Slow Internet in Pakistan and the Smokescreen of VPNs

The debate over slow internet speeds in Pakistan has intensified with the release of a report by Bytesforall, titled “Slow Internet in Pakistan and the Smokescreen of VPNs.” The report counters the government’s claim that the frequent use of VPNs is responsible for the sluggish internet. Through comprehensive speed tests using advanced diagnostic tools, the report found that internet quality improved when using VPNs, challenging the government’s narrative.

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State Minister for Information Technology, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, recently asserted that VPN usage leads to network congestion, dismissing any allegations that the government is deliberately slowing down internet services. She emphasized that VPNs can cause phones to slow down, but the government hasn’t imposed any intentional restrictions. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) presented a detailed response to the Lahore High Court, attributing the slowdown to four factors, including a damaged submarine cable and a cyberattack, alongside VPN use.

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Despite these official explanations, Bytesforall’s findings suggest that the issue of slow internet in Pakistan is more complex than the government acknowledges. The report highlights that VPNs may not be the root cause, pointing towards other underlying factors that need to be addressed for a clearer understanding of the internet speed issues in the country.

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