\u2018Turning VPN on slows down the phone,\u2019 says minister denying govt\u2019s involvement in recent internet slowdown
\n ISLAMABAD
\nState Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja Sunday denied the involvement of the government as the reason behind the recent internet slowdown across the country.
\nInstead, the minister blamed the use of virtual private network (VPN) by internet users as the reason \u201ctheir phones\u201d slowed down.
\n\u201cI can swear that the government of Pakistan did not block the internet or slow it down,\u201d said Khawaja while addressing a press conference in Islamabad today, acknowledging the public\u2019s outrage over the intermittent internet issues.
\nThe minister said that the government talked to experts and tried to figure out the situation day and night.
\nShe added that some applications were not downloading so people used VPN. \u201cTurning VPN on slows down the phone.\u201d
\nThe minister\u2019s statement comes after millions across the country continue to face trouble accessing internet services due to limited connectivity, particularly while using mobile data in some regions.
\nSeveral experts, including Wireless and Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan (WISPAP), blamed the phenomenon on increased security and surveillance owing to the installation of a firewall in the country to control unwanted content from reaching a wider audience.
\nEarlier this week, Khawaja had defended its decision to enforce an internet firewall terming it a cybersecurity measure \u201cthat every country in the world takes\u201d.
\n\u201cLook at the cybersecurity attacks being carried out on the country and the world as well. With the evolution of cybersecurity threats, states need to have a better capability to ensure that the threats are [well] responded to,\u201d she said on Thursday.
\nThe minister maintained she is in contact with IT authorities regarding internet issues. \u201cThere will be a meeting on the issue of Internet next week as well.\u2019
\nRevealing government efforts to tackle the issue, Khawaja said that four more internet cables are being laid in Pakistan to increase internet connectivity.
\nBefore addressing the internet slow down issue during the presser, the minister informed journalists that the government is set to introduce 5G spectrum in the country in 2025.
\n\u201c5G will provide the fastest internet,\u201d she said.
\nShe added that Islamabad has laid foundation stones for IT Parks in Islamabad and Karachi, which will create more than 10,000 jobs and millions of dollars will be earned.
\n\u201cIT parks are being built with the help of South Korea,\u201d said Khawaja.
\nThe IT minister revealed that at least 250 e-employment centers will be created in collaboration with provinces across the country.
\nPrime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Khawaja added, has allocated more than Rs60 billion for IT in the budget despite difficult conditions, while praising the exports worth Rs3 billion in the sector.
\n\u201cIT sector is among the priorities of Prime Minister and Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC),\u201d she said, adding that a digitisation commission is being established and will be headed by the premier himself.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u2018Turning VPN on slows down the phone,\u2019 says minister denying govt\u2019s involvement in recent internet slowdown ISLAMABAD State Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja Sunday denied the involvement of the government as the reason behind the recent internet slowdown across the country. Instead, the minister blamed the use of virtual private network (VPN) by […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":425742,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-425725","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-business"},"yoast_head":"\n