The federal government plans to establish a network of state-of-the-art information technology parks across Pakistan, according to Radio Pakistan. This move comes amidst a weeks-long internet slowdown that has affected millions of users and businesses, triggering widespread complaints.
Pakistan’s growing IT industry is seen as a vital source of export growth and foreign exchange generation for the economically challenged nation. However, the recent internet slowdown, which has caused speeds to drop by as much as 40%, has disrupted nearly half of the country’s 241 million population. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has cited damaged underwater cables as the cause, while IT Minister Shaza Khawaja pointed to the increased use of VPNs as a contributing factor.
The Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@sha) reported that IT businesses have incurred losses of over $300 million due to these disruptions, in addition to reputational damage.
“The IT parks initiative is aimed at giving young professionals a platform to launch their innovative ideas and support the national economy,” Radio Pakistan stated. The parks are expected to create employment opportunities and boost exports.
These parks will provide tech-related companies with an integrated environment, combining office spaces, residential areas, and retail developments to enhance operations. The initiative is expected to offer economies of scale and operational benefits for tech firms.
This development coincides with reports that Islamabad is rolling out an internet firewall to monitor and control content on social media. The government has already blocked access to X (formerly Twitter) following the February general elections, in which former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party won the most seats despite a ban. Officials justified the block as necessary to prevent anti-state activities, but rights activists claim it is aimed at suppressing critical voices.
Amnesty International has called on Pakistan to be more transparent regarding internet monitoring and surveillance technologies. “The lack of clarity on how these technologies are used is a significant concern,” said Jurre Van Bergen, a technology expert with the group.
Shahzad Arshad, chairman of the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan, warned last week that without urgent action, the nation could face deeper economic fallout and a widening digital divide.
Currently, Pakistan has 110 million internet users.
