PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari slammed the internet slowdowns and restrictions in the country, describing them as an “attempt to control and censor” the populace amid growing tensions between his party and the government.

“Our infrastructure used to be roads, highways motorways,” he said while addressing the convocation ceremony at Sindh University in Jamshoro on Monday. “In today’s age, I believe it’s our bandwidth, our fibre optic cable, our wireless internet services.”

Independent internet observers have confirmed that users in Pakistanis have experienced slow internet speeds over the last couple of months. Users have reported problems in downloading media on WhatsApp and inconsistent connectivity.

IT professionals have expressed concerns over internet shutdowns and slowdowns, warning they affect 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.

Last month, the PPP chairman opposed the bans on VPNs and the slow internet speeds in the country. He had criticised “decision-makers” for their lack of understanding about VPNs and the internet, suggesting that had the government engaged in discussions with his party it could have provided clarity on the matter.

To many people’s dismay on Sunday, a government official asked citizens should “reduce their internet usage” to only essential matters as a response to the frequent internet slowdowns experienced in Pakistan.

“There are large loads on our internet, [just] like on a congested road,” Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Division Syed Sajid Mehdi 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.”

Bilawal stressed the need for “urgent attention” to internet restrictions.

He further noted that attempts to control and censor the population are not new, indicating that such actions reflect the government’s fear of citizens exercising their rights online. “This is proof that they fear you because they do not want you to exercise your rights through the internet,” he added.

The PPP chairman criticised the ban on student unions, calling it “another example of how they fear you.” He urged young people to advocate for their rights and make their voices heard.

“We must fight for our rights and raise awareness,” Bilawal stated and highlighting that history shows rights can be stripped away by the state. He called for the creation of a “digital bill of rights,” stressing the importance of unity among youth and students to draft this document.

“For our generation, we need to push for a digital bill of rights,” he asserted, emphasising the need for collective action to safeguard digital freedoms.

Bilawal underscored the need for students and youth to draft a digital bill of rights, arguing that it should not be created by “older politicians” in Islamabad who lack understanding of the internet. “It must be written by the students and youth to make their rights known,” he stated.

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He noted that internet restrictions and bans on VPNs have little impact on politicians but affect young people. “Once a bill is written, we will create a consensus-based document and I will present it to parliament,” he promised.

Bilawal argued that “affordable and equitable access” to high-speed internet should be recognised as a fundamental human right. He called for strict measures to combat misinformation and ensure online safety.

“You probably know more about this than I do. Please, send suggestions and pointers to me.”