August 16, 2024
By: Rana Malhi
ISLAMABAD
In the past few days, slow browsing speeds, blocked social media platforms, and poor WhatsApp connectivity on mobile data have troubled general users and impacted freelancers who rely on a stable internet connection for their livelihood.
Ayesha Noor, a freelance content writer based in Islamabad, is one of many affected. She stated that slow internet is a significant hurdle for freelancers, leading to missed deadlines, lost opportunities, and a decrease in earning potential – “Many platforms expect quick turnarounds, but with frequent lags or dropped connections, freelancers face penalties, and their gigs may get deranked, reducing the number of opportunities available to them.”
This puts Pakistani freelancers at a disadvantage, limiting their ability to compete globally and earn a livelihood, especially with increasing inflation and limited job opportunities in the country. “Internet infrastructure must be strengthened to support the growing freelance community in Pakistan,” said Noor.
Estimates suggest that around three million Pakistanis work as freelancers for various software houses, data analysis firms, and digital marketing companies, earning a substantial income through remote work.
Asif Ali relies entirely on freelancing platforms, like Fiverr and Freelancer, where he sells his services. “Due to slow internet speeds, some platforms have placed Pakistani freelancers’ IDs in the “unavailable” category, warning companies that they may not meet deadlines,” he said.
“Our source of income is freelancing, and it is our full-time job. If connectivity remains low, we will be jobless. We request authorities to take this issue seriously,” Ali urged.
Digital rights activist Haroon Baloch said that the firewall testing and subsequent slow internet speeds have endangered online businesses. “From software engineering to e-commerce, every sector has been affected by the unnecessary firewall testing. Freelancers, in particular, struggle to submit their work on time, leading to a loss of trust from clients.”
He regretted that while the government tests the firewall to restrict speech, it is damaging the IT export sector – “Pakistan’s economy loses millions of dollars during testing periods. Firewalls are outdated with new technologies emerging globally, and the government is wasting taxpayers’ money.”
On Thursday, August 15, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, State Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication finally acknowledged upgrading ‘web management system’ to cope with cyber security threats. She said that complaints about slow internet have been received and that efforts are underway to review data traffic and determine internet speed. The minister stressed that good internet speed is crucial for the digital economy and government functions.