Social media users and freelancers in Pakistan have been experiencing significant challenges due to widespread Internet disruptions, as reported by ARY News.

The slowdown in Internet services has caused considerable stress, particularly among the youth who rely heavily on the Internet for their income.

Many young people in Pakistan have been adversely affected, with slow Internet speeds disrupting their work and leading to a decline in client engagement.

In Karachi, a student named Ezhaan, who works online after school hours, is struggling because of these widespread internet disruptions. His ability to manage a large project involving 60 orders has been severely hampered by the slow connectivity, according to the ARY News report.

Another freelancer, Abdul Hai, whose livelihood depends on a reliable Internet connection, expressed frustration over the situation. He noted that even basic communication via WhatsApp has been disrupted, complicating coordination with his team.

ALSO READ | Navigating Ethical Landscape: Analysis Of Media Ethics

The report also highlighted that several companies providing work to freelancers have ceased operations in Pakistan due to the ongoing Internet issues, tarnishing the country's reputation in the global market.

Additionally, taxpayers have reported difficulties in filing their income tax returns, with many unable to access the Federal Board of Revenue's online portal or upload necessary documents due to the sluggish Internet speeds.

On August 18, 20204, Pakistan's State Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, addressed the concerns during a press conference.

She denied allegations that the government was deliberately blocking or slowing down Internet services. Instead, she attributed the slowdown to excessive use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) by the public, as reported by The Express Tribune.

Khawaja acknowledged the challenges faced by the public due to the Internet disruptions and assured that efforts are underway to resolve the issues.

ALSO READ | Inclusive Internet Index 2021: India Ranks 49th