Popular social networking platform Facebook was down in various parts of the country on Wednesday, according to internet outages tracker NetBlocks.
A number of users were unable to access their Facebook accounts on July 17, which marked the religious holiday Youm-e-Ashura (Muharram 10). According to NetBlocks, the restrictions were in effect on multiple service providers in the country.
Affected by the blockage, many users were unable to post content to their Facebook accounts or access, connect with their friends and family, and access real-time information in the wake of the processions held across the country on the account of Youm-e-Ashura.
NetBlocks stated the authorities “typically restrict mobile internet services” on the religious holiday and that it added to the continuing suspension of X (formerly Twitter) in Pakistan.
In the weeks leading up to Youm-e-Ashura, the government of Punjab had requested the Ministry of Interior to block leading social media platforms during the event, which received a strong response from digital rights advocates and users. The request was subsequently dismissed.
In Balochistan, mobile phone and internet services remained blocked for four days of Muharram in Quetta and other “sensitive” areas, however.
X was arbitrarily blocked in the country on February 17, 2024, a week after the nation went to polls. The government has defended its ban on X citing threats to national security, while government officials, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and ministers, continue using the platform.
