The Pakistan Business Council (PBC) has raised alarms regarding the potential relocation of multinational companies (MNCs) from Pakistan due to recent widespread internet disruptions caused by a newly implemented firewall.
“Many MNCs are planning to relocate their back offices and some have already done so. It is not too late,” the PBC said in a post on X.
Internet services across Pakistan have been severely disrupted amid the installation of a ’firewall’, causing widespread inconvenience to users. The issue has persisted for several days, affecting all internet service providers.
Such actions have been blamed for everything from slow browsing speeds, the arbitrary blocking of social media platforms, and WhatsApp connectivity issues on mobile data.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has refrained from commenting on the matter.
The organization emphasized the negative impact of such disruptions on the burgeoning software sector, which could lead to job losses for thousands of freelance developers.
While acknowledging the security needs that the firewall addresses, the PBC argued that proper testing and implementation could have mitigated the adverse effects on employment and Pakistan’s reputation as a dependable source of IT services.
The PBC reiterated that reliable high-speed internet was essential for both domestic economic growth and international competitiveness.
