ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) Chairman Sajjad Mustafa Syed has emphasized the urgent need for uninterrupted internet services while highlighting the significant financial and operational impact on Pakistan’s rapidly growing IT sector. .
“One hour of internet disruption costs the IT industry $910,000,” revealed Syed, stressing the critical role of connectivity in keeping the sector moving.
He added that 99% of IT companies have faced bottlenecks in the current situation, which has adversely affected productivity and hampered the industry’s ability to grow.
He revealed that P@SHA raised concerns about these hurdles with the IT Ministry. Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) had set up a dedicated cell to address the grievances of the IT industry.
“After the issue was raised by P@SHA, the internet issues were resolved within hours,” Syed noted, while also mentioning the ongoing infrastructure upgrades by the PTA.
Syed emphasized that internet services should only be blocked in the event of a national security threat, and clarified, “Under PECA rules, VPNs cannot be blocked.”
“However, social media companies can be blocked under PECA rules,” he added.
Highlighting the data security risks associated with free VPNs, Syed warned that the decision to block VPNs has prompted some companies to consider relocating overseas.
P@SHA has proposed establishing local VPN service providers and registering VPNs locally to increase monitoring and reduce risks. “VPN service providers will have the ability to block certain content,” he explained.
Talking about the economic potential of the IT sector, Syed said, “For one dollar invested in the IT industry, the government gets $49.”
He added that IT exports have reached $3.2 billion, with the industry growing at a rate of 30 percent.
However, he expressed concerns about limited government investment, saying, “In recent years, the government has invested only a few million dollars in the IT industry.”
He praised recent efforts, such as the Rs 7.9 billion IT Skills Development Program and branding initiatives to position Pakistan as a global IT player.
“Pakistan’s IT sector competes with big global players,” Syed said, but stressed the need for more tax breaks to attract investment.
Syed called on the government to proactively address these challenges and harness the potential of the IT industry to drive economic growth.