ISLAMABAD: Users of the Zong cellular network experienced significant disruptions in mobile and data services across multiple cities on Thursday, reportedly due to the installation of a new web management system (WMS).
Customers, including corporate clients, reported connectivity issues around noon, with many taking to social media to express their frustrations over service degradation and sudden blackouts.
Although there was no official statement from the company or the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) regarding the issues, Zong acknowledged the disruptions in responses to user complaints on social media.
Notably, the most severe disruptions were reported in Karachi. Unlike Islamabad, where security-related jamming has been ongoing ahead of the SCO moot, and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which faced restrictions due to security concerns, Karachi had no such issues reported.
PTA Sources: ‘Firewall’ Upgrade to Be Completed by October-End
M. Sarfaraz, an employee at a private firm in Islamabad, complained about weak signals and a complete blackout of mobile data services around 11:30 a.m. “Initially, I thought it was authorities testing jammers in Islamabad, but I later realized that only the Zong network had very weak signals,” he said.
In a reply to a user on its official X account, Zong stated, “Our network services are now back to normal. Sorry for the inconvenience caused earlier. We appreciate your patience and understanding. You should now be able to make calls, send texts, and browse seamlessly.”
As one of the four main mobile operators in the country, Zong holds about 26% of the total cellular customer base.
A source within the company attributed the disruptions to work on the WMS. They mentioned that the installation and testing of the content filtration system were in their final phase.
Meanwhile, a senior PTA official told Dawn that the upgrade of a content filtration system or firewall to protect against cyberattacks would be completed by the last week of October.
Authorities have also warned of potential service disruptions in Islamabad due to security concerns related to the upcoming SCO meeting and in several KP districts due to the planned Jirga by the recently banned Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement.
However, the executive added, “This is likely to be a short-term disturbance for customers, and service quality should return to normal by the end of next week.”
