Internet Is Still Down In Pakistan: What’s Really Happening in 2026?

By: Arslan Ali

On: Wednesday, January 7, 2026 10:11 AM

Internet Is Still Down In Pakistan
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Internet Is Still Down In Pakistan. If you’re wondering why the internet is still down in Pakistan even after 48 hours, you’re not alone. Millions of users across the country are facing slow speeds, failed uploads, and unstable connections. As 2026 begins, Pakistan’s internet disruption has already raised serious concerns for users, businesses, and digital services nationwide.

Internet Is Still Down in Pakistan After Over 48 Hours

The internet outage in Pakistan has now crossed the 48-hour mark, affecting both home broadband and mobile data users. According to official confirmations from leading Internet Service Providers (ISPs), the issue is not limited to one network—it’s nationwide.

This prolonged slowdown has impacted:

  • Remote workers
  • Freelancers and IT professionals
  • Online businesses
  • Students relying on digital learning
  • Banking and cloud-based services

The situation has once again highlighted Pakistan’s heavy dependence on a single internet backbone infrastructure.

Official Confirmation from Nayatel

One of Pakistan’s largest broadband providers, Nayatel, officially confirmed the ongoing issue through its X (formerly Twitter) account.

What Nayatel Confirmed

  • Upload speeds remain severely degraded
  • The issue has persisted for over two days
  • No confirmed restoration timeline has been shared

Nayatel clarified that its fiber backbone is sourced from PTCL, meaning that any disruption at PTCL’s end directly affects Nayatel users across the country.

PTCL Backbone: The Core of the Problem

Why PTCL Matters So Much

Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) is the primary backbone provider for:

  • Nayatel
  • Local cable internet providers
  • Corporate networks
  • Government institutions

Because of this centralized dependency, any technical fault or routing issue at PTCL level cascades nationwide.

Affected Services Linked to PTCL

  • PTCL Broadband
  • PTCL Flash Fiber
  • Nayatel Fiber
  • StormFiber (partial impact)
  • Smaller regional ISPs

This explains why users on different ISPs are experiencing similar symptoms.

Mobile Internet Users Also Hit Hard

The issue isn’t limited to wired broadband.

Networks Experiencing Problems

Testing conducted by multiple users and tech platforms confirms problems with:

  • Zong 4G / 5G
  • Ufone
  • Jazz (select regions)
  • Telenor (intermittent issues)

Common Mobile Internet Issues

  • Extremely slow upload speeds
  • WhatsApp media not sending
  • Google Drive & cloud sync failures
  • Video calls dropping
  • VPNs not connecting properly

This suggests the issue affects international routing or upstream connectivity, not just local infrastructure.

Symptoms Users Are Reporting

Here’s a quick overview of the most common complaints:

IssueImpact Level
Slow Upload SpeedsSevere
Website TimeoutsHigh
Cloud Service FailuresHigh
Video StreamingModerate
Online GamingUnplayable
VPN ConnectionsMostly Down

Download speeds may appear normal in some cases, but uploads are critically affected, making most modern internet usage impossible.

Why This Internet Outage Is More Serious

Unlike short-term outages caused by cable cuts or local faults, this disruption is alarming because:

  • It has lasted over 48 hours
  • There is no official ETA
  • Multiple ISPs are affected simultaneously
  • International traffic appears disrupted

Possible Technical Causes

While no ISP has shared technical details, experts believe the issue could involve:

  • International submarine cable routing
  • BGP misconfiguration
  • Upstream bandwidth throttling
  • Core network congestion
  • Firewall or filtering issues

Impact on Freelancers & Digital Economy

Pakistan’s digital economy is heavily dependent on stable internet connectivity.

Who Is Suffering the Most

  • Fiverr & Upwork freelancers
  • Remote software developers
  • Call centers & BPO companies
  • YouTubers and content creators
  • Online traders & crypto users

Delayed deliveries, missed deadlines, and client dissatisfaction could cause long-term reputational damage for Pakistani professionals.

Government & Regulatory Silence

So far, there has been no official statement from:

  • PTA (Pakistan Telecommunication Authority)
  • Ministry of IT & Telecom
  • PTCL Headquarters

This silence has fueled frustration and speculation across social media platforms.

Public Reaction on Social Media

Pakistani users have taken to X, Facebook, and Reddit to express anger and concern.

Trending Complaints

  • “Internet is unusable since 2 days”
  • “Uploads completely seezed”
  • “No updates from ISPs”
  • “How are freelancers supposed to work?”

The lack of transparent communication has worsened the public response.

Is This a Repeating Pattern in Pakistan?

Unfortunately, yes.

Pakistan has experienced multiple internet disruptions in recent years due to:

  • Cable faults
  • Political events
  • Security measures
  • Infrastructure limitations

The over-reliance on a single backbone provider continues to be a major weakness.

What Users Can Do Right Now

While waiting for official resolution, here are some practical steps:

Temporary Workarounds

  • Try alternate DNS (Google / Cloudflare)
  • Switch between mobile & broadband
  • Use local servers where possible
  • Delay heavy uploads if feasible

VPNs may not help if international routing is affected.

When Will Internet Be Restored in Pakistan?

At the time of writing, no confirmed restoration timeline has been announced by:

  • Nayatel
  • PTCL
  • Mobile network operators

Users are advised to monitor official ISP social channels for real-time updates.

FAQs About Internet Down in Pakistan

Why is the internet still down in Pakistan?

The outage appears to be linked to PTCL’s backbone infrastructure, affecting multiple ISPs and mobile networks nationwide.

Which networks are affected by the internet issue?

PTCL, Nayatel, Zong, Ufone, and other providers are facing degraded performance.

Is mobile internet also affected?

Yes, many users report severe upload issues on 4G and 5G networks.

Has PTCL given any official update?

As of now, no detailed public statement or ETA has been shared.

How long will this outage last?

There is no confirmed timeline. Restoration depends on resolving the core infrastructure issue.

Conclusion

The fact that the internet is still down in Pakistan after over 48 hours raises serious concerns about the country’s digital resilience in 2026. With no official timeline, millions of users remain stuck in uncertainty. This incident highlights the urgent need for diversified backbone infrastructure, transparent communication, and stronger digital policies.

Arslan Ali

Arslan Ali is a Pakistani blogger who shares simple and trusted information about BISP 8171 and other PM & CM schemes. He explains updates in easy words so people can quickly understand registration, eligibility, and payment details. His goal is to help families stay informed with accurate and real-time guidance.

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