Pakistanis are grappling with a widespread disruption on various social media platforms, including X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, just hours before a virtual fundraiser scheduled by Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI). The disturbance, impacting the entire South Asian nation, was reported by Netblocks on Sunday, coinciding with a significant political event.
Described as a nation-scale disruption by the leading internet monitoring organization, the telecom authority has remained silent on any developments. Some users also noted disruptions in PTCL internet services.
⚠️ Confirmed: Live metrics show a nation-scale disruption to social media platforms across #Pakistan, including X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube; the incident comes as persecuted former PM Imran Khan’s party, PTI, launches its election fundraising telethon pic.twitter.com/QIBGcxGty3
— NetBlocks (@netblocks) January 7, 2024
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Contrary to expectations, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has not released any statements addressing the social media disruption.
Criticism has been directed at the authorities for the disruption, with rights activists emphasizing the impact on millions of subscribers and hundreds of thousands of businesses. Citizens have decried the infringement on their right to access information and freedom of association, adding fuel to the ongoing debate surrounding internet freedom and government control.
