"The internet landscape in Pakistan is shifting fundamentally. We are no longer just seeing websites blocked; we are seeing the protocols themselves being filtered."

ISLAMABAD (Jan 02, 2026) – Internet users across Pakistan are reporting widespread disruptions today as confirmed reports emerge of a massive upgrade to the National Internet Firewall.

This infrastructure overhaul, reportedly costing upwards of Rs. 120 million, marks a significant shift in how digital traffic is managed within the country. Unlike previous instances of simple URL blocking, this new system employs advanced technology to inspect and filter data at a granular level.

The "Deep Packet Inspection" Era

The core of this upgrade revolves around Deep Packet Inspection (DPI). This technology allows the firewall to look inside the "packets" of data moving across the network, rather than just reading the address they are going to.

Current Status & Impact: As the new system comes online, users are facing immediate consequences:

  • VPN Blockages: Popular services like ProtonVPN, which were previously reliable, are now failing to connect for many users.
  • Cloudflare Warp Issues: Services that use secure routing, such as Cloudflare Warp (1.1.1.1), are facing severe throttling or complete outages.
  • Speed Degradation: Even for compliant traffic, the intense processing required for DPI is causing noticeable latency and slower browse speeds nationwide.
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New Licenses: Regulating the Local Web

The technical upgrade coincides with a major regulatory shift. As of January 1st, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has initiated a new licensing regime.

The PTA has started issuing "Class Licenses" for internet service providers (ISPs) at the district level. This move aims to bring smaller, local internet distributors under a tighter regulatory framework. By localizing the licensing, authorities hope to better monitor compliance with content filtering protocols and ensure that unauthorized bypassing tools are not being deployed at the ISP level.

For freelancers and remote workers relying on stable, unrestricted connectivity, these developments pose serious questions about the future of digital business in the region.