Recent disclosures have shed light on the time the decision was taken to install a firewall system in Pakistan.
Documents released from that period reveal the timeline and key steps involved in the implementation process. They reveal that the decision to install a national firewall system in Pakistan was made during the PTI regime in 2020.
On October 22, 2020, a meeting concerning the firewall system was held at the Prime Minister's Office. Former prime minister Imran Khan issued formal orders regarding the installation of the firewall.
This decision was aimed at bolstering Pakistan’s digital infrastructure against potential cyber threats.
Following the PM's orders, the Prime Minister's Office sent a letter to the IT secretary on November 4, 2020. The correspondence instructed the IT Ministry to proceed with the installation of the firewall system as per the Prime Minister's directive.
The letter also highlighted the need for the system's development and implementation to be conducted under the Prime Minister's explicit instructions.
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In addition to the IT Secretary, copies of this letter were forwarded to the chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and intelligence agencies.
The letter outlined specific requirements for the firewall, including the development of a detailed plan for its preparation and installation. It emphasized the importance of submitting timelines and progress reports to ensure the project’s successful execution.
The Ministry of IT was tasked with forwarding the case to the competent authority for formal approval. The letter also asked for recommendations from all the parties concerned on firewalls and options for implementation.
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Meanwhile, on Sunday, Minister of State for IT Shaza Fatima Khawaja insisted that there has been no government-imposed shutdown or throttling of the internet in Pakistan.
During a press conference in Islamabad, the minister for state dismissed claims that the government had taken measures to silence people, attributing recent internet issues to high traffic and the use of VPNs. She emphasized that the situation has been resolved and advised against using VPNs to avoid pressure on the internet.
Fatima stressed the importance of discussing Pakistan’s issues responsibly and acknowledged the challenges posed by negative perceptions of the country.
