The Pakistan economy is set to bear the expense of $300 million for firewall installation, a move aimed at enhancing Cyber Security measures across the country, according to Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) statement.
The government has begun enforcing an internet firewall aimed at monitoring and regulating online content and social media platforms, though it denies that the firewall will be used for censorship.
Ali Ihsan, Senior Vice Chairman of P@SHA, highlighted that the firewall’s imposition has already led to prolonged internet outages and inconsistent VPN performance, posing a severe threat to business operations. He warned that these disruptions could result in devastating financial losses, potentially reaching $300 million or more.
“These disruptions are not mere inconveniences; they represent a direct, tangible, and aggressive assault on the industry’s viability,” Ali Ihsan stated.
Minister of State for Information Technology, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, has not responded to these concerns. Earlier this month, she assured that the firewall would not be used for censorship.
The government has also blocked access to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) since February, following elections where the PTI party won the most seats. The government claims the block was necessary to prevent anti-state activities and enforce local laws, though rights activists argue it is an attempt to silence dissent.
P@SHA’s statement expressed concerns over the government’s lack of transparency, which has sparked distrust among internet users and international IT clients who fear for their data privacy. The association has called for an immediate halt to the firewall and urged the government to collaborate with the industry on a cybersecurity framework.
In June, Pakistan recorded $298 million in IT exports, a 33% increase from the previous year. The country’s IT exports for the fiscal year ending in June 2024 reached $3.2 billion, up 24% from $2.5 billion the previous year.
