The trial implementation of a firewall has reportedly caused slowdowns in social media access, confirmed by officials closely involved in the project. This development has raised concerns about the impact on internet-based businesses in Pakistan.
Authorities clarify that the internet speed will revert to normal once the trial period concludes. The government has earmarked over Rs 30 billion from the development budget for acquiring and installing this filtering system. Despite the allocation to the Ministry of Information Technology, the execution is managed by another entity, with the MoIT’s role described merely as administrative.
According to officials, work on the firewall has been ongoing since January, involving system procurement, installation, and now commissioning, which is expected to take several weeks. When asked about potential implications for internet-based businesses, officials suggest the focus is primarily on curtailing social media influencers believed to propagate misinformation.
While the firewall is undergoing trials, recent advertisements by the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) indicate ongoing procedural steps, including a tender for next-generation firewalls and web application firewalls. A PTA spokesperson clarified that this tender is distinct from the larger firewall initiative, specifically aimed at securing PTA’s internal IT infrastructure.
Despite these efforts, concerns persist about the substantial financial outlay and the potential implications for internet freedom and business operations in Pakistan.
