Pakistani Government's Proposed Firewall Sparks Concern Amid Major Internet Disruptions

The Pakistani government’s plan to implement a nationwide firewall amidst ongoing internet issues has raised significant concerns from key industry bodies and citizens, potentially endangering the IT sector and fundamental rights.

As Pakistan faces persistent internet issues, including slow speeds, the government is planning to introduce a nationwide firewall, raising serious concerns from the Pakistan Software Houses Association (PSHA), ARY News reported.

Khurram Rahat, Vice Chairman of PSHA, disclosed that recent internet disruptions have caused an estimated USD 300 million loss to the country's IT sector. Rahat warned that the firewall's design might jeopardize client data security and emphasized that its implementation should not involve an internet shutdown, noting the significant damage already inflicted on the industry due to slowdowns.

Concerns have reached the Islamabad High Court through a petition filed by journalist Hamid Mir, represented by lawyer Imaan Mazari. Mir argued the firewall would drastically reduce internet speed, negatively impacting the youth who are vital to Pakistan's digital economy. Moreover, he claimed it could violate fundamental rights of citizens. The petition targets several key entities, including the Cabinet Secretary, IT Secretary, and PTA, demanding a detailed report on the firewall's potential consequences and installation process.

Regarding the fallout from ongoing disruptions, Senator Afnanullah Khan pointed out that freelancers and digital agencies have already incurred losses exceeding USD 500 million, severely impacting the economy, according to ARY News. Users reported difficulties in accessing social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram, while internet service providers experienced outages on Thursday. Senator Khan warned that unresolved internet issues might further harm the economy, especially the IT sector exports. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)