Pakistan's internet firewall, govt admits to it, youngsters losing online opportunities
Pakistan's Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, addressed concerns regarding internet connectivity issues reported by citizens across various cities in Pakistan. In response, the government has instructed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and other relevant bodies to submit a detailed report on the matter.
This comes amid growing concerns from the business community and internet service providers, who have blamed the government's intensified efforts to monitor internet traffic for a significant nationwide slowdown. The Wireless and Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan (WISPAP) reported that internet speeds have dropped by 30-40% in recent weeks, with some businesses considering relocating operations abroad due to the disruption.
Khawaja reassured reporters that the government had requested data from PTA and other agencies to assess the impact on internet traffic over the past two weeks. She emphasized that maintaining high-speed internet is crucial, especially as discussions are underway to introduce 5G technology in Pakistan.
Addressing concerns over the government's plan to establish a national firewall, Khawaja clarified that the initiative is part of a global standard to enhance internet security, not to censor content. The firewall, she explained, is designed to protect against cyberattacks and filter malicious content, a practice employed by countries like China, Iran, Turkiye, and Russia.
However, the proposal has drawn criticism from industry groups. The Pakistan Software Houses Association for IT and ITES (P@SHA) warned that implementing a centralized internet filtering system could severely impact Pakistan's tech sector, deterring foreign investment and potentially costing the economy up to $300 million annually. P@SHA urged the government to reconsider the plan, citing concerns over degraded internet speeds and increased operational costs for businesses, which could make Pakistan less appealing to global tech companies.
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