Internet Services Face Disruption in Several Cities

Internet users across several cities in Pakistan are facing slow speeds, which has caused disruption in access to various online platforms and services.

Users struggled with internet browsing and the uploading and downloading of media such as images, videos, and voice notes, Express News reported.

This has created challenges for individuals engaged in online businesses, who depend on a stable internet connection for their operations.

Downdetector confirmed the disruption in Internet services, showing a spike in outages for WhatsApp, Gmail, Instagram, and TikTok around 11am on December 1, 2024. The outages impacted users who rely on these platforms for communication, work, and social engagement.

While internet disruptions are not uncommon in Pakistan, the frequency of such outages has increased in recent months. Last week, a political protest by the opposition party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) temporarily disrupted internet and mobile services in Islamabad.

Additionally, the government has conducted multiple tests of its internet firewall this year. These tests have slowed down internet speeds and caused digital disruptions in the past.

At present, the cause of the current slowdown in internet speed remains unclear. Authorities have not provided an official explanation for the ongoing issue.

Also See: Pakistan’s Worsening Air Quality: Combating Smog

VPN registration deadline extended

Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) Chairman Major General (retired) Hafeezul Rehman confirmed that the government had approved an extension for the deadline to register virtual private networks (VPNs). However, no new date was provided.

The PTA chief reassured users that the government would not block VPNs on November 30, as initially planned. “We will not block VPNs today,” he said, addressing concerns about disruptions.

However, he refrained from specifying a new deadline for registration and added, “The interior ministry will decide how long to extend VPN registration.”

The extension follows a request from Wispap, which had urged the interior ministry to extend the deadline to “facilitate compliance”.

This news is sourced from [The Express Tribune] and is for informational purposes only