Firewall fiasco

The issue of recurring internet slowdowns and connectivity issues, related to the testing of a firewall, is tainting the global reputation of online business and freelancers in Pakistan and driving away their clients. The internet is the backbone of digital infrastructure and communication in this globalized era. The digital sector is a crucial element of Pakistan’s economy, contributing around $3.5 billion annually, and it relies on hassle-free internet access. Freelancers will likely have a decrease in their client ratio because of connectivity issues, highlighting the necessity of having a reliable internet connection. If these issues persist, the IT sector and digital economy will face huge financial losses. Clients will shift to countries that have stable and secure internet connections.

National security and cyber security concerns are undoubtedly important, but this approach has caused a lot of damage to the digital economy and infrastructure of the country. The government should implement only targeted security measures to tackle without putting the entire network at stake. Transparent online connectivity governance is a necessity to avoid any unnecessary shutdown or connectivity issues in the future and ensuring stable internet connectivity is vital for Pakistan’s digital infrastructure and innovation.

Isha Shahzad

Lahore