Minister of State for Information Technology Shiza Fatima on Tuesday attributed the slowdown in internet speeds across the country to the increasing number of users and limited bandwidth.

During a briefing with beat reporters in Islamabad, the minister claimed that Pakistan offers one of the cheapest internet services in the world but is grappling with a mismatch between the number of users and available infrastructure.

"With a growing population and limited bandwidth, internet speed naturally slows down," Fatima explained, highlighting the need for improved infrastructure to meet the growing demand.

Fatima touched on multiple efforts to advance Pakistan’s digital landscape, including implementing Safe City initiatives and moving towards digital payments. "We are making strides towards digitalization. While small countries have already embraced it, Pakistan is catching up," she remarked.

She also slated the public's tendency to evade taxes, noting that many people buy property but fail to contribute their due to the national exchequer.

"FBR is also being digitised, and this step will contribute significantly to leading Pakistan towards a digital economy," she added.

In addressing the issue of slow internet speeds, the minister cited structural challenges. “Pakistan’s entire internet infrastructure is operating on just 274 MHz, and legal challenges have delayed expansion,” she revealed.

Regarding the government’s "smartphone for all" policy, she acknowledged concerns about defaulting customers and potential restrictions on phone access if payment conditions are not met. On the subject of PayPal, she clarified that while discussions are ongoing, challenges remain as private companies make their own business decisions.

In addition to these issues, the minister shared that two undersea cables operated by PTCL were damaged, further impacting internet connectivity. "One cable has been repaired, and efforts are underway to bring four new cables to Pakistan to enhance internet capacity," she said.