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Pakistan Press Foundation

Monthly Archives: January 2025

IT Minister Refutes Persistent Internet Outage Claims; Cites Growth in Number of Internet Users

Pakistan Press Foundation

Information and Technology Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja vehemently dismissed the notion that internet outages had been a persistent issue over the last year, citing an increase in internet users in Pakistan last year. According to Minister Khawaja, the total number of internet users in Pakistan surged by 25% from 2023 to 2024. She attributed this growth to […]


Cellular and Internet Services Restored in Quetta After Suspension Due to Protests

After a suspension of more than 20 hours, cellular and internet services were fully restored in Quetta on January 6. The Balochistan government had imposed the two-day suspension following a call for a shutter-down strike by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) in protest against alleged rigging during the re-polling for the PB-45 Quetta VIII constituency. The strike was organized by JUI-F […]


PTI Criticizes Govt for Internet Throttling

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has criticized the government for throttling the internet, accusing officials of targeting political opposition while causing significant economic losses. Citing a Top10VPN.com report, PTI’s Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqqas Akram said that Pakistan incurred $1.62 billion in losses in 2024, the highest globally due to internet shutdowns. Pakistan recorded the highest economic […]


Sindh Minister Orders Urgent Resolution of Journalists’ Plot Allocation; Backs International Media Conference

Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon has ordered the immediate resolution of issues of the allocation of plots tp journalists. This directive was given during a meeting with the newly elected Karachi Press Club (KPC) leadership, led by President Fazil Jamili. Governing Body members Hafeez Baloch, Hammad Hussain, and Mona Siddiqui also attended the meeting. Minister Memon congratulated the new KPC […]


Pakistan and Bangladesh Discuss Media Cooperation

Secretary of Information and Broadcasting Ambreen Jan met with Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to Pakistan, Iqbal Hussain Khan, on January 6 to discuss strategies for strengthening media cooperation. Both officials underscored the importance of utilizing shared historical and cultural values to create a foundation for mutual understanding. Secretary Jan proposed joint initiatives between state media organizations, including Pakistan […]


Pakistanis Face Internet Disruptions Due to Fault in AAE-1 Cable Near Qatar

Pakistan Press Foundation

Internet users across Pakistan experienced disruptions following a fault near Qatar in the Asia-Africa-Europe-1 (AAE-1) submarine cable, one of the seven internet cables landing in Pakistan. The issue, which emerged on the evening of January 2, has led to noticeably slower browsing speeds nationwide. Efforts are currently underway to resolve the issue, though network speeds […]


National Assembly Postpones Digital Nation Bill Again Amid Concerns Over Internet Speed and Infrastructure Deficiencies

The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on IT and Telecommunications, chaired by Federal Information and Technology (IT) Minister Syed Aminul Haq, has deferred the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill following a meeting on January 2. Members of the committee criticized the country’s inadequate internet infrastructure and recurring service disruptions. During the session, committee member Sharmila Farooqi expressed frustration over the lack […]


PTA Chief Acknowledges Legal Ambiguities in Internet Shutdowns, Outlines VPN Licensing Plans, and Pushes for Improved Digital Infrastructure

Pakistan Press Foundation

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Major General (Retd) Hafeezur Rehman on January 1 acknowledged that blocking internet access remains a “legal grey area.” The PTA chairman said the law and interior ministries should provide the “final legal opinion” on the matter. During a Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology meeting, key issues surrounding internet governance, VPN […]


PTA Announces Efforts to Repair Fault in AAE-1 Undersea Cable, Warning of Potential Internet Disruptions Across Pakistan

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) announced on January 2 that efforts are underway to repair a fault in the undersea Africa-Asia-Europe (AAE)-1 cable, cautioning that users across the country may experience disruptions in internet services. PTA acknowledged, “This may impact internet and broadband user experience across Pakistan. The concerned teams are working to fix the fault”.  The AAE-1 […]


IHC Orders Zong to Refund Rs2 Billion in Unauthorized Charges, Dismisses Appeal Against PTA Directive

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ruled against Zong in its appeal, ordering the telecom company to refund over Rs2 billion to its customers. The ruling upholds an earlier decision by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) that directed Zong to return Rs2.02 billion wrongfully charged for service and maintenance fees between April 26, 2019, and […]


“Why do fish only cut Pakistan’s internet cables?” PPP Chairman Highlights Internet Woes

Pakistan Press Foundation

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed frustration over the current state of digital infrastructure in Pakistan. During a press interaction on December 28 in Ratodero, Sindh, he criticized the federal government’s focus on outdated projects and emphasized the need for modern infrastructure centered on digitalization and high-speed internet. “PML-N’s politics revolves around […]


Pakistan’s Global Ranking for Internet Shutdowns Jumps to Second Globally

Pakistan experienced 1,861 hours of internet shutdowns in 2024, ranking second globally after Myanmar, according to Top10VPN. These disruptions impacted 83 million users and led to an estimated $351 million in economic losses. The duration marked a 619% increase from 2023, when shutdowns lasted 259 hours, moving Pakistan from seventh to second globally. The Pakistan Software Houses […]


Telecom Subscriber Numbers Fall Slightly in November, PTA Data Shows

Pakistan Press Foundation

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) reported a decrease in cellular subscribers and 3G/4G users in Pakistan for November 2024. According to the latest PTA data, cellular subscribers dropped slightly from 193.309 million at the end of October to 193.238 million by the end of November. The figures for 3G and 4G users also declined, with the […]


PTA Rolls Out VPN Service Providers Registration Framework: No Applications So Far

Pakistan Press Foundation

Ten days after the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) initiated a process for VPN service providers to register and comply with local regulations, no applications have been received. Launched on December 19, this move by the PTA aims to bring VPN services under formal regulatory oversight and enforce compliance with Pakistan’s data protection laws. Under the new licensing […]