The chairman of the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA), Sajjad Mustafa Syed, emphasized the operational and financial costs to the nation’s fastest-growing industry and called for quick action to solve systemic issues and guarantee continuous connection.
Syed emphasized the dire financial consequences of internet disruptions, stating: “The IT industry loses $910,000 every hour of internet disruption.”
“In the current environment, 99% of IT businesses have experienced disruptions that have hindered growth and productivity,” he continued.
He disclosed that the Ministry of IT was consulted by P@SHA on these disruptions. A special cell of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) was created to handle complaints from the IT sector.
Syed mentioned the current infrastructure renovations by PTA and said, “Internet issues were resolved within hours after P@SHA raised the issue.”
Syed reiterated that “VPNs cannot be blocked under PECA laws” and emphasized that internet connectivity should only be interrupted in the case of a national security concern.
“However, social media firms can be blocked per PECA laws,” he stated.
To improve control and reduce hazards, P@SHA has suggested registering VPNs domestically and creating local VPN service providers. He clarified that “VPN service providers will have the capacity to block specific content.”
He said that the business is expanding at a pace of 30% and that IT exports have reached $3.2 billion.
He commended recent measures to establish Pakistan as a major participant in the global IT industry, including a Rs 7.9 billion IT skills development program and branding campaigns.
