KARACHI: For the past three days, Karachi has been grappling with widespread internet disruptions. Citizens have reported issues with both Wi-Fi and mobile data services. Social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram have been largely inaccessible, making it difficult for users to send pictures, voice notes, and large files.
The ongoing protests by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) supporters heading towards Islamabad have led to barricades and blockages, exacerbating the situation. While Karachi is a bustling metropolis, its lack of a reliable public transportation system means many residents depend on online services for daily commuting and business operations. This disruption has affected students, professionals, and small business owners the most.
Students and Professionals Struggling
Students and office-goers have been particularly impacted by these disruptions. Aqdas Jaffar, an employee from Saadi Town, shared how his daily commute has become a struggle due to the internet issues. “It has been impossible to find a ride through Bykea in the mornings or evenings,” he said. “What have common citizens done to deserve this? It’s always the common man who suffers in times of political unrest.”
Neha, a student at Baqai Medical University, also expressed her frustration. “Commuting has become such a headache these days. I used to book a rickshaw through inDrive at reasonable rates, but now I have to pay much more due to the internet disruptions,” she said.
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Riders Face Challenges
Riders are also facing difficulties, as their income heavily depends on app-based services. Khuda Baksh, a Yango driver, said, “I haven’t been able to receive any rides. Even when I accept a ride, the app crashes or the map doesn’t work.” This has made it difficult for him to earn a living during the disruptions.
Business Owners and Content Creators Hit Hard
Small business owners are facing significant setbacks due to the internet issues. Maham Tariq, who owns Mayhem Bakes, highlighted how the disruption impacts everything from vendor communication to client interactions. “My business relies on the internet for everything, and this outage has thrown everything off track,” she explained.
Syed Talal Rizvi, who runs Attitude Apparel, shared similar concerns. “The logistics of my business are disrupted. My ads aren’t working, and I lost over 100,000 rupees on Meta ads that didn’t yield any results,” he said.
Content creators are also facing severe challenges. Zia Tabarak of Street Food PK, whose work depends on timely uploads and social media engagement, expressed his frustration. “This disruption impacts my content calendar and hinders my ability to make deals. It’s not just annoying, it’s harming the economy,” he said.
Expert Opinion on Economic Impact
Veteran journalist Zarrar Khuhro provided an analysis of the situation. “This is the ‘new normal,’ but there is nothing normal about this,” he said. “Uncertainty makes it impossible for businesses to project their operations. People are growing frustrated, and the authorities need to understand that economies cannot survive with this level of unpredictability.”
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