Dozens of social media users in Pakistan reported on Tuesday and Wednesday that Facebook was inaccessible on many internet service providers in the country.
Users on X claimed that they could not access Facebook, with some questioning whether the platform had been banned by the government, similar to the earlier ban on X.
Pakistan-based social media observer ‘Down Detector’ showed a surge in user complaints regarding Facebook’s accessibility starting at midnight on Monday. International observer Netblocks later confirmed that restrictions were in effect on multiple ISPs in Pakistan.
“Metrics show restrictions to Facebook are in effect on multiple providers in #Pakistan, adding to the ongoing X ban imposed since 17 February; the new measure comes on the Islamic holy day of Ashura when authorities typically restrict mobile internet services,” Netblocks wrote in a post on X.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, maintains a status dashboard to track problems with its platforms. However, the dashboard indicated ‘No known issues’ for Facebook login.
The disruption to Facebook coincides with Muharram 10, as thousands of processions marking the sacrifice of Imam Hussain (RA) are held across Pakistan. Strict security measures have been implemented, with mobile signals being suspended in some areas.