ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Sunday strongly condemned the government over what it described as the “waste” of billions of rupees on a controversial social media monitoring firewall that has now reportedly been dismantled, alleging that the project was conceived to target political opponents rather than serve any legitimate national interest.
The party demanded that all expenditures and contractual details related to the firewall project be made public without delay. It also called for fixing responsibility for the project’s failure and initiating legal proceedings against those found culpable. PTI further urged the development of a transparent and sustainable framework to safeguard digital freedom, protect freedom of expression, and ensure continued growth of Pakistan’s IT sector.
Separately, the party criticised the Punjab government’s revised transport policy for senior bureaucrats, terming it “anti-people” at a time when the country is facing severe economic hardship and citizens are burdened by rising inflation.
PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram, reacting to the developments, said the closure of the “ill-conceived and agenda-driven” firewall project just before the 5G spectrum auction amounted to an admission that it was technically unviable. He alleged that the initiative caused billions of rupees in losses to the national exchequer, both through installation costs and prolonged internet slowdowns.
He contended that the project reflected misplaced priorities at a time when the national economy is under severe strain. According to him, instead of focusing on economic revival, restoring investor confidence, and promoting digital growth, the government opted to spend public funds on measures aimed at suppressing dissent.
Akram described the firewall as a manifestation of what he termed “Imran Phobia,” alleging that the initiative was driven by political victimization rather than efforts to restore economic stability or rebuild investor trust.
He further argued that such decisions undermined the digital economy, eroded foreign investor confidence, adversely affected IT exports and freelancers, and damaged Pakistan’s global reputation.
The PTI spokesman maintained that the firewall placed additional pressure on an already fragile economy. Citing economic challenges, he claimed that investment had declined significantly, unemployment was at record levels, public debt had surged, and the national currency remained under sustained pressure. Allocating billions of rupees to curb freedom of expression, he said, was against the national interest.
Meanwhile, the party also criticised the Punjab government’s new transport policy for senior officials. Under the revised framework, the Chief Secretary and the Inspector General of Police, Punjab, are permitted to retain three official vehicles with engine capacities of 2800cc, 1800cc and 4700cc. Two of these vehicles carry a monthly fuel entitlement of 800 litres of petrol, while no fuel cap has been specified for the 4700cc vehicle.
Additionally, Grade 20 to 22 secretaries are allowed two vehicles with engine capacities of 2800cc and 1800cc. Grade 21 and 22 officers are entitled to 200 litres of petrol per month for personal use, while fuel for official use remains uncapped. PTI claimed the revised policy expands engine capacity limits and increases fuel entitlements across several categories compared to the previous framework.
The spokesman criticised what he described as the squandering of public resources by the ruling elite at a time when Punjab’s major cities continue to grapple with recurring urban flooding, inadequate drainage systems and insufficient civic facilities.
He added that millions of citizens are struggling to make ends meet, while the elite continue to enjoy privileges funded by public money — a disconnect he said reflects an entrenched culture of elite capture in which state resources are treated as personal entitlement.
