Pakistan has abandoned its controversial social media firewall project, which was first launched in 2024. The government reportedly scrapped the system after it failed to work properly and caused serious problems across the country’s internet networks.
Officials say the decision to shut down the firewall was made to protect Pakistan’s upcoming 5G spectrum auction, now scheduled for March 10, 2026. Authorities believe a stable internet environment is essential before launching next‑generation mobile services.
What Was the Firewall?
The social media firewall was supposed to help monitor and control social media content in Pakistan. It was promoted as a tool for improving online safety and reducing harmful posts.
However, from the very beginning, many technology experts warned that the system was not ready. They said it could cause major issues because Pakistan’s existing internet infrastructure could not support such a complex system.
Technical Problems and Internet Slowdowns
Soon after the firewall went live, users and businesses began facing problems:
- Internet became much slower in many areas.
- People reported trouble accessing websites and apps.
- Telecom companies struggled to keep their networks stable.
The system reportedly could not work well with Pakistan’s telecom infrastructure. Experts had predicted that this type of firewall could overload the network, and unfortunately, that prediction came true.
Huge Impact on IT and Freelancers
Pakistan’s digital economy felt the damage quickly.
Millions of freelancers — who rely on stable internet to work for international clients — suffered because of slow and unreliable connections.
Thousands of IT companies and digital service providers also faced losses as projects were delayed and operations became difficult.
Industry groups had warned early that this project could hurt the economy. A Reuters report in 2024 said the firewall could cost Pakistan up to $300 million (over Rs 50 billion) due to internet disruptions and business losses. Many now say this warning was ignored.
Rs 40 Billion Wasted: Public and Political Backlash
Now that the firewall is being shut down, many people are upset about the money spent. Government sources reportedly approved Rs 40 billion for the project, and it did not deliver any real benefit.
Politician Fawad Chaudhry criticized the government, calling the project a wasteful expense that harmed ordinary people and businesses. He said the system did not help with security or censorship, and only hurt the economy.
5G Auction Pushes the Government to Act
Officials have now removed the firewall, hoping to restore confidence in Pakistan’s digital infrastructure ahead of the 5G spectrum auction.
Telecom experts had advised the government that investing in stable network systems would be more important for future technology than focusing on a complex monitoring firewall.
By removing the problematic system, authorities hope to encourage telecom companies and investors to participate in the 5G auction and help modernize Pakistan’s mobile networks.