Netblocks, an internet monitoring organization, reported a significant disruption of social media in Pakistan on Saturday evening. This incident coincided with a virtual event by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). At precisely 7:12 pm, Netblocks’ live metrics showed that platforms like X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube were affected.
Conflicting Reports on Internet Service Status
Netblocks confirmed a “nation-scale disruption” across Pakistan, specifically during the PTI’s second virtual gathering. This raised serious concerns about freedom of expression and digital communication, especially during vital political events in the country. In response, the PTI criticized the authorities, stating, “Shame on the caretakers that are causing damage to Pakistanis only.” Despite these challenges, the PTI announced its virtual event would continue as scheduled at 8 pm.
However, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) refuted these claims. They assured the internet service was fully operational, with no disruptions in the country’s cable network. This statement contradicted Netblocks’ earlier reports, creating confusion and emphasizing the need for further investigation.
Notably, this was not the first such disruption. A similar incident happened on January 7 during a PTI virtual fundraising telethon. After that event, the PTI appealed to the Supreme Court, arguing that these interruptions violated the basic rights of 240 million people and caused financial losses. Telecom operators also expressed concerns, suggesting political motives behind these frequent internet outages.
