Pakistani officials have clarified that recent reports asserting the government shut down an internet “firewall” in the lead-up to the 5G spectrum auction are incorrect.
At a session of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information Technology, Information Technology Secretary Zarar Hashim Khan stated that the so-called firewall had not been dismantled and that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA)’s Web Monitoring System (WMS) remains fully operational, Dawn reported.
Committee members discussed the difference between an internet firewall and the WMS, which has been used in Pakistan since 2006. The PTA chairman explained that “firewall” is a colloquial term often applied to the WMS, a platform designed to secure digital connectivity by helping block illegal websites, curb grey traffic in telephony and enforce court or government orders on restricting certain social media platforms.
According to officials, the WMS has been upgraded multiple times, most recently in 2023, and its purpose is to protect the country’s digital infrastructure without affecting normal internet services. They rejected suggestions that it could slow down browsing speeds or disrupt connectivity.
During the briefing, officials also outlined preparations for the upcoming 5G spectrum auction, scheduled for March 10, 2026, noting that Pakistan’s three major telecom operators have expressed interest in participating. They emphasized that ensuring cybersecurity and the continuity of telecom services is a priority ahead of the rollout of next-generation networks.
A senior ministry official added that the WMS is not intended to block individual social media accounts, pointing to the continued operation of certain high-profile accounts despite earlier debates about control measures.
The clarification came after a report suggested that the government has decided to permanently close 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.
