PTI Virtual Meeting: Pakistan internet shutdown: Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube face disruption ahead of PTI’s virtual meeting

Internet monitor Netblocks has reported a nationwide internet disruption ahead of a virtual meeting of Imran Khan’s party PTI. A “virtual power show” was organised today on various social media platforms on December 17 by the PTI. The online event was scheduled to start at 9pm. Hours ahead of the virtual meeting users reportedly complained of not being able to use these platforms.“Live metrics show a nation-scale disruption to social media platforms across #Pakistan, including X, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube,” the internet tracking agency said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

According to media reports, several internet users across Pakistan reported having difficulty accessing social media platforms in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad shortly after 8pm. Users also complained about internet services being slow.

As per a report in Dawn, former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa finance minister and PTI leader Taimur Jhagra also noted the internet issues coinciding with the online rally.
“This is the current state of YouTube on stormfiber and on Ufone4G. Refreshed multiple times, loaded the home screen once then again went into buffering. The speed test is there to verify. They actually messed with the internet affecting millions of subscribers and hundreds of thousands of businesses only to oppose #PTI virtual jalsa. This is beyond madness but be sure to hear Judges chanting “democracy” at the next Supreme Court hearing,” posted lawyer M Jibran Nasir.

Earlier this year, Pakistan was ranked third in the world over the imposition of internet restrictions in the first half of 2023. So far, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has not issued a statement on the disruption.