Over the weekend, reports from the internet monitoring agency Netblocks highlighted a widespread disruption of social media platforms across Pakistan during the virtual fundraising telethon hosted by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Major platforms including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube experienced disruptions, raising concerns about the unprecedented scale of social media interference during political events.
Alp Toker, Director of Netblocks, pointed out that the disruptions were impacting network providers nationwide, describing the situation as nearly unprecedented on such a large scale. He drew comparisons with Venezuela, where similar measures were employed to restrict opposition speeches and rallies.
This incident follows a similar internet outage reported last month during a PTI virtual power show. The PTI had earlier announced a virtual fundraising telethon and manifesto launch scheduled for 9 pm on the same day. However, around 6 pm, users reported difficulties accessing social media platforms in various regions, along with complaints of sluggish internet services.
Zaib Unissa, a spokesperson for the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), claimed that internet services had been fully restored, and no complaints were received about disruptions to social media networks. In contrast, PTI’s Zulfi Bukhari alleged that the internet shutdown was a deliberate attempt to hinder the party’s fundraiser.
Expressing dissatisfaction, the PTI labeled the internet shutdown “absolutely shameful” and called for the resignation of the IT minister, holding them accountable for the ongoing damage to Pakistanis. Taimur Saleem Khan Jhagra, a PTI leader, commented on the recurrent internet shutdowns during PTI online events.
A report by Surfshark, a virtual private network company, revealed that Pakistan accounted for three out of the 42 new internet restrictions imposed worldwide in the first half of 2023, following the arrest of the persecuted former prime minister, Imran Khan. The restrictions included limited access to Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, along with temporary disruptions to cellular networks across the country for several days.
According to the Surfshark report, Pakistan ranked behind Iran and India as one of the leading countries imposing internet restrictions during the first half of 2023, with Asia being the focal point of most internet shutdowns.
