Pakistan’s throttling of the internet threatens to tear nation apart

Farhan Bokhari 

As Pakistan braces for news on a critical $7 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund, another deep issue simmers beneath the surface. While the country edges toward financial stability, the nation’s internet has slowed to a crawl, symbolizing a government struggling to control more than just its economy.

On the surface, the picture is good. Pakistan’s main stock market has surged close to record highs, lifted by hopes for an IMF lifeline and signs of economic recovery. Compare that to a year ago when the nation teetered on the edge of defaulting on its foreign debt. But while financial optimism grows, the crippling slowdown in internet speed has cast a shadow over the nation’s political environment and its economic prospects.

Across Pakistan, internet users report constant disruptions on services like WhatsApp and TikTok, while X (formerly Twitter) remains inaccessible. Government officials claim the slowdown was caused by damage to an undersea cable — an issue they say has since been resolved. But the country’s IT sector disputes this, pointing to a more deliberate tactic tied to the country’s turbulent politics.

The block on X, imposed after the platform became a hub for criticism against the government and military, has led to a surge in VPN usage as citizens seek to bypass restrictions. Meanwhile, critics argue that throttling internet access to suppress dissent is a short-sighted and counterproductive strategy, given the numerous challenges Pakistan already faces.

The slowdown highlights the tension between the ruling establishment, backed by the military, and the opposition led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Khan, still widely popular among younger voters, has been imprisoned since mid-2023 on charges of corruption. His supporters argue that his detention, much like the internet crackdown, is part of a broader effort to silence dissent.

A supporter of jailed former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), displays a portrait of him at a rally in Lahore, Pakistan, on Sept. 21.   © Reuters

Economically, Pakistan can ill afford any further disruptions. The IMF bailout will be its 24th, a result of chronic policy failures, including the inability to boost exports or reduce imports. One of the few sectors that has seen growth is IT, with the industry contributing just over $3 billion in export earnings last year. But now, with internet speed at a standstill, business leaders fear they will miss deadlines and lose international clients.

Compounding these challenges is the fact that much of Pakistan’s population remains outside the formal economy. More than a third live below the subsistence level, while just 2% pay taxes. Powerful farm owners remain exempt from income tax, and many businesses evade taxes with the help of corrupt officials. Without overhauling its tax collection system, Pakistan will struggle to keep up with modern economies.

Additionally, the nation continues to grapple with internal strife, from separatist movements in Balochistan to terrorist threats along its borders. These issues demand a national consensus, but the government’s efforts to curb the free flow of information online undermine that goal.

For Pakistan to move forward, it needs unity, not censorship. Limiting access to the internet only deepens the divisions that threaten to tear the country apart. Instead, the leadership should focus on fostering an open and informed political dialogue, allowing the free exchange of ideas to be the catalyst for the stability and growth that Pakistan so desperately needs.

source : asia.nikkei