Has Pakistan shut down the Internet firewall ahead of the 5G launch?

2026-02-21 - 14:23

ISLAMABAD – The controversial firewall project was allegedly installed to monitor and control social media, has spectacularly failed, forcing the Government of Pakistan to permanently shut it down before the planned 5G spectrum auction. Reports in local media said this technological disaster cost national exchequer billions of rupees in losses, raising serious questions about planning and execution. The firewall, introduced in 2024 with the goal of regulating social media, was reportedly installed without proper technical preparation, leaving it incompatible with existing telecom infrastructure. Instead of delivering control and stability, it became a source of widespread disruption. Officials admit system failed to achieve its objectives and instead crippled internet speeds, triggering chaos for digital businesses and freelancers. Millions of freelancers and thousands of companies relying on online services faced severe operational setbacks as slow internet conditions persisted for months. The controversy deepens as Ministry of IT has refused to comment on the abrupt shutdown, fueling public debate about accountability and transparency in large-scale tech projects. Critics argue that the firewall experiment not only wasted taxpayer money but also harmed Pakistan’s growing digital economy. With the 5G spectrum auction on the horizon, questions remain: Will lessons be learned, or is this just another costly technological misstep? The internet firewall system planned by Government of Pakistan aimed at monitoring and filtering online content has faced criticism over internet slowdowns and economic impact. The project, similar to censorship models used in China, was intended for social media control but reportedly failed to integrate properly with telecom infrastructure. Pakistan disables firewall installed to control social media content