PTA finally admits firewall installation to regulate social media in Pakistan. However, PTA attributes the recent internet service disruptions to a fault in the submarine cable.
During a session with the National Assembly Standing Committee on IT and Telecom, PTA Chairman Major General (retd) Hafeez Ur Rehman responded to escalating concerns regarding ongoing internet outages in Pakistan. He noted that the NFS installation was a government decision made during the PTI era but clarified that the current service interruptions stem from issues with the submarine communication cable, which transmits telecom signals across oceans.
“We have received a letter stating that the fault will be cleared by 27August 2024,” he said.
In addressing the financial impact, Hafeez Ur Rehman revealed that the telecom sector has suffered losses of approximately Rs 300 million, not accounting for undocumented losses in the IT sector. He explained that this is the third upgrade of the firewall, initially approved in October 2020 under the previous government, though financial constraints delayed its implementation.
Committee members raised concerns about the national firewall’s role in the government’s strategy to manage social media content aggressively. PTI member Omar Ayub suggested that the firewall could be contributing to internet slowdowns, igniting a debate among officials, who maintained that the firewall had not yet been fully deployed.
Hafeez Ur Rehman assured the committee that the firewall’s installation aligns with federal cabinet directives aimed at enhancing national security and regulating social media.
Omar Ayub also questioned the potential implications for digital freedom, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in government actions. The committee expressed apprehension over the possibility of government agencies intercepting private communications and sought clarity on their capabilities.
Tensions flared during the meeting, particularly between Omar Ayub and PML-N member Zulfiqar Bhatti, with accusations exchanged over government agency accountability. Omar Ayub stressed, “If parliament is strong, we are strong.”
The committee highlighted that many regions have lacked internet service for three years, with weak mobile signals persisting in parts of interior Sindh. Members expressed dissatisfaction with the PTA’s responses, questioning equality in service for all citizens.
They called for a comprehensive report detailing the damage caused by internet disruptions and urged the PTA to enhance service quality. Hafeez Ur Rehman responded that a quality-of-service mechanism is in place and that companies face penalties for inadequate performance. He mentioned that mobile operators are mandated to install 455 new towers each year to improve coverage.
In a related matter, the PTA informed the Lahore High Court (LHC) that multiple factors contributed to recent internet service disruptions. While the fault in the submarine cable impacted internet speed, an error by an internet provider on July 31 also played a role. Additionally, a cyberattack on Indian National Day, August 15, 2024 further hampered connectivity. The PTA noted that excessive use of VPNs has also adversely affected internet speeds. The LHC is currently reviewing a petition regarding unannounced internet service disruptions.
