ISLAMABAD: Telecom operators have rejected reports claiming that authorities shut down a government-installed firewall, calling the assertions baseless and misleading.
The reports circulated widely on social media and were later picked up by sections of the media. They suggested that the government had disabled a firewall system allegedly used to monitor online platforms after it failed to achieve the intended results. However, telecom companies strongly refuted the claims and clarified their position.
When contacted, multiple operators said they had not received any official instructions from the government to disable firewall infrastructure. Moreover, they confirmed that all relevant systems installed on their networks continue to function without interruption. Industry representatives emphasized that network operations remain stable and unaffected by the circulating rumors.
Meanwhile, officials at the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) clarified that the regulator does not operate any firewall system. Instead, they explained that authorities rely on the longstanding Web Management System to manage grey traffic and block unlawful online content. According to PTA officials, the Web Management System has operated for nearly two decades as part of routine regulatory oversight.
Furthermore, officials confirmed that the system remains active and has not been shut down. They described it as a standard compliance mechanism rather than a newly installed monitoring tool.
The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication has not issued an official statement confirming or denying the reports. However, sources familiar with the matter stated that operators manage the infrastructure, making their confirmation of its operational status authoritative.
