Islamabad:Over the past few days, in addition to the partial restriction imposed on Facebook and Instagram after the XS website, the Ministry has announced that social media platforms will remain partially restricted from the 6th to the 11th of Muharram. However, complete resumption of internet services in the country, including WhatsApp services, has not yet been restored.
It is noteworthy that the largest private institution providing internet services in the country, ‘Naya Tel,’ shared a message in response to Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), inquiring about disruptions in services, and also ascertained when these restrictions would be lifted.
In today’s digital age, all small and large businesses are directly connected to social media. Especially small brands, whose existence is limited to social media, and freelance workers who provide services to foreign countries are the most affected.
Professor Dr. Muhammad Naseer, Chairperson of the Economics Department at Karachi Institute of Business Administration (IBA), informed V News that interruptions in internet and social media have serious economic repercussions. Professor Dr. Muhammad Naseer stated that when there are internet issues in Pakistan, freelance workers, who contribute the most to our economy, face the most challenges. He further remarked that when freelance workers will inform every few weeks whether our internet is down today or there is a restriction on social media platforms, it will have a very negative impact on Pakistan, and in addition, fingers will also be raised on freedom of expression.
He said that perhaps the government is not feeling its effects yet because people are bearing problems to their limit, but if asked from IT-related individuals, obtaining projects for them is becoming increasingly difficult compared to before.
He further said that since this is currently on an individual scale, no one is thinking about it, but in a few weeks, large-scale effects will begin and they will be devastating, but by then it will be too late.
Chairman Economics Department IBA said that not only this but local businesses in Pakistan are also suffering immensely due to such measures, and such steps cannot change the economic situation of any country.
Saaima Rizwan is from Islamabad and she is a home chef and they are almost five years old. During her interview with V News, she said that Instagram has helped her business to grow more and she posts daily menu on Instagram stories where there is a large number of customers and most of the orders are received. But when there is a restriction on social media platforms, who will be able to do business.
She said that I used to get about 30 orders daily but they have been reduced from 8 to 10 in the last few days and they are those who are on my WhatsApp.
She said that now they think that they have a business account of WhatsApp and advertise all the people there otherwise there will be nothing but loss.
Muhammad Talha Yusuf is a social media manager. While talking to V News, he said that he manages social media pages of a German company but it is difficult to work due to internet and sometimes due to social media restrictions in Pakistan. He said that people are very professional outside countries and if such issues continue in Pakistan, Pakistanis will stop receiving projects.
He said that Pakistan is the cheapest country to provide IT services and Pakistanis are very proud but it seems that Pakistanis will sit down after a while.
Muhammad Talha said that I make content according to the social media marketing and target audience of this company and now I have to market some products on the company’s social media but I cannot do this in Pakistan after XS website and Instagram because I do not.
He said that for 10 months, the internet is sometimes restricted on social media and sometimes due to the ongoing situation, it is difficult to understand that we should have the same answer every day because it is a matter of shame.
Muhammad Talha said that if this situation continues, then they will stop getting work.
He said that the government will not be affected, but it will be difficult for them to live in Pakistan.
