Internet Shutdowns

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 – internet services blocked – restricted access to contact family/loved ones. Mother-in-law visiting Pakistan is stuck indoors without internet. My own parents were stuck on roads in traffic all day yesterday amid protests and clashes. Sad day(s)!#PakistanUnderSiege

— Usama Basit 💙 (@usamabasit) May 10, 2023

We have not yet identified a formal official announcement on any Pakistan government websites or social media channels. However, multiple Pakistani media outlets are reporting direct communication with spokespeople from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority. One example from Geo.tv:

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), on the orders of the Interior Ministry, blocked mobile broadband services across the country Tuesday as protests erupted after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s arrest earlier in the day.

Subsequent media reports indicate the shutdown will be extended “indefinitely”:

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Wednesday said that internet services across the country will remain suspended for an indefinite period.