Pakistan's Internet Firewall Could Cost Economy $300 Million

- Pakistan's economy could lose up to $300 million due to internet disruptions caused by a national firewall, according to the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA).
- The firewall is being implemented to monitor and regulate content and social media platforms, though the government denies it is for censorship.
- Ali Ihsan, senior vice chairman of P@SHA, stated that the firewall has already caused prolonged internet disconnections and erratic VPN performance, threatening business operations.
- Rights activists argue that the blocking of social media platform X is intended to stifle critical voices and democratic accountability, while the government claims it is to stop anti-state activities.

Source: [Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/technology/pakistans-internet-firewall-could-cost-economy-300-million-association-says-2024-08-15/)