Lahore, August 19, 2024 – The Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) has raised urgent concerns over the ongoing internet outages and slow speeds that are severely affecting the country’s IT sector.
In a recent meeting with the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), P@SHA warned that foreign clients of local service providers are on the verge of discontinuing business due to these persistent issues.
A delegation from P@SHA, led by Central Executive Committee Member Mudassir Saleem Malik, met with LCCI President Kashif Anwar to discuss the profound impact of these internet disruptions. The delegation included prominent industry figures such as Abdul Wahab, CEO of ABFA Technologies, Imad Malik, CEO of Cobuild, Mudassir Naeem, CEO of Peak Solutions, Iftikhar Hussain, and Aamir Iftikhar. They shared alarming insights into how the unreliable internet infrastructure is causing operational delays and threatening Pakistan’s position in the global IT market.
“Frequent internet outages, slow speeds, and high costs are crippling our economy and hindering our ability to compete globally,” said LCCI President Kashif Anwar. He emphasized the urgent need for the authorities to consult with relevant stakeholders before making any changes to the existing internet system.
Mudassir Saleem Malik, leader of the delegation, highlighted the specific challenges faced by freelancers who rely on platforms like Fiverr. He noted that many freelancers are forced to use VPNs to bypass internet restrictions, leading to frequent IP changes that trigger security alerts. This has resulted in warnings from platforms against collaborating with freelancers in Pakistan, exacerbating the already tense situation.
The delegation also reported that internet disruptions have led to significant operational downtimes, with some data centers experiencing outages lasting up to four hours. These disruptions have caused numerous companies to receive threats from international clients, who have warned of discontinuing business if the situation does not improve.
P@SHA presented data from a recent survey indicating that a large number of Pakistani freelancers are considering relocating abroad due to these internet restrictions. Many are applying for Digital Nomad Visas offered by other countries, which would allow them to work remotely from more stable locations. This potential exodus of skilled professionals could result in a significant economic loss for Pakistan, as many freelancers run businesses that employ dozens of people.
The delegation criticized the lack of consultation with the IT industry before implementing these restrictive measures and urged the authorities to adopt a phased approach to minimize the impact. P@SHA warned that the current approach is not only causing financial losses but also damaging Pakistan’s reputation in the global market.
Supporting P@SHA’s concerns, LCCI President Kashif Anwar called on the government to involve the IT industry in future decision-making processes. He highlighted the contradiction of promoting digitalization while internet services are deteriorating and urged the government to reconsider its policies to prevent further damage to the country’s IT sector and broader economy.
