The Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) addressed increasing complaints about sluggish internet services nationwide.

During a Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology meeting, chaired by Palwasha Khan, concerns were raised by members, including Senator Afnanullah and Senator Humayun.

They emphasized the negative impact of slow internet speeds, particularly on e-commerce platforms, which have been leaving Pakistan as a result.

Senator Afnanullah noted that users are struggling to upload and download media files on WhatsApp, while Senator Humayun criticized the PTA and IT Ministry for obstructing business operations.

In response, the IT Secretary explained that the issue of slow internet is linked to cellular networks, not Wi-Fi services.

However, PTA officials claimed they had not received any formal complaints about the slow internet. The meeting also briefly addressed the installation of firewalls by Internet Service Providers (ISPs), a measure intended to control social media following the Punjab government’s passage of the Defamation Law 2024.

The firewall, which uses deep packet inspection (DPI) technology, is designed to monitor internet traffic and data to exert greater control over online content.

The discussion on firewalls was meant to be detailed during the meeting, but the agenda was postponed due to the absence of key PTA officials.

As concerns over internet speed and regulation continue to grow, the situation remains tense, affecting both users and businesses alike.