ISLAMABAD: The opposition PTI has condemned the government for allegedly throttling the internet “in an attempt to target PTI under the pretext of security concerns” despite its significant economic implications.

The party said Pakistan topped the world in economic losses due to internet shutdowns last year, leaving far behind the countries ravaged by civil wars.

Reacting to a report released by Top10VPN.com, an independent VPN reviewer, PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqqas Akram said Pakistan topped the charts with a cumulative financial impact of $1.62bn, which was alarming, despite the fact that the overall worldwide cost of internet shutdowns dropped by 15.8pc in 2024.

He lambasted the minister of state for IT and PTA chairman for giving excuses to justify the policy of throttling internet speeds each time, adding a 24-hour shutdown was alone resulting in a loss of Rs1.3bn.

Sees ‘flawed’ policies behind lawlessness

Mr Waqqas emphasised that the government should refrain from scapegoating internet for the deteriorating security situation when the root cause lied in “misguided priorities and flawed policies”. He said that during PM Imran Khan’s tenure, the country experienced a period of exemplary peace. After the ouster of teh PTI-led government, the country witnessed a renewed wave of terrorism, he said, adding that “self-centered and short-sighted” leaders, who stashed all their assets abroad, were imposed on the country.

“The power-hungry clique’s ill-advised policy will have far-reaching devastating economic consequences for the country, including the loss of substantial foreign exchange earnings and potential business contracts,” he said.

He alleged that despite the government’s much-touted plans, such as the ‘Uraan Pakistan’ initiative and the upcoming 5G spectrum auction, the country’s economic flight would remain a dream.

Mr Waqqas advised the government to not rely on fairy tales and the unrealistic plans that had failed to deliver tangible results. Instead, he pressed the government to focus on crafting a well-orchestrated strategy that leverages the vast potential of the IT sector to propel economic growth and drive meaningful progress.

He sounded the alarm that the “ill-conceived” policy would further erode the confidence of foreign investors in Pakistan, pushing the country to the brink of a complete business meltdown.

By prioritising their own interests over the nation’s well-being, Mr Waqqas feared, the government risked undermining the very foundations of economy.

He urged the government to rethink its approach and prioritise uninterrupted, high-speed internet access to bolster IT exports and revitalise Pakistan’s struggling economy.

Published in Dawn, January 5th, 2025

The draft is three weeks away now. GM Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson have pieced together an off-season that is earning widespread praise across the league. The question is whether they can stick the landing with their 1st round pick in the draft. Current projections have the top three picks likely being a mix of Cam Ward, Travis Hunter, and Abdul Carter. After that, it gets tricky. People in Chicago want to know where running back Ashton Jeanty will end once the dust settles.

Widespread belief has been that the Las Vegas Raiders are the heavy favorites to take him at 6th overall, with New Orleans at #9 also being a possibility. It makes sense. Las Vegas’ best option right now is a 33-year-old Raheem Mostert. New Orleans knows Alvin Kamara turns 30 in July. Both teams need to think about the future at that position. Both have head coaches who like to run the ball. One thing is clear. A source told SM that those around the league believe one thing is certain.

“He likely won’t get passed Chicago if he falls that far.”

Ashton Jeanty is a strong probability for the Bears.

Whispers from Halas Hall indicate they love the Boise State star. It isn’t hard to see why. He nearly broke Barry Sanders’ single-season rushing record in 2024, nearly winning the Heisman in the process. The guy carried his team to the college football playoffs. He’s built like a brick house with power, speed, contact balance, and vision. There aren’t any truly glaring weaknesses in his game. He’s earned comparisons to the likes of LaDainian Tomlinson and Marshawn Lynch. The Bears haven’t had a back of that caliber since Matt Forte.

Try to imagine what this offense could look like with Ashton Jeanty, Rome Odunze, D.J. Moore, and Cole Kmet all as options for quarterback Caleb Williams. Throw all of it into Johnson’s offense, and you can understand why some people around the league aren’t wild about the idea. They are quietly hoping Jeanty goes somewhere else. One thing is certain. If he gets past the Raiders, the noise will get loud in a hurry. It would mark the first time in 20 years the Bears have taken a running back in the 1st round.