Picture a nation on the brink of a digital revolution, freelancers generating over $1 billion annually, tech startups gaining global traction, and online businesses fueling economic growth. Now, imagine this momentum disrupted. That’s the reality Pakistan faces today with the introduction of its national internet firewall.
The firewall, intended to regulate content and enhance security, has created chaos instead. Freelancers struggle to meet deadlines as VPNs fail, and “internet load-shedding” becomes the new normal, prolonged outages disrupting workflows and access to global markets. The Pakistan Software Houses Association has pegged the economic losses at $300 million, a number that continues to climb with each passing day of instability.
The once-bright future of Pakistan’s digital economy now seems dimmed by policies that stifle connectivity and innovation. The question is no longer whether these measures ensure security; it’s whether we can truly secure the nation by jeopardising its digital future.
Rohit Kumar
Sukkur
