What Caused the Nationwide Internet Outage in Pakistan?
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Synopsis
The recent internet outage in Pakistan has raised serious concerns about the reliability of digital infrastructure in the country. As millions are affected, industry leaders are calling for urgent reforms to prevent future occurrences.
Key Takeaways
- Severe internet outages are becoming a recurring issue in Pakistan.
- Two-thirds of users were affected during the latest disruption.
- Reliable internet access is critical for the economy and daily life.
- Calls for urgent reforms in digital infrastructure are growing.
- Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited is working to restore services.
Islamabad, Aug 20 (NationPress) A widespread internet outage across Pakistan is causing significant disruption to businesses, financial services, and daily activities. Industry experts have labeled this incident as one of the most serious disruptions in recent history.
The Wireless and Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan (WISPAP) reported that nearly two-thirds of internet users were affected during this outage. This incident marks a troubling anniversary, occurring just three years after a similar nationwide blackout in 2022, when floods severely damaged the country's primary fibre routes, as detailed by The News International.
The current outage has raised alarm about the vulnerability of Pakistan's digital infrastructure. WISPAP Chairman Shahzad Arshad commented, "This is a national failure." He emphasized that internet outages have become a frequent occurrence in Pakistan, stating, "For two-thirds of the nation to experience this blackout in 2025, on the same date as the prior incident in 2022, should serve as a serious warning to all levels of government."
Arshad further highlighted that reliable internet access is now as crucial as electricity, as it is essential for freelancers, hospitals, students, and banks. He warned, "Every hour offline costs Pakistan millions and tarnishes our international reputation."
The industry group has urged regulatory bodies to enhance infrastructure by inviting more service providers, establishing regional internet exchanges, and investing in redundancy. Arshad insisted, "Pakistan’s digital future cannot remain vulnerable to single points of failure," calling for urgent reforms rather than mere apologies.
In a late-night update on Tuesday, the Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited reported on the ongoing internet disruption, assuring customers that their teams were working diligently to restore services.
"Dear Customers, we are currently experiencing data connectivity issues with our PTCL and Ufone services. Our teams are making every effort to resolve these challenges quickly. We apologize for any inconvenience caused," the company announced on X.
On August 19, Internet Observatory NetBlocks confirmed a major disruption in internet connectivity across Pakistan, indicating that national connectivity had dropped to just 20% of usual levels.
Point of View
It is clear that the repeated internet outages in Pakistan highlight a significant vulnerability in our digital infrastructure. The urgency for reforms cannot be overstated, as reliable internet connectivity is now a fundamental necessity for our nation’s progress and global standing. We must ensure that our digital future is secure and resilient.
NationPress
30/08/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the internet outage in Pakistan?
The recent internet outage in Pakistan was attributed to significant disruptions affecting the primary fibre routes, similar to a previous incident in 2022.
How many users were affected by the outage?
It is estimated that nearly two-thirds of internet users in Pakistan experienced service disruptions during the outage.
What are the implications of this outage?
The outage has raised concerns over the fragility of the digital infrastructure in Pakistan, impacting businesses, financial services, and daily life.
What is being done to resolve the issue?
The Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited is actively working to restore services and has apologized for the inconvenience caused.
How can Pakistan improve its internet infrastructure?
Industry leaders suggest diversifying service providers, developing regional internet exchanges, and investing in redundancy to enhance internet reliability.
