PTA: Internet Disruptions May Continue for Another 90 Days

Pakistani netizens found themselves plunged into darkness once again on January 20, as the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) attributed the internet blackout to ongoing system upgrades. However, the projected “2 to 3 months” timeline for resolution heightened public anxieties already strained by recent disruptions.

Director General Ahmed Shamim Pirzada, alongside Caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi and FIA Cybercrime Director of Operations Waqaruddin Syed, faced a press conference marked by public skepticism. The timing of the outage, aligning with a pre-announced online event by a specific political party, fueled suspicions of intentional throttling, especially given similar disruptions on December 17 and January 7.

Minister Solangi maintained the technical glitch explanation but acknowledged the potential for further disruptions. However, this tepid reassurance did little to assuage public concerns, particularly against the backdrop of suspiciously timed blackouts.

The PTA’s initial statement citing a “technical fault” post the January 20 disruption only intensified public doubt. Pakistan’s tech-savvy populace expressed palpable outrage at the perceived lack of transparency and the extended timeframe for resolution.