Amnesty International has urged Pakistani authorities to ensure full transparency regarding the use of surveillance and monitoring technologies affecting internet speeds in the country.
Amnesty International expressed concerns over the recent decline in internet connectivity, which has troubled users trying to send voice notes via WhatsApp, download media, and browse the internet on broadband services.
Highlighting the critical need for openness about the tools used to manage internet traffic and content, Amnesty International criticized the deployment of national firewalls and similar technologies contrary to human rights standards. The statement emphasized that such measures unduly restrict freedom of expression and access to information online, which are pivotal for free speech, e-commerce, and the digital economy.
Read: PTA Proposes VPN Registration Amid Internet Slowdown in Pakistan
In response to public and legislative scrutiny, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) initially attributed the internet slowdown to issues with submarine cables. Still, it was later clarified that no new firewalls were being installed.
PTA Chairman Retired Major General Hafeez Ur Rehman assured the National Assembly’s Information Technology Committee that the ongoing internet disruptions were due to faulty submarine cables, which are expected to be repaired by August 28. He also confirmed that the internet upgrade was not supposed to cause slowdowns. This clarification came as the telecom sector reported significant financial losses estimated at 300 million rupees.
Read: Submarine Cable Fault Causes Internet Disruption in Pakistan: PTA
Moreover, the Islamabad High Court has requested responses from the PTA and the government concerning a petition by Hamid Mir about these issues. Amnesty International has previously condemned the government’s actions during the general elections on February 8, where internet and mobile services were suspended, calling it a blatant infringement on the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
