Pakistan VPN ban could hike IT sector operational costs by $150 million annually — association

A view shows the technical support room where team members provide solutions to clients, at Connect Communication, provider of high bandwidth and data connectivity solutions to customers, in Karachi, Pakistan on August 22, 2024. (REUTERS/File)
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Updated 20 November 2024
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Pakistan VPN ban could hike IT sector operational costs by $150 million annually — association

  • Pakistan’s IT sector has been thriving in recent years, with exports clocking in at $3.2 billion in fiscal year 2024
  • Business Council says many multinational firms considering relocating from Pakistan, some having “already done so” 

KARACHI: The Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA), the country’s top representative body for the IT sector, has warned this week Internet slowdowns and the restriction of virtual private network (VPN) services could lead to financial losses and closures and increase operational costs for the industry by up to $150 million annually. 

Pakistan’s IT sector has been thriving in recent years, with exports clocking in at $3.2 billion in FY24. 

Internet speeds in Pakistan have dropped by up to 30-40 percent over the past few months, according to the Wireless and Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan (WISPAP) as the federal government moves to implement a nationwide firewall to block malicious content, protect government networks from attacks, and allow the government to identify IP addresses associated with what it calls “anti-state propaganda” and terror attacks. Authorities have also announced a ban on the use of VPNs in the country.

Pakistan has already blocked access to social media platform X since the February general elections, with the government saying the blocking was to stop anti-state activities and due to a failure by X to adhere to local Pakistani laws. 

Rights activists say all these moves are designed to stifle critical voices and democratic accountability in the country, which the government denies. 

“Internet slowdown and blocking of virtual private network (VPN) services will certainly translate into an existential threat as it will result in unrecoverable financial loss, service disruptions, and reputational loss in the export of IT and IT-enabled Services (ITeS),” P@SHA Chairman Sajjad Mustafa Syed said in a statement released on Tuesday, putting “cautious estimates” of the increase in operational costs of the IT industry from VPN blockages at between $100-150 million each year.

In August, the Pakistan Business Council (PBC) warned that frequent Internet disruptions and low speeds caused by poor implementation of the national firewall had led many multinational companies to consider relocating their offices out of Pakistan, with some having “already done so.” P@SHA also said that month Pakistan’s economy could lose up to $300 million a year due to Internet disruptions caused by the imposition of the firewall.

“Even by conservative estimates the IT industry will suffer losses in tens of millions of dollars in the short term; and the reputational and intangible loses will be huge and devastating for the industry in the longer run, especially with the global competitive landscape evolving in this space,” Syed said. 

He said the Internet slowdown and VPN blocks would deal a “huge blow” to one of the fastest-growing industries of Pakistan and create a “domino effect” on other sectors of the economy.

“Domestic and international IT companies will be forced to close or significantly restrict their operations in Pakistan – and it will be detrimental to the most flourishing industry of Pakistan vis-à-vis exports, skills development and employment generation,” Syed added.

“In addition to this, it will be extremely demoralizing and discouraging for our IT companies, their workforce, start-up entrepreneurs, freelancers, and everyone involved in the sector – who are working very hard to bring Pakistan at the forefront of global technology destinations.”

Pakistan’s IT and ITeS exports have been growing at an average of 30 percent per year, and are on the way to achieve over $15 billion in the next 5 years, according to industry data, provided the government ensures continuity in export, fiscal, financial, SME, infrastructure and IT policies.

“If the VPNs are blocked, most of IT companies, Call Centers, BPO [business process outsourcing] organizations of Pakistan will lose all the major Fortune 500 clients, as well as others – as data protection and cybersecurity are of paramount importance to our clients, and connecting to client systems through VPN is a global norm and standard, and is a basic requirement and expectation of clients around the world,” Syed said. 

“Additionally, no international company of any size tolerates any intrusion into their security protocols by any private or public institution.”

He said the estimated financial losses from the moves did not include the inevitable loss of livelihoods of remote workers and freelancers, urging authorities to engage with P@SHA, industry leaders, and relevant stakeholders to develop a “balanced and secure framework” that safeguarded national security without compromising the operational needs of the IT and other economic sectors of Pakistan.


