Many major ISPs are facing internet services down issues in Pakistan. Users are reportedly facing slow speeds and access issues for services like WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook.

The problems began several days ago and have continued, leading to complaints from users on social media. According to comments from users, these problems are impacting the resumption of its normal course and online store operations further causing huge revenue loss.

The fact that there had been no official explanation from the government as to what caused these disruptions was a major concern despite growing problems. In the absence of any clarification from Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the future resolution and timeline in which these issues will be resolved, acting as a complete threat to users.

Prominent voices within the community, including internet activists, have criticized the lack of transparency and accountability during this period.

Outlook for Internet Services Until Late August

The internet problems are such that predictions about when they might be resolved say it will not happen until August 30 or so. The view is based on several sources stating that continuing the stringency of directives to oversee social media platforms can be one reason for lowering down internet services nowadays. 

Plus, there was the specter of continuing firewall initiatives that might harm service quality. The update inherently elongates the current crisis by which business insiders have all said could be accompanied by closest and quickest potential regulatory measures pushing resolution date even further down into time.

If anything, users are still on edge waiting for news that things will be getting better from a connectivity perspective.

Read more: Dark Web and Dark Net: The Internet Behind the Shadows.

Effects on Businesses and Freelancers

Hundreds of online retailers and others providing services have seen their revenues obliterated while they cannot operate properly during the outages. Users, who rely on the internet access for work and social purposes have complained they are missing out on clients or sales as a result of losing their connection to boost overall tough business conditions in cities.

The biggest issues have been gripes on gig-economy workers like ride-hailing drivers, delivery personnel and freelancers. This causes them to thrive in facing daily losses while settling for lack of stable internet connections, instead of accessing work and reaching out to clients.

Furthermore, digital payment systems such as Point of Sale (POS) terminals require uninterrupted internet for transactions. These are services that ideally would cut out the slow-moving redemption steps associated with cash payments, but which are now being stifled by internet disruptions forcing businesses to revert back to cash-based transactions, increasing operational costs and significantly reducing consumer convenience.

Government's Regulatory Actions and Internet Control

During the current turmoil levied by the protests, Pakistan is considering introducing new statutory regulations against social media networks. Up until now, such guidelines were non-compulsory for tech companies which will soon become the bare minimum as per law. While these actions are increasingly on the control of the digital environment, its full impact in relation to broader internet service are less clear.

The current crises of Pakistan are running wild and it is being suggested that internet service issues in the country will continue to mid-august, no less than August 30, resulting in large scale business downfalls along with users frustrated.

The country is yet to find a conclusion as consumers and professionals are calling for transparency into the fiascos that continue shaping its digital landscape.