Social media platforms, including WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook, are experiencing ongoing disruptions in Pakistan, as the government enforces measures to control political protests.
The outages coincide with heightened security due to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) march towards Islamabad. Users across the country are reporting widespread issues accessing these platforms, with slow internet speeds and general connectivity problems.
Read more: WhatsApp Hit by Disruptions Across Pakistan
Downdetector, a service tracking outages, confirmed these issues, while the government has yet to provide an official statement regarding the social media disruptions. This follows previous announcements of internet disruptions in sensitive areas due to security concerns.
Frustrations are mounting, with citizens from various cities expressing difficulty in completing tasks. One journalist in Islamabad noted the challenges of functioning without the internet, while a Karachi resident criticized slow speeds that hinder media sharing on WhatsApp. In Lahore, a citizen called the shutdowns a violation of citizens’ rights to information and free speech, pointing out the contradiction of the government using the same platforms.
The disruptions are perceived as part of a broader strategy by the government to limit PTI’s ability to mobilize ahead of the planned protest. The government’s deployment of thousands of police and paramilitary forces around Islamabad reflects growing concerns over potential unrest, with disruptions likely to continue as PTI leader Imran Khan urges supporters to gather in the capital.
