PTA likely to resolve internet slowdown issues by end of October

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has been facing internet slowdown issues for the last couple of months causing severe inconvenience to the citizens of Pakistan. Regarding this issue, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman, Major General (retd) Hafeezur Rahman, has assured that the current internet issues will be resolved by the end of October.

Moreover, the PTA Chairman clarified that the authority cannot intentionally slow down the internet. He emphasized that national security takes precedence, which sometimes necessitates internet shutdowns. In 2023, Pakistan experienced seven internet shutdowns, significantly fewer than India’s 116 shutdowns.

Furthermore, He noted that during Muharram, mobile services were only suspended in specific areas and at specific times to ensure public safety and the successful execution of Muharram’s events.

The chairman also addressed the suspension of the social media platform “X”, stating that the decision to lift the ban lies with the federal government.

“The decision to close X is that of the federal government. We will open it when the government asks for it. Our compliance rate from X is very high but it only complies with 27%,” Rahman stated.

Despite a high compliance rate from “X”, it only responds to a few of requests, whereas other social media platforms have achieved 93% compliance.

Hafeez also mentioned that every country has its ways of ensuring public safety and many other countries block signals from time to time in complicated situations.

Moreover, Chairman PTA added that mobile data services are currently blocked in Panjgur due to security concerns and that the request to shut down mobile services during the MDCAT exam was rejected.

Additionally, he has urged social media platforms to utilize AI in blocking illegal content and expressed opposition to blocking SIMs on FBR orders.