An independent report by the VPN review website Top10VPN reveals that VPN usage in Pakistan surged by 102% on November 25, compared to the daily average over the previous 28 days. The demand for VPNs spiked even further on November 26, reaching 213% above the baseline. This sharp increase in VPN use coincides with growing concerns about government-imposed restrictions on social media platforms ahead of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) planned protests.
The government reportedly introduced additional restrictions, including limiting media sharing on WhatsApp in anticipation of PTI demonstrations. As a result, popular platforms such as WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook have experienced widespread disruptions, with many users turning to VPNs to access these services.
Downdetector.com, which tracks online service outages, confirmed that several major social media sites faced technical issues in Pakistan, leading to frustration among users. The exact cause of these disruptions remains unclear, as authorities have not provided an official statement on the extent of the restrictions.
Many citizens have expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of transparency and the sudden disruptions. While using VPNs has allowed users to bypass the restrictions, it has introduced its own problems, such as slower internet speeds and connectivity issues, further adding to their frustrations.
In addition to social media outages, internet services have also been affected in various regions of Punjab, including Multan, Rajanpur, Gujrat, and Dera Ghazi Khan. Residents in these areas have faced significant challenges in accessing basic online services, compounding communication difficulties in the affected regions.
