Last month’s protest in Pakistan’s capital, demanding the release of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, led to the arrests of hundreds and, according to digital rights activists, sparked nationwide Internet outages and slowdowns.
Pakistan has a history of restricting online access during political unrest, often banning social media or imposing temporary Internet blackouts. Following February’s parliamentary elections—where Khan’s party secured the most seats despite facing a crackdown—the U.S. criticized Pakistan’s Internet shutdowns.
Businesses reliant on digital platforms warn that prolonged disruptions and a government-imposed national firewall to monitor and regulate content could cost Pakistan hundreds of millions in lost revenue. Officials deny allegations of censorship.
Usama Khilji, a digital rights advocate, described the situation as a “creeping coup,” pointing to the lack of transparency and diminishing civilian control over IT infrastructure.
In Layyah, a small southeastern town, freelancer Sehrish Bano struggles with unreliable Internet, juggling between connections to complete her graphic design course and freelance video editing work. “Even simple tasks like sending a WhatsApp message or downloading a file now take five times longer,” she said.
Internet speeds in Pakistan have reportedly dropped by over 30% in the last three months, attributed to a “web management system or firewall,” according to Shahzad Arshad of the Wireless and Internet Providers Association.
Farieha Aziz of Bolo Bhi, a civil rights group, criticized the government for its lack of transparency, calling the silence on the firewall’s existence deliberate. Amnesty International echoed concerns, urging Pakistan to clarify its Internet policies, warning that such measures often violate human rights.
