The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority on Thursday firmly rejected reports suggesting that restrictions on social media had been lifted ahead of the upcoming 5G spectrum auction, clarifying that no changes have been made to Pakistan’s internet management framework.

Appearing before the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology, PTA Chairman Hafeez-ur-Rehman said there is no standalone “firewall” in operation. Instead, he explained, the authority manages online traffic through a Web Management System that has been in place since 2006 and was most recently upgraded in 2023.

PTA officials assured lawmakers that the system does not reduce internet speeds, cause service delays, or interfere with emerging technologies, including 5G. They added that the mechanism has been deployed in the past to restrict access to certain platforms—such as X—strictly in line with court orders and government directives.

The authority also highlighted that the Web Management System has played a role in curbing grey traffic and countering cross-border cyber threats, underscoring its importance for digital security.

Lawmakers were informed that existing internet governance and security arrangements will remain intact as Pakistan prepares to roll out next-generation mobile services, with regulators stressing that network performance and innovation will not be compromised.