Millions of people across Pakistan were left frustrated this week as widespread internet disruptions hit major cities including Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore. The outages crippled work, education, and communication, leaving users stranded in a digital blackout that lasted for hours.
From business meetings on Zoom to casual WhatsApp conversations, daily online activities came to a standstill. Social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and TikTok were among the hardest hit, with countless users taking to complaint forums to vent their frustration. Even Google’s essential services, used for both work and entertainment, slowed down to the point of being unusable.
The crisis peaked between 7 PM and 9 PM on Tuesday evening, when internet traffic nearly halted in several regions. Families, freelancers, students, and businesses were caught off guard as connectivity either slowed to a crawl or disappeared entirely, highlighting the country’s heavy reliance on digital platforms.
Telecom giants PTCL, Ufone, and Zong, along with internet service providers like Nayatel, all reported disruptions. Nayatel attributed the issue to its upstream provider, assuring customers that efforts were underway to restore connectivity. However, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has yet to issue an official explanation, leaving millions uncertain about the cause of the slowdown.
The internet crisis not only disrupted routine communication but also exposed the vulnerability of Pakistan’s digital infrastructure. With businesses and educational institutions heavily dependent on online connectivity, such outages highlight the urgent need for stronger, more resilient systems to ensure smooth digital operations in the future
