Uncertainty has grown over reports claiming the removal of a social media monitoring firewall, as both the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication Pakistan and the Ministry of Interior have remained silent for the past two days.
No official statement has been issued despite rising speculation that the system installed to regulate online content may have been deactivated.
Telecom operators have rejected these claims, saying the firewall remains fully operational and that reports of its shutdown are inaccurate.
Officials from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority stated that the regulator has no direct role in the firewall project and that any clarification should come from the Ministry of Interior. PTA officials said the authority’s web management system has been operational for nearly two decades to control grey traffic and block immoral or illegal online content.
PTA sources further emphasized that the firewall initiative falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of IT, adding to concerns over the continued lack of official communication.
The silence from both ministries has raised questions about whether policy changes are being considered or if technical issues are affecting the system.
Over the past two days, reports have circulated suggesting that the firewall project, installed in 2024 to control social media platforms, may have failed due to incomplete technical integration with telecom infrastructure. Some sources have claimed the project caused losses of billions of rupees to the national exchequer and that the government is considering permanently shutting it down ahead of the planned 5G spectrum auction.
That’s Called confirmation that is active
They have increased it not removed it
Can’t use duckduckgo can’t use brave
My kids can’t continue with online classes
I can work online
They are destroying this country and for what? So ordinary people can’t do anything online???