In an expected turn of events, social media platforms across Pakistan experienced a widespread disruption, impacting popular services such as X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, according to the internet monitoring service Netblocks.
Reports started pouring in from users in major cities such as Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad, indicating difficulties in accessing social media platforms shortly after 8 pm. Users also complained of sluggish internet services during the disruption.
Netblocks, a prominent internet monitoring organization, promptly reported the incident, describing it as a "nation-scale disruption." The cause of the disruption remains unclear.
The incident draws attention to a recurring trend, as this is not the first time social media access has been hampered in Pakistan.
On May 9, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) confirmed the suspension of mobile broadband across the country on the interior ministry’s instructions. Netblocks reported restrictions on access to Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube following the arrest of PTI chief Imran Khan in the Al-Qadir Trust case.
