The internet services of Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd (PTCL) have experienced widespread disruption across several cities in Pakistan, leading to connectivity issues for many users. The company has acknowledged the issue and is actively working to resolve it.
A PTCL spokesperson confirmed the disruption, stating, “Currently, the PTCL network is facing a data outage in various cities due to which connectivity has been affected.” The spokesperson assured that their teams are working diligently to rectify the problem and restore normal service as quickly as possible.
The extent of the outage has been corroborated by Netblocks, an organization that monitors internet connectivity and digital governance. According to Netblocks, there has been a “nation-scale disruption” to internet connectivity in Pakistan, with current metrics indicating that national connectivity is at just 24% of ordinary levels. This assessment aligns with user reports of a “widespread outage.”
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) also confirmed the issue, noting that the disruption was due to a fault in the PTCL system. In a statement on social media, the PTA said that they are monitoring the situation and working to restore internet and broadband services for all users. The authority emphasized that efforts are underway to resolve the problem as swiftly as possible.
The disruption was first reported around 1:30 PM, according to Downdetector, an online platform that provides real-time information on service outages. Downdetector’s data revealed that 73% of users reported internet problems, with 23% experiencing a complete “blackout.” The most significant complaints came from major cities, including Karachi, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Lahore, Faisalabad, and Multan.
The outage comes amid recent developments in internet regulation in Pakistan. Last week, the government tested a new firewall system with an allocation of Rs30 billion in the development budget. This firewall is part of broader efforts to manage and regulate internet services within the country. Officials indicated that the system has been under development since January and aims to address issues related to social media and digital content.
The new firewall system has sparked some controversy, with critics arguing that it could be used to censor or limit access to information, particularly targeting social media influencers accused of spreading misinformation. The government’s stated objective is to curb the reach of such content, although this move has been met with mixed reactions from the public and digital rights advocates.
Despite these ongoing regulatory changes, the immediate focus remains on addressing the current PTCL outage. The scale and impact of the disruption have highlighted the need for robust systems and swift responses to maintain connectivity and minimize disruptions in essential services.
As PTCL works to restore full service, users across the affected areas are experiencing significant inconvenience, underscoring the critical role of reliable internet connectivity in daily life. The situation continues to evolve, with authorities and service providers striving to resolve the issue and prevent similar occurrences in the future.
PTCL’s nationwide internet disruption has affected connectivity for users in several major cities. The company, along with the PTA, is working to address the fault and restore services. The disruption comes at a time when the government is also implementing new internet regulation measures, raising concerns about potential impacts on digital freedom and access to information.
