Information Technology (IT) experts advise against the government’s reliance on suspending mobile phone broadband and data services, urging the exploration of viable alternatives. They argue that such suspensions not only disrupt entire IT services but also result in significant financial losses for IT businesses, affecting public and private organizations and the general public alike.
IT-related businesses encompass a wide array of services, including those offered by the IT sector, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), commercial banks, and their respective applications, e-stores, and more. The public heavily relies on mobile phone or digital applications for payments and various e-services, such as InDrive, Yango, Bykea, and FoodPanda, aimed at enhancing efficiency.
Saquib Ahmad, SAP Managing Director in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iraq, lamented the impact of internet disruptions on IT exports and human resources critical for this endeavor. He emphasized the significance of services like JazzCash and Easypaisa in rural areas for financial transactions and highlighted the challenges in maintaining personal and social connections, especially with family members abroad, during service disruptions affecting platforms like WhatsApp.
The increasing dependence on cloud solutions significantly affects supply chains and end-consumer businesses, with users shifting to ISP’s internet services when mobile phone broadband services are suspended, causing overload and slowdowns.
“We need alternative solutions to internet suspensions. While national security is paramount, embracing modern technology solutions and prioritizing lawful interception methods is imperative,” Ahmad urged.
Mehboob Shar, Founder and CEO of Icreativez Technologies and a leading SEO expert in the country, reiterated the importance of uninterrupted internet services for businesses, particularly in fields like digital marketing. He emphasized that internet disruptions lead to nearly 100% losses in digital marketing, as tools like SEO, social media, content, email, and PPC depend entirely on internet connectivity. Businesses reliant on these tools face complete standstills during internet disruptions.
“Due to poor or dysfunctional internet services, foreign clients lose trust in us, leading to a 20-30% loss in reputation. Fast and uninterrupted internet services are the only solution, as SEO and digital marketing fields necessitate 100% and 24/7 active internet connectivity,” Shar concluded.
Last week, Amnesty International, alongside a coalition of human rights activists and civil society organizations, demanded the immediate restoration of the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), blocked in the country since February 17.
X has remained inaccessible since former Rawalpindi commissioner Liaquat Chattha resigned over alleged “election rigging” in the Rawalpindi division, followed by the blockage of mobile phone services on election day – February 8.
“The arbitrary blocking of platforms, including the prolonged and unannounced disruption of X (formerly Twitter) since February 17, 2024, is a sobering illustration of growing digital censorship in the country,” stated the human rights organization, criticizing the complete silence of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and deeming it extremely alarming for exceeding its mandate to block an entire internet platform without furnishing any reasons.
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