The disruption in internet surfing in Pakistan has begun to have a significant impact on the country’s online business industry. The clients of those working on Fiverr and Amazon have started to withdraw their orders.
The internet service remains interrupted, and in some cases suspended, whether it’s an office or a business centre. All internet users are complaining about slow internet speed, hampering any sort of downloads.
There are currently 180 million mobile users in Pakistan, out of which more than 110 million are internet users. Among these internet users, more than 70 million use social media across the country. All these users are currently facing low internet speed.
Whether it’s a business on Facebook, Instagram or WhatsApp, a customer is unable to even take a photograph, while the majority of the online entrepreneurs are unable to work.
On the other hand, global platform Fiverr has also declared Pakistani freelancers unavailable on its app. Traders on local business platforms, as well as those working with the global company Amazon, are also complaining about the non-availability of internet service.
According to IT experts, the revenue of Pakistan's e-commerce market has reached $3 billion. However, the internet shutdown is causing a huge economic loss.
According to IT expert Dr. Muhammad Mubashir, the installation of a firewall is essential for the safety of cyber systems in every country. In Pakistan, a firewall will help control internet-related fraud, fake news, terrorism and other kinds of threats.
He further said that in developed countries, firewalls are installed on the internet, while Pakistan is 10 years behind in their installation. “Communication will be made safer through firewalls,” the expert remarked.
Moreover, a firewall will help keep monitor banking fraud and terrorism threat. He also acknowledged that the installation of the firewall had reduced the speed of the internet, but said experts will solve the problem by increasing networking.
Dr Mubashir said internet service is disrupted through the installation of firewalls. “It is hoped that the internet situation will improve by August-end,” he added.
