Internet Shutdowns Tracker

South Asia Shutdowns Tracker

This tracker documents instances of internet shutdowns and blocking of access to social media platforms in South Asia.

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Showing 22 events.

Country	Region / City	Networks Affected	Time Period	Status	Source
Nepal	National	Discord, Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, LinkedIn, Reddit, Signal, Snapchat, Telegram, Threads, Twitter (X), WeChat, WhatsApp, YouTube	03 Sep 2025 - 08 Sep 2025	Ended	Reference
The Nepal Ministry for Communication and Information Technology (MoCIT) ordered the Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA) to make unregistered social media sites inactive until they are registered in Nepal under the Social Media Directives 2080\.
Pakistan	Balochistan	3G and 4G mobile networks	07 Aug 2025 - 31 Aug 2025	Ended	Reference
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority ordered the suspension of mobile internet services across Balochistan province citing security-related reasons, though no specific threat details were disclosed.
Bangladesh	National	Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, Signal, Telegram, WhatsApp, X (Formerly Twitter), YouTube	16 Jul 2024 - 30 Aug 2024	Ended	Reference
In July 2024, the High Court in Bangladesh reinstated a quota system for government jobs, overturning an earlier decision by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government to scrap it. Thereafter, the Supreme Court of Bangladesh suspended the order of the High Court. Nationwide unrest broke out following student anger against the quotas for government jobs, which included 30% reserved for the families of those who fought for independence from Pakistan. Reportedly, the protests were triggered due to high unemployment among young people, who make up nearly a fifth of the population. Internet and text message services in Bangladesh were suspended — cutting the nation off as police cracked down on protesters who defied a ban on public gatherings. Overseas telephone calls mostly failed to connect while websites of Bangladesh-based media organisations did not update and their social media accounts remained inactive.
Pakistan	Regional	4G mobile network	12 May 2024 - 17 May 2024	Ended	Reference
From May 8–14, 2024, Pakistan-administered Azad Kashmir witnessed significant unrest, with daily life profoundly impacted by the violent suppression of protests by Pakistani security forces. On May 12, a mobile internet service shutdown was imposed in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) in response to a protest organized by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), a coalition of civil rights groups, demonstrating against rising electricity prices, flour subsidies, and other issues.
Pakistan	National	X (Formerly Twitter)	17 Feb 2024 - 07 May 2025	Ended	Reference
In February 2024, after general elections and widespread protests against vote rigging, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) blocked X (formerly Twitter) for all Pakistani users Despite court orders from the Islamabad and Sindh High Courts to restore access, the ban persisted with only sporadic availability. Initially, the concerned Ministry had denied that the platform was banned in the country. However, in April, at the court’s request, the Ministry submitted a report in which it admitted to ordering the blocking, allegedly due to national security reasons, the platform‘s failure to register under the Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight and Safeguards) Rules 2021, and the platform’s violation of local laws. X remained blocked in Pakistan, though it was accessible by virtual private network (VPN). Access was finally restored in May 2025.
Pakistan	National	Mobile phone services, 3G and 4G mobile networks	08 Feb 2024 - 08 Feb 2024	Ended	Reference
The Interior Ministry ordered a suspension of mobile internet and phone services across the country on general election day, citing security incidents from the previous night. The shutdown began around 02:00 UTC (07:00 PKT) and services were restored after ~13 hours around 15:00 UTC.
Pakistan	National	Curfew style downgrading of 3G and 4G internet from 5pm until 6am, Facebook, Instagram, X (Formerly Twitter), YouTube	17 Dec 2023 - 17 Nov 2023	Ended	Reference
Authorities in Pakistan temporarily slowed down internet services and blocked access to major social media platforms Sunday amid a rare online rally organized by the party of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Nepal	National	TikTok	13 Nov 2023 - 22 Aug 2024	Ended	Reference
The Government of Nepal imposed a nationwide platform-level block on TikTok citing concerns about social harmony, disruption to family structures, and the spread of indecent and anti-social content online. The Cabinet decided to ban TikTok, making Nepal one of the first South Asian governments to impose such a restriction. In 2024, the country lifted this ban.
Bangladesh	Nayapaltan	-	28 Oct 2023 - 21 Mar 2026	Ended	Reference
The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) directed telecom operators to shut down Internet services on Saturday, 28 October 2023, from 11:00 to 20:00 local time in the capital, Nayapaltan, in response to a local political rally. A source from the BTRC confirmed the matter to Jago News. Internet shutdowns during protests or civil unrest impact the ability of citizens to get accurate information from government sources when they need it most. It also becomes harder for citizens to contact family members and friends in other parts of the country, or in other countries.
Pakistan	National	4G mobile network, Mobile data services	09 May 2023 - 12 May 2023	Ended	Reference
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, on Interior Ministry orders, suspended mobile broadband nationwide following the arrest of former PM Imran Khan. The PTA declared the suspension 'indefinite.' Mobile connectivity was restored by 12 May.

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