Govt did not shut down, retard internet services, says IT minister

Minister of State for Information Technology (IT) Shiza Fatima stunned all and sundry when she said on Sunday that neither the internet in Pakistan was shut down nor was it slowed down, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, she said the reason why people faced difficulty in accessing internet services was because they had installed VPNs on their cellphones after facing difficulties in downloading some apps. “The government is fully aware of people’s frustration over poor internet services. And now we will try to make sure that people do not face difficulties in accessing these services.”

Shiza said it was wrong to say that the government wanted to stifle dissent. “The government is always ready to assist the IT industry.”

She said this year there were record exports of IT products from Pakistan. “The IT sector is at the top of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s priorities,” she said, and added, “Investment in the country increased due to the efforts made from the Special Investment Facilitation Council’s (SIFC) platform.”

The minister, on the occasion, announced the construction of IT parks in Islamabad and Karachi, in which, she said, over 10,000 people would get jobs.

She also announced setting up 250 e-rozgar centers across the country.