Internet disruptions jeopardise digital economy

Freelancers, IT experts, small businesses face major setback, call for urgent action

KARACHI:

IT experts and the Pakistan Freelancers Association (PAFLA) have raised alarms over the continuous slow internet in Pakistan, warning that it poses a significant threat to the country's digital economy. Freelancers, IT companies, small traders, and everyday citizens are suffering substantial daily losses due to these disruptions.

The impact of slow internet is widespread. Lower middle-class housewives who sell home-cooked meals through social media apps like Facebook and Instagram are struggling to publicise their businesses. Students are finding it difficult to exchange and download notes, including sketches and images, via WhatsApp. Journalists working from home under COVID-19 policies are scrambling to meet deadlines. Even ordinary people who rely on voice notes via their smartphones for communication are being affected, as are local committees that update residents on water supply, electricity restoration, and gas issues via WhatsApp. Content creators on platforms like TikTok and online tutors are also severely impacted.

Parvez Iftikhar, an IT and Telecom Sector Expert, highlighted that the reliance on mobile internet extends to various professions, including plumbers, carpenters, and small contractors who use WhatsApp for work-related communication. Those employed in the gig economy, such as drivers for inDrive and Careem, delivery personnel for Bykea and Foodpanda, and shopkeepers selling goods through e-commerce platforms, are entirely dependent on a stable internet connection.

PAFLA has called for an immediate resolution to these internet disruptions in the broader interest of the nation. The association, representing freelancers nationwide, urges the relevant authorities to address these ongoing issues and restore full internet services.

According to PAFLA President and CEO Tufail Ahmed Khan, freelancers have been grappling with slow internet speeds and frequent disruptions for the past three weeks. These challenges have made it difficult for freelancers to meet project deadlines, onboard new clients, and secure future business, leading to significant revenue losses. "Pakistan is the fourth-largest freelancing industry globally, with over 2.3 million full-time and part-time freelancers," Khan stated. "If these issues persist, online freelancing platforms may downgrade our standing, further damaging the industry."

The Economic Survey of Pakistan reported that Pakistani freelancers generated $350 million in FY 2023-24, marking a 40% year-on-year increase. "This underscores the rapid growth and importance of the freelancing industry to the national economy," he said.

PAFLA Co-Founder and Chairman Ibrahim Amin stressed that most freelancers in the country have worked hard to build a decent living for themselves and their families after struggling to find jobs in the private and public sectors. However, due to recent internet disruptions, they are once again facing hardships.

Amin also mentioned that PAFLA, in collaboration with partner universities and educational institutions, holds weekly seminars for freelancers in major cities and smaller towns, attracting a large and motivated audience. Unfortunately, the ongoing disruption has caused a sense of despair among them.

He appealed to the authorities to prioritise this issue and take immediate action to restore full internet services. "A stable and secure internet connection is crucial for freelancers to continue their work and support their families. The current situation not only tarnishes the reputation of Pakistani freelancers but also poses significant risks to the broader digital economy," he added.