Pakistan ranked among the worst countries in internet access

Despite some progress, Pakistan has been ranked among the worst performers in the world in internet access and overall digital governance, according to a report published on Monday.

Bytes for All, Pakistan (B4A), a prominent digital rights organization, released its flagship annual report titled: “Pakistan’s Internet Landscape Report 2022.”

The comprehensive report delves into the complex relationship between human rights and information and communication technologies (ICTs) in Pakistan.

“Pakistan made some gains, but in the context of the world, the country remains among the worst performers, even within just Asia,” read the report.

It said despite further internet penetration, around 15 percent of the country’s population remained without any access, and the rest suffer through slow speeds and a lack of consistency in services, negatively impacting meaningful access. “Add to this a lack of inclusivity and digital literacy, one of the biggest global gender gaps in access and a struggle to stay online due to load shedding and blackouts brought on by an energy crisis and catastrophic floods, and a dismal picture emerges.”

Through an in-depth analysis of emerging trends, the report revealed several significant findings that shape the lives of Pakistani citizens.

As per the findings, cybercrimes in Pakistan saw a steady rise, with over 100,000 complaints registered by December 2022, marking the highest number in the last five years.