Cloudflare’s view of Internet disruptions in Pakistan

Between May 9-12, Pakistan experienced mobile internet shutdowns and blocks on several social media platforms following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan on corruption charges. This led to a significant drop in internet traffic nationwide, with peak levels falling by almost 30% within the first few days of the shutdowns. Mobile device request volume declined by 60%, while desktop traffic remained fairly consistent. The government's directive impacted four major mobile network providers, leading users to shift to fixed broadband networks as a backup. In addition to this, Pakistan's authorities ordered internet service providers to block access to social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter. Despite these measures, there was an increase in the use of Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1 resolver by users seeking ways to maintain access to the open internet. The shutdowns have had a significant impact on "gig workers", freelancers, and point-of-sale terminals that rely on mobile connectivity.