As the world increasingly relies on the internet for communication, information, and connectivity, internet shutdowns have become a matter of concern. According to a recent report by VPN and cybersecurity provider Surfshark, the first half of 2023 witnessed significant internet restrictions globally. Among the countries affected, Pakistan emerged as one of the worst offenders in terms of internet shutdowns.
Pakistan’s Internet Shutdowns in 2023
During the first half of 2023, Pakistan experienced a total of three internet shutdown incidents, contributing to the 42 new global internet restrictions recorded by the Internet Shutdown Tracker. These restrictions were implemented shortly after the arrest of the country’s former Prime Minister, Imran Khan, on May 9. In response to the political developments, authorities in Pakistan curtailed access to social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Moreover, temporary cellular network interruptions were observed across the country for several days following the arrest.
Surfshark’s report highlighted Pakistan’s ranking among the top three countries with the most internet restrictions enforced during this period. Only Iran and India surpassed Pakistan in terms of the number of incidents. The prevalence of internet shutdowns in Asia has been a concerning trend, with Iran experiencing the highest number of disruptions (14 incidents), primarily in Zahedan during Friday protests related to the Zahedan massacre.
Global Trends and Impact of Internet Shutdowns
The report further revealed that India stood second in the ranking, with nine confirmed instances of internet restrictions during the first half of 2023. Notably, two additional instances of shutdowns were reported in ‘Jammu and Kashmir,’ which were apparently ordered by the Indian government. This brought the total count of internet shutdowns in India to 11 within the six-month timeframe.
An alarming revelation from the report was that over two-thirds of the new disruptions, totaling 30 incidents were triggered by public dissent over social and political issues. The study highlights the internet’s critical role as the primary platform for exchanging vital information during civil unrest and political turmoil episodes.
Also read: Internet Shutdowns Cost Over $10 Billion to the Global Economy in 2022
