• January 21, 2025
• Access to Information

While accepting that internet users in Pakistan faced challenges, Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja, on January 17, told the National Assembly that the internet, VPNs, and WhatsApp were “presently” fully operational in the country. The declaration came in response to concerns Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) lawmaker Shazia Marri raised about the suspension […]

• January 21, 2025
• Access to Information

The Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) has expanded the Chief Minister Free Wi-Fi initiative, now offering free internet access at 270 hotspots in 11 districts throughout Punjab. The free Wi-Fi service is now available in over 200 locations across Lahore. It has been extended to other districts, including Kasur, Nankana Sahib, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Gujrat, Jhelum, and Attock, […]

• January 14, 2025
• Access to Information

In a report by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), it has been disclosed that the increased adoption of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) during internet disruptions has led to significant financial and operational setbacks. According to the PTA, the excessive use of VPNs, which bypass local Content Delivery Networks (CDNs), has intensified the strain on Pakistan’s […]

• January 14, 2025
• Access to Information, Information Technology

On January 7, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar asserted that the country boasts superior and more affordable internet services than many other countries globally. Speaking at the inauguration of the Media Cricket League 2025, Tarar countered claims of costly internet outages, citing improvements and dismissing criticisms as being politicised without substantiation. “There were a few glitches […]

• January 7, 2025
• Access to Information, Information Technology

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 […]

• January 7, 2025
• Access to Information, Information Technology

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 […]

• January 1, 2025
• Access to Information

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 […]

• December 31, 2024
• Access to Information, Information Technology, Social Media

Senator Afnanullah Khan of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and member of the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology, confirmed his support for the digital rights bill during a recent interview with a news channel. He emphasized that the PML-N would back the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) digital rights bill. Senator Khan highlighted the collaboration between the […]

• December 24, 2024
• Access to Information

Amid ongoing internet speed issues in the country, Federal Minister for Information Technology, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, on December 18, emphasized the importance of protecting national security. “There is nothing more important than national security,” said Khawaja during a session of the National Assembly in response to a query from an MNA about the internet speed. Pakistan Peoples […]

• December 24, 2024
• Access to Information

In a televised statement on December 22, Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Division Syed Sajid Mehdi, urged Pakistanis to limit internet usage to “important matters only.” This recommendation follows months of reported slow internet speeds, disrupted internet access and difficulties accessing and transmitting media via platforms like WhatsApp, impacting users countrywide. During his appearance on the DawnNews TV program […]

• December 21, 2024
• Access to Information, Information Technology

Minister of State for Information Technology, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, has acknowledged Pakistan’s slow internet speeds and said that they would be improved through the implementation of a policy for fiberasation and through the introduction of 5G. Speaking at the National Broadband Network Forum in Islamabad, the minister emphasized that the implementation of the National Fiberisation Policy and the introduction […]

• December 17, 2024
• Access to Information, General News, Right to Information, RTI

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has appointed journalist Muhammad Irshad and Advocate Arshad Ahmed as commissioners to the KP Information Commission. The appointments were made under Section 24(4)(b) of the KP Right to Information Act, 2013. They will serve for three years or until they reach the age of 65, whichever comes first. The law […]

• December 10, 2024
• Access to Information, Media and Governance, Social Media

Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja informed the Senate Standing Committee on IT and Telecommunication on December 5 that amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 (PECA) were under review to “address concerns regarding misinformation.” The prime minister’s adviser, Barrister Aqeel Malik, had earlier confirmed amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act […]

• December 9, 2024
• Access to Information

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has announced that those who do not have static IP addresses can register Virtual Private Network (VPN) through mobile numbers, a move aimed at facilitating freelancers and strengthening the IT sector. In a statement released on December 7, PTA reported that over 31,000 VPNs have already been registered under its updated system. The authority urged […]