Saira Imran 
Social Media Firewall Project Fails in Pakistan
Social Media Firewall Project has failed in Pakistan. The government has permanently shut it down before the 5G spectrum auction.
The government installed the firewall to monitor and control social media. Officials launched the system in 2024. They aimed to regulate online content and strengthen digital oversight.
However, the project did not deliver the expected results.
Billions Lost Due to Failure
Official sources said the failure caused billions of rupees in losses to the national treasury. Authorities installed the firewall without complete technical preparation. As a result, it did not align with the existing telecom infrastructure.
The system failed to function properly within the national network.
Internet Speed Affected
Officials confirmed that the firewall slowed down internet speeds across the country. The slowdown affected millions of freelancers. It also disrupted digital services of thousands of companies.
Businesses faced operational problems. Online platforms experienced delays and interruptions.
Due to these issues, authorities decided to shut down the firewall permanently.
Government Remains Silent
Officials stated that they closed the system after it failed to achieve its objectives. They also acted to prevent further disruption before the upcoming 5G spectrum auction.
The Ministry of IT did not issue any official statement regarding the shutdown.
The Social Media Firewall Project now stands closed after failing to meet its goals and causing financial and technical setbacks for the country.