Pakistan says empowering females ‘national priority’ on International Day of Women and Girls in Science

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Pakistan says empowering females ‘national priority’ on International Day of Women and Girls in Science

  • International community marks day on Feb. 11 to highlight gender gap in all levels of science and technology
  • Pakistan PM says government undertaking initiatives to train women in robotics, AI and digital solutions

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Tuesday that empowering females is a “national priority” and essential for the nation’s economic well-being and development, as the world marks International Day of Women and Girls in Science. 

The world marks Feb. 11 each year as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science to highlight the significant gender gap in all levels of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines around the world. 

In conservative Pakistan, some rural areas are still ruled by a patriarchal system of male village elders who wield significant influence in their communities and bar women from seeking educational and employment opportunities. 

“For us empowering women and girls in science is a national priority and an all-out effort is being made to create an enabling environment and providing equal opportunities, to ensure that women become key drivers of progress and innovation in the 21st century,” Sharif said in a message shared by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). 

He said the Pakistani government has prioritized programs that focus on skill development, support for women-led start-ups and greater access to research funding. 

“Initiatives include training in robotics, AI and digital solutions, scholarships and programs encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship,” the PMO said. 

Sharif highlighted the underrepresentation of women in science and technology, noting that they make up less than 30 percent of the world’s researchers and only 22 percent in the field of AI, citing data from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics.

Despite the challenges in conservative Pakistan, some women have made significant contributions to science globally. Dr. Nergis Mavalvala, a Pakistani American astrophysicist, was part of the team that achieved the scientific milestone of detecting gravitational waves, ripples in space and time hypothesized by physicist Albert Einstein a century ago. Dr. Tasneem Zehra Husain, a theoretical physicist, science writer and educator, made headlines around the world when she became the first Pakistani woman to earn a PhD in string theory. 


Saudi warships join international fleet review as Pakistan concludes AMAN-25 naval exercise

Updated 11 February 2025
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Saudi warships join international fleet review as Pakistan concludes AMAN-25 naval exercise

  • Over 30 warships, including Royal Saudi Navy’s HMS Jazan and HMS Hail take part in international fleet review
  • Five-day exercise featured harbor and sea phases, various drills and operations to enhance naval cooperation

KARACHI: Saudi warships took part in an international fleet review at the Arabian Sea off the coast of Karachi on Tuesday as Pakistan concluded its multinational naval exercise AMAN-25, which aimed to strengthen maritime security and cooperation and featured participation from over 60 countries. 

A fleet review is a formal inspection of a navy’s fleet by high-ranking officials. The international fleet review in Karachi, marking the finale of the five-day naval exercise, was attended by senior military and diplomatic officials including Pakistan’s Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir and Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki.

“This international fleet review marks the conclusion of exercise AMAN-25,” Rear Admiral Abdul Munib, Pakistan Navy’s fleet commander, said. “In 2007, we started AMAN exercise series, and this one is the ninth edition of the exercise.”

Munib said 28 countries participated in the first AMAN edition while during last year’s exercise, 50 countries took part. He said in the 2025 edition the number of participating countries swelled to over 60. 

The AMAN exercise is conducted every two years under the “Together for Peace” theme. Over 30 warships, including the Royal Saudi Navy’s HMS Jazan and HMS Hail along with 16 air units took part in the international fleet review. 

The naval exercise began on Feb. 7 and consisted of harbor and sea phases, featuring various drills and operations to enhance interoperability among the naval forces. The last day of the sea phase included aerial operations, replenishment-at-sea exercises, counter-piracy demonstrations, and live-fire exercises followed by a spectacular fly-past.

Captain Humayun Yaqoob, commanding officer of Pakistan Navy ship PNS Moawin, emphasized the strategic importance of the event. 

“The basic purpose of this exercise is ‘Together for Peace’. All these 60 nations, they are here. They are together with us for peace,” Yaqoob said. “It [exercise] is giving a message. It is the confidence of the international community that this exercise is a meaningful platform.”

