Shaza Fatima, Pakistan’s State Minister for Information Technology, attributed the country’s internet slowdown to extensive use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs).

In a press conference on Sunday, the IT Minister sought to minimize the impact of the slowdown, which has frustrated millions and raised concerns about the installation of a digital firewall.

Read more: Firewall-Induced Internet Disruptions Might Lead to $300 Million Loss for Pakistan Economy

While acknowledging that firewalls are necessary for security, she emphasized that they should not be causing significant slowdowns. The ministry has requested the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to provide updated data on internet speeds to pinpoint any potential problems.