The demand for virtual private networks (VPNs) in Pakistan has surged dramatically, tripling in response to tighter restrictions on social media platforms.
Top10VPN, an independent VPN review site, reported a 102% increase in VPN usage on November 25 compared to the daily average of the previous 28 days. This spike grew even further on November 26, with demand rising to 213% above the norm.
The increase follows reports of authorities restricting WhatsApp media sharing ahead of planned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protests. Additionally, platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook have faced widespread disruptions, as confirmed by Downdetector.com, a platform monitoring service outages.
Citizens are voicing frustration over the lack of an official explanation for the restricted access. While many have resorted to VPNs to bypass the disruptions, they face another obstacle: slow internet speeds.
Although the government has stated that internet services were limited in certain areas due to security concerns, it has not addressed the social media disruptions directly.
Internet access issues have been reported in multiple cities across Punjab, including Multan, Rajanpur, Gujrat, and Dera Ghazi Khan, leaving residents struggling to stay connected.
