Internet users across Pakistan reported a fresh internet outage affecting access to social media platforms, with many saying Facebook and X were reachable only through VPN on several major providers.
Customers of leading ISPs including PTCL, Ufone and Zong reported slow or partial service and said social platforms were inaccessible without VPN. Users on Nayatel said they continued to access social media without interruption, while some PTCL subscribers also complained of delays sending and receiving WhatsApp messages.
Most complaints came from Lahore, but users in Karachi, Islamabad, Faisalabad and Multan also reported disruptions. The pattern of reports reinforces concerns about the scale of the outage and its effect on daily online activities.
PTCL said the slowdown and partial outages are due to repair work on a faulty repeater in a submarine cable carried out by an international cable consortium. The company warned the repair work would begin on 14 October 2025 at 11:00 and could continue for about 18 hours, during which users may face intermittent service or reduced speeds.
The repair is expected to affect global internet routes as Pakistan relies heavily on undersea cables for international connectivity, amplifying the impact of the current internet outage beyond local networks.
No official statement has yet been issued by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority or the Ministry of Information and Technology. Meanwhile, users on social media said repeated outages in recent months have hurt online business, education and digital communication across the country.
