ISLAMABAD: Internet and social media platforms across Pakistan experienced widespread disruption on Monday evening, with major services including Facebook and X becoming inaccessible without VPNs on several networks such as PTCL, Ufone, and Zong. Users also reported a noticeable slowdown in overall internet speeds.
Some service providers, including Nayatel, appeared to remain unaffected, allowing normal access to Facebook and X. However, PTCL users reported that even basic messaging apps like WhatsApp were facing interruptions.
According to global outage tracker Downdetector, hundreds of users in Pakistan reported issues accessing Facebook, while many on X echoed similar complaints regarding connectivity problems.
The disruption follows a weekend of partial communication blackouts in Islamabad and Lahore, where mobile internet services were suspended amid large-scale protests organized by Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP).
The demonstrations, which began in Lahore, called for marches toward Islamabad in solidarity with Palestinians. The government responded with heightened security measures, deploying troops, sealing roads, and suspending mobile internet in key areas to prevent further escalation.
Mobile data services, including 3G and 4G, were officially suspended in Islamabad and Rawalpindi from October 9 under directives issued by the Ministry of Interior and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). The move aimed to curb mass mobilization but left many citizens and businesses cut off for several days.
