A recent study by the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) has shown that internet shutdowns in Pakistan have a significant negative impact on the economy.
According to PIDE, if the internet is shut down for 24 hours, it results in a direct loss of PKR 1.3 billion, which is about 0.57 percent of the country’s daily GDP average.
This demonstrates how serious the economic consequences can be when the internet is disrupted, affecting industries like ride-sharing services, food delivery, freelance work, and telecommunications.
Dr. Nadeem ul Haque, Vice Chancellor of PIDE, pointed out that the internet has become an essential part of modern life.
However, Pakistan’s internet infrastructure is not up to par in terms of quality and coverage. The study also highlights how internet shutdowns negatively impact sectors like transportation, food delivery, and freelance work.
It emphasizes the importance of having high-quality internet access, especially in remote areas, to empower young people and reduce socio-economic disparities.
