Slow net due to lack of investment by PTI govt: minister

ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja said on Friday there was no ban on virtual private networks (VPNs) in the country; social media platforms were also running, and the reason for the slow internet in the country was the previous PTI government’s lack of investment in the info-tech (IT) sector.

During the question hour in the National Assembly, while replying to a question by Shazia Marri, she said VPNs, WhatsApp and all other social media platforms were fully functional. She mentioned that comprehensive efforts were underway to bring considerable improvement in overall internet experience.

Shaza Khawaja said there were many reasons for slow internet. She said the previous government did not invest in Information Technology due to which the system could not be upgraded. “Now we are connected to China through fibre,” she explained.

Shazia Marri, through a supplementary question, termed slow internet a big problem of Pakistan and said due to slow internet and non-functioning of VPNs, people were wrapping up their IT-related businesses and moving to other countries. “The government should tell us when the internet problem will be solved,” she said.

Shaza Khawaja said here had been a 28 per cent increase in information and computer technology exports in the first six months of the current fiscal year.