The Pakistan Software Houses Association has raised concerns that the country’s economy could suffer losses of up to $300 million due to internet disruptions caused by the implementation of a national firewall. In a press release on Thursday, P@SHA highlighted that Islamabad’s new internet firewall, designed to monitor and regulate online content and social media platforms, has already led to extended internet outages and inconsistent VPN performance.
Ali Ihsan, Senior Vice Chairman described the situation as a severe threat to business operations, warning of a potential “complete meltdown.” He emphasized that these disruptions are not just minor inconveniences but represent a significant and aggressive threat to the viability of the industry, with financial losses potentially reaching $300 million and possibly increasing further.
While the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and Minister of State for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja have not yet responded to these concerns, Khawaja had previously denied that the government planned to use the firewall for censorship. The country has already blocked access to the social media platform X following the February elections, where former Prime Minister Imran Khan, despite a crackdown and ban on his party, won the most seats.
