Kill Switch 2024 Timeline

Date: 1st December, 2024 Location: Pakistan Description: The slow internet service is causing widespread social media usage and disruptions in online work. According to the report, popular platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok have either been suspended or operate at reduced speeds, leaving users frustrated with limited access. Source: https://arynews.tv/internet-services-down-across-pakistan/

Date: 29th November, 2024 Time: 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm Location: Islamabad and Rawalpindi Description: Netizens faced disruption in accessing WhatsApp and unable to send audio, video or text messages on WhatsApp on mobile data. The reason are unknown Source: Netizens

Date: 24th November, 2024 Location: Islamabad, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Time: 12:00 am Description: The government has decided to suspend internet and mobile phone services in the Islamabad and partially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab starting from midnight today. Internet and mobile phone services could be suspended in various districts of Islamabad, KP, and Punjab in wake of the protest announced by a polticial party on Nov 24. According to media source, The federal government is considering a partial suspension of internet and mobile services in Islamabad and activating the new national firewall in response to a planned protest in the federal capital. Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) may decide to activate the new firewall on mobile internet services starting November 22 (Friday). This firewall will further disrupt internet speeds and restrict citizens from downloading videos and audio on social media platforms. Source: https://pakvoices.pk/no-mobile-and-wifi-internet-in-islamabad-punjab-and-kp-from-midnight-today-till-further-orders/

Date: 19th November, 2024 Location: Pakistan Description: Netizens have been facing difficulties accessing Bluesky, a decentralized microblogging social media service, amid a recent crackdown on VPNs and restrictions on other social platforms, including the ban on X (formerly Twitter). People started facing accessibility issues recently after the platform's recent hype in digital spaces. The platform, which has over 20 million users, has seen a rise of 1 million users every day for the last five days. The app offers similar features to Twitter/X, and users joined the platform in recent days, enjoying seamless access without the need for a VPN. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has yet to provide an update on unregistered VPNs, with a ban deadline set for November 30. This has caused challenges for users accessing platforms like X, prompting them to explore alternatives such as BlueSky.

Date: 14th November, 2024 Location: Ziarat, Kalat, Mangocher, Bolan, Dukki, Loralai, Pishin, Harnai, Khuzdar, Kech, Gwadar, Panjgur and Machh Description: Internet services have been shut down due to ongoing operations by Law enforcement agencies in Balochistan against militants. Source: https://thebalochistanpost.net/2024/11/military-operations-and-widespread-communication-shutdown-across-balochistan/

Date: 12th November, 2024 Location: Kech, Gwadar and Khuzdar Description: The government of Pakistan has decided to suspend mobile internet access for all mobile networks in Khuzdar, Kech, and Gwadar. According to sources, the mobile internet is already suspended in Panjgur, and these districts have also been added to the list. Government sources have yet to confirm the action. However, the decision may have been taken due to the prevailing law and order situation in the province. Source: https://dailyintekhab.pk/archives/506203

Date: 17th - 18th, October, 2024 Location: Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Taxila and Wah Cantt Decription: Many users have been experiencing issue in sending and receiving audio video messages on WhatsApp and Facebook. The reason is yet unknown. Source: Citizens of these cities

Date: 11th October, 2024 Location: Peshawar Description: Citing the city’s volatile political climate as the reason, partial disruptions to the mobile phone network were also reported. Source: https://english.aaj.tv/news/330383577/schools-closed-mobile-signals-suspended-in-peshawar-due-to-jirga

Date: 9th October, 2024 Location: Peshawar Description: Mobile service signals in Peshawar have been partially suspended. Citizens report that mobile phone signals have disappeared at various locations in the city, and internet service is also extremely slow. The reason for this disruption has not been revealed yet. Source: https://propakistani.pk/2024/10/09/mobile-and-internet-services-disrupted-in-peshawar/

Date: 6th October - 7th October, 2024 Location: Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Wah Cantt, Taxila Description: According to Netblocks, reports about disruption in WhatsApp services were received from Raw­al­pindi, Islamabad, Kara­chi, Wah Cantt, Taxila and Lahore. The user faced difficulty in accessing WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook. Interestingly, these services were working after connecting the Virtual Private Network (VPN). Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1863351/internet-users-face-disruption-in-several-cities