Internet, social media platforms ‘disrupted’ in parts of Pakistan, yet again

ISLAMABAD: The internet services in most parts of the country faced disruption as users complained about having difficulties in accessing social media platforms on Saturday.

Netizens complained about their inability to connect to social media sites including X — formerly known as Twitter — Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and streaming giant YouTube. As per downdetector.pk, Google services as well as internet service provider PTCL also faced disruption around 7pm. Users in major cities, including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Attock, and Sialkot reported complaints about difficulties in accessing social media sites.

Metrics show a nation-scale disruption to social media platforms across Pakistan, including X, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, posted NetBlocks, the internet’s observatory, on its official X handle. With the electioneering picking up momentum for the February 8 general elections, users have experienced internet outages multiple times during the recent weeks, according to media reports.

Last week, the internet services and popular social media apps were hit by outages as users almost across the country reported connection errors and disruptions.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf alleged that the Internet was choked an hour before the start of its virtual rally, planned to mark electioneering. It said it had announced the second virtual rally at 8pm on January 20. “Central leaders had to address virtual meetings,” a statement issued by the party’s Central Media Department said. Complaints from consumers reportedly started pouring in from 6pm onwards. Initially, the PTI had announced its virtual event time was 7pm. Party’s senior leaders, including Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Senator Shibli Faraz, Omar Ayub, Sher Afzal Marwat, Shandana Gulzar and Raoof Hasan, were to address the virtual jalsa. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) issued a statement and said on its official social media account: “The recent disruption in Internet services was caused by a technical fault, which has been promptly rectified. Internet services have been fully restored nation-wide”.