The Hyderabad Chamber of Small Traders and Small Industry (HCSTSI) President, Muhammad Saleem Memon, has voiced strong concerns over the failure of a major telecom company to provide consistent services, which is severely impacting the national economy. In a statement on Saturday, Memon urged the government to take swift action, highlighting the negative effect on e-commerce platforms and online businesses due to frequent internet disruptions. The most affected by this negligence is the “Uraan Pakistan” programme, a vital government initiative aimed at boosting the IT sector.
Memon called on Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) to improve its services and ensure uninterrupted internet availability, especially in the face of regular power outages. He stressed that PTCL should install backup batteries in key areas like Hirabad, Anaj Mandi, and Tower Market to prevent internet shutdowns during load-shedding by the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (Hesco). The telecom company’s over-reliance on Hesco’s electricity supply, which is subjected to 10-hour load-shedding, has led to severe internet disruption, affecting businesses across Hyderabad.
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The impact of poor internet services goes beyond students and daily users; it is hampering the growth of essential sectors like e-commerce, food delivery, freelancing, and health services. These industries rely heavily on the internet for smooth operations, and the ongoing disruptions are causing significant losses. Memon emphasized that in the current digital age, internet access is not a luxury but a necessity, and its absence is a major barrier to business success.
Moreover, the interruption in services is threatening the success of the Uraan Pakistan project. This ambitious initiative by the federal government aims to generate $5 billion annually through freelancing and to train 200,000 IT professionals each year. However, without consistent internet access, the project’s objectives of developing IT talent and boosting exports remain out of reach. Memon stressed that urgent improvements are necessary to ensure the program’s success and to help the country achieve its IT growth targets.
