Pakistan's internet speeds have hit concerning lows, with the country now ranking among the bottom performers globally for both mobile and broadband connectivity, according to recent data from Ookla's Speedtest Global Index.
The October rankings place Pakistan at 100th position out of 111 countries for mobile internet speeds and 141st out of 158 nations for broadband connectivity. Users across the country report persistent connectivity issues, slow downloads, and difficulties sharing media on platforms like WhatsApp.
The dramatic slowdown appears linked to enhanced surveillance measures, including the installation of a Chinese-built national internet firewall. This system, combining hardware and software, allows authorities to monitor and control internet traffic while acting as a digital gatekeeper for data flow.
Internet service providers point to this new firewall infrastructure, now being installed on major providers' servers, as the primary cause of degraded performance. The system can detect and throttle digital communications between individual users.
Current statistics paint a concerning picture - Pakistan's average download speed sits at just 7.85 MBPS, with median mobile downloads at 19.59 MBPS and broadband at 15.52 MBPS, according to World Population Review analysis.
Adding to users' frustrations is restricted access to Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), which many Pakistanis rely on to access blocked websites like X (formerly Twitter). The home ministry recently pushed for stronger VPN restrictions, citing concerns about their potential misuse by bad actors.
While authorities maintain these measures are necessary for cybersecurity and national safety, rights groups including Amnesty International have raised alarms about the lack of transparency surrounding internet restrictions and surveillance technology deployment.
The government has historically restricted social media, often temporarily banning platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube in the name of maintaining public order or preventing harmful content spread.
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