Recent disclosures have clarified when the decision to install a firewall system in Pakistan was made. Documents from that period indicate that the PTI government decided to implement the national firewall system in 2020.
On October 22, 2020, a meeting was convened at the Prime Minister’s Office where former Prime Minister Imran Khan issued formal orders for the firewall’s installation. This move was intended to strengthen Pakistan’s digital infrastructure against potential cyber threats.
Following these orders, the Prime Minister’s Office sent a letter to the IT Secretary on November 4, 2020, directing the IT Ministry to proceed with the firewall installation as specified. The letter emphasized that the development and implementation of the system should be carried out according to the Prime Minister’s explicit instructions.
Copies of this letter were also sent to the Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and relevant intelligence agencies. The letter detailed the requirements for the firewall, including the need for a comprehensive plan for its preparation and installation.
It stressed the importance of submitting timelines and progress reports to ensure the project’s success.
The IT Ministry was instructed to forward the case for formal approval and to gather recommendations from all relevant parties regarding the firewall and its implementation options.
In a related development, Minister of State for IT Shaza Fatima Khawaja has refuted claims of a government-imposed internet shutdown or throttling in Pakistan.
During a press conference in Islamabad, she attributed recent internet issues to high traffic and the use of VPNs.
Fatima reassured that the situation has been resolved and advised against using VPNs to prevent additional strain on the internet. She also emphasized the need for responsible discussion of Pakistan’s issues and acknowledged the challenges of combating negative perceptions of the country.
