Pakistan faced widespread internet disruptions on Sunday, affecting major cities like Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, and Rawalpindi. Users reported slow speeds on popular platforms like WhatsApp, Gmail, Instagram, and TikTok, confirmed by Downdetector.
Economic losses due to the outage are estimated between Rs2-2.3 billion daily, according to telecom experts, as internet-related services contribute significantly to telecom revenues.
Minister for IT Shaza Fatima Khawaja acknowledged the issues, describing them as “temporary” and assured resolution soon. She also defended the government’s internet firewall trials, citing cybersecurity needs amid millions of daily cyberattacks, while dismissing claims of censorship.
Khawaja highlighted plans to auction 550-600 MHz of internet spectrum in April 2025 and connect four new submarine cables to improve connectivity. She emphasized ongoing efforts to boost high-speed internet access via fiber-optic infrastructure and telecom towers.
Despite repeated outages, Pakistan’s IT export sector recorded a 40% growth last month, showcasing resilience amid challenges.
