Social media slowdown hampers PTI's virtual fundraiser

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) virtual fundraiser on Sunday once again encountered challenges in the digital sphere due to a social media blackout that disrupted internet services and blocked access to major social platforms across the nation, leading to complications in the local banking system's efforts to collect donations for the party in Pakistan.

NetBlocks, a global internet monitor, corroborated the widespread disruption to social media platforms ahead of the PTI's virtual rally.

The internet tracking agency reported a widespread disruption in social media platforms across Pakistan, including X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

It noted that the occurrence coincided with the launch of the election fundraising telethon by Imran Khan's party, PTI.

According to Alp Toker, Director of Netblocks, the disruptions were impacting network providers nationwide.
Toker stated, "Targeting political activities on such a large scale through social media across the nation is highly uncommon. Venezuela is another country known to have employed similar tactics to restrict opposition speeches and rallies."A comparable situation occurred just a month ago when internet disruptions were observed during a PTI virtual event.

Earlier in the day, PTI had declared its plan to conduct a virtual fundraising telethon and manifesto unveiling at 9 pm.

However, by around 6 pm, users from various regions of the country reported an inability to access social media platforms. Concurrently, complaints surfaced about sluggish internet services

Nonetheless, PTI’s virtual telethon collected donations of over $125,000 and Rs100 million were collected during over four hours of the broadcast by overseas and local PTI supporters besides pledges which may be realised in the coming days.

‘Petty acts of aggression’

Reacting to the abrupt disruptions in social media services, the PTI alleged that the occurrence was specifically meant to target PTI, saying that the move “just shows how petty acts of aggression by the illegitimate state, such as internet shutdown, can never stand in the face of the resolve of an enlightened, resilient nation”.

PTI, on its official X handle, termed the development shameful, demanding that the Caretaker IT Minister should resign.

Meanwhile, PTI leader Sayed Zulfi Bukhari said that the internet services were shut down to stop the party’s fundraiser.

This is not the first time that social media and internet services have been disrupted in the country. On December 17, a similar blockage was reported before a PTI virtual rally.The disruption of the internet and social media services incurred billions of rupees worth of losses to Pakistan’s telecom sector. The suspension affected e-commerce, online services, home delivery and ride-hailing apps to a great extent.

Read Twitter fixes links outage that hit thousands of users

‘Imran punished for demanding nation’s freedom’

Meanwhile, during the party’s virtual fundraising telethon, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan reiterated the party’s allegations that Imran Khan, who is behind bars, was being punished for his commitment to real freedom in Pakistan.

“He finds himself incarcerated under dubious charges solely for the cause of his nation's freedom. Imprisoned with the sole purpose of safeguarding the liberty and right to express for every Pakistani citizen, he remains resolute in his pursuit of these ideals, he asserted.

Furthermore, he emphasised Imran’s commitment to the protection of the nation's rights and the strengthening of its institutions, particularly advocating for an independent judiciary and a robust justice system.

The PTI chief further asserted that the future trajectory of Pakistan lies in constitutional democracy, wherein power resides with the people and a meticulous system of checks and balances ensures accountability and justice.

Expressing optimism despite perceived injustices against his party, Barrister Gohar stressed the essential nature of elections as a constitutional means to hold the outgoing government accountable and reaffirmed the party's constitutional right to participate in this democratic exercise.Owing to jittery internet connectivity in the country, the PTI chairman could not complete his address and disconnected abruptly during his speech.

Addressing the telethon audience, PTI candidate and senior advocate Salman Akram Raja lamented the unprecedented circumstances facing the nation, characterising it as a systemic assault.

He described the helplessness of civil servants and the police in the face of powerful forces, urging the people of Pakistan to prevail in the ongoing war through their right to vote.

Former Special Assistant of the Prime Minister on Poverty Alleviation, Senator Dr Sania Nishtar, shared her experiences working under the leadership of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and highlighted the government's initiatives for social protection and poverty alleviation in the country.

She highlighted that modern technology and banking channels were used for the first time in Pakistan for disbursement payments in a transparent and respectable manner.

During the telethon, other party leaders and workers recounted their struggles post-May 9.

The party paid tribute to martyrs of the struggle for real independence in Pakistan through a slideshow, complemented by party anthems, songs, and short documentaries.