Internet speed not slowed down by government, slowed down by VPNs: Pakistan's IT minister

Pakistan's government has blamed the widespread use of VPNs for slow internet connections for weeks. Minister of State for Information Technology Shaza Fatima dismissed these claims and stated that the country is working with internet service providers and telcos to address the issue. Fatima also stated that the country is building a robust cyber security system to protect the country from cyber attacks. The shutdown of internet connections is a familiar story in South Asia, as seen in 2022 when Prime Minister Imran Khan was ousted. Since February elections, social media platform X has been blocked due to national concerns, and many are using VPNs to access it. Activists have filed a petition demanding internet access as a fundamental right under the country's constitution. The internet crisis could also negatively impact the country's business operations.