Slow Internet in Pakistan: A Major Roadblock in the Progress for freelancers and online businesses

In today's rapidly growing digital world, a fast, secure and reliable source of internet is not considered as a luxury, but a necessity for performing everyday tasks and communicating with each other, it is also an income source for many self-employed professionals and freelancers. But, for online businesses and freelancers in Pakistan, slow internet speed is a new nightmare that continues to be a major roadblock in their growth and productivity and it is limiting their potential of earning. Despite the country's growing number of workforce of freelancers and digital businesses, and its significant contribution to the economy, their basic need of fast internet source is being overlooked by the government, media, and by the public of Pakistan. In today’s article we are going to highlight some of consequences faced by freelancers due to internet problems within the country.

Topics Covered

• The Heroes of Pakistan's Economy
• The Side effects Slow Internet
• The Economic Cost of Slow Internet
• The Root Causes of Slow Internet
• The Extensive Consequences
• It’s time to Take Action for Better Internet in Pakistan

The Heroes of Pakistan's Economy

Pakistan's online workforce and online businesses are the true heroes of the country's economy; they are meaningfully contributing to country’s GDP and creating new job opportunities for the people of Pakistan. However, their progress is being compromised by a major roadblock, which is slow speed and frequent internet outages. This issue is being largely ignored by the government, media, and the public. The Government in spite of providing the facilities to these workers is continuously causing internet outages in the country the backbone of our country’s GDP is broken by these policies of the Government.

Side Effects of Slow Internet

Slow internet speed is affecting the productivity of online workers and freelancers in Pakistan.even the most basic tasks like sending and receiving emails, surfing the internet, and transferring files are being problematic. This is leading to missing deadlines, missing job opportunities, and it is leaving a significant impact on earning potential of the freelancers. The frustration is intense, with many posting on social media to express their frustration.

The Economic Cost of Slow Internet

Pakistan's online workforce is a huge contributor to the country's overall GDP, with many reporting that freelancers alone can contribute over $1 billion annually. However, slow internet speed continues to be a major roadblock in this growth. The lack of attention and non-seriousness to this issue from authorities and stakeholders is alarming for all, considering the potential for online businesses and freelancers to drive economic growth and create jobs.

The Root Causes of Slow Internet

Several factors contribute to slow internet speeds in Pakistan, including:

- Outdated Infrastructure: Pakistan's internet infrastructure is pleading for an upgrade, outdated techniques and systems needs to be modernized if we want to provide good speed of internet

- Lack of Investment for internet infrastructure: Not enough investment in internet infrastructure and services is resulting in poor service quality and is affecting the speed and causing outages on regular basis.

- Government’s Non-seriousness: The government's lack of seriousness to this issue has worsened the problem, every now and then government is imposing bans on social platforms like X (formerly known as twitter),and trying to implement a nationwide firewall on the internet and this firewall is causing these internet issues in order  to achieve few political goals government is banning the internet access frequently.

The Extensive Consequences

The consequences of slow internet speeds are very extensive for Pakistan, online business owners and freelancers are facing several issues:

- Low Productivity: Slow internet speeds lead to reduced and low productivity of the online workers, resulting in missed deadlines and loss of trust of client and opportunity of future projects.

- Financial loss: Slow internet speed results in financial losses, with many online businesses and freelancers struggling to complete the projects and tasks resulting in clients cancelling the orders of the freelancer on fiver and freelancers are receiving negative rating on online marketplaces.

- Brain Drain: The lack of opportunities and resources is driving the talented individuals of Pakistan to seek opportunities outside country, resulting in huge amount of brain drain.

It’s time to Take Action for Better Internet in Pakistan

It's time for the government to acknowledge the struggles of online businesses and freelancers in Pakistan and Public and media should raise their voice on the concern. Here is what we need:

- Updated Internet Infrastructure: Investment in modern internet infrastructure, such as using fiber optic cables, is necessary to improve speeds and reliability of the internet and provide best quality to our freelancers.

- Support and Resources: Government should support and provide resources to help online businesses and freelancers grow, including additional workspaces for freelancers to work instead of taking these types of decisions which are causing huge problems for online businesses.

Unlocking Pakistan's Full Potential

Slow internet speed and internet outages are a major roadblock for the online businesses as well as for the freelancers in Pakistan, with extensive consequences for the economy as whole. It's time for the government to take notice and take action and for media and public to raise their voice on the issue. By updating internet infrastructure of the country, acknowledging the contributions of online workers and solving their problems, and by providing support and resources to them, we can unlock Pakistan's full potential of online earnings and achieve economic growth.