The Pakistani government has reportedly removed its controversial social media monitoring firewall that was introduced in 2024. The system was designed to monitor and control online content, but it did not work as planned and instead caused major internet disruptions across the country.
Many experts and critics had earlier warned that the firewall could harm Pakistan’s digital economy. Reports suggested that the slow internet speeds and technical issues caused by the system affected freelancers, IT companies, online businesses, and digital startups. Some estimates claimed that the economic losses could reach up to $300 million. Due to these problems and its technical incompatibility with existing networks, the government is said to have decided to end the project.
Officials reportedly took this step to ensure smooth preparations for the upcoming 5G spectrum auction and to rebuild the confidence of foreign and local investors. A stable and reliable internet system is considered essential for attracting investment and supporting Pakistan’s growing tech industry.
However, the decision has also sparked criticism and public debate. Reports claim that around Rs40 billion had been allocated for the firewall project. Politicians and members of the public have described it as an expensive failure and are demanding transparency about how the funds were used.
