Impact of Internet Disruptions on Pakistan’s Freelancing Industry
In the digital era, freelancing has transformed professional services by connecting skilled individuals with global clients and transcending geographical barriers. Pakistan has become a significant player in this industry, with a vast pool of talented freelancers offering services in software development, content writing, graphic design, and digital marketing. Despite being a low-paying market, many Pakistanis rely solely on freelancing for their income, utilizing platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer.
However, the industry’s growth is currently threatened by recent Internet disruptions in Pakistan. For nearly a month, freelancers have faced intermittent outages and slow browsing speeds, particularly affecting social media platforms and communication tools essential for their work. These disruptions have intensified over the past two weeks due to the government’s upgrade of its web management system, suspected to include a national firewall intended to regulate online content. This has raised concerns about the potential negative impact on the freelancing industry and Pakistan’s economy.
Freelancers are struggling to meet deadlines, communicate with clients, and maintain their professional relationships. The disruption has led to significant project and income losses. Fiverr’s temporary measures to protect freelancers’ ratings offer some relief, but the long-term effects could be devastating. The Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) estimates potential losses of up to $300 million due to these Internet issues.
Ironically, while freelancers grapple with these challenges, the government continues to promote its IT ambitions, advertising the establishment of the Nawaz Sharif IT city in Punjab and promising the introduction of 5G technology. Yet, the current Internet infrastructure remains inadequate, further threatening the industry’s stability.
Academic institutions have also raised concerns, as students face difficulties meeting project deadlines due to these disruptions. The lack of transparency surrounding the firewall and the broader impact on IT sector exports are major issues. Various industry organizations, including P@SHA, the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI), and the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), have expressed their concerns and called for immediate action to restore Internet connectivity.
The Internet disruption crisis in Pakistan poses a severe threat to the freelancing industry, potentially pushing the country’s economy further into difficulty. Immediate measures are needed to address these issues and safeguard the future of freelancing in Pakistan.
Struggling to Connect
For almost a month, Pakistan’s Internet users have faced intermittent disruptions, slow browsing speeds, and arbitrary blocking of social media platforms. The issues escalated with WhatsApp connectivity problems affecting mobile data users. Despite initial denials, the IT minister acknowledged the government’s role in upgrading its ‘web management system’ to counter cyber security threats.
Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja attributed the disruptions to a routine exercise aimed at enhancing Internet security. However, users continued to experience problems accessing social media platforms, including WhatsApp, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. Downdetector reported an unusually high number of complaints about disruptions between 12 noon and 1 pm.
The Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) estimated potential losses of up to $300 million due to Internet disruptions, citing a lack of transparency around the firewall as a major concern. Ali Ihsan, P@SHA’s senior vice chairman, described the disruptions as a “direct, tangible, and aggressive assault on the industry’s viability.” The association demanded an immediate halt to the “digital siege” and urged the government to engage with the industry to develop a cybersecurity framework.
Other organizations, including the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) and the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), also expressed concerns about the impact of Internet disruptions on innovation, foreign direct investment, and businesses. Iftikhar Ahmed Sheikh, KCCI president, emphasized the need for prompt restoration of Internet connectivity, stating, “In the era of digitalization, Pakistan cannot afford such delays.”
Losing Clients
There are hundreds of thousands of freelancers in Pakistan, who are affected and losing clients.
The lack of reliable Internet connectivity and the government’s actions have created a perfect storm that threatens the livelihoods of thousands of freelancers.
During the Internet outage, Fiverr took temporary measures to protect Pakistani freelancers’ ratings by making their profiles unavailable. This proactive step ensured that freelancers’ ratings wouldn’t be negatively impacted due to circumstances beyond their control. By doing so, Fiverr demonstrated its commitment to supporting its community, especially during times of political uncertainty.
“There have been several times when Fiverr has taken these kinds of actions. When there is heavy rainfall, urban flooding, bad law and order situations, or a countrywide issue, Fiverr by default writes a line on the profiles of Pakistani freelancers that, ‘The user is unavailable due to unforeseen circumstances, however, you can message the user and they will respond when they are available’,” said Haroon Ismail, a freelancer.
He added that still there is an option given to the freelancer to change the status to available. “When you open Fiverr, they give you an option to change your status, so if you are available then you can change the status,” he added.
Fiverr’s actions allowed Pakistani freelancers to breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that their hard-earned ratings were safeguarded. The platform’s swift response mitigated potential damage to its reputation and financial stability. When Internet connectivity was restored, freelancers could resume work without worrying about lost opportunities or damaged credibility. Fiverr’s temporary measures served as a safety net, showcasing the platform’s dedication to its users’ success and well-being.
Economic Consequences
The Internet disruptions have far-reaching economic implications for Pakistan, with potentially devastating consequences for the freelance community and industry. According to an estimate by the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA), the country’s economy stands to lose a staggering $300 million due to the Internet disruptions.
