Persistent Disruptions Plague WhatsApp Users in Pakistan
WhatsApp users across Pakistan are facing continuous disruptions, particularly when using mobile data to access the app. This issue, which has persisted for several weeks, escalated dramatically on Friday, leaving users unable to send or receive messages through mobile networks. Interestingly, the app continues to work smoothly on Wi-Fi connections, allowing users to send voice notes and video files without any trouble.
Widespread Impact on Major Cities
The outage, as reported by Downdetector, an online platform that tracks service disruptions, has affected several major cities, including Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi. Despite the scale of the problem, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has yet to release any official statement clarifying the cause or providing a solution.
Connection to Political Protests and Security Measures
The timing of the recent disruptions has led many to believe that these issues may be linked to the upcoming political protests organized by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in Rawalpindi. There is speculation that the government has deliberately restricted mobile internet access to control public gatherings and limit the flow of information. This method has been used in the past during politically sensitive times to prevent large-scale mobilization and maintain public order.
Historically, Pakistan has seen similar disruptions during periods of political unrest or heightened security concerns. Although the government often attributes these outages to technical problems, such as damaged submarine cables or necessary reconfigurations by internet service providers (ISPs), many observers believe these are intentional measures to curb communication during crucial moments.
Security experts point out that the government frequently turns to internet blackouts to prevent terrorism or suppress civil unrest. Cutting off mobile data during protests makes it harder for people to coordinate and share real-time information on platforms like WhatsApp, effectively reducing the potential for large gatherings.
Ongoing Disruptions and a History of Blackouts
This isn’t the first instance of WhatsApp service disruption in Pakistan. On September 28, users in Karachi faced difficulties sending media files over mobile data, and a similar issue arose on September 21. This pattern of outages indicates that the problem may be part of a larger, ongoing disruption of mobile network services in the country.
In addition, Pakistan experienced a significant internet slowdown in August 2024, with communication services being heavily impacted. While the government initially attributed the issue to technical faults in the country’s submarine cables, the frequent coincidence of these outages with political events has raised doubts.
A Troubling Pattern for Citizens
The recurring nature of these service disruptions has sparked growing concerns among digital rights advocates and everyday citizens. Although the government often cites technical reasons for these blackouts, many suspect that they are a deliberate tactic used to restrict access to communication during critical political moments.
WhatsApp remains a key communication tool for millions in Pakistan, especially for organizing protests and disseminating information quickly. Disruptions like these not only hinder social connectivity but also have significant implications for political activities. As of now, users are left waiting for an official response or resolution, though there is no clear indication that these issues will be resolved in the near future.
