Internet disruptions jeopardise digital economy

IT experts and the Pakistan Freelancers Association (PAFLA) have raised alarms over the continuous slow internet in Pakistan, warning that it poses a significant threat to the country's digital economy. Freelancers, IT companies, small traders, and everyday citizens are suffering substantial daily losses due to these disruptions. The impact of slow internet is widespread. Lower middle-class housewives who sell home-cooked meals through social media apps like Facebook and Instagram are struggling to publicise their businesses. Students are finding it difficult to exchange and download notes, including sketches and images, via WhatsApp. Journalists working from home under COVID-19 policies are scrambling to meet deadlines. Even ordinary people who rely on voice notes via their smartphones for communication are being affected, as are local committees that update residents on water supply, electricity restoration, and gas issues via WhatsApp. Content creators on platforms like TikTok and online tutors are also severely impacted.