After experiencing a partial shutdown during the 10th of Muharram, Facebook services have been reinstated across Pakistan. The restoration occurred around 8 pm local time, following disruptions noted by NetBlocks, an organization monitoring internet accessibility globally. According to NetBlocks, authorities commonly instigate such disruptions during significant events to maintain order and prevent the spread of misinformation.
During the observation of Muharram, an especially sacred time in the Islamic calendar, the Balochistan government preemptively suspended mobile and internet services in Quetta and other sensitive areas to ensure public safety over four critical days. Similarly, the Punjab government had proposed a broader suspension of social media platforms from the 6th to the 11th of Muharram, which included major networks like Facebook and Instagram, also owned by Meta.
The Ministry of Interior, however, delayed the decision on this matter. As stated in a recent press release, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has the final say on internet and social media suspensions. The Ministry noted that no definitive action has been taken based on the requests from provincial authorities thus far.
This approach aligns with last week’s comments from the Home Minister, emphasizing that while internet suspensions are intended to protect citizens, they must be carefully balanced against the inconvenience they cause. The decision-making process will continue to consider both the security landscape and the everyday needs of the populace.
Additionally, Down Detector, a service that tracks internet outages by compiling user reports and other data, corroborated the disruptions experienced by Facebook users in Pakistan. This underscores the broader impacts such shutdowns can have on connectivity and information dissemination.
As services normalize, the focus now shifts to evaluating the effectiveness of these digital interventions in maintaining peace during sensitive times without unduly hindering communication and access to information.
