Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Division, Syed Sajid Mehdi, suggested reducing internet usage for “important matters only” as a solution to Pakistan’s recurring internet slowdowns. Speaking on a news channel, Mehdi compared internet congestion to a crowded road, explaining that “cars move slower if there’s too much traffic.”
He highlighted that Pakistan’s fiber network capacity is only 15% compared to India’s 45%, contributing to the slower internet speeds. Mehdi assured that work is underway to resolve these issues within three to four months.
When asked about the impact of population growth on internet speeds, Mehdi reiterated the importance of controlled usage, stating, “If more people use the roads, it will slow down. Similarly, curbing unnecessary internet use will improve speed.”
He also urged people to avoid using the internet excessively or for “negative thinking,” emphasizing its use for productive purposes like work. Mehdi denied claims from the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) about significant financial losses due to internet disruptions, stating no official complaints had been filed.
While P@SHA’s chairman warned that slowdowns could erode confidence in Pakistan’s IT sector, Mehdi dismissed these concerns, maintaining that personal losses, if any, are a separate matter.
