Pakistan has been experiencing a nationwide internet blackout since May 9, following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The arrest sparked protests across the country, leading to clashes with security forces and roadblocks in major cities.
The government has suspended mobile broadband and blocked access to social media apps, affecting nearly 125 million people who rely on the internet for communication, information, and livelihood. Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, and WhatsApp have all been blocked in Pakistan by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority at the Ministry of Interior’s recommendation. Nearly 72 hours after the incident, most of mobile data services are still not available, while fixed-line internet is likewise sporadic.
Human Rights organizations have decried the internet blackout and urged the Pakistani government to relax the restrictions and respect citizens’ rights to information and freedom of expression. They have also voiced their worry with the authorities’ abuse of power against peaceful protestors, including their abuses of human rights.
The internet shutdown has also hit the economy and daily-wage earners, who have suffered losses due to the disruption of online services and navigation apps. The blockade has had an impact on the lives of a sizable portion of the population that depends on cellphone data, including those who deliver food and operate as ride-hailing drivers. Additionally, banking transactions have been hampered, and cellular companies estimate that the shutdown has cost them hundreds of millions of rupees in income.
The government has not provided a timeline for the return of internet services, despite Imran Khan’s release on Thursday after the country’s top court declared his arrest unconstitutional.
Internet censorship and shutdowns have a history in Pakistan, notably during periods of political instability or religious sensitivity. Pakistan has imposed at least 10 internet shutdowns in 2023 alone, according NetBlocks, a digital rights organization that keeps track of internet outages.
Shutting down the internet is against international human rights law and is detrimental to social, economic, and political progress. The Pakistani government must uphold its responsibilities under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and guarantee that its people enjoy access to a free and open internet.
