People all over Pakistan are facing problems in internet service.
People are also not able to use social media platforms. Pakistani news channel Dawn has given this information quoting internet monitor Netblocks.
The problem came amid a virtual show of strength by former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). PTI’s virtual rally was scheduled to start at 9 pm, but the entire social media was down.
“Live metrics are showing disruptions across social media platforms including X, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube across Pakistan,” a statement issued by NetBlocks said.
Internet users complained of difficulty accessing social media platforms after 8 pm in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad.
People said that the internet speed has become very slow. Internet service down is also being linked to underworld don Dawood Ibrahim.
Actually, the news has come out that Dawood has been poisoned and he is admitted in the hospital. Pakistani journalist Arzoo Kazmi has linked internet downage to Dawood’s incident.
He said that Dawood Ibrahim’s visit to the hospital and social media being down are linked to each other.
Fear of Imran Khan’s rising popularity: PTI
At the same time, Imran Khan’s political party PTI condemned the act of shutting down the internet and called it a proof of the party’s fear of increasing popularity.
PTI said, ‘This is proof of Imran Khan’s fear of PTI’s popularity! The illegitimate and fascist regime slowed down internet speeds and disrupted social media platforms across Pakistan ahead of the party’s historic virtual Jalsa! We had similar expectations also.
PTA did not give any answer on internet ban
According to Dawn, when Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) sought answers regarding this matter, they refused to give any statement.
It is noteworthy that after the arrest of Imran Khan on May 9 this year, there were violent protests. During this time, PTA itself had confirmed that mobile broadband has been suspended across the country on the instructions of the Interior Ministry.
NetBlocks had reported that access to Twitter, Facebook and YouTube was restricted across Pakistan following the arrest of the former PM.
According to media reports, Pakistan has been ranked third in the world in terms of internet restrictions in the first half of 2023.