Citizens should “reduce their internet usage” to only essential matters as a response to the frequent internet slowdowns experienced in Pakistan, Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Division Syed Sajid Mehdi said on Sunday.

“There are large loads on our internet, [just] like on a congested road,” he told DawnNews TV programme Doosra Rukh. “Cars move slower if there is congestion. If 10 people use a road meant for five, it will slow everything down.”

Earlier this month, he told the National Assembly that the internet disruptions issues would be resolved in the first half of the next year.

Users have reported slow internet speeds, challenges in downloading media from WhatsApp, and inconsistent connectivity in recent months.

IT professionals have expressed concerns over internet shutdown and slowdowns, warning they affect the work and revenue.

According to reports, the government has been installing the second phase of a “firewall” that monitors certain platforms and enables the blocking of specific content.

The parliamentary secretary also highlighted that Pakistan’s fibre network operates at only 15 per cent capacity, in contrast to India’s 45 per cent, contributing to the sluggish internet experience.

Mehdi assured viewers that efforts are being made to address these issues and that improvements would be implemented “very quickly.”

In response to inquiries about whether population growth contributes to internet slowdowns, he affirmed the connection. “As I mentioned, increased usage leads to congestion, just like on roads,” Mehdi stated, promising that the situation would improve within three to four months.

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He suggested that reducing what he called “unnecessary” internet use could enhance speeds. “I’m not advocating for a complete stop; instead, use it primarily for essential tasks like work, rather than for non-essential activities.”

When questioned about whether the internet was being used unnecessarily in Pakistan, Mehdi replied that it should primarily serve work-related purposes. “Limiting excessive or negative use of the internet will be beneficial.”

The parliamentary secretary also dismissed claims that internet slowdowns were causing financial losses to the IT sector.