Ahead of the much-anticipated 5G spectrum auction, the government has permanently closed the controversial firewall installed to monitor and control social media.

Officials say the project failed to deliver desired results and caused billions of rupees in losses to the national exchequer. The decision marks a major policy shift as Pakistan prepares to attract investment in its telecom and IT sectors.

According to official sources, the government has permanently shut down the firewall system that was installed in 2024 to control and monitor social media activity.

The move comes just before the auction of 5G spectrum, a critical step for the country’s digital expansion. Authorities believe removing the firewall could help restore investor confidence in Pakistan’s telecom sector.

Officials confirmed that the firewall failed to produce the intended outcomes, forcing the government to abandon the project entirely.

Technical incompatibility

Sources revealed that the firewall was installed without complete technical preparation. As a result, it could not properly integrate with the country’s existing telecom infrastructure.

This incompatibility reportedly disrupted internet services across Pakistan, leading to widespread complaints about slow connectivity.

Government officials acknowledged that the system’s shortcomings made it ineffective and unsustainable.

Billions lost, freelancers and businesses affected

The failure of the firewall project is said to have caused losses worth billions of rupees to the national exchequer.

Beyond financial losses, the system severely impacted internet speed, affecting millions of freelancers who rely on stable connectivity for international clients. Thousands of companies offering digital services also suffered operational disruptions due to persistent slow internet issues.

The slowdown sparked concerns within Pakistan’s growing IT and freelance economy, which depends heavily on uninterrupted online access.

Experts recommended closure

Industry experts had reportedly advised the government to shut down the firewall in order to promote investment in the IT and telecom sectors. They argued that improving internet performance and ensuring a stable digital environment were essential, especially before launching 5G services in the country.

The decision to permanently close the firewall appears aligned with those recommendations.

Despite the major development, the Ministry of IT has refused to issue an official position on the closure of the firewall. However, government officials maintain that the system was discontinued because it failed to achieve its objectives and was negatively affecting the broader digital ecosystem.