Tech Desk 
Dec 18, 2024
State Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja on Wednesday revealed that internet quality improved in 2024 despite ongoing connectivity issues, social media restrictions, and plans for a 5G rollout.
Shedding light on the longstanding digital deadlock which she attributed to national security concerns, Khawaja claimed that internet quality in Pakistan in 2024 was 28% better than the previous year.
Pakistan to add four submarine internet cables
Highlighting the IT ministry's continued efforts to stabilise the IT sector and ensure high-quality internet nationwide, she said the government is willing to land four additional submarine internet cables within the next two years, Geo.tv reported.
Investment in Pakistan's IT sector
Without foreign investments falling into the IT sector, the industry is unlikely to thrive and build a strong defence against rising cyber attacks carried out by rival nations, targetting sectors that contribute significantly to accelerate economic growth, noted the IT minister.
Expressing dissent over the unaddressed internet crisis and crackdown on social media platforms, NA member Abdul Qadir Patel noted that such issues are causing internet-dependent businesses and education to collapse.
Digital Nation Pakistan bill
Shazia Marri, another NA member, questioned the viability of the Digital Nation Pakistan bill which was recently tabled to introduce digitalisation across Pakistan.
Marri expressed scepticism on the likelihood of the bill's widespread execution in times when the country is reeling from internet problems.
"Nothing supersedes national security," stated Khawaja while outlining that internet shutdowns are only driven by national security risks.
