Social media platforms were buzzing with unfounded rumours of an 18-hour internet shutdown in Pakistan starting at 11 a.m. on October 14.
Users have been sharing alarming posts stating: “Nationwide Internet Shutdown for 18 Hours Starting at 11 AM Tomorrow” and “The internet in Pakistan is about to shut down; God knows what’s going to happen.” These claims, often repeated verbatim, have sparked concern among netizens but lack credible sources to verify their accuracy.
Dear Customers,
A maintenance activity is planned on one of our Submarine cables to repair a faulty repeater. The activity will start on October 14, 2025 around 11AM PST which can last for upto 18 hours. Customers will face service degradation. We regret the inconvenience please
— PTCL (@PTCLOfficial) October 13, 2025The Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) debunked the rumours, announcing scheduled maintenance on a submarine cable repeater. “The activity starts October 14 around 11 a.m. PST and may last up to 18 hours,” PTCL stated. Users may experience slow speeds or intermittent connectivity, not a full shutdown. PTCL apologised for the inconvenience and assured minimal impact.
Nationwide Internet Shutdown for 18 Hours Starting 11 AM Tomorrow
All major internet service providers including PTCL, Nayatel, Jazz, Zong, Ufone, and Telenor etc will suspend services across Pakistan from 11 AM tomorrow for the next 18 hours. The reason behind the shutdown 🔽 pic.twitter.com/FpnZiMfSsU
— sehar zaka (@sehar_zaka) October 13, 2025False rumours highlight misinformation risks in Pakistan’s digital space, amplifying anxiety amid economic and security challenges. PTCL’s transparency counters panic, emphasising routine infrastructure upkeep.
