ISLAMABAD: Experts at a public-private dialogue on Tuesday spotlighted ways in which internet disruptions hurt business and social life.

They underscored that seamless internet connectivity was a key to boosting IT exports.

Alternative connectivity options based on modern technology and terrestrial routes are the way forward, they added.

The Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) had organised the conference titled “Preserving the Lifeline of Our Modern World: Strengthening the Internet Resilience in Pakistan”.

Brigadier (R) Mohammad Yasin, Senior Advisor Emeritus at SDPI chaired the event which brought together experts to address mounting issues plaguing the nation’s internet connectivity and its implications for economic and social life.

Mr Yasin said that the performance issues of Pakistan’s internet infrastructure were unbearable.

Pakistan ranked a dismal 100th out of 111 nations for mobile internet speed and 141st out of 158 for broadband in a recent Ookla Internet Speed Test report, he said.

Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri, Executive Director of SDPI called for a comprehensive strategy to regulate internet technology without disrupting connectivity.

“We must learn from countries like China, UAE, and Saudi Arabia, which balance security risks with seamless internet access,” he said.

Jahanzeb Rahim, a member of the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, highlighted Pakistan’s telecom sector’s critical dependence on submarine cables and emphasised the need for diversification of terrestrial links to ensure robust connectivity.

He proposed the adoption of orbital satellites as a complementary measure to enhance connectivity. He stressed the importance of collaboration between industry, policymakers, and academia to achieve sustainable growth.

Citing the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Rahim noted a 14 per cent increase in ITU services and coverage, calling it a “slight improvement in ICT infrastructure.”

The Telecom Operators Association shared details of the progress on fibre optic deployment, reporting the installation of 23,000km of fibre optic cables and connecting four million households last year.

Despite this achievement, Rahim pointed out that Pakistan’s 120,000km optical fibre cable manufacturing capacity remains underutilised.

Rahim highlighted Pakistan’s strategic geographic position, describing it as “the cusp of the highest population centre” and likened its potential to become “the next Suez Canal or digital corridor of the world.”

He also called for the need to boost the telecom sector’s contribution to the national GDP, which currently stands at a mere 1 per cent.

Dr Muhammad Mukarram Khan, Director General of Cyber Vigilance at the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), pointed out that cyber-attacks and sabotage were exacerbating challenges for Pakistan.

“Internet disruption should be a last resort, as it compromises the trust of citizens and businesses,” he warned. He urged the government to remain focussed on modernising internet infrastructure.

Published in Dawn, January 9th, 2025