LAHORE: The suspension of mobile data services — a move that has also affected personal lives — is expected to cost IT exports $3-4 million a day, JEE News reported on Thursday, citing industry experts.
Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) has urged the government to restore mobile broadband services, which were suspended since Tuesday due to political unrest.
The government has stopped the 3G/4G mobile broadband service across the country after the PTI worker’s reaction to the arrest of party chairman Imran Khan worsened the law and order situation.
In addition, the government has blocked major social media platforms, including Twitter and Facebook, while YouTube services have been blocked due to the spread of “unwanted information” to control the spread of misinformation and panic among the public. I am showing slowness.
Muhammad Zohaib Khan, chairman of P@SHA, told JEE News that the blocking of mobile broadband services across the country could lead to an export loss of around $3-4 million per day.
“Most IT professionals are working from home today due to the disturbed law and order situation across the country. They may have to continue working from home for a few days in the backdrop of political uncertainty. “
Zohaib claimed that the IT industry has come to a standstill since Tuesday evening.
“The Internet is our lifeline; our office, our communication infrastructure and the IT industry cannot function without it.”
He said that IT and ITES services are already under pressure due to stagnation and likely decline in IT services exports due to poor government policies. In such a situation, the sudden shutdown of broadband services due to political turmoil has brought the IT industry to a complete standstill.
P@SHA demanded immediate restoration of internet services in the IT industry. The quality of Internet service in the country is already declining, especially data services.
He explained that no international buyer or importer would make the excuse that the suppliers needed a few days due to unavailability of internet.
Moreover, it will call into question the credibility and goodwill gained through on-time delivery, which is key in IT export markets. Once terminated it is impossible to retrieve the client or the order,” he added.
Zohaib requested Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to intervene directly as he did when Wikipedia was blocked and advised the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to resume internet services without delay. .
He also sought cooperation from the Ministry of IT and Telecom, Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) and management of Tech Destination Pakistan to request Prime Minister to issue categorical directives.
People usually buy mobile service bundles that include data bundles and pay for these bundles in advance, an official said.
So technically, shutting it down for a day or two may not have much of an impact on revenue.
However, the shutdown of broadband services has definitely affected people who rely on digital apps to travel or order/deliver food and other products.
Moreover, a telecom official said that though there were losses, it is not possible to quantify them at this stage.
