The federal government has denied using any system to shut down or throttle internet in Pakistan, saying its Web Monitoring System is only used to block unlawful online content, including X.
Govt Denies Using Any Internet Throttling System
The federal government has rejected accusations that it is using any system to slow down or shut off internet traffic in Pakistan. In a written reply submitted to the National Assembly, the Minister-in-Charge of the Cabinet Division stated that no mechanism has been deployed by the government or the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to deliberately throttle internet speeds across the country.
The clarification comes after repeated complaints from users and civil society groups who have alleged that internet services are being quietly restricted, especially during sensitive political events. The government’s reply stresses that while some online platforms and websites are being blocked, there is no blanket system in place to reduce data speeds or cut off general connectivity for users.
How Service Closures Are Legally Approved
According to the minister’s response, the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication issued a policy directive under Section 8 of the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-Organization) Act, 1996, through a notification dated 26 December 2009. This directive lays down the procedures for closing telecom services when there are national security or public safety concerns.
Under this process, the Ministry of Interior receives requests for service closure from relevant stakeholders, such as law enforcement or security agencies. If the ministry finds the request justified, it issues instructions to the PTA, which then directs licensed telecom operators to implement the closure. The government maintains that this framework is used only in specific situations and is not designed for routine speed throttling.
What the Web Monitoring System Actually Does
The government has confirmed that a Web Monitoring System, or WMS, is currently in use, but says it serves a different purpose from what critics allege. The minister explained that the WMS has been jointly deployed by telecom operators including PTCL, Transworld Associates, mobile companies and long-distance and international operators. It is described as a private procurement paid for by the operators themselves, in line with their licence conditions, and not a project funded from the federal budget.
According to the written reply, the WMS is mainly used to control grey traffic and to block access to objectionable or unlawful internet content. Officials stressed that the PTA has not installed any tool whose primary function is to shut down or throttle internet services. Instead, the system sits at the network level and is used for filtering specific websites and links identified under the country’s legal framework.
Legal Powers Under PECA and Online Content Rules
The government’s response also highlights the legal powers under which online content is restricted in Pakistan. PTA is authorised under Section 37(1) of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 (PECA), to remove or block access to information that is considered unlawful. This includes material that may harm national security, public order, decency, morality or that amounts to contempt of court.
The Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight and Safeguards) Rules, 2021, are cited as providing the detailed process and checks for these actions. The rules set out timelines for compliance by platforms, confidentiality requirements, and oversight mechanisms, including options for review and appeal. The government argues that this framework is meant to balance security and social concerns with basic due process for affected parties.
From Web Sites to X: What Has Been Blocked
Providing operational details, the written reply states that approximately 6.5 million pornographic websites have been blocked using the Web Monitoring System. Officials say this action is aimed at restricting access to explicit content, particularly for younger users, in line with social and religious norms. Since February 2025, the same system has also been used to block Indian content linked to misinformation campaigns and cyber-attacks targeting Pakistan.
The government has further confirmed that the blocking of X (formerly Twitter) was carried out through the WMS on official instructions. Critics argue that such blocking decisions affect freedom of expression and access to information, while the government maintains that they are justified under existing laws. For ordinary internet users, the reply clarifies that while specific platforms and websites may be restricted, there is no officially acknowledged system in place that is meant to slow down everyone’s connection speeds.
