China is helping Pakistan develop a digital infrastructure similar to its infamous Great Digital Firewall, a move that would significantly enhance censorship and surveillance capabilities in the country. According to a recent Intelligence Online report, Islamabad and Beijing have been collaborating on the project for nearly a year, marking a major shift in Pakistan’s internet regulation.
The Great Digital Firewall of Pakistan
China’s Great Digital Firewall is widely considered the most successful example of national internet control. Now, Chinese companies are working with Pakistan to establish a similar system, dubbed the “Great Digital Firewall of Pakistan.” This firewall is expected to block most foreign websites, further tightening censorship across the country.
Currently, Pakistanis face restricted access to several major social media platforms, and the situation has worsened since February 2024 when the platform X was blocked. While Pakistani officials claim that the firewall will only be used to protect strategic data exchange points, the system will give authorities the ability to activate the firewall as necessary.
Previous Tests and Concerns
Allegations of China’s involvement in Pakistan’s censorship and surveillance efforts are not new. Last November, Al Jazeera reported that Pakistan had conducted secret tests on China-style firewall tools to monitor online traffic and regulate popular apps. According to a Ministry of Defence official, the system under development could also block VPNs, a key tool for accessing blocked content.
Ongoing VPN Crackdown in Pakistan
Pakistan’s crackdown on VPN usage has been escalating since 2024 and continues into 2025. Initially, efforts to disrupt VPN services were met with resistance, but internet watchdog NetBlocks reported VPN restrictions just one week after X was blocked. In August 2024, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) announced plans to regulate unregistered VPNs to combat misuse.
However, the initiative was halted by the Law Ministry in December, citing a lack of legal grounds for banning VPNs. A new licensing category for VPN providers was introduced as part of an effort to regulate VPN usage more effectively. This move has raised concerns among experts about the potential impact on online freedoms and business operations.
Impact on Business and VPN Users
The potential implementation of a national firewall has sparked concerns from Pakistan’s business community. The Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) warned that the firewall could lead to severe disruptions, including prolonged internet outages and inconsistent VPN performance, ultimately threatening the stability of business operations in the country.
