ISLAMABAD (PEN) : The trial run of the new firewall has led to noticeable slowdowns on social media, raising concerns about the future of online businesses in Pakistan. Officials have assured that once the trial is complete, internet speeds should return to normal.
The government has invested over Rs30 billion in this filtering system, with funds allocated to the Ministry of Information Technology. However, the project’s execution is being handled by another agency, leaving the MoIT with a largely administrative role.
Work on the firewall began in January, involving the purchase and installation of the system, which is now being commissioned. This process will take a few weeks. While there are concerns about the firewall’s impact on internet-based businesses, officials state that these businesses are not the target. The main focus is on social media influencers who the government believes are spreading misinformation. The goal is to limit their reach by blocking or obscuring their content.
In parallel, influencers are being addressed through the Prevention of Electronic Crime Act 2016, with courts set up to handle related cases.
Interestingly, an ad from the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) two weeks ago suggested that the paperwork for the firewall’s procurement was still in progress. The ad, dated July 11, invited tenders for “Next Generation Firewalls” and “Web Application Firewalls” for a five-year period, with bids due by July 26. This has led to confusion about the overlap in firewall systems and funding.
A PTA spokesperson clarified that this tender is for firewalls intended solely for the PTA’s internal IT infrastructure. These are meant to enhance the security of the PTA’s systems and will only be used at its primary data center and disaster recovery site. Specifically, the PTA is seeking four Next Generation Firewalls and two Web Application Firewalls to ensure robust security for its internal operations.
