The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has confirmed to the National Assembly that it is actively utilizing the Web Monitoring System (WMS) to block online applications and websites within Pakistan. The PTA’s mandate to block “unlawful content” is grounded in Section 37 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, which empowers the authority to regulate internet content deemed inappropriate or illegal.
The WMS, initially acquired from the Canadian company Sandvine in 2018 for $18.5 million and later upgraded in December 2023, is specifically designed for “internet content management.” This system employs Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) technology, allowing it to block VPN traffic and monitor all internet activity entering and leaving the country. However, despite these extensive measures, the PTA acknowledged that some content could still be accessed through VPNs, potentially bypassing state-imposed restrictions.
To date, the PTA has blocked a total of 469 mobile applications, including 435 Android and 34 Apple apps. The content categories cited for these blocks include material against the glory of Islam, indecent or immoral content, and activities deemed fraudulent. Additionally, the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) has been officially blocked in Pakistan since February 17, along with the website of the opposition political party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
The deployment of the WMS has been associated with national internet outages and slowdowns, particularly before elections, raising concerns about its broader impact on internet accessibility. While the minister in charge of the cabinet division acknowledged these disruptions, he did not address the growing cyber security concerns. Previously, government officials had justified the need for the WMS as a tool to combat cyber security threats.
Notably, despite the ban on X, government officials, including ministers and the prime minister, continue to use the platform. This has led to speculation that they may be accessing it through VPNs, despite the PTA’s efforts to block such services.