Pakistan has successfully completed the second and possibly final test of a safety firewall designed to regulate social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter).
The test was conducted last night, but officials from the Ministry of IT and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) have remained silent on the matter.
In recent months, rumors have circulated that the government was preparing to install a firewall filter to control social media content.
This firewall aims to block objectionable content on various platforms. Although firewalls are not new in Pakistan, this latest test suggests an expansion of their use.
Reports indicate that this firewall test may have caused significant disruptions in internet services across the country.
Users have reported difficulty accessing social media, with some even unable to download audio messages.
Mobile companies, however, have denied responsibility for these issues, and PTA officials have not commented on the situation.
A few days ago, sources revealed that the slow internet speeds were due to the ongoing firewall tests, a claim confirmed by senior officials.
Earlier, on July 26, the new internet security network system test had also caused a slowdown in internet speed and social media app performance.
The government of Pakistan is also accelerating work on a regulatory framework to control Over-the-Top (OTT) services, such as digital and social media platforms.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has already consulted with all stakeholders, and the framework will be presented to the cabinet for approval after receiving the authority’s endorsement.
