May 26, 2022 – Disruptions are being reported in the internet and mobile phone services across Pakistan as the supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) flock towards Islamabad from different parts of the country to join former prime minister Imran Khan’s Azadi March.
According to reports by local media, mobile phone and internet services were suspended in several areas of Rawalpindi, including Shamsabad and Faizabad, on Wednesday. Connectivity issues have also been reported by residents in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad. Some reports claim that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has disconnected the internet in various cities in Punjab on the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government’s orders. The reports, citing statements from the PTA, suggest that the telecom regulator will shut down the internet in areas where PTI followers are organising protests. There has been, however, no statement from the PTA on its website or official social media accounts confirming these reports.
On the other hand, Nayatel, leading internet service provider, tweeted, “A fault has been reported in one of our internet backbone system[s] due to which some users may experience degraded internet services. Our team is in coordination with relevant stakeholders to restore the services at the earliest.”
A fault has been reported in one of our internet backbone system due to which some users may experience degraded internet services. Our team is in coordination with relevant stakeholders to restore the services at the earliest. Progressive updates will be shared as available.
— Nayatel (@nayatelpk) May 25, 2022
The ISP shared an update an hour later that the fault has been rectified.
