Pakistan’s economy might suffer financial losses of up to $300 million as a result of internet outages caused by the implementation of a national firewall, said Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA).
The flourishing IT industry is facing a calamity, with enormous operational interruptions threatening the entire core of Pakistan’s thriving tech sector, according to a statement.
The implementation of the firewall has created a perfect storm of problems, with protracted internet disconnections and unpredictable VPN functioning risking a “complete meltdown of business operations.”
According to the group, these interruptions are more than just inconveniences; they represent a direct and forceful attack on the industry’s survival, resulting in terrible financial losses estimated at $300 million, which might escalate enormously.
“If you tighten your grip on the IT sector, remember this is going to be the bottleneck of this nation’s economy!” remarked Muhammad Aamir, CEO of AXCEL, an IT firm.
The government’s unexplained secrecy and vagueness over the firewall’s architecture and purpose has sparked a tempest of suspicion among worldwide clients, who are concerned that their sensitive data and privacy would be jeopardized.
P@SHA requested a “immediate and unconditional halt to this digital siege.”
According to the group, the government must engage in true engagement with business players to build a cybersecurity framework that protects national interests while fostering innovation and prosperity.
“We urge the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecom (MoITT) to take swift and decisive action to rectify this grave situation,” according to the statement.
The group cautioned that failing to do so will have far-reaching ramifications for Pakistan’s economy and worldwide reputation as a technological powerhouse.
