{"id":12175,"date":"2023-10-08T17:57:04","date_gmt":"2023-10-08T17:57:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/internet-shutdowns-cost-pakistan-rs1-3b-in-direct-loss-the-express-tribune\/"},"modified":"2023-10-08T17:57:04","modified_gmt":"2023-10-08T17:57:04","slug":"internet-shutdowns-cost-pakistan-rs1-3b-in-direct-loss-the-express-tribune","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/news\/internet-shutdowns-cost-pakistan-rs1-3b-in-direct-loss-the-express-tribune\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Internet shutdowns cost Pakistan Rs1.3b in direct loss\u2019 | The Express Tribune"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\nPESHAWAR:
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In a recent study conducted by the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), alarming findings have surfaced, shedding light on the profound economic consequences of internet shutdowns in Pakistan.<\/p>\n

The study, titled “The Economic Cost of Internet Closure,” reveals the toll such disruptions take on the nation’s economy.<\/p>\n

PIDE estimates indicate that a 24-hour closure of internet services results in a direct loss of Rs1.3 billion, equivalent to a 0.57 per cent of the daily GDP average for the country.<\/p>\n

According to Dr Nadeemul Haque, Vice Chancellor of PIDE and Mohammad Shaaf Najib, Research Fellow at PIDE, the internet has become a fundamental necessity in modern times. However, despite its growing importance, Pakistan’s internet infrastructure lags behind in terms of both quality and coverage, highlighting the need for substantial improvements.<\/p>\n

Key findings of the study<\/strong><\/p>\n

Online cab services, a cornerstone of modern transportation, experience a staggering 97 per cent reduction in the number of rides on days when the internet is shut down. This downturn translates into a substantial daily loss of Rs29 to 32 million for the industry.<\/p>\n

Read also: Govt to offer interest-free loans for establishing 5,000 E-Working Centers: IT minister<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Online food delivery services suffer a 75 per cent reduction in the number of orders during internet shutdowns, resulting in a significant daily loss of Rs135 million.<\/p>\n

The freelance community, a vital contributor to the nation’s economy, bears the significant losses due to internet disruptions. Denial of orders to freelance workers leads to over $1.3 million in lost revenue, equivalent to Rs390 million. These disruptions impact both individual livelihoods and the national economy as a whole.<\/p>\n

The suspension of 3G\/4G services for a single day causes a loss of Rs450 million to the telecommunication sector alone.<\/p>\n

Dr Nadeemul Haque, Vice Chancellor of PIDE, emphasises that access to high-quality internet not only opens up opportunities for the youth, particularly in remote areas, but also plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between the privileged and the common public.<\/p>\n

The use of online tools for education and professional purposes empowers youth from rural regions to compete on a national and international level, he added.<\/p>\n

Internet shutdowns not only disrupt daily life but also have severe economic repercussions, affecting various sectors and the livelihoods of individuals.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n