ISPs has demanded that government fully restore access of internet in Pakistan, as the country has been tormented since June 2024 because of continuing internet problems. Customers, ISPs, and the IT sector are in a messy situation because of these internet problems in Pakistan. Even frequent promises of authorities haven’t done much to restore trust because of their ambiguous commitment and changing time limits.
Every subsequent deadline—June to July, early September, early October, and finally the end of October—has fallen short of bringing about the critical settlement. The public and ISPs are left with more questions than answers as a result of these continuously shifting deadlines, which makes them doubtful that any meaningful change will be made. The deadline of October 31st seems more like just another band-aid solution than a clear-cut strategy for progress.
This is becoming a major challenge for ISPs. They serve as the public’s direct conduit; therefore, when problems with connectivity occur, the public is angry with these providers. Because of these circumstances, ISPs are being wrongly burdened and are left to clarify the blackout without any authority over the major reasons.
WISPAP—which speaks for all internet service providers in Pakistan—has made a strong case for the government to hold open discussions and provide real assistance.Â
Shahzad Arshad, Chairman of WISPAP, pointed out that the government authorities and the industry’s lack of collaboration are negatively impacting the confidence and service quality. ISPs need to be directly involved in finding a solution to internet problems in Pakistan and have clearer communication because they are the ones that receive customer complaints.
The businesses stability and potential for growth are not sufficiently supported by the existent policy, according to the statement given by WISPAP.
The problem has frequently been likened to the circumstances in India, where 116 internet outages were reported in 2023. That being said, in India, circumstances are completely different. Geographically and demographically, it is a far larger country with a vast user base and a more intricate network of numerous internet points of presence (PoPs).
India has had more than 500 shutdowns in the last five years, most of which affected mobile networks and were frequently directed at particular states or areas.
In contrast, Pakistan suffers a far greater impact even from shorter delays due to its centralized network and far fewer PoPs. Pakistan cannot fairly be compared to India because it has a far smaller IT industry and user population, and any outage would have a much greater impact on businesses and consumers.
In an attempt to soothe some of the worries, the chairman of PTA has been focusing on technical advancements, such as increasing the Web Management System (WMS), popularly referred to as the notorious firewall, from 5 TB to 8 TB by the end of October. Nevertheless, WISPAP is being extremely cautious of these recommended modifications, regarding them as possibly inadequate in the absence of an in-depth, cooperative plan involving all stakeholders.
Fixing the underlying structural problems won’t be accomplished by simply instigating a deadline in the lack of specific initiatives and shared accountability, the Wireless and Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan contest.
Shahzad Arshad, Chairman of WISPAP, was not convinced by the deadline of October. He feels that for long-term progress, a more extensive and cooperative approach is required. The industry needs more than simply technological adjustments, as well as the need for balanced policy that motivates trust in the sector’s stability and the dedication of the government to successfully meeting the public’s digital requirements.Â
Due to the continued setbacks, it was made crystal clear that stronger communication, improved administration, and an extensive digital policy are needed by Pakistan.
These issues can pose a risk to the nation’s digital advancement and across the board economic development in the absence of a clear strategy and sincere involvement from the relevant authorities.
In addition to promises, WISPAP, ISPs, and the millions of customers they cater to should be given practical, long-term solutions that guarantee a dependable and secure online environment for everybody.
In the digital future of Pakistan, the path to go forward requires coordinated efforts, open decision-making, and a dedication to long-term reforms to restore stability and confidence.
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