ABdullah Kamran
Amid the government’s grand promises under the Uraan Pakistan initiative, which envisions transforming the country into a digital hub, the e-Pakistan component has increasingly become a focal point of concern. The initiative’s ambitious goals, such as fostering a $5 billion freelance industry, achieving over 100 million mobile subscribers, and establishing a robust startup ecosystem alongside AI frameworks, seem distant when examined in the context of the government’s actions, which often seem to impede technological growth rather than facilitate it.
How can Pakistan hope to realize these aspirations for its IT sector when the groundwork—the very foundation of the digital ecosystem—remains under constant threat due to government-imposed restrictions? Pakistan’s actions, particularly regarding internet censorship, social media bans, and digital freedoms, have stifled progress in the tech sector and undermined the economic potential that the government has promised to deliver. Despite the high expectations set by the government, these policies are having profound negative impacts, limiting the scope for innovation and growth.
A recent report by a global independent VPN reviewer has shed light on the economic toll of these disruptions. According to the findings, Pakistan topped the world in 2024 for financial losses due to internet shutdowns and social media bans, totaling a staggering USD 1.62 billion. The report reveals that last year, 18 deliberate internet outages occurred, lasting over 9,000 hours, affecting nearly 83 million users. These shutdowns were primarily attributed to factors such as political elections, an ongoing obsession with information control, and the suppression of political protests.
Pl subscribe to the YouTube channel of republicpolicy.com
One of the most glaring examples of these detrimental policies was the ban on the social media platform X, which led to an economic loss of approximately $1.34 billion. This ban highlights a crucial point: platforms like X are not only vital for free speech and the exchange of ideas but are also integral to the functioning of businesses, freelancers, and digital entrepreneurs in Pakistan. These restrictions harm economic activities by stifling the growth of these sectors and pushing digital entrepreneurs into an uncertain environment.
Moreover, outages in regions like Balochistan during political protests, such as the Baloch Yakjehti Committee demonstrations in Gwadar, lasted for more than 800 hours, further exacerbating the socio-economic divide. These disruptions hurt communities already facing economic hardships and political marginalization, leaving us to question how such shutdowns could possibly lead to a resolution when they only isolate already disenfranchised populations further.
The frequent justification for these shutdowns—security concerns—appears increasingly untenable. Despite increasing internet restrictions, the country has seen a rise in terrorist activities, suggesting that the control measures are not achieving their intended goals. This raises doubts about the true motivation behind these digital crackdowns. If the aim is indeed security, the increasing frequency of attacks undermines the effectiveness of such policies. If, however, the objective is political control, then the broader consequences for the nation’s economic health are being ignored.
Beyond the immediate financial losses, the damage to Pakistan’s international standing is equally concerning. The country’s reputation as a tech-forward, innovation-driven economy is seriously compromised when its digital policies result in economic losses greater than those suffered by nations ravaged by civil conflict, such as Myanmar and Sudan. Such figures make it difficult to envision how tech startups can attract international investment or how the freelance sector can thrive in such an unpredictable and hostile environment.
Furthermore, with the looming 5G spectrum auction, the outlook becomes even more concerning. Investors are unlikely to pour resources into a market where the fundamental infrastructure required for technological growth is regularly undermined by internet restrictions. The promise of a digital transformation remains hollow if the necessary conditions for fostering such an environment are not met.
At this juncture, it is becoming increasingly clear that the government’s priorities may not align with its public aspirations for a digital Pakistan. The frequent curtailment of digital freedoms seems more focused on serving a political agenda rather than fostering an open, innovative, and competitive digital economy. For Pakistan to achieve its digital goals, the authorities must rethink their approach. If they are serious about driving the IT sector forward, they must address how stifling internet freedoms can be reconciled with the goals of technological advancement and economic prosperity.
ChatGPT
