Bilawal Bhutto slams Shehbaz-led govt over VPN shutdown

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has criticised the government for its decision to shut down Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and slow down internet speeds, saying the government failed to consult his party before implementing these measures.

Speaking to the media, Bilawal expressed his dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of internet services, stating, “We have not been consulted regarding the slowing down of internet speed and the closure of VPN services.”

He further added that the decision-makers appear to have little understanding of VPN technology, and if the government had indeed consulted on the matter, it should explain the new rules clearly.

“The government claims it is providing 4G services, but in reality, the internet speed is fragile, resembling more of 3G service,” he said, emphasizing that the quality of internet service had deteriorated.

Bilawal also addressed a range of political issues, including Pakistan’s relations with the United States and concerns over domestic governance. He stated that personal relationships in politics, such as his own connections with former U.S. President Donald Trump’s family, held limited importance in diplomacy.

“Pakistan does not favor Republicans or Democrats. Personal relationships are secondary to the larger issues of geopolitics,” he added.

On the state of Pakistan-US relations, Bilawal remarked, “Pakistan-US relations are not good at all; they are currently at their worst.”

Bilawal also discussed his decision to step back from the Judicial Commission in protest.

He reiterated that the federal government had failed to fulfill its commitment to providing due share to the provinces.

“Had the federal government inducted judges from rural Sindh, it would have been a step toward equality and fairness,” he said, adding that the head of the Constitutional Bench should have been someone with undisputed credibility.