P@SHA Criticizes Government for Lack of Consultation on Ongoing Internet Issues

Internet Issues

As millions of Pakistanis continue to grapple with intermittent internet disruptions affecting both communications and businesses, the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) has strongly criticized the government’s lack of consultation on the issue.

The persistent disruptions, which include slow internet speeds and restricted access, are attributed to increased security measures and the installation of a new firewall aimed at controlling unwanted content.

In a recent appearance on ‘ “Geo Pakistan,” P@SHA Senior Vice Chairman Ali Ihsan expressed frustration over the government’s exclusion of key stakeholders from discussions.

“We want to work with them [the government],” Ihsan stated, questioning why P@SHA had been sidelined in matters concerning the internet policy.

He highlighted that the issues currently faced by people and businesses stem from either slow internet speeds or restricted access, which experts link to the newly implemented firewall designed to filter and block content deemed undesirable or harmful to national security.

The newly installed firewall is equipped with filters that block unwanted content from reaching users and inspects information from various internet protocol addresses. This system includes keyword filtering to detect and obscure content considered undesirable.

The firewall’s reach extends to major social media platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter). Additionally, preparations are underway to regulate the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), with the government possibly requiring citizens to disclose their VPN usage to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).

The government has denied allegations of intentionally slowing down the internet, attributing the issue to VPN usage. “I can swear that the government of Pakistan did not block the internet or slow it down [….] Turning VPN on slows down the phone,” stated a government spokesperson during a press conference in Islamabad on Sunday.

P@SHA officials recall that, in the past decade, they were consistently consulted on such matters. They are perplexed as to why they have been excluded from recent policy discussions.

Ihsan noted that P@SHA had previously engaged with the PTA on VPN regulations and offered recommendations to protect businesses. He emphasized that had they been consulted this time, they would have suggested measures to minimize disruption for IT businesses by whitelisting their IPs.

The economic impact of these internet disruptions is significant, with P@SHA estimating a loss of around $300 million. Businesses have reported severe repercussions, including the loss of contracts and reputational damage.

For instance, a leading healthcare company, which primarily operates in the United States, experienced a week-long outage affecting its 200 lines in Pakistan.

Another company reported losing contracts due to the internet issues. Ihsan also shared a personal experience where a $500,000 contract negotiation was disrupted by a dropped virtual call lasting over an hour.

In response to Minister Shaza Khawaja’s comments on VPN usage, Ihsan questioned the practicality of managing simultaneous VPN connections and suggested that the firewall’s integration might be causing issues with content delivery networks (CDNs), leading to further internet traffic congestion.

P@SHA fears that improper technology integration could exacerbate the problem and prevent a quick resolution.

Overall, P@SHA is calling for a more inclusive approach to policy-making and emphasizes the need for immediate attention to the ongoing internet disruptions to mitigate further economic losses and operational challenges.