WhatsApp services have been down on cellular networks for millions of users across Pakistan since 10 Muharram (Ashura).
The issue has surfaced as a widespread inconvenience for mobile data users only, with the majority of the cases being reported for Jazz, Telenor, Ufone, and Zong subscribers so far.
Many users have reported on social media, which ProPakistani confirmed earlier today, that WhatsApp calls and text messages are working normally while media files like video and images aren’t being processed/loaded as usual. Meanwhile, WhatsApp is fully operational and working smoothly for wired broadband (WiFi) users.
The media loading issue was the heaviest during peak hours following Youm e Ashur. Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) hasn’t issued any statement for explaining why the issue has persisted for so long.
Major cellular mobile operators are currently probing this matter.
Earlier, the issue expanded to other apps in the Metaverse i.e. Instagram and Facebook with scores of users posting on X and LinkedIn that the social apps were crashing several times a day. The disruption is now largely limited to WhatsApp services for mobile network users.
Earlier this week, local authorities restricted Facebook without any official announcement which caused users to experience difficulties accessing the social media platform across various internet service providers (ISPs). Downdetector showed at the time that the restriction also impacted Instagram and WhatsApp.
Disruptions reported at the time of filing:
The restriction wasn’t supposed to outlast July 17 but so far it seems the government now has no idea how to properly remove it or whether it should remove it.
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