Pakistan’s Economy at Risk of $300 Million Loss Due to Internet Firewall, Warns P@SHA

ISLAMABAD – The Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) has warned that the country’s economy could suffer losses of up to $300 million due to internet disruptions caused by the implementation of a national firewall. The concerns were raised in a press release on Thursday.

Islamabad is reportedly setting up an internet firewall to monitor and regulate online content and social media platforms. While the government has denied that the firewall will be used for censorship, the impact on the economy is becoming evident.

Ali Ihsan, Senior Vice Chairman of P@SHA, highlighted the severe consequences the firewall is already having on the tech industry. “The imposition of the firewall has already led to prolonged internet disconnections and erratic VPN performance, threatening a complete meltdown of business operations,” Ihsan stated.

He further stressed that these disruptions go beyond mere inconveniences, describing them as a “direct, tangible, and aggressive assault on the industry’s viability.” Ihsan warned that the financial damage, currently estimated at $300 million, could escalate further if the situation is not addressed urgently.