According to Ali Ihsan, senior vice chairman of P@SHA, “These disruptions are not mere inconveniences; but, a direct, tangible and aggressive assault on the industry’s viability – inflicting estimated and devastating financial losses estimated to reach $300 million, which can further increase exponentially.” The lack of transparency surrounding the firewall has “ignited a firestorm of distrust” among Internet users and global IT clients, who fear their proprietary data and privacy will be compromised.
The economic consequences of the Internet disruptions are far-reaching, with potential damage to Pakistan’s burgeoning IT industry. The country’s IT exports have been growing steadily, reaching $298 million in June, up 33% from the previous year. However, the imposition of the firewall threatens to undermine this progress, deterring foreign investment and eroding the confidence of international clients.
P@SHA has demanded an “immediate and unconditional halt to this digital siege” and called on the government to engage with the industry to develop a cybersecurity framework. The industry’s growth and reputation are now at risk, with potential long-term consequences for the country’s digital economy. The government’s actions may inadvertently push businesses and freelancers to seek opportunities in other countries, leading to a brain drain and loss of talent.
Furthermore, the blocking of social media platforms, such as X, has already raised concerns about censorship and the stifling of critical voices. The government’s actions may be perceived as an attempt to control the narrative and suppress dissent, rather than addressing legitimate concerns about online content. This perception may damage Pakistan’s reputation globally, making it harder to attract foreign investment and talent.
Irony and Contrasts
The Internet disruptions in Pakistan have highlighted several ironies and contrasts, underscoring the gap between the government’s aspirations and the reality on the ground. These contradictions have left many in the IT industry and beyond scratching their heads, wondering if the government is
genuinely committed to promoting digital growth and innovation.
1. Promoting IT Ambitions Amidst Disruptions:
Despite the ongoing Internet disruptions, the government has been promoting its IT ambitions. Just two weeks ago, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif advertised the establishment of the Nawaz Sharif IT City in Punjab, a project aimed at attracting foreign investment and fostering technological innovation. The announcement of this IT hub comes at a time when the Internet infrastructure in the country is struggling to support basic connectivity, let alone advanced technological projects.
2. Promise of 5G Technology:
The government has been boasting about the introduction of 5G technology, promising to revolutionize communication and connectivity in Pakistan. However, the current Internet disruptions have exposed the inadequacies of the existing infrastructure. The irony of promising cutting-edge technology while failing to maintain stable Internet connectivity is not lost on the public and industry stakeholders.
3. Lack of Transparency:
The government’s lack of transparency regarding the newly installed firewall has raised concerns about censorship and surveillance. While the firewall is ostensibly intended to enhance cybersecurity, its implementation has led to widespread Internet disruptions and mistrust among users. The government’s actions appear to contradict its stated goals of promoting digital growth and protecting online privacy.
4. Impact on Freelancers:
The Internet disruptions have had a disproportionate impact on freelancers, who rely heavily on connectivity to deliver their services to global clients. Despite the government’s IT ambitions, the disruptions have made it increasingly difficult for freelancers to maintain their livelihoods. This contrast between the government’s lofty goals and the reality faced by freelancers highlights the need for a more coherent and supportive digital policy.
5. Global Perception:
The Internet disruptions and the imposition of the firewall have damaged Pakistan’s global reputation as a reliable IT outsourcing destination. The government’s actions may be perceived as a step backwards, deterring foreign investment and eroding the confidence of international clients. This negative perception contrasts sharply with the government’s efforts to position Pakistan as a leader in the digital economy.
Conclusion
The Internet disruption crisis in Pakistan poses a severe threat to the freelancing industry, which has become a vital source of income for many in the country. The ongoing connectivity issues have led to significant project and income losses for freelancers, undermining their professional relationships and threatening the industry’s viability. The lack of transparency surrounding the firewall and the broader impact on IT sector exports are major concerns that need to be addressed urgently.
The government’s promotion of IT ambitions and the introduction of 5G technology seem ironic in the face of these disruptions. The contrast between the government’s aspirations and the reality on the ground underscores the need for a more coherent and supportive digital policy. Immediate measures are needed to address the Internet disruptions and safeguard the future of freelancing in Pakistan.
Various industry organizations, including P@SHA, OICCI, and KCCI, have expressed their concerns and called for immediate action to restore Internet connectivity. The government must engage with the industry to develop a cybersecurity framework that balances the need for security with the need for reliable Internet connectivity.
In summary, the Internet disruptions in Pakistan have highlighted the critical importance of stable connectivity for the freelancing industry and the broader digital economy. The government must act swiftly to resolve these issues and ensure that Pakistan remains a competitive and attractive destination for IT and freelance services.
