IT Minister blames VPN usage for internet disruption in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister of State for Information Technology, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, stated that slow internet speeds in Pakistan are largely due to the widespread use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs).

In a news conference in Islamabad, Fatima Khawaja explained that the internet was neither blocked nor intentionally slowed down; rather, the high usage of VPNs has been impacting internet speed. She noted that when certain apps were restricted, people turned to VPNs to bypass local services, which in turn slowed down overall internet performance, including mobile internet speeds.

The Minister assured that the government is addressing the issue and working to improve internet services in Pakistan. She also announced the formation of a Digitization Commission aimed at advancing the country’s digital economy.

Additionally, Fatima Khawaja highlighted an increase in IT exports, attributed to measures by the Special Investment Facilitation Council.

In addition, she dismissed reports of government-imposed internet slowdowns, attributing the slowdown to the heavy burden on internet traffic.

Recent disruptions are linked to the implementation of internet firewalls at major gateways, intended to monitor and filter traffic while also tracking objectionable material. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is reportedly considering a new policy to regulate VPN use nationwide.

The surge in VPN usage in 2024, primarily to access the blocked social media platform X (formerly Twitter), has led to a significant increase in VPN demand. A report by Top10VPN indicated a 131% rise in VPN demand on February 19, following X’s blockage, with Surfshark reporting a 300-400% increase in new users in Pakistan.