The Pakistani government has permanently deactivated the controversial social media firewall, installed in 2024 to monitor and control online activity. The move comes ahead of the country’s highly anticipated 5G spectrum auction and is aimed at restoring internet performance and investor confidence in the telecom and IT sectors.

Officials cited the firewall’s failure to deliver results, causing billions of rupees in losses to the national exchequer. Technical incompatibility with existing telecom infrastructure led to widespread slowdowns and disrupted connectivity across Pakistan, affecting freelancers, digital businesses, and ordinary internet users.

The firewall, initially designed to control social media activity, proved unsustainable. Authorities acknowledged that the system was installed without complete technical preparation, preventing proper integration with the country’s networks. Persistent internet disruptions sparked complaints and raised concerns about Pakistan’s growing IT and freelance economy, which relies heavily on stable online access.

Industry experts had recommended shutting down the system to promote a healthy digital environment and encourage investment in 5G and other emerging technologies. Removing the firewall aligns with these recommendations, potentially paving the way for smoother network operations and greater confidence from telecom investors.

Despite the significant policy shift, the Ministry of IT has not released an official statement, though government officials maintain that the project was discontinued due to its inefficiency and negative impact on Pakistan’s broader digital ecosystem.

The closure marks a major step toward improving internet reliability, supporting Pakistan’s burgeoning IT and freelance sectors, and ensuring readiness for the nationwide rollout of next-generation 5G services.