Pakistan Navy's PNS Tippu Sultan and PNS Taimur frigate warships lead the Naval vessels of participating countries during the sea phase of Pakistan Navy's 9th Multinational Maritime Exercise AMAN-25 under the slogan "Together for Peace," in the Arabian Sea near Karachi, Pakistan, on February 10, 2025. (REUTERS)

The AMAN-25 exercise was complimented by the inaugural AMAN Dialogue, held from Feb. 9-10, which brought together naval chiefs, coast guard officials and defense representatives to discuss challenges in the Indian Ocean. Topics included strategic competition, piracy, narco-trafficking, climate change, and the use of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and unmanned systems.

Pakistan’s Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal underscored the importance of collaboration in the region during the dialogue. 

“The Indian Ocean should not be a rivalry playground but a center of opportunities for all nations,” he said. “Pakistan prefers collaboration over confrontation, and Aman-25 is an example of mutual trust and shared prosperity.”

The Indian Ocean remains a focal point of geopolitical competition, with China expanding its naval presence and the United States strengthening defense ties with India. Pakistan, through AMAN-25, positioned itself as an advocate for cooperative maritime security, engaging regional and global partners to ensure stability in waters crucial for global trade.

The event also included counterterrorism drills at sea, with special forces from various nations conducting visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) operations, amphibious exercises, and combat search-and-rescue missions.

As the exercise concluded on the last day, participating warships including those from Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Oman, Sri Lanka, UAE and the US paid a ceremonial mark of respect to the chief guest on PNS Moawin, Pakistan’s army chief. 


Pakistan PM to address World Governments Summit 2025 in Dubai today

Updated 11 February 2025
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Pakistan PM to address World Governments Summit 2025 in Dubai today

  • Shehbaz Sharif’s address to highlight Pakistan’s vision for inclusive economic growth and governance reforms
  • Pakistan PM to meet UAE’s vice president and ruler of Dubai as well as Sri Lanka’s president, says PM’s Office

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will address the World Governments Summit in Dubai today, Tuesday, with his speech focusing on his country’s vision for inclusive economic growth, his office said in a statement. 

Over 400 ministers and thousands of industry leaders, experts, and policymakers are taking part in the summit from Feb. 11-13. As per the WGS, the event will also welcome over 80 international, regional and intergovernmental organizations to join a discussion on the future of governance, global challenges and their innovative solutions. 

Sharif arrived on his second visit to the UAE since assuming office in March last year with a high-level delegation on Monday. The prime minister spoke to investors and is scheduled to deliver a keynote address on Tuesday highlighting Pakistan’s vision for inclusive economic growth, digital transformation and governance reforms, the foreign office said in a statement earlier. 

“The Prime Minister will represent Pakistan at the World Governments Summit in Dubai and will address it live on Pakistan Television,” the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said. 

It added that Sharif will also meet the UAE’s vice president, the prime minister and ruler of Dubai, the Sri Lankan president, the chairperson of the presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and investors in the UAE during his trip. 

Sharif spoke to investors in the UAE on Monday, saying that Islamabad was having a “very close interaction” with Saudi Arabia and the UAE in minerals and mining sectors. 

The summit is an important event for Pakistan, which has reached out to regional allies and economic partners in recent months to escape a prolonged economic crisis that has drained its resources and triggered inflation in the country. 

The WGS was established in 2013 under the leadership of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE’s vice president, prime minister and ruler of Dubai. The organization says since then its leadership has continued to champion the mission of shaping future governments and creating a better future for humanity. 


Pakistan and Belarus agree to strengthen cooperation in industry, health and tourism sectors

Updated 11 February 2025
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Pakistan and Belarus agree to strengthen cooperation in industry, health and tourism sectors

  • Both countries hold eighth session of Pakistan-Belarus Joint Ministerial Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation in Minsk
  • Islamabad is pushing for foreign investment from allies in a bid to shore up $350 billion economy

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has agreed to expand its cooperation with Belarus in industry, media, tourism and other vital economic sectors, state-run media reported this week, as Islamabad pushes for foreign investment from allies to shore up its $350 billion economy.

The decision was taken on Monday at the Eighth Session of the Pakistan-Belarus Joint Ministerial Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation held in Minsk during a meeting between Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and Belarusian Energy Minister Aleksey Kushnarenko.

“Both sides agreed to expand industrial cooperation, particularly in agricultural machinery, transportation and industrial equipment,” Radio Pakistan said. “They also pledged to work together on health care and pharmaceuticals sector, seed production, livestock, veterinary medicine and fisheries to boost food security and trade between the two nations and many other sectors.”

The meeting focused on strengthening the two countries’ economic, commercial, and technical ties, the state broadcaster said. Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation on labor migration issues, promote tourism, and renew the agreement between the National State Television and Radio Company of Belarus and Pakistan Television Corporation, it added. 

Pakistan and Belarus marked 30 years of diplomatic ties in 2024. Earlier this year, Belarus’s prime minister visited Islamabad to meet key civilian and military officials including the prime minister and army chief.

In November 2024, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko witnessed the signing of 15 memorandums of agreements in Islamabad for cooperation in disaster management, environmental protection, science and technology and halal trade.

In September 2024, Pakistan and Belarus explored joint ventures in agricultural machinery including a tractor plant and a foot-and-mouth disease vaccine for cattle. They also agreed to collaborate on agricultural mechanization, livestock, seeds and veterinary medicine. 

The two countries have a history of cooperation, having held the first Joint Economic Commission in 2015 focusing on textile, pharmaceutical and lighting industries.

Pakistan’s efforts to increase trade and investment ties with regional allies and other countries stems from its desire to pursue sustainable growth amid a prolonged economic crisis. Pakistan last year came to the brink of a sovereign default before it clinched a last-gasp $3 billion bailout package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). 


Pakistan’s UN ambassador calls for global action against militants operating from Afghanistan

Updated 34 min 14 sec ago
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Pakistan’s UN ambassador calls for global action against militants operating from Afghanistan

  • Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of harboring safe havens for militants as it suffers from surge in attacks 
  • Munir Akram calls for eliminating root causes of militancy such as poverty, injustice and unresolved conflicts

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s UN Ambassador Munir Akram has called for global action against religiously motivated militants such as Daesh, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the separatist Majeed Brigade outfits, alleging that over two dozen “terrorist groups” are operating from Afghanistan which are a threat to the entire region and beyond. 

Pakistan has suffered a surge in militant attacks in its western provinces bordering Afghanistan. The TTP or the Pakistani Taliban have carried out attacks against civilians and law enforcers in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) provinces while the Majeed Brigade, a specialized unit of the Baloch Liberation Army, have scaled attacks in the southwestern Balochistan province. 

Islamabad has repeatedly urged Kabul to take action against militants that it says are using Afghan soil to launch attacks against Pakistan, a charge the Taliban-led government denies. Pakistan last year conducted cross-border strikes into Afghanistan against alleged militant targets, escalating tensions with its western neighbor. 

Akram made the comments during the UN Security Council briefings on “Threats to international peace & security caused by terrorist acts,” Pakistan’s Permanent Mission to the UN shared on social media platform X on Tuesday. 

“While strongly rejecting any imputation that an ISIL-K/Daesh recruitment is taking place inside the country, Pakistan has urged the international community to take greater cognizance of the renewed terrorist threat posed by the TTP, Majeed Brigade and Daesh,” the mission said. 

“He stated in unequivocal terms that over two dozen terrorist groups are operating inside Afghanistan, which is also the ‘main hub for ISIL-K’s recruitment and facilitation,’ as is confirmed by the UN Monitoring Team’s recent report.”

Akram pointed out that Pakistan had defeated Al-Qaeda and other militant networks within its borders, adding that the South Asian country continues to confront “terrorist threats” such as the TTP, Daesh and the Majeed Brigade operating from safe havens across the border.

He demanded addressing root causes of militancy such as poverty, injustice, prolonged unresolved conflicts, foreign occupation and denial of the right of self-determination to people. 

“Without addressing the root causes, we can hope for little success if our focus remains restricted to the consequences of such policies,” he maintained.

Akram pointed out that it was unfortunate how counter-terrorism policies have often equated Islam with extremism, adding that such misplaced notions fuel Islamophobia and further radicalization.

He condemned “terrorism” in all its forms, saying Pakistan was one of the countries worldwide leading the battle against militancy. 

“For more than four decades, we have remained at the forefront of global counter terrorism efforts and been a principle target of terrorist attacks, financed by our adversaries in the region and we have paid a heavy price in innocent human life; lost 80,000 casualties and enormous damage to our economy,” Akram said.