PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari criticised recent internet slowdowns and restrictions this Monday, describing them as efforts to control and censor citizens. Users have reported sluggish speeds and difficulties accessing platforms, which digital analysts attribute to government testing of a ‘firewall’ capable of monitoring and blocking content. The government claims these measures are part of a 'web management system' upgrade for enhanced cybersecurity. This issue has intensified tensions between the PPP and the federal government, with senior PPP officials expressing a lack of confidence in the government's actions. Addressing a convocation at Sindh University, Bilawal emphasised the need for a "digital bill of rights" to ensure equitable access to high-speed internet, labeling it a fundamental human right. He urged youth involvement in drafting this bill to safeguard digital freedoms and counter misinformation.

His comments echo concerns raised by PPP members of the National Assembly (MNAs) on December 18th, regarding the impact of internet disruptions and the firewall on Pakistani citizens.

People should “use the internet less” and for “important matters only”, said Parliamen­tary Secretary for Cabinet Secretariat Sajid Mehdi, speaking with Dawn News, as a proposed solution to recent internet slowdowns. Mr. Mehdi compared the internet to a road, remarking that the more users that were on the internet, the slower it would become, much like a congested road. The Parliamentary Secretary also cited the low capacity of Pakistan’s fibre network - 15%, compared to India’s 45% - as another key factor. His comments arrive in a climate of Pakistanis experiencing lagging internet speeds for the past few months, which has caused major financial losses as noted by P@SHA, Pakistan’s trade body for the IT sector. When told that the parliament had been informed of these losses, he responded, “We have not been told officially that the shutdown has caused financial losses. Nobody has filed any requests or complaints about financial losses.”

The government is unable to “give a time frame” as to when the internet will face a reduction in disruptions, including shutdowns and throttling, said Parliamen­tary Secretary for Cabinet Secretariat Sajid Mehdi, this Wednesday. Speaking during “Question Hour”, Secretary Mehdi stated that ongoing internet disruptions were due to measures being taken by the Interior Ministry to strengthen security measures, which was why neither “the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) nor the cabinet division” could provide a clear timeline.

Members of the National Assembly raised concerns about the impact of the state of internet disruption, causing billions in rupees in terms of business losses, academic activities being impacted, as well the inability to open images, video or voice-based messages in WhatsApp. While some conceded the need for security, and condemned “the use of digital space for terrorism and harassment”, questions were asked as to what is taking so long regarding the national “firewall”, and, in regards to proposed legislation such as the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill, “[what] digital Pakistan are we talking about when there is no internet facility?”