Internet users across Pakistan experienced slowdowns and disruptions on Saturday, primarily due to overloading as supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) gathered near Islamabad. Reports of widespread issues with internet and social media services came in from many parts of the country. According to a senior executive from a cellular mobile operator, Pakistan has been facing low bandwidth problems due to the ongoing upgradation of the Web Management System.
The system is being optimized to handle up to 9 terabytes of internet traffic. Disruptions in WhatsApp were particularly reported from Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore over the last 24 hours, as highlighted by Netblocks. The suspension of cellular and mobile data services in Rawalpindi and Islamabad since Friday morning affected essential services like online banking, ride-hailing, and food delivery.
A senior official from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) noted that while the Punjab government had requested the suspension of cellular services in key cities, this request was declined. “Cellular services have been suspended in urban areas of Rawalpindi district and Islamabad due to serious concerns of threats by the security agencies,” the PTA official added. He explained that the PTA suspends cellular services at the request of security agencies and is not authorized to ask for details or the nature of the security threat.
Internet disruptions amid PTI protests
Over 80 police personnel have been injured in clashes with PTI supporters, who are part of a march led by the head of the northwestern province of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. The supporters are pressing for the release of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan and agitating against the ruling coalition.
Authorities have sealed off Islamabad and blocked cellphone services to prevent the gathering, and the government has deployed the army to bolster security in the capital. Internet disruptions in Pakistan have been ongoing for months, with a notable incident in February when authorities blocked access to X (formerly Twitter) without proper communication. In August, the country’s software association, P@SHA, released a statement warning the government about a potential loss of $300 million if such disruptions continued for long periods.
The lack of communication from official channels, including the PTA, has left internet users frustrated and uncertain. Rawalpindi-based social media executive Hafsha Abbasi faced network outages that caused delays in her work, while Islamabad-based journalist Fauzia Kalsoom Rana noted that the outages disrupted work for those who rely on online platforms like WhatsApp. Experts remain skeptical about the government’s promised October deadline for resolving the issue of internet disruptions.
Shahzad Arshad, Chairperson of the Wireless & Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan (WISPAP), emphasized that a more profound and collaborative strategy is required for lasting improvement, addressing not just technical fixes but also instilling confidence in the sector’s stability and the government’s commitment to addressing the public’s digital needs effectively.
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