Islamabad: Pakistan’s burgeoning IT industry is facing a severe setback due to the government's implementation of a national firewall. The Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) warns that the country could lose up to $300 million in revenue due to the ensuing internet disruptions.
The firewall, aimed at monitoring and regulating online content, has led to prolonged internet disconnections and unstable VPN connections, crippling business operations. P@SHA claims this is a direct assault on the industry's viability.
Government denies Despite the industry's alarm, the government insists the firewall is not being used for censorship.
Amid the government’s dubbing critical social media commentary as “digital terrorism,” Pakistani netizens have complained about a slowdown in internet services which have become routine.
Many have complained of losing freelance jobs as the internet is their main source.
The X platform remains blocked in the country of nearly 250 million since Feb. 18.
Lack of transparency
The government's decision to block social media platform X, citing anti-state activities and non-compliance with local laws, has further exacerbated the situation. Rights groups contend that the move is aimed at suppressing dissent.
P@SHA has also raised concerns about the government's lack of transparency regarding the firewall, leading to distrust among internet users and international clients. The association is demanding an immediate halt to the internet restrictions and calls for collaboration to develop a cybersecurity framework.
IT Industry flourishing amidst crisis
It's worth noting that despite these challenges, Pakistan’s IT sector has been thriving. The country recorded $298 million in IT exports in June, a 33% increase year-on-year.
However, the potential impact of the internet firewall on this growth trajectory remains a significant concern.