The demand for Virtual Private Network (VPN) services has surged dramatically across Pakistan, more than tripling in recent days, following a sharp increase in social media restrictions.
According to an independent report by the VPN review website Top10VPN, the demand for VPNs rose by 102% on November 25, compared to the daily average over the previous 28 days.
The surge in demand escalated further on November 26, reaching 213% above the baseline. This sharp spike comes amid growing concerns over government restrictions on social media platforms ahead of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) planned protests.
Reports have indicated that the government imposed additional restrictions, including limiting WhatsApp media sharing in anticipation of PTI demonstrations.
As a result, social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook have faced widespread disruptions, with users struggling to access these services without the aid of VPNs.
Downdetector.com, a platform that monitors online service outages, confirmed that several popular social media sites experienced technical difficulties in Pakistan, contributing to heightened frustration among users. The exact reasons for the disruptions remain unclear, as authorities have not issued an official statement regarding the extent of the restrictions.
Citizens have voiced their discontent over the lack of transparency and the suddenness of the disruptions. Social media users have found that accessing these platforms via VPN has proven to be an effective workaround, although it has come with its own set of challenges. Many users report slower internet speeds and connectivity issues when using VPN services, further adding to their frustrations.
In addition to the social media outages, internet services have also been disrupted in several regions across Punjab, including Multan, Rajanpur, Gujrat, and Dera Ghazi Khan. Residents in these areas have reported significant difficulties in accessing basic online services, exacerbating the communication challenges in the affected regions.
