The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has attributed recent slowdowns in social media applications to the high number of users on platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp. The National Assembly was informed that recent internet disruptions in Pakistan have significantly impacted Meta’s services, particularly Facebook and WhatsApp.

According to the PTA, Facebook has a user base of approximately 50 million in Pakistan, making it one of the most widely used social media platforms in the country. WhatsApp is also among the most popular real-time applications. As a result, any slowdown or degradation in these services is more noticeable compared to other platforms.

The slowdowns were primarily caused by two major submarine cable issues. In June 2024, a cut in the SMW4 cable resulted in a data loss of 1.5 terabytes per second. This was followed by a fault in the AAE-1 cable, causing an additional data shortfall of 0.25 terabytes per second. During peak hours, internet users were advised to expect slower speeds, and telecom operators redirected traffic to alternative routes to mitigate the impact.

In August, the PTA received an increase in user complaints specifically regarding disruptions in WhatsApp service. This prompted immediate directives to telecom operators to address the issue. The PTA engaged with telecom operators for troubleshooting and resolution, and a press release was issued on August 22, 2024, to keep the public informed.

Officials reported that the situation began to improve in mid-August, and by the first week of September, the performance of Meta services, including WhatsApp, was deemed acceptable across networks. The PTA reassured the National Assembly that the SMW4 cable is expected to be repaired by October 2024, which should further normalize the situation.