Govt opposes VPN registration, internet disruptions as IT industry suffers

Senate Standing Committee on IT calls on P@SHA chairman to brief lawmakers about the magnitude of losses which the IT sector registered
An undated image showing a protected VPN. — Unsplash

An undated image showing a protected VPN. — Unsplash

In another episode of melodrama unfolding around persisting internet disruptions in Pakistan, Chairperson Senate Standing Committee on IT Syed Amin Ul Haque expressed dismay over the registration and blocking of VPNs while condemning the continued throttling of internet services across Pakistan. 

The development follows the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority urging major social media platforms to curtail the availability of inappropriate and defamatory content on the internet. 

On the sidelines of criticising the VPN registration initiated last month by PTA, opposition leader Omar Ayub Khan stressed to address the internet shutdowns at the earliest, stating that VPNs should not be blocked. 

He urged the government to establish a separate committee to deal with issues regarding sluggish internet speed in the country.

Citing data on the IT sector's losses shared by the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA), State Minister for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja outlined that the industry has so far suffered a loss of $8 billion.

The committee called on the P@SHA chairman to brief lawmakers about the magnitude of losses which the IT sector registered because of the persisting internet crisis across Pakistan.

Highlighting the $15bn goal that the government has set to attain by the end of 2025, Syed urged those in authority to ensure unrestricted social media access and internet functioning in the country.