Netizens link internet outage with PTI virtual jalsa

Amidst a crackdown on party leaders and workers, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) held a virtual jalsa on Sunday.

Throughout the country on Sunday, internet users experienced nationwide internet disruptions across various social media platforms, with only WhatsApp chat functioning.

Netizens are linking the unexpected disruption of online services with the PTI's virtual jalsa, where speeches from PTI leaders and supporters were featured across different regions of the country.

The PTI's virtual gathering was broadcast live on YouTube and Twitter, garnering thousands of viewers. Many in Pakistan resorted to VPN services due to ongoing internet disruptions.

164,000 + viewers on main Streamyard link (as seen below). Twitter space syndication counts and other streams are separate. Looks like we are over 250,000 viewers right now at #PTIVirtualJalsa ; may be even .5 million if we add all.#پہلا_آنلائن_پاورشو #حقیقی_آزادی_آنلائن_جلسہ pic.twitter.com/h6kXtax0WA

— Jibran Ilyas (@agentjay2009) December 17, 2023

Critics, including political activists and netizens, are accusing the interim government of intentionally slowing down the country's internet to hinder PTI's online event.

You know, the more you snub an idiot who believes in superstition, who did nothing in 3.5 years except ruining Pakistan’s economy & development, promoted intolerance and ruined minds of our young generation, the more you’ll make him popular. Very, very stupid move. #internetdown

— Saad Kaiser 🇵🇰 (@TheSaadKaiser) December 17, 2023

Imagine studying from the best schools in the world to end up working to block the internet, social media just so people cant tune into a virtual political gathering, that too as the IT minister. The paper your degrees are printed on will be better used to soak oil from fries. pic.twitter.com/byCs5FXIEx

— Alif (@vanillasky458) December 17, 2023

By 10 pm on Sunday, the PTI's official YouTube channel had over 82,000 live viewers, and the Twitter stream had more than 40,000 viewers. Viewer numbers fluctuated as people faced difficulty tuning into the online event. 

Taking part in the online jalsa @agentjay2009 #PTIVirtualJalsa pic.twitter.com/OzxKKSx7L4

— Annie Khalid (@annie_khalid) December 17, 2023

South Asian political analyst Michael Kugleman took to ‘X’ to react to the internet disruption in Pakista, associating it with the politically volatile climate of Pakistan.

“Cutting off access in Pakistan to the opposition PTI party's online rally will backfire-because many months of crackdowns on the party have done nothing to dent its popularity, and also because PTI has such a large support base outside Pakistan. Predictable but wrongheaded move.”

Cutting off access in Pakistan to the opposition PTI party's online rally will backfire-because many months of crackdowns on the party have done nothing to dent its popularity, and also because PTI has such a large support base outside Pakistan.
Predictable but wrongheaded move.

— Michael Kugelman (@MichaelKugelman) December 17, 2023

Journalist Imran Riaz Khan also reacred to the internet outage.

Very slow and very low. 👎🏻

— Imran Khan (@ImranRiazKhan) December 17, 2023

Following the National Accountability Bureau's (NAB) arrest of the former PTI chairman on May 9th, widespread riots erupted across the country, resulting in damage to government and private property.

The riots served as a death knell for the party already reeling from legal and political quagmires. Currently, PTI is facing challenges as prominent members have either left the party or are incarcerated under various charges.