WhatsApp, Instagram users report outages across Pakistan

WhatsApp and Instagram users in Pakistan on Saturday experienced outages while internet service interruptions from a cellular provider and PTCL were also reported, according to the outage tracking website Downdetector.

Instagram users reported a maximum of 86 outages in one hour, with WhatsApp users reporting problems since 10:45am, particularly with sending voice notes, Downdetector noted, adding that network providers had also reported outages since morning.

Users in Karachi and Lahore also reported problems with internet service on mobile phones.

In August, the PTA said internet services across the country were expected to remain slow till “early October”, since the submarine cable responsible for the disruptions would likely be repaired by then.

“The ongoing internet slowdown across the country is mainly due to [a] fault in two (SMW4, AAE-1) of the seven international submarine cables connecting Pakistan internationally,” PTA had said

“It is updated that [the] fault in SMW-4 submarine cable is likely to be repaired by early October 2024,” it added. “Submarine cable AAE-1 has been repaired which may improve internet experience.”