Islamabad, Pakistan – Pakistan is facing a severe internet infrastructure crisis, hindering economic growth and frustrating its growing digital population. Despite investing heavily in foreign exchange to acquire 40% of its total bandwidth, the country’s internet connectivity remains plagued by frequent disruptions and slow speeds.
The remaining 60% of bandwidth, primarily consumed by social media platforms, is managed through local proxies and Content Delivery Networks (CDNs). However, when the government imposes social media bans, users resort to Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to circumvent restrictions, overwhelming the limited bandwidth and causing widespread internet outages.
This digital chokehold is severely impacting key sectors such as software exports and call centers, as businesses struggle with unreliable connectivity. Consequently, foreign clients are increasingly opting for alternative markets like India.
Experts warn that Pakistan’s internet crisis will continue to stifle economic growth and innovation unless urgent action is taken to address the country’s bandwidth constraints and improve internet infrastructure.
“The government needs to prioritize investment in internet infrastructure and work towards creating a more stable and reliable online environment,” said a leading tech expert.
With the digital economy expected to play a critical role in Pakistan’s future growth, the government must act swiftly to resolve the internet crisis and ensure the country remains competitive in the global market.
