KARACHI: Online businesses and freelancers are expressing mounting concerns over persistent internet disruptions, warning of substantial economic losses if the issues are not addressed promptly.
On Monday, the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) and the Pakistan Freelancers Association (Pafla) called on the government to engage with the industry and resolve the ongoing problems with slow internet speeds.
These comments followed a statement from Information Technology Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, who denied allegations of government-imposed internet throttling, claiming that the issue was temporary and had been resolved.
Ali Ihsan, Senior Vice Chairman of P@SHA, criticized the government for excluding his association from discussions on internet policy. He emphasized the long-standing cooperation between P@SHA and the government, noting that their exclusion had led to confusion and challenges. Ihsan estimated that the disruptions have cost the industry approximately $300 million in losses and damage to the reputation of Pakistani firms.
Pafla President and CEO Tufail Ahmed Khan also called for immediate action to restore full internet connectivity. He highlighted how recent disruptions have impacted freelancers, preventing them from meeting deadlines, onboarding clients, and securing future projects, which has led to significant revenue losses. Khan noted that Pakistan is the fourth-largest freelancing market globally, with over 2.3 million freelancers, and warned that ongoing issues could negatively affect the country’s standing in the freelancing sector.
In related news, a report released on Monday showed that Pakistan’s IT exports decreased by over four percent in July 2024 compared to the previous month, totaling $286 million. However, year-on-year exports increased by 34 percent from $214 million in July 2023. The July 2024 figures were above the 12-month average of $269 million, and net IT exports (exports minus imports) reached $252 million, marking a 33 percent increase year-on-year.
