Citizens and business communities have demanded the government to immediately restore mobile data services, as the disruption is adversely affecting daily life and imposing a heavy financial burden on the citizens. From lost connections to crippled businesses, explore the far-reaching consequences of an unexpected internet outage.
According to Dawn News, following the arrest of PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Tuesday (May 9), the government had suspended internet services nationwide, leading to violent protests erupting across the country. The internet outage is impacting millions of citizens who rely on the internet for everything from livelihoods to bill payments and online shopping.
More than 100 members of the business community and social organizations issued a joint statement expressing their deep concern over the partial and complete internet shutdown and the blocking of specific applications. They condemned such disruptions, stating that they curtail the fundamental rights of peaceful protest and freedom of expression.
They further stated that millions of Pakistanis rely on internet services for communication, essential business activities, and the disruption of these services by the government is depriving citizens of their fundamental rights. This situation is causing economic uncertainty and creating disruptions in healthcare, emergency services, and financial transactions.
Problem For Freelancers and Digital Creators
They emphasized that the internet shutdown has had a negative impact on various online businesses, which attracted over $70 billion in investments during 2022 and 2023, contributing significantly to entrepreneurship, job opportunities, and digitalization across the country. Freelancers and digital creators, numbering in the hundreds of thousands, are among those affected by the outage.
They demanded that the government immediately lift these restrictions, as they impede citizens’ access to online information and communication rights. They also urged the government to recognize internet access as a fundamental right that cannot be arbitrarily taken away at any given time.
The internet outage has not only affected the general public but has also severely impacted companies such as bike-sharing, ride-hailing, and food delivery services, as their users (both drivers and passengers) heavily rely on mobile data.
A senior official from one of these companies stated that the internet service disruption not only affects their riders but also makes it extremely difficult for them to access transportation services to reach their destinations.
Online Food Delivery Companies Affected By Internet Outage
Online food delivery services like Foodpanda and Cheeta have also been adversely affected by the internet service disruption, causing significant losses to these companies. Approximately 6,000 home-based chefs, working with these platforms, have also suffered due to this outage.
Digital wallets such as “JazzCash” and “Easypaisa” have confirmed that there has been a 75% decrease in the number of regular financial transactions during the 24-hour period following the internet service disruption. Shopkeepers/agents use these digital wallet services, primarily relying on mobile data for transactions.
Telecom companies have also criticized the government for suspending mobile internet services, with the CEO of “Jazz Pakistan” tweeting that “shutting down the internet is not a solution.” Mobile Phones internet is crucial for emergencies and vital for productivity and creativity; however, approximately 120 million Pakistanis have been left without it for almost 24 hours.
They also referred to a report by “Business Recorder,” which indicated that telecom operators incurred a loss of Rs. 820 million, while the government suffered a loss of approximately Rs. 287 million in tax revenue due to the suspension of mobile internet services.
They further highlighted that the economy is experiencing multiple detrimental effects, but the extent of the difficulties faced by ordinary citizens cannot be underestimated. Chairman of the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA), Mohammed Zahib Khan, strongly criticized the suspension of mobile data services and deemed it an unwise decision.
IT industry Affected By Internet Outage
He stated, “The IT industry has been under pressure due to the government’s wrong and conflicting policies, and the ongoing political crisis has completely halted the IT industry’s operations. The IT industry cannot function without it, as it is our lifeline, our office, and our communication infrastructure.”
He added that due to the escalating political situation, the complete shutdown of mobile internet services and the slowing down of fixed-line internet speed have been decided without consultation.
Khan further mentioned that the IT industry and its services (IT-Enabled Services) were already under pressure due to the government’s incorrect and conflicting policies. The ongoing political crisis has now completely paralyzed the IT industry. Many professionals associated with the IT industry are currently working remotely for various reasons, and they are now facing difficulties due to the recent disruption in internet services.
He appealed to Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif to take notice of the matter and direct the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to immediately restore internet services.
