So much for Pakistan’s plan for digital economy – it’s turned off the internet

Pakistan has blocked internet access across much of the country – perhaps indefinitely – as protests erupt over the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan. Khan was ousted in 2022, with Pakistan's military playing a role – as it did when he was elected. But Khan is more than a politician: he once captained Pakistan's …

[CowHorseFrog]

They probably didnt turn the internet off, they simply dont have electricity in the first place enough of the day.

[vtcodger]

It's only temporary

It's apparently just for the duration of the current emergency. Somewhere between 48 hours and 48 years most likely.

[TeeCee]

Oh dear.

Has somebody pissed on their PKNIC?

[NoneSuch]

The Internet

The bitter enemy of despots and tyrants.

If you wonder why I fight Internet censorship and government access to our private information in the "Free world," this is why.

[Strangelove]

Re: The Internet

Well this is also the reason that countries with dubious regimes ban private ownership of short wave radios, make it very hard to get on the air as a private citizen, no CB or FRS provisions, very high barriers to ham radio if it is permitted at all, etc. Not a new effect, just all about disrupting any sort of communication the govt cannot censor.

One of the reasons I get upset about folk who think protecting the radio spectrum does not matter - the real kind not the internet streaming kind... Oh, and that has been the case for a lot longer than the internet.

Mike.

[Blackjack]

We had political protests before the Internet, if they keep this people will justvgo analog and protest even harder because you just stole their online jobs.

[VoiceOfTruth]

You don't understand political protests today. They are a bit like music concerts. Everyone has their mobile phones out snapping themselves at the edge of the action for their Instagram accounts.

[Pascal Monett]

"neither necessary nor proportionate, and can never be justified"

Oh but it can be justified, when you are a military junta. It is absolutely necessary when you want to prevent protests from organizing (well, easily at least).

Just like in France, where Macron managed to pass a law against pots and pans used in protests on the basis of, wait for it, anti-terrorist laws. The poor wittle pwesident couldn't stand not hearing his bweutiful voice over the din, apparently.

Needless to say, democratic reaction was swift and lawsuits quickly quashed that rancid demonstration of dicklessness, but France is a democratic country - for now. Even so, the attempt was made.

It's pretty obvious that, in a country where democracy is just a faint hope for the future, such shenanigans - and worse - are a daily occurence.

[very angry man]

Anyone noticed that there is much less spam than last week?

[Shahjahan]

no one knows who has ordered to block social media in Pakistan. Interior ministry has denied it did it. Looks as if there is no law in Pakistan. Anybody in government can do whatever he likes.