Govt blames ‘technical issues’ for internet outages

Solangi says 500 social media accounts involved in malicious campaign against judiciary

ISLAMABAD:

The caretaker government on Monday blamed “technical issues” for the recent internet outages across the country, saying that there was no guarantee that such incidents would not occur in the future.

“The economy, businesses, and prestige of the country are more important for us. It is important for us to take care of them,” interim Information Minister Murtaza Solangi said at a news conference here.

نگران وفاقی وزیر اطلاعات اسلام آباد میں پریس کانفرنس کر رہے ہیںhttps://t.co/QoDd1ZnwZ2

— Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (@MoIB_Official) January 22, 2024

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority Director General Ahmed Shamim Pirzada and Federal Investigation Agency Cybercrime Director Operations Waqaruddin Syed were also present.

However, Solangi said one could wish that internet outages did not take place but there was no guarantee of that.

In a recent occurrence, internet services were interrupted an hour before the PTI’s virtual power show on Saturday.

Netblocks, a global internet monitor, had said on X that live metrics showed “a nation-scale disruption to social media platforms across Pakistan, including X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube”.

Further, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) had said the internet was disrupted due to a “technical fault”.

To a question regarding internet outages and whether the government would resolve to prevent such instances during the February 8 general elections, Solangi said: “As per my information, the reasons [for disruptions] are technical and there are some matters of system installations involved as well.”

PTA DG Pirzada attributed the outages to “technical glitches” and system upgradation, saying: “You can face this for the next two to three months.”

Also read: At least four universities in Islamabad shut citing security concerns

On the “malicious campaign” against the judiciary, Solangi said the caretaker government had identified 500 social media accounts involved in malicious act, adding that it was also monitoring several other similar accounts.

“An investigation is under way. We are monitoring hundreds of accounts and action will be taken against them,” he said, adding that these accounts were being operated from both within and outside the country.

Last week, the interior ministry constituted a five-member joint investigation team (JIT) to “ascertain facts behind a malicious social media campaign” against Supreme Court judges.

The panel — formed under Section 30 (power to investigate) of the controversial Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) 2016 — was convened by the FIA cybercrime wing additional director general.

It also comprised representatives of the Intelligence Bureau, Inter-Services Intelligence, the PTA, and the Islamabad deputy inspector general of police.

The team could choose any other member if required.