IN today’s world, internet access is as essential as electricity and water.
From education and business to healthcare and governance, everything depends on fast and reliable connectivity.
Developed countries have made remarkable progress in this area.
Their internet systems are not only faster and more reliable, but also widely accessible.
Unfortunately, Pakistan continues to lag behind, both in terms of speed and quality.
In most developed countries, average internet speeds cross 100 Mbps, offering users a seamless digital experience.
Even in neighboring countries like India and Bangladesh, internet infrastructure is improving rapidly.
Pakistan, on the other hand, continues to struggle.
Internet users across the country often face slow speeds, sudden disconnections, and poor customer support.
Even in major cities like Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad, the quality of service leaves much to be desired.
For students, professionals, and businesses, these issues are more than just an inconvenience—they are a barrier to growth and productivity.
Another overlooked aspect of this issue is our reliance on foreign companies to provide internet services.
Many of the major players in Pakistan’s telecom and broadband market are either foreign-owned or heavily dependent on foreign support and technology.
These companies earn their revenues in Pakistan but regularly send large sums abroad in the form of remittances, licensing fees, and service charges.
This contributes to the outflow of foreign exchange and puts additional pressure on our economy.
Every month, millions of dollars flow out of Pakistan due to these payments.
This not only weakens our foreign exchange reserves but also highlights our dependence on external systems.
Instead of developing local expertise and infrastructure, we remain stuck in a cycle of consumption and dependency.
Countries, like China and India, have shown that with the right investment and policy support, local companies cannot only serve domestic needs but also compete internationally.
Despite having a large pool of talented IT professionals and a rapidly growing digital user base, Pakistan has not been able to build a strong foundation for local internet service providers.
While there have been efforts to encourage start-ups and tech entrepreneurship, these initiatives lack the depth and coordination required to transform the industry.
What we need is serious investment in fiber-optic networks, data centres and local innovation.
Another major factor is the lack of proper regulation.
Authorities such as the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) must be more proactive in monitoring service standards and ensuring accountability.
In many cases, users pay high prices for internet services but receive poor quality in return.
There is also little transparency in terms of pricing and service delivery.
Without strong oversight, ISPs have little motivation to improve.
To change this situation, Pakistan needs to rethink its strategy.
We must focus on building local capacity, both in terms of infrastructure and talent.
Support for domestic ISPs, investment in new technologies and strict regulation of service quality are all essential steps.
At the same time, unnecessary outflows of foreign exchange in the name of service charges and fees should be reviewed and minimized.
The internet should be a tool for progress, not a source of frustration.
If we continue to depend on foreign companies and ignore the need for local development, we risk falling further behind.
It’s time to take this issue seriously and work toward a future where fast, reliable and locally managed internet is a reality for every Pakistani.
—The writer is former Regional Executive Inclusive Development at NBP, Mirpur AK. (aahmadofpaswal@yahoo.com)
