Pakistan, March 3 -- Pakistan witnessed a record 21 internet shutdowns in 2024, marking its highest annual total as the government increasingly resorted to digital blackouts to control dissent and restrict information, according to a report by digital rights group Access Now. The report, released by the #KeepItOn coalition, placed Pakistan third globally in terms of internet restrictions, following Myanmar and India .Since 2016, Pakistan has implemented 77 internet shutdowns, with 2024 being the most severe. Access Now's Asia Pacific Policy Counsel, Shruti Narayan, stated that the unprecedented number of disruptions highlighted the "ongoing erosion of democratic values" in the country.

The frequent shutdowns had widespread consequences, ...