers, temporarily disabled the accounts of Pakistani freelancers, which does not present a positive image in front of the world, he said.

Internet users are still complaining of limited bandwidth when trying to access social media, despite not officially being blocked anymore.

The slow internet speed had a considerable impact on people’s daily lives. Many students rely on the internet for online classes, which have become a norm since the start of the pandemic. It has been a significant hurdle for those who need to study for exams or access educational materials.

The slow internet speed has also severely impacted business and the economy. Online businesses have been hit hard, with some unable to operate at all due to slow internet speeds. Those who can still operate are experiencing severe disruptions, which have resulted in lost revenues and customers.

The government has been criticised for its handling of the situation, with many people accusing it of not doing enough to address the isue.

There has been widespread frustration and anger at the lack of clear communication from the authorities, which has left people in the dark about what is going on.