In a recent development reported by internet monitoring agency Netblocks, Pakistan faced a widespread disruption of social media platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, on Saturday. The outage occurred during a virtual event organized by the opposition political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The incident marked the third nationwide internet disruption in just over a month, raising concerns about the impact on citizens’ rights and the country’s digital economy.
According to Netblocks Director Alp Toker, the disruption was “remarkably systematic” and consistent with previous restrictions imposed during PTI events. Users across major cities like Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad reported difficulties accessing social media platforms. The outage, confirmed at 7:12 pm, coincided with the PTI’s second virtual gathering, further heightening suspicions of intentional interference.
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Responding to the confirmation by Netblocks, the PTI expressed dissatisfaction, stating, “Shame on the caretakers that are causing damage to Pakistanis only.” The party accused the interim government of depriving 240 million people of their basic rights during the suspension, leading to financial losses for the country.
This incident follows a similar disruption on January 7, during a virtual fundraising telethon organized by the PTI. Telecom operators have expressed concern over frequent internet outages, citing political reasons as the cause. The PTI has urged the Supreme Court to take notice of the suspension of internet services and the blockage of social media websites during its events.
Interim Information Minister Murtaza Solangi, questioned about the matter on January 10, claimed that such technical problems had occurred in the past and were not politically motivated. However, the recurring disruptions have sparked skepticism and criticism from various quarters.
Lawyer and rights activist Jibran Nasir denounced the internet disruptions, labeling them a clear violation of constitutional articles 10, 18, 19, and 25. Nasir criticized the establishment, stating, “Our freedoms, our constitution, our economy, it’s all a joke to the establishment and this puppet federal government.”
Digital rights activist Usama Khilji called the actions “absolutely ridiculous” and urged interim Information Technology Minister Umar Saif and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to clarify the official policy behind temporarily blocking social media applications. Khilji questioned the legality of such actions and their impact on the digital economy.
As concerns grow over the recurring disruptions, citizens and activists are calling for transparency and accountability regarding the reasons behind the internet outages during political events in Pakistan.
