Internet services across most parts of the country experienced disruptions as users reported difficulties accessing various social media platforms.
Complaints were widespread, with users facing issues connecting to platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube.
Downdetector. pk indicated disruptions not only in social media platforms but also in Google services and the internet service provider PTCL around 7 pm. Users in major cities like Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Attock, and Sialkot reported challenges in accessing social media sites.
NetBlocks, the internet observatory, confirmed a nationwide disruption to social media platforms in Pakistan, including X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. With the upcoming February 8 general elections, internet outages have been reported multiple times in recent weeks during the electioneering period.
Last week, internet services and popular social media apps experienced outages, with users from across the country reporting connection errors and disruptions. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) claimed that the internet was intentionally disrupted an hour before the start of its virtual rally scheduled for electioneering.
The party alleged that the disruption affected their planned virtual rally at 8 pm on January 20, with central leaders set to address virtual meetings. Initially, the PTI had announced the virtual event at 7 pm. Senior leaders, including Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Senator Shibli Faraz, Omar Ayub, Sher Afzal Marwat, Shandana Gulzar, and Raoof Hasan, were supposed to address the virtual gathering.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) stated on its official social media account, attributing the recent internet service disruption to a technical fault that has been promptly rectified, with nationwide internet services fully restored.
