Karachi has been enduring significant internet disruptions for the past three days, affecting daily routines and causing financial losses for those reliant on online services. The outages, which have impacted Wi-Fi, mobile data, and social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, have created immense challenges for residents.
Disruptions Linked to Protests and Transportation Issues
The ongoing political protests led by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters marching toward Islamabad have worsened the situation, with barricades and roadblocks contributing to further connectivity problems. Karachi, despite being a bustling metropolitan city, struggles with an inefficient public transportation system. As a result, many residents rely on online cab services, which have been severely impacted by the internet outages.
Impact on Students, Workers, and Entrepreneurs
The disruptions have caused major frustration, especially for students and professionals who are facing difficulties in commuting and working online. Aqdas Jaffar, a private company employee, shared his daily struggles with the Bykea app, which has become almost unusable due to the internet issues. Similarly, students like Neha, a medical student, have experienced a significant increase in transportation costs, paying two to three times more for their rides.
Riders, heavily dependent on app-based wages, are also facing major challenges. Khuda Baksh, a Yango driver, has expressed frustration over the poor functionality of the app and its inability to process rides effectively.
Challenges for Small Business Owners and Content Creators
Small business owners are also suffering due to the disruption of internet services. Maham Tariq, a business owner, explained how her company’s operations depend on constant online communication, which has been severely hampered. Syed Talal Rizvi, who runs an apparel brand, noted how his business logistics have been disrupted, leading to financial losses in online advertising.
Content creators have not been spared either. Zia Tabarak of Street Food PK explained that frequent outages are affecting his ability to upload content, disrupting his work and causing him to lose brand deals.
Public Outrage and Uncertainty
Veteran journalist Zarrar Khuhro weighed in on the situation, emphasizing the damage caused by uncertainty. He pointed out that economies cannot thrive under constant disruption, and such instability only adds to the frustration felt by the public.
In conclusion, the ongoing internet disruptions in Karachi are more than just an inconvenience—they are a major blow to the city’s economic activities and the daily lives of its residents.
