• October 5, 2024
• Social Media
• Web Desk

Widespread internet and mobile service disruptions hit major Pakistani cities on October 4, leaving millions of users struggling to access popular apps like WhatsApp and Instagram. The outages coincided with protests organized by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in Islamabad, raising concerns that the disruptions were linked to the political unrest.

According to Downdetector, a service that tracks outages, issues with WhatsApp began around 9:16 a.m., affecting users in cities like Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi. Many reported difficulties sending messages and media through mobile data, while those on broadband, such as Wi-Fi, faced fewer problems. Urban centers across Punjab were especially impacted.

Shahzad Arshad, Chairperson of the Wireless & Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan (WISPAP), suggested that the outages could be related to the PTI protests. “Wi-Fi users are not facing the same level of disruption as those on mobile data, which seems to indicate a connection to the protests,” he said.

The PTI protest at Islamabad’s D-Chowk led to heightened security measures, including road blockades and mobile network suspensions in different areas. Similar restrictions were enforced in Lahore and Rawalpindi, where the Punjab government invoked Section 144, banning political gatherings.

Despite widespread frustration, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) did not issue any official explanation for the outages. Many users voiced their displeasure, with Islamabad-based journalist Fauzia Kalsoom Rana highlighting how the internet shutdown affected her work. “The outage made it difficult for me to communicate or complete my assignments,” she said. Hafsha Abbasi, a social media executive in Rawalpindi, echoed similar concerns, saying the lack of mobile data caused delays in her tasks and hindered her ability to coordinate with her team.

The frequency of internet disruptions in Pakistan has become a growing concern. While government officials often cite technical issues like faulty submarine cables or reconfigurations by internet service providers (ISPs), analysts argue that these shutdowns are increasingly used as a tool to bolster state security during politically sensitive events.

Over the past few months, internet outages have disrupted businesses and professionals relying heavily on digital platforms. The Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) recently warned that continued disruptions could lead to economic losses of up to $300 million if not addressed.

Despite authorities’ promises to resolve the issue by the end of October, experts remain doubtful. Shahzad Arshad stressed that a more collaborative and long-term strategy is needed to ensure stable internet services in the country. “Announcing a deadline without addressing the underlying structural problems won’t provide a lasting solution,” he said.

In an October 1 briefing, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority’s chairman, Major General (retd) Hafeezur Rehman, clarified that the PTA does not independently impose such restrictions. He explained that government directives drive decisions on internet shutdowns.