The Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) raised concerns about potential economic losses of up to $300 million due to internet disruptions caused by the implementation of a national firewall. The government’s plan to monitor and regulate content on social media platforms through the firewall has already led to prolonged internet disconnections and disruptions in VPN performance.
P@SHA emphasized that these disruptions are not just inconveniences but pose a significant threat to business operations, affecting the industry’s financial viability. Minister of State for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja denied plans to use firewalls for censorship but did not address the concerns raised by P@SHA.
The lack of transparency surrounding the firewall has led to distrust among internet users and global IT clients. P@SHA called for an immediate halt to the digital siege and urged the government to collaborate with the industry to develop a cybersecurity framework.
Despite these challenges, Pakistan’s IT exports saw a significant increase, reaching $298 million in June and totaling $3.2 billion in the fiscal year ending in June. It is crucial for the government to address industry concerns to sustain this growth.