Kill Switch 2024 Timeline

Date: 27th July, 2024 till present Location: Ormara, Pasni, Gwadar and surroundings Description: Due to ongoing protest in Gwadar, the government has suspended mobile services in the area Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/7/31/why-protest-by-ethnic-baloch-has-put-pakistans-key-port-of-gwadar-on-edge

Date: 23rd July till 25th July, 2024 Description: The trial run of a new firewall system has caused a noticeable slowdown of social media, reported a private news outlet citing sources. Officials with knowledge of the matter have confirmed, raising concerns about the future of internet-based businesses in Pakistan. However, they assured that internet traffic would return to its normal pace once the trial period concludes. Source: https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2024/07/25/internet-speed-slows-down-across-pakistan-heres-why/

Date: 17th July, 2024 Time: 8 am to 10 pm Description: Mobile services have been suspended in several parts of Pakistan in observance of Ashura as part of precautionary measures taken by the authorities to maintain peace and avoid any potential untoward situations during this significant religious event Location: Rawalpindi, Wah Cantt, Taxila, Gujrat, Dera Ismail Khan, Nankana Sahab, Chiniot, Gujranwala, Narowal, Toba Tek Singh, Bhakkar, Mandi Bahauddin, Wazirabad, Rajanpur, Faisalabad, Bahawalnagar, Hafizabad, DG Khan, Jhang, Quetta, Karachi, Peshawar, Shikarpur, Jacobabad Source: https://www.samaa.tv/2087317874-mobile-internet-services-suspended-across-pakistan-for-muharram

Date: 16th July, 2024 Description: On the ninth day of Muharram, also known as taasuaa, the troops of Yazid besieged the tents belonging to Imam Hossein's companions. On the day of aashooraa, a harsh battle, or nabard, took place, during which Imam Hossein and his companions were martyred in an unjust manner Timing: 8 am to 10 pm Location: Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Sargodha, Khushab, Sialkot, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Multan, Khanewal, Lodhran, Vehari, Sahiwal, Pakpattan, Okara, Chiniot, Quetta, Shikarpur, Jacobabad, Karachi, Peshawar, Rawalpindi Source: https://www.geo.tv/latest/554436-ashura-cellular-services-to-remain-partly-suspended-in-parts-of-punjab

Date: 14th July, 2024 Description: 7th Muharram is observed and commemorated as a day when the water supplies of the Imam Hussain a.s and his companions desiccated. Location: Bahwalpur, Jhang, Quetta, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad Source: https://www.geo.tv/latest/554436-ashura-cellular-services-to-remain-partly-suspended-in-parts-of-punjab

Date: 17th June, 2024 Location: Across country Reason: fault in the global submarine cable SMW4 Description: According to the spokesperson of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), internet services in certain areas of Pakistan are experiencing disruptions due to a fault in the global submarine cable SMW4 Source: https://propakistani.pk/2024/06/17/fault-in-submarine-cable-is-disrupting-internet-in-pakistan-once-again/

Date: 13th May, 2024 Location: All 10 districts of Azad Jammu & Kashmir Description: Due to ongoing protests in AJK against increases in power tariffs, flour prices, and elite privileges for the past three days, government decided to suspend cellular services in AJK due to law and order situation. Source: https://propakistani.pk/2024/05/13/govt-decides-to-shut-down-mobile-networks-for-2-days-in-ajk/

Date: 21st & 22nd February, 2024 Location: Punjab and Balochistan Description: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has announced that cellular services will be temporarily suspended in specific districts across Punjab and Balochistan on April 21st and 22nd, during the upcoming by-elections. Source: https://propakistani.pk/2024/04/20/pta-announces-to-shut-down-internet-in-punjab-and-balochistan-during-by-elections/

Location: Pakistan Date: 9th April, 2024 Description: Internet services were disrupted in Pakistan with users reporting outages and sluggish internet speeds from various parts of the country. Outage tracking website Downdetector.com reported disruptions in internet services across various regions of the country with Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd (PTCL), Nayatel, and Transworld Home reportedly affected. Users primarily experienced service disruptions from PTCL in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi, while Transworld Home encountered similar problems in Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Peshawar. Nayatel users reported issues mainly from Rawalpindi, Lahore, and nearby Okara. Source: https://tribune.com.pk/story/2462174/internet-services-face-disruption-across-pakistan

Location: Peshawar Time: 9 pm to 6 am Description: Residents of various areas in the provincial capital have been experiencing disruptions in cellular internet services for over a week, leading to inconvenience and raising concerns among the people. Initially, reports suggested that the interruptions were due to an ongoing repair work, resulting in the suspension of internet services from 9pm to 6am daily. However, this practice has persisted for nearly 10 consecutive days, impacting numerous areas of Peshawar city and villages along Kohat Road, including Garhi Qamardin, Bahader Kelay, Gulshan Rahman Colony, Hazarkhwani, and several other areas every night. Expressing frustration, a villager named Zulfiqar Khan stated: “We had heard of load-shedding of power and gas. This is something new and nobody has explained as to what is happening as it has triggered concerns among thousands of people.” He urged the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and other relevant agencies to ensure the regular supply of internet services, emphasising that children and youth rely on it for educational purposes, research, staying connected with family and friends, and various other needs, for which they pay significant amounts. The disruption in cellular internet services has not only inconvenienced residents but also underscored the importance of reliable internet connectivity in today’s digital age. Authorities have yet to provide clarity on the cause of the prolonged interruptions, leaving affected individuals seeking answers and solutions to alleviate the inconvenience. Source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1174441-people-decry-disruption-of-cellular-internet-services