Telecom operators have dismissed circulating reports claiming that a government-installed firewall had been shut down, calling the assertions baseless and inaccurate amid growing public debate over internet regulation in Pakistan.
The reports, which first surfaced on social media and were later amplified by sections of the media, alleged that authorities had disabled a firewall system used to monitor online platforms after it failed to achieve its intended objectives.
However, officials from multiple telecom operators confirmed that no instructions had been received from the government to disable any firewall infrastructure. They emphasized that all network-level systems remain fully operational.
PTA Clarifies Its Role
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority also addressed the issue, clarifying that it does not operate any firewall system. PTA officials explained that Pakistan has relied for nearly two decades on a Web Management System (WMS), designed to curb grey traffic and block unlawful or prohibited online content.
According to the regulator, the Web Management System continues to function as part of routine regulatory enforcement and has not been shut down or altered.
Government Remains Silent
The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication has neither officially confirmed nor denied the reports. However, sources familiar with the matter stated that the firewall infrastructure in question was installed at the telecom operators’ end, making their position on its operational status authoritative.
Internet Governance Under Scrutiny
The clarification comes at a time of heightened public scrutiny over internet governance, digital surveillance, and content regulation in Pakistan. Despite widespread speculation about changes to online monitoring mechanisms, both telecom operators and regulatory authorities maintain that no government-installed firewall has been disabled.
Officials reiterated that existing systems continue to operate under established legal and regulatory frameworks, and no policy shift has been formally announced.
