ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s telecom regulator has confirmed the installation of a National Firewall System (NFS) to manage social media content but attributes recent internet service disruptions to a fault in the submarine cable. Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Major General (retired) Hafeez Ur Rehman presented these details before the National Assembly Standing Committee on IT and Telecom on Wednesday, amid growing concerns over persistent internet issues in the country.
Rehman acknowledged that the NFS was installed as part of a decision from the previous PTI administration. However, he emphasized that the recent disruptions are due to a fault in the submarine communication cable, which is expected to be repaired by August 27. He noted that the telecom sector has incurred losses of Rs300 million, with additional undocumented losses in the IT sector.
The PTA chairman explained that the NFS is being upgraded for the third time, with approval granted in October 2020 under the PTI government. Financial constraints had delayed the project’s implementation. Committee members raised concerns about the national firewall, which is part of a broader strategy to control social media content.
Read More: PTA Attributes Nationwide Internet Slowdown to Faulty Submarine Cable, Not Firewalls
Omar Ayub of PTI suggested that the firewall could be contributing to the internet slowdown, sparking a debate with officials who argued that the firewall had not yet been fully deployed and was not responsible for the disruptions. Rehman reassured the committee that the firewall’s installation aligns with federal cabinet directives aimed at enhancing national security.
Ayub also questioned the potential impact of the firewall on digital freedom, stressing the need for transparency and accountability. Concerns about government agencies intercepting private communications were also discussed, with Ayub inquiring about their capabilities.
The committee reiterated its opposition to measures that might hinder progress and called for clarity on the firewall’s impact on citizens’ lives. Rehman clarified that the NFS had been upgraded twice before and that the current government is continuing with the previous administration’s decisions.
During the meeting, a heated exchange occurred between Ayub and PML-N member Zulfiqar Bhatti, with Bhatti accusing Ayub of blaming agencies for actions authorized by his own government. Ayub emphasized the importance of strengthening parliament.
The committee also noted internet service issues in certain areas, particularly in interior Sindh, and expressed dissatisfaction with the PTA’s responses. They called for a detailed report on the damage caused by internet issues and urged improvements in service quality.
The PTA informed the Lahore High Court (LHC) that recent internet service disruptions were due to multiple factors: a fault in the submarine cable, a mistake by an internet company, a cyberattack on Indian National Day, and excessive use of VPNs. The LHC is currently hearing a petition regarding these disruptions.
