Pakistan among top countries imposing internet shutdowns in 2024: report

Pakistan recorded 21 internet shutdowns in 2024, its highest-ever annual total, as the government increasingly resorted to digital blackouts to curb dissent and control information, according to a report by digital rights group Access Now. The report, released by the #KeepItOn coalition, placed Pakistan third globally in terms of internet restrictions, behind Myanmar and India.

Since 2016, Pakistan has imposed 77 internet shutdowns, with 2024 marking its worst year yet. Access Now’s Asia Pacific Policy Counsel, Shruti Narayan, said the unprecedented number of shutdowns highlighted the “ongoing erosion of democratic values” in the country. 

The shutdowns impacted businesses, journalism, and public communication. An earlier report by Top10VPN.com published in January estimated economic losses of $1.62 billion due to digital restrictions in Pakistan last year. This figure surpassed losses in conflict-affected nations like Sudan and Myanmar.

The Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) Chairman Sajjad Mustafa Syed said last year that Pakistan’s information technology sector was incurring losses of over $1 million per hour due to frequent internet shutdowns.

#KeepItOn coalition’s report documented 296 internet shutdowns worldwide across 54 countries in 2024, surpassing the previous year’s total of 283. While conflicts were the leading cause, governments also disrupted access to suppress protests and elections. 

In Pakistan, shutdowns were frequently imposed during political demonstrations and security operations, severely affecting mobile internet services.

India, which has recorded 855 shutdowns since 2016, imposed 84 last year—more than any other democracy—while Myanmar topped the list with 85. The report noted that Pakistan’s restrictions have increasingly mirrored India’s, where internet blackouts have become routine in regions like Kashmir.

Access Now also highlighted a global rise in platform blocks, with 71 recorded in 35 countries. Social media platforms such as X, TikTok, and Signal were frequently restricted, further limiting access to information. The advocacy group warned that such measures “amplify misinformation, restrict people’s ability to verify facts, and disrupt everyday life.”

Calling for urgent reform, Narayan urged Pakistani authorities to stop obstructing digital access through VPN blocking, firewall restrictions, and mobile internet shutdowns. 

“The government must recognize that internet shutdowns are not just about connectivity—they undermine democracy, restrict press freedom, and carry serious economic consequences,” she said.