In an apparent attempt to stifle dissent, Pakistan grappled with internet and social media disruptions on Sunday night as former Prime Minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party prepared for a virtual power show. The timing, coinciding directly with the scheduled 9 pm online rally, raised concerns about government censorship and suppression of Khan's growing popularity.
The internet monitor Netblocks reported nationwide disruptions, with users in Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad struggling to access platforms like X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Reports of slow internet speeds further compounded the issue.
PTI leader Taimur Jhagra and the party's official X account were quick to denounce the disruption, calling it "proof of the fear of the unprecedented popularity of Imran Khan's PTI" and attributing it to the "illegitimate, fascist regime." The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), however, remained mum on the issue, refusing to respond to requests for comment.
This is not the first time Pakistan has used internet shutdowns to stifle dissent. In May, following Khan's arrest, mobile broadband was suspended across the country. Internet access to Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube was also restricted during that time. This, coupled with Pakistan's ranking as the third-worst offender in terms of internet restrictions during the first half of 2023, paints a bleak picture of online freedom in the country.
The timing of the latest disruption, coinciding with a major online event for Khan's party, raises serious concerns about the government's willingness to suppress dissent and limit access to information, particularly critical for opposition voices. The lack of transparency from the PTA further fuels doubts and suspicions about the motives behind the shutdown.
As the world watches Pakistan's political landscape unfold, the question of online freedom looms large. Will the country embrace open communication and allow its citizens to access information freely, or will it continue down the path of censorship and suppression? Only time will tell which side of this digital divide Pakistan chooses to occupy.
