Internet Shutdowns

• Ongoing

  Regional shutdown

  Mobile Internet

  Balochistan

  Local authorities have suspended mobile Internet services in multiple areas of Balochistan amidst an ongoing military operation.

  Pakistan

  • Start 15 November 2024 12:00 a.m.
  • End Ongoing
  • Total Duration 198 days, 6 hours

July 2024

• Past

  Regional shutdown

  Facebook, Instagram

  Punjab

  Data and reports show that mobile Internet has been shut down in parts of Pakistan's Punjab region during the religious festival of Muharram. Media reports state that mobile services include not only mobile Internet but network calls and SMS texts with a focus in specific areas along procession routes and venues hosting religious gatherings (majalis). These events follow the Punjab government's request to suspended mobile Internet services and popular social media services from 13 to 17 July. Reports suggest that mobile Internet services were already partially suspended on Sunday 14 July in certain areas of Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Jhang, Bahawalpur, and Bahawalnagar.

  Pakistan

  • Start 16 July 2024 12:00 a.m.
  • End 17 July 2024 12:00 a.m.
  • Total Duration 1 day
• Past

  Regional shutdown

  Balochistan

  Local authorities in Pakistan's Balochistan province ordered that mobile Internet and cellphone services in parts of the province be suspended from 14 to 17 July during the religious festival of Muharram. A spokesperson for the Balochistan Home Ministry said that the suspension will affect Quetta, Kachhi, Jhal Magsi, Jaffarabad, and Usta Muhammad. Similar directives have been issued in Pakistan's Punjab province, where mobile Internet services and popular social media services have been partially suspended.  

  Pakistan

  • Start 14 July 2024 12:00 a.m.
  • End 17 July 2024 12:00 a.m.
  • Total Duration 3 days
• Past

  Regional shutdown

  Punjab

  The Punjab provincial government has ordered mobile Internet and phone services to be suspended on 13 July from 15:00 to 23:00 local time in the areas of Lahore Airport, Walled City, Shadra, Barki/Hadyara, and Nawab Town. The order was made to control law and order in the province on the arrival of ex-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

  Pakistan

  • Start 13 July 2024 3:00 p.m.
  • End 13 July 2024 11:00 p.m.
  • Total Duration 8 hours

May 2024

• Past

  Regional shutdown

  Mobile Internet

  Azad Jammu and Kashmir

  There have been reports of mobile Internet services being partially suspended in parts of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir region in northern Pakistan to stop protesters marching towards the regional capital. According to reports, protesters are marching against inflation. [Update 14 March] According to recent reports, the Chief Secretary of Azad Kashmir announced on Tuesday, 14 March, that Internet services have been restored in Azad Jammu and Kashmir following the authorities accepting protesters' demands.

  Pakistan

  • Start 12 May 2024 12:00 a.m.
  • End 14 May 2024 12:00 a.m.
  • Total Duration 2 days

April 2024

• Past

  Regional shutdown

  mobile services

  Punjab and Balochistan provinces

  Cellular services were suspended in parts of the Punjab and Balochistan provinces on 21-22 April 2024 because of by-elections in 21 constituencies held on Sunday, 21 April. According to the the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), which regulates the Internet, the decision was taken per the direction of the interior ministry. Reports suggest the PTA announcement came hours after the Punjab government requested the interior ministry to suspend mobile phone services during by-elections in Talagang, Chakwal, Kallar Kahar, Gujrat, Ali Pur Chatha, Zafarwal, Bhakkar, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Lahore, Sadiqabad, Kot Chutta, and Dera Ghazi Khan. Internet shutdowns during protests or civil unrest impact the ability of citizens to get accurate information from government sources when they need it most. It also becomes harder for citizens to contact family members and friends in other parts of the country, or in other countries. We encourage all governments to #KeepItOn.  

  Pakistan

  • Start 21 April 2024 12:00 a.m.
  • End 22 April 2024 12:00 a.m.
  • Total Duration 1 day

February 2024

• Past

  National shutdown

  mobile Internet

  As the country held its provincial, national, and presidential elections today, Pakistan authorities ordered mobile Internet and phone services to be suspended nationwide to “maintain law and order”. The shutdown began around 02:00 UTC and connectivity was restored after the election starting around 15:00 UTC. Read our Pakistan Election 2024 report on the Pulse Blog for more details.

  Pakistan

  • Start 8 February 2024 2:00 a.m.
  • End 8 February 2024 3:00 p.m.
  • Total Duration 13 hours

December 2023

• Past

  Service blocking

  Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube

  Reports from Pakistan indicate a service-blocking event happened on 17 December from 17:30 local time to the early hours of 18 December. According to one report, the shutdown happened before an online rally by supporters of former president, Imran Khan, that happened from 21:00 local time. So far government authorities have not yet provided a statement. Measurements by the Open Observatory of Network Interference (OONI) showed issues connecting to specific social media and video-sharing sites. Internet shutdowns during protests or civil unrest impact the ability of citizens to get accurate information from government sources when they need it most. It also becomes harder for citizens to contact family members and friends in other parts of the country, or in other countries.      

  Pakistan

  • Start 17 December 2023 5:30 p.m.
  • End 18 December 2023 4:00 a.m.
  • Total Duration 10 hours

May 2023

• Past

  Regional shutdown

  Starting on 9 May 2023, the government of Pakistan reportedly ordered regional shutdowns of mobile Internet access amidst violent protests following the arrest of Imran Khan, a former Prime Minister and current leader of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party. Reports indicated that mobile coverage was disrupted but wired / fixed coverage continues. Various media stories reported blocking of social media sites such as YouTube and Twitter. We were not able to confirm any specific blocking of services (versus just a complete shutdown of connectivity), however OONI data shown below seems to indicate that such service blockage is happening. Measurements from IODA and Cloudflare Radar indicate that Internet connectivity through mobile networks was restored on 12 May 2023. However, OONI measurements indicated that some service blocking continued into the following week and was not fully restored until 18 May.

  Pakistan

  • Start 9 May 2023 12:00 a.m.
  • End 12 May 2023 12:00 a.m.
  • Total Duration 3 days

March 2023

• Past

  Regional shutdown

  Mobile Internet Services

  Islamabad and Rawalpindi

  Local authorities ordered Internet Service Providers to suspend mobile data services in Islamabad and Rawalpindi on 18 March as part of actions to quell civil unrest during a planned protest in the region. Internet shutdowns during protests or civil unrest impact citizens' ability to get accurate information from government sources when they need it most. It also becomes harder for citizens to contact family members and friends in other parts of the country or other countries.

  Pakistan

  • Start 18 March 2023 10:00 a.m.
  • End 18 March 2023 11:45 a.m.
  • Total Duration 1 hour