Nationwide internet slowdown has crippled freelance work across the country.
Ad powered by advergic.com
Sources indicate persistent internet issues across the country are severely impacting various sectors, including online workers. Pakistani freelancers report a 70% drop in work opportunities due to sluggish internet speeds.
Slow internet speeds are causing freelancers to miss deadlines, leading to account closures for many. Additionally, the sluggish internet is hampering digital marketing efforts.
Ad powered by advergic.com
Experts warn that if these connectivity issues persist, freelance clients may migrate to other countries like Bangladesh or India.
ALSO READ
PTA Allows Freelancers to Register VPNs With Phone Numbers
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) recently banned VPNs in Pakistan but has allowed freelancers to register their VPNs with phone numbers. It is currently unclear how effective this registration will be, but it could help many online workers through the struggles of internet restrictions.
ALSO READ
IT Sector Loses More Than $1 Million Per Hour Due to Internet Shutdowns
The internet shutdowns in Pakistan have inflicted losses exceeding $1 million per hour on the country’s Information Technology sector, according to Sajjad Mustafa Syed, chairman of the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA).
Highlighting the impact of these repeated disruptions, Syed revealed that 99% of companies reported service interruptions, while 90% faced financial losses. Citing a specific example, he mentioned that a recent internet outage caused one call center to incur a $2 million penalty.
Discussing the issue of duties and taxes, he stated that the sector is burdened by taxes on its revenue, which hampers growth. He urged the government to introduce tax incentives to help the industry thrive, attract investment, and boost remittances.
📢 For the latest Tech & Telecom news, videos and analysis join ProPakistani’s WhatsApp Group now!
Follow ProPakistani on Google News & scroll through your favourite content faster!
Support independent journalism
If you want to join us in our mission to share independent, global journalism to the world, we’d love to have you on our side. If you can, please support us on a monthly basis. It takes less than a minute to set up, and you can rest a