Recent revelations have provided insight into the timeline and steps leading to the decision to install a national firewall system in Pakistan. Documents from that period indicate that this decision was made during the PTI regime in 2020.
On October 22, 2020, a key meeting regarding the firewall system took place at the Prime Minister’s Office, where former Prime Minister Imran Khan formally ordered the installation of the system. The decision was part of a broader effort to strengthen Pakistan’s digital infrastructure against potential cyber threats.
Following the Prime Minister’s orders, a letter was sent from the Prime Minister’s Office to the IT Secretary on November 4, 2020. This correspondence directed the IT Ministry to move forward with the installation of the firewall system in accordance with the Prime Minister’s directive. The letter also emphasized that the development and implementation of the system were to be carried out under the explicit instructions of the Prime Minister.
Copies of this letter were also forwarded to the Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and intelligence agencies. The letter outlined specific requirements for the firewall, including the need to develop a comprehensive plan for its preparation and installation. It stressed the importance of submitting timelines and progress reports to ensure the successful execution of the project.
The Ministry of IT was instructed to forward the case to the competent authority for formal approval and to seek recommendations from all relevant parties regarding firewall options and implementation strategies.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, Minister of State for IT Shaza Fatima Khawaja addressed recent concerns about internet access in Pakistan during a press conference in Islamabad. She dismissed claims of a government-imposed internet shutdown or throttling, attributing recent connectivity issues to high traffic and the use of VPNs. The minister assured that the situation had been resolved and advised against the use of VPNs to avoid putting additional strain on the internet.
Fatima also emphasized the need for responsible discussions about Pakistan’s issues, acknowledging the challenges posed by negative perceptions of the country.
