Senate IT Committee Discusses Internet Downtime Impact on Pakistan’s IT Industry
The Senate’s Standing Committee on IT and Telecom, chaired by Senator Palwasha Khan, held a meeting today to address pressing issues facing the country’s IT sector.
During the session, Pasha Chairman Sajjad Mustafa Syed voiced significant concerns about the government’s VPN policy, emphasizing its detrimental effect on the IT industry.
He pointed out that “An hour of internet downtime causes a loss of $910,000 for the IT sector,” underscoring the importance of stable and uninterrupted internet access for the industry’s growth.
Senator Palwasha Khan also expressed dissatisfaction with the Ministry of IT’s handling of the situation, criticizing the frequent shifting of responsibility to the Ministry of Interior. “I don’t understand the purpose of having a Ministry of IT if this is how things are managed,” she remarked.
In response, the Secretary of IT assured the committee that efforts are being made to strike a balance between national security concerns and the need to minimize disruptions to the IT industry.
“We are working to address national security requirements while minimizing the impact on the IT sector,” he stated.
The meeting concluded with a call for a more coordinated and strategic approach to policymaking, one that ensures both the protection of national interests and the continued growth of Pakistan’s IT industry.
