In a recent development, Pakistan has been grappling with persistent internet disruptions, causing heightened concerns among its netizens. On January 20, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) attributed the blackout to ongoing system upgrades, outlining a projected timeline of “2 to 3 months.” This announcement has sparked public unease, deepening worries about the prolonged disruptions.
During a press conference, Director General Ahmed Shamim Pirzada, alongside Caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi and FIA Cybercrime Director of Operations Waqaruddin Syed, faced skepticism from the public. The timing of the outage, coinciding with a pre-announced online event by a specific political party, has fueled speculation of intentional throttling. This suspicion gains traction when considering a similar pattern of disruptions on December 17 and January 7.
Minister Solangi echoed the technical glitch explanation, acknowledging the possibility of further disruptions. However, his reassurance did little to ease public concerns. The lack of transparency from the PTA, combined with the extended resolution timeframe, has triggered outrage among Pakistan’s tech-savvy population.
Compounding the doubts, the PTA’s previous statement citing a “technical fault” after the January 20th disruption intensified scrutiny on the regulatory authority. The extended internet disruptions raise questions about the reliability of the official explanation, particularly in light of the suspiciously timed blackouts.
As this situation unfolds, Pakistani citizens navigate a digital landscape filled with uncertainty, raising concerns about the potential impact on daily life, businesses, and communication. The PTA’s handling of the situation will face further scrutiny as the public demands greater transparency and a swifter resolution to the ongoing internet disruptions. Stay tuned for updates on the evolving situation in Pakistan.
 attributed the blackout to ongoing system upgrades, outlining a projected timeline of "2 to 3 months."){kind=link}