Pakistan is facing internet slowdowns and disruptions in various parts of the country due to overloading and the suspension of cellular and mobile data services in Rawalpindi and Islamabad since Friday morning. According to a senior executive of one of the cellular mobile operators, the country has been experiencing low bandwidth as the Web Management System is being upgraded to handle up to 9 terabytes of internet traffic. Netblocks reported disruptions in WhatsApp services in Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore over the past 24 hours.
The suspension of services in the twin cities has affected basic services like online banking, ride-hailing, and food delivery.
Pakistan’s internet slowdowns impact services
A senior official from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) stated that the Punjab government had requested the suspension of cellular services in key cities of the province, but it was declined.
The PTA official said, “Cellular services have been suspended in urban areas of Rawalpindi district and Islamabad due to serious concerns of threats by the security agencies.” He added that the PTA suspends cellular services at the request of security agencies and is not authorized to ask for details or the nature of the security threat. The request from the Punjab government was rejected as there was no such threat in any city of Punjab. The disruptions coincide with the march of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters towards Islamabad, defying a ban on congregations, to press for the release of their leader Imran Khan and agitate against the ruling coalition.
