Freelancers in Pakistan are demanding the immediate restoration of complete internet services. According to ARY News, the Pakistan Freelancers Association (PAFLA), which represents freelancers nationwide, has called on authorities to resolve ongoing internet issues.
PAFLA President and CEO Tufail Ahmed Khan stated that freelancers have struggled with slow internet speeds and frequent disruptions for the past three weeks. He noted that these issues have severely impacted their ability to meet project deadlines, onboard new clients, and secure future business, leading to significant revenue losses.
The association emphasized that a stable and reliable internet connection is essential for freelancers to work efficiently and contribute to Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves. Tufail Ahmed Khan highlighted that Pakistan is the fourth-largest freelancing industry in the world, with over 2.3 million full-time and part-time freelancers. He warned that if these problems persist, online freelancing platforms might downgrade Pakistan’s standing, further harming the industry.
PAFLA also pointed out that, in addition to full-time freelancers, many students depend on freelancing to fund their education, and educated housewives take on freelance work to support their families during these challenging economic times.
According to Tufail Ahmed Khan, Pakistan’s freelancers, we generated $350 million in FY 2023-24, a 40% increase from the previous year, underscoring the industry’s rapid growth and significance to the national economy.
Earlier on Sunday, Federal Minister of State for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja explained that Pakistan’s slow internet service is due to the widespread use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). She clarified that the government has not blocked or intentionally slowed down the internet, but the heavy use of VPNs has strained internet services, particularly mobile internet speeds.
Shaza Fatima Khawaja assured that the government is working to resolve the issue and improve internet services in Pakistan. She also mentioned establishing a Digitization Commission to support the digital economy and noted that IT exports have increased due to efforts by the Special Investment Facilitation Council.
The Minister of State dismissed reports that the government intentionally slowed down the internet, attributing the slowdown to increased internet traffic.
