Pakistan experiences significant economic damage of $2.2 million per hour whenever the internet is temporarily shut down, according to Tufail Khan, President of the Pakistan Freelancers Association, citing data from Netblocks.
Netblocks, an organization that gathers information from institutions such as the World Bank, International Telecommunication Union, and Eurostat, monitors internet stability and tracks outages in real time.
Khan highlighted that internet disruptions particularly affect delivery workers, IT professionals, and ride-hailing services.
In a video appearance on Spotlight with Munizae Jahangir, he urged the government to adopt policies that are more inclusive of VPN use and social media, advocating for freelancers’ participation in policymaking discussions.
Also featured on the show was Prime Minister’s Coordinator Rana Ihsaan Afzal, who addressed concerns regarding the Cyber Crime Amendment Bill.
He assured that the government has no plans to ban digital tools like VPNs, but rather intends to regulate their usage.
Afzal emphasized the importance of updating laws to keep pace with the evolving digital landscape while ensuring compliance with international data protection standards.
He also clarified that internet restrictions had been brief and were primarily related to security concerns. Addressing the issue of X (formerly Twitter) being banned in the country, Afzal expressed regret, mentioning that the rising threat of terrorism and the spread of misinformation were more pressing concerns.
Khan responded by stressing the need for timely communication from authorities when internet shutdowns occur.
He advocated for clarity on the reasons for suspension and an estimated resolution timeline, urging the government to engage relevant stakeholders in such decisions.
