ISLAMABAD: Top Pakistani digital advocacy group Bytes for All (B4A) has in its latest digital forensic report disputed claims by the Pakistan government that recent Internet disruptions and slowdowns are due to a surge in the use of VPNs, arguing that VPNs were actually improving Internet speed and access in certain scenarios.
A mysterious weeks-long Internet slowdown has affected millions of Pakistanis, adversely hit businesses and drawn nationwide complaints. The telecommunications authority has attributed the slowdown to damaged underwater cables while IT Minister Shaza Khawaja has blamed a surge in VPN use.
In a report entitled “Slow Internet in Pakistan and the Smokescreen of VPNs,” Bytes for All debunked claims that VPNs were the main cause for slow Internet in Pakistan.
“Essentially, this slowdown is not caused by the Sharks or excessive VPNs use by the citizens,” the report concluded.
Among the report’s key findings are that Pakistan’s Internet slowdown may be linked to the government’s trial of an upgraded web management system or national firewall. The government denies any firewall, if imposed, would be used for censorship purposes.
“Although the government denies any association with Internet disruptions, digital rights groups are concerned that this slowdown is causing major socio-economic disruption and has the potential for increased censorship and surveillance,” B4A said.
“Contrary to some government claims, the report suggests that using VPNs can actually improve Internet speed and access in certain scenarios, indicating that VPNs may help users bypass throttling and maintain a faster, more stable Internet connection in the country.”
The slowdown has significant implications for Pakistan’s digital economy. With IT exports having grown by 137 percent over the last five years, any disruption could jeopardize this upward trend, affecting not only businesses but also Pakistan’s economic growth, B4A has warned.
The Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@sha) has said IT businesses, apart from reputational damage, have suffered losses of at least $300 million due to the recent Internet disruptions.
Pakistan is banking on its nascent but growing Information Technology industry to increase its exports and generate critical foreign exchange revenue for a cash-strapped country.
Top Pakistani digital rights group says VPN use not behind Internet slowdown
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Top Pakistani digital rights group says VPN use not behind Internet slowdown
- Mysterious weeks-long Internet slowdown has affected millions of Pakistanis, adversely hit businesses, drawn nationwide complaints
- Bytes For All says Pakistan’s Internet disruptions may be linked to government’s trial of an upgraded web management system
Bahraini commander witnesses Pakistan Navy passing-out parade in Karachi
- Rear Admiral Ahmed Mohamed bin Ali says it is a matter of immense pleasure for him to review commissioning of personnel at his alma mater
- The training you have received has prepared you to step into a challenging yet deeply satisfying career, he tells young officers, midshipmen
ISLAMABAD: Rear Admiral Ahmed Mohamed Ebrahim Al bin Ali, commander of Royal Bahrain Naval Force, witnessed passing-out parade of Pakistan Navy’s 124th Midshipmen and 32nd Short Service Commission Course in Karachi, where he spoke with the newly inducted officers.
The passing-out parade was held at the Pakistan Naval Academy, at which Commandant Commodore Zia-ur-Rehman congratulated 90 midshipmen and 38 cadets who had completed short service commission after going through academic and training phases.
In his address, Rear Admiral Ali said it was a matter of immense pleasure for him to review the commissioning of personnel at his alma mater, the Pakistan Naval Academy, which he had joined as a cadet in February 1983.
“You must be confident and self-assured that you have been trained at one of the best naval academies of the region. The training you have received at Pakistan Naval Academy has prepared you to step into a challenging yet deeply satisfying career,” he told the young officers and midshipmen.
“It has equipped you with essential military and academic skills and you should spare no effort to build up on these to achieve excellence in your professions.”
Pakistan armed forces have long been training cadets and officers from friendly countries. Currently, the Pakistan Naval Academy is training future officers from Bahrain, Djibouti, Iraq, Sri Lanka and Turkiye.
The Bahraini commander said that being here as the chief guest had taken him back to yesteryears and he would have flashbacks of the familiar sounds and aura of this naval academy.
“I cannot help but marvel at the wonderful transformation that has taken place since my days,” he said.
Pakistan and Bahrain have maintained close diplomatic, security, trade and defense relations and have undertaken joint training and security initiatives, besides regular high-level exchanges.
Bahrain’s Read Admiral Ali met Pakistan Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf earlier this week, according to Pakistan Navy. They discussed matters of mutual interest, regional maritime security and avenues for bilateral naval cooperation.
Earlier in Sept., Pakistan and Bahrain agreed to enhance cooperation in naval training and regional maritime security operations. During the same month, the Bahraini Chief of Defense Staff Lt. Gen. Thiab Saqer Abdulla Al-Nuaimi met with Pakistan’s Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu and expressed Bahrain’s interest in learning from the PAF’s experience in multi-domain operations.
