Internet Disruption in Pakistan: Firewall or Technical Glitch?

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is currently experiencing significant disruptions in internet services nationwide. Reports suggest a possible activation or testing of a firewall by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), potentially contributing to the slowdown in internet speeds. This has reportedly affected several critical services, including the Karachi Stock Exchange website, which has gone offline, along with hundreds of other websites experiencing operational issues.

#Pakistan is currently experiencing a wide-scale #Internet disruption, with traffic dropping 45% at 08:30 UTC.

The disruption is impacting networks including @PTCLOfficial and @telenorpakistan.

The underlying cause is not yet known.https://t.co/fTdfSHEl66 pic.twitter.com/LSUXZ0L3xd

— Cloudflare Radar (@CloudflareRadar) July 31, 2024

Despite the widespread disruption, some services, particularly Meta platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, are functioning normally. Nayatel, a major internet service provider, reported that its services were largely unaffected. Minor issues in southern cities were promptly resolved, while the northern network, including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, and Faisalabad, remained stable.

The inconsistency in service disruptions across different internet service providers (ISPs) suggests that the issue may be isolated to specific networks or regions. This has resulted in varied user experiences, with some encountering significant slowdowns while others report normal service.

Some sources have indicated that the issue may not be confined to local networks but could involve international traffic complications. PTCL officials have confirmed a fault in an underground submarine cable, further exacerbating the situation. The exact cause of the disruption remains under investigation, with authorities working diligently to identify and resolve the issue.

As the situation unfolds, internet users across Pakistan continue to face connectivity challenges, awaiting updates and resolutions from the relevant authorities.