Pakistan’s national Firewall: A Threat to Online Freedom and Access

A firewall is a system that is designed to prevent unauthorized access from entering a private network by filtering the information that comes in from the internet. A firewall blocks unwanted traffic and permits wanted traffic. So a firewall’s purpose is to create a safety barrier between a private network and the public internet.

Because out on the internet, there’s always going to be hackers and malicious traffic that may try to penetrate into a private network to cause harm. And a firewall is the main component on a network to prevent this. And a firewall is especially important to a large organization that has a lot of computers and servers in it. Because you don’t want all those devices accessible to everyone on the internet, where a hacker can come in and totally disrupt that organization. That’s why you need a firewall to protect them.

It filters incoming network data and determines if it is allowed to enter a network based on its rules, known as an access control list. The network administrator customizes and determines these rules. The administrator decides not only what can enter a network but also what can leave a network. These rules either allow or deny permission.

So as an example, here we have some rules in a firewall’s access control list. This shows a list of IP addresses that it has allowed or denied. As you can see, the firewall allows traffic from some IP addresses to enter the network, while it denies traffic from one IP address. If traffic from this denied IP address tries to access the network, the firewall will block it due to the set rules. The other IP addresses gain access because the rules permit them.

Read more about Pegasus spyware: How does Pegasus hack your phone?.

 The different types of firewalls are following:

1. Packet Filtering Firewall: Checks sender’s and receiver’s IP address and port number, but not the data payload. It’s cheap and quick, but provides low security.
2. Application or Proxy Firewall: Hides the user’s IP address from the internet, checks the payload, and provides better security than packet filtering firewalls. However, it’s slower.
3. Hybrid Firewall: Combines packet filtering and application firewalls in series to provide the best security.

A national firewall is a comprehensive network security system that filters and regulates internet traffic within a country, enabling governments to monitor, restrict access to certain websites, block IP addresses, and control the flow of information.

Pakistan’s national firewall aims to intensify internet monitoring, targeting social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter), and filtering unsolicited posts from both domestic and international sources.This initiative mirrors systems that authoritarian regimes like China use, and observers speculate that China sold the technology to Pakistan.

Historically, Pakistan has imposed temporary internet restrictions during political unrest, but this firewall, represents a more permanent and extensive measure. Social media, crucial for free expression, faces increased censorship, and VPNs, often used to bypass restrictions, may also come under regulation.

The lack of transparency from the Pakistani government regarding the firewall’s specifics has raised concerns among experts and civil society groups. Internationally, observers compare this move to similar censorship practices in China, Iran, and Russia, and they fear its impact on freedom of expression in Pakistan.

The implementation of a national firewall in Pakistan could significantly affect online businesses. If the firewall restricts access to key websites or platforms that businesses rely on for communication, collaboration, or project management, it could disrupt operations and cause delays in service delivery.

Furthermore, increased censorship or surveillance could limit access to essential information and resources, reducing productivity and making it harder for businesses to remain competitive in the global market.

Additionally, if the firewall imposes stricter internet controls or slows down internet speeds, businesses may struggle with tasks like uploading or downloading large files, conducting research, or engaging in online meetings, which could affect efficiency and customer satisfaction.

The enforcement of the national firewall will ultimately determine its impact on online businesses in Pakistan, potentially presenting significant challenges to their success and growth in the digital economy.

I cannot control my emotions while writing this topic. There’s no doubt that firewalls provide data security, but in third-world countries like Pakistan and even in China, they are often used to suppress the voices of the people. In countries where millions of students are jobless and the government is unable to provide employment, the installation of such systems slows down the internet, which in turn harms online businesses.

While securing digital infrastructure is essential, it’s equally important to balance security with the rights and freedoms of individuals. Countries implementing national firewall systems should prioritize transparency, ensuring that these measures protect citizens while respecting their fundamental rights, rather than being used to suppress voices.