Pakistan's IT Minister Confirms 'Web Management System' Upgrade Amid Internet Disruptions

Pakistan's IT minister revealed that the government is upgrading its web management system, attributing recent internet disruptions and slow speeds to this process. The announcement came after months of public speculation and complaints about connectivity issues. The upgrade aims to address cybersecurity threats but has faced criticism for its impact on online businesses.

Pakistan's IT minister has confirmed for the first time that the government is upgrading its web management system, which has been blamed for recent internet disruptions and slow speeds, Dawn reported. The new system is intended to address cybersecurity threats, according to Shaza Fatima Khawaja, the Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication.

Until now, officials had deflected blame for the connectivity issues, attributing them to telecom providers or Meta. On Thursday, users continued to experience difficulties accessing social media platforms like WhatsApp, as noted by Downdetector, which reported an increase in complaints about service interruptions.

Addressing reporters after a Senate Standing Committee meeting, Fatima confirmed the government's request for a detailed report from the PTA on the disruptions. She mentioned ongoing discussions about introducing 5G technology to Pakistan despite current internet speed issues.

Regarding public concerns over a supposed 'firewall,' Fatima clarified that the term had been exaggerated. She described the upgrade as a routine global exercise aimed at enhancing internet security but did not specify which other countries employed similar systems.

During the Senate meeting, legislators highlighted the negative impact of the internet issues on online businesses. Senator Afnanullah Khan warned that ongoing disruptions could harm IT sector exports amid the country's economic crisis.

The Ministry of IT and Telecommunications secretary Aisha Humera Chaudhry reassured that while broadband services were stable, mobile data users were still experiencing disruptions. PTA officials are assessing the issue and expect to have a clearer understanding in two weeks, yet a PTA spokesperson claimed unawareness of the problems, Dawn reported.

(With inputs from agencies.)