Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has downplayed the ongoing issues with WhatsApp services being faced by users in Pakistan, attributing it to a possible “technical glitch”, Geo News has reported.
Problems arose a few days ago when users reported difficulty in sending and receiving media files, such as voice notes, photos, and videos, on WhatsApp using their mobile networks.
Complaints included media files either taking too long to download or not downloading at all, with some users receiving the following message from WhatsApp: “Couldn’t download document. Try again. If the problem keeps happening, try connecting to Wi-Fi.”
In the last 24 hours, Downdetector, a global platform that monitors problems with websites and online applications, has continued to receive reports regarding WhatsApp’s outages in Pakistan.
Telecom companies confirmed the issue to Geo News but did not comment further on the reasons behind it.
Interestingly, Usama Khilji, the director of Bolo Bhi, an advocacy forum for digital rights in Pakistan, suggested that the WhatsApp disruptions could be linked to the recent installation of the government firewall.
Khilji added that the complete lack of transparency regarding the firewall system being installed was “criminal.”
PTA spokesperson Malahat Obaid denied any issues with WhatsApp, saying, “There is no issue with WhatsApp or any social media apps currently. In case anyone has experienced any such issue lately, it may be due to some technical glitch.”
