Following recent countrywide internet disruptions and speculation about firewall installations, State Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja called reports of government-imposed internet throttling “completely false.”
On Thursday, Khawaja stated that the government had instructed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and other bodies to investigate the connectivity issues reported by citizens in various cities.
She confirmed that the government is upgrading its web management system to enhance cybersecurity. This comes amid allegations from the business community and internet service providers that new measures, including a firewall, have caused significant internet slowdowns, impacting the economy.
The Lahore High Court has summoned representatives from the federal government, information ministry, and PTA on August 21 to address these disruptions.
At a press conference in Islamabad, Khawaja reassured the public that the government has neither shut down nor intentionally slowed down the internet.