Shaza Fatima says installation of firewall is security requirement

Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima   Khawaja Thursday said that the ministry has received complaints of internet slowdown and emphasized that internet services should never experience such sluggishness, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Talking to media persons in Islamabad, she said that the digital economy is reliant on high-speed internet.

However, she clarified that the installation of a firewall is a security requirement and added that countries around the world deploy firewalls.

The IT minister said that the ministry had asked the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to share data regarding internet speed for the past two weeks to see if there was any issue.

"By analyzing the data traffic, we will be able to determine the root cause of the slow internet speed," she explained. The Minister also mentioned that complaints regarding the downtime of popular messaging app WhatsApp had been resolved.

Shaza said they were actively working towards the auction of 5G technology, underlining the critical role that high-speed internet plays in supporting a robust digital economy and efficient digital governance. She explained that the success of these initiatives is heavily dependent on the availability of fast and reliable internet services.

"The government has previously operated a web management system," she said, addressing concerns about internet regulation and management.

The Minister also highlighted the increasing frequency of international cyberattacks targeting Pakistan. "Cybersecurity attacks are on the rise, and the state must be equipped to prevent and counter these threats," she asserted.

Shaza Fatima emphasized the growing need for robust cybersecurity measures to protect the nation's digital infrastructure.

Reporter: Waqas Azeem