By Web Desk 
Pakistan has been ranked 198th in the latest global internet speed rankings, highlighting significant challenges in its digital infrastructure. According to the World Population Review and other reports, the country lags behind nations such as Palestine, Bhutan, and Libya in average internet speeds. Mobile internet in Pakistan averages 19.59 Mbps for downloads, while broadband achieves 15.52 Mbps. These figures contrast starkly with leading nations like the UAE, which dominates with over 398 Mbps, followed by Singapore and Qatar .
Experts suggest that Pakistan’s slow internet is due to outdated infrastructure, limited investments, and technical issues such as frequent connectivity disruptions. The Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) expressed concerns about how these limitations hinder economic growth, digital entrepreneurship, and IT exports. They assured improvements are expected in the coming months with the rollout of advanced technologies .
Meanwhile, users across the country continue to experience interruptions, especially on platforms like WhatsApp, where media sharing is frequently hampered. This has raised alarms about surveillance implications due to new monitoring measures implemented by authorities .
Improved internet performance in Pakistan remains a critical need for its growing digital economy and international competitiveness.