Pakistan continues to struggle with poor internet performance, ranking in the bottom 12% globally for both mobile and broadband speeds, according to Ookla’s Speedtest Global Index. As of October, the country was ranked 100th out of 111 countries for mobile internet speeds and 141st out of 158 countries for broadband. The average download speed in Pakistan is 7.85 MBPS, with median mobile and broadband speeds of 19.59 MBPS and 15.52 MBPS, respectively.
These slow speeds have impacted daily digital activities, with users facing issues like slow media downloads on WhatsApp and frequent connectivity disruptions. Additionally, restricted access to Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) has caused further concern. VPNs, commonly used in Pakistan to access blocked sites like X (formerly Twitter), have faced increasing restrictions. The Ministry of Interior has pushed for a crackdown on unregistered VPNs, citing concerns about their use for terrorism and illicit activities. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has set a deadline for VPN registration, after which unregistered VPNs will be blocked.
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The government, while upgrading its “web management system” to address cybersecurity threats, faces criticism from human rights groups like Amnesty International. These organizations are alarmed by the lack of transparency around internet restrictions, VPN regulation, and the potential use of surveillance technologies, which could lead to censorship or blocked content.
Despite government assurances that internet access remains unrestricted, users continue to face disruptions, raising questions about transparency and censorship in Pakistan’s digital landscape